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Frequently Asked Questions

Our Lady of the Lake University does not currently offer a tuition deferment option. Most students will use student loans to cover the upfront expenses, then pay themselves back with their employer’s reimbursement upon receiving their grade.

Currently, the University’s programs are unable to be taken in a hybrid format.

Due to the variant nature of textbooks needed, they are not included in the tuition price. This gives you the option to choose whether you would like to buy new or used books or simply rent them. It also allows you to choose what type of book works best for your learning style, whether that means hard copies or e-books.

We have a combination of full-time and adjunct faculty for this program. Learn more about our faculty here.

The majority of our MSW faculty are listed at the level of assistant or full professor status. Most hold an LCSW or a Ph.D. and are highly accomplished in their field.

We have a combination of full-time and adjunct faculty for this program. Read about the faculty here.

The tuition estimate does not include textbooks, supplies, personal expenses, or loan fees.

You can review the tuition and associated fees here.

You may also reach out to the Financial Aid office at finaid@ollusa.edu or Student Accounts at studentaccounts@ollusa.edu to learn more about tuition

There are:

  • Administrative/processing fee: $78 per semester
  • Library fee: $60 per semester ($30 if part-time)
  • Technology fee: $250 per semester ($125 if part-time)
  • General fee: $79 per semester ($58 if part-time)
  • Health Service Fee:$16 per semester
  • Graduation Fee: $100 one time fee

Please see our tuition page for a complete review.

Yes, OLLU is a Yellow Ribbon school and military students receive a 10% tuition discount on online programs.

You can apply for grants, scholarships, and federal financial aid. See the Save Time & Money tab above for the many options available.

You can also apply for federal student aid. OLLU’s federal school code is 003598.

The University does try to accommodate its military students so they may continue their education during their deployment, when possible. Since every student’s circumstance will vary, the accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Currently, Our Lady of the Lake University does not extend discounts for paying for an entire year.

Yes, financial aid can be used for textbooks and cost-of-living expenses.

Yes, you can. We are required to report the net tuition cost to the VA after applying grants, scholarships, discounts, etc., that apply to tuition. The balance is what VA will pay under Chapter 33.

You are welcome to visit the campus at any time. If you’d like a formal tour, please call 855-275-1082 so one can be arranged at your convenience.

With a degree in social work, you will have exceptional skills in communication and advocacy, valuable traits in any industry. Professionals with these degrees find careers as outpatient health specialists, behavior analysts, public health managers, within policy, and more.

OLLU designed its online programs so working professionals could achieve the education needed to advance their careers. Studying online means you can learn in the times and locations best suited to your lifestyle and to your work and family obligations.

The programs are designed for year-round attendance. However, typically students do have the ability to take time off throughout the year if needed. There are some exceptions to this depending on the program. Students should consult with their student success coordinator prior to taking time off from the program.

There are small breaks in between semesters, and students can always work with their SSCs to take a term off as a ‘break’ but they would want to discuss that option and see how it would affect their class pacing.

Absolutely not. The University welcomes students of all faiths and has a diverse student body.

No, there is not a concentration to select. The curriculum was developed to prepare you for a career in a variety of settings — from direct practice to community outreach and more — and is one of only three social work programs in the country to provide an emphasis on serving the urgent needs of the Hispanic community, the fastest-growing demographic nationwide. Many students are able to earn a Violence Prevention & Intervention and/or Dismantling Oppression Certificate.

Yes. You’ll select either Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or School Counseling as a specialization.

Yes, all aspects of the application file need to be complete before they are reviewed.

No. You will not receive a W-2 from the VA, and benefits paid under any law administered by VA should not be reported as income to the IRS.

No, military benefits do not extend to your spouse and immediate family members.

Transfer credits for OLLU’s graduate programs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may range between 3-6 credit hours.

Transfer credits for undergraduate students are based upon review. A maximum of 72 credits may be transferred from a community college and a maximum of 75 hours may transfer in total. Upper-division social work courses will be reviewed and transferred only if completed at a CSWE-accredited program after determining equivalence with the BSW department.

Students pay for the classes they are taking that term. Full payment is due prior to the start of class.

Currently, OLLU does not offer any application extensions. With multiple starts throughout the year, the University offers different options for students to submit an application.

No, all of OLLU’s programs are offered in a convenient, 100% online format.

The University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs online. See the options here.

OLLU does offer provisional/conditional acceptance at times. This is on a case-by-case basis and depends on an individual’s application packet and requirements.

Before you start the program, you will take part in orientation to make sure you understand the system and how to use its resources.

At this time, OLLU does not provide college credit for work experience.

Because these programs are online, they do not support Visa requirements.

OLLU does not require a MAT or GRE score for acceptance into our online social work programs.

Students may transfer up to 6 credits into the Master of Arts in Counseling program. Transfer credits are accepted at the discretion of the department and should be requested upon application to the program.

No, this program does not follow a cohort model.

Students take two courses every 14 weeks, which is considered full-time.

The MA in Counseling program includes two courses every 14 weeks and is generally considered a part-time schedule.

The program does not require any residencies.

While the MAC program does not currently offer a virtual open house, you can learn more about the program here.

While the MA in Counseling does not offer scholarships through the program itself, you may qualify for institutional or federal scholarships.

Yes. You can choose from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling specializations.

Our Master of Arts in Counseling program does not require you to take an entrance exam for admission.

No, there is no work experience requirement to enroll in the Master of Arts in Counseling program.

Graduate-level transfer credits are reviewed case-by-case. MSW students may transfer up to 6 credits to the Foundation program and 3 credits to the Advanced Standing program. Transfer credits are accepted at the discretion of the department and should be requested upon application to the program.

No, the MSW does not follow a cohort model.

Both full- and part-time program options are available for the MSW program, so you can choose which option works best for you.

Yes, you can take one class per 7-week term as a part-time option, or request to accelerate your program and take two courses per 7-week term, making it more of a full-time program.

The MSW program does not offer a virtual open house at this time.

No, the MSW does not offer concentrations.

No, the MSW does not offer programmatic scholarships at this time. However, you may qualify for institutional or federal scholarships.

No, there is no entrance exam requirement.

No work experience is required for this online program.

We accept up to 72 transfer credits from your previous university or community college. You can review all the admissions requirements here.

It’s up to you. You can complete the BSW program as a full- or part-time student, depending on the number of courses you plan to complete per semester. Students must take at least two courses to be considered part-time and at least four courses per semester to be considered full-time.

It’s up to you. You can complete the BSW program as a full- or part-time student, depending on the number of courses you wish to complete at a time. Students must take at least two courses to be considered part-time and at least four courses per semester to be considered full-time.

The program does not follow a cohort model.

There is no residency component for this program because it is a fully online format.

While the online BSW does not currently offer a virtual open house, you can learn more about the online BSW here.

While the online BSW at OLLU does not offer a specific concentration, the curriculum was developed to prepare you for careers in various settings — from direct practice to community outreach and more. OLLU’s program is one of only three social work programs in the country to emphasize serving the urgent needs of the Hispanic community, the fastest-growing demographic nationwide. Many students are able to earn a Violence Prevention & Intervention and/or Dismantling Oppression Certificate.

While the online BSW does not offer programmatic scholarships, you might qualify for institutional or federal scholarships.

Applicants are asked to submit an SAT/ACT score within our acceptable range:

  • For students with a 2.5 or higher grade point average (on a four-point scale), OLLU requires a minimum total score of 840 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections of the SAT or a 15 composite on the ACT.
  • For students with a 2.0–2.49-grade point average (on a four-point scale), OLLU requires a minimum total score of 880 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections of the SAT or a 17 composite on the ACT.
  • If it has been since 2015–2016 and the student has not taken 12 or more credit hours of college coursework, then an Accuplacer may be requested at the time of application. This individualized placement testing tool helps ensure that students and advisors make more meaningful and reliable placement decisions.

You do not need work experience to apply to the online BSW program.

Across all of the University’s programs, you have access to Career Services. While job placement is not guaranteed, the University does have the ability to support your résumé creation, offer interview tips and skills, provide resources for finding a job, and more. OLLU’s online system, Handshake, is available for online students as well.

Many students apply for student loans. All inquiries regarding student loans start with the FAFSA here to determine financial aid eligibility. OLLU’s FAFSA® code is 3598.

All inquiries regarding student loans start with the FAFSA® Form here. OLLU’s FAFSA® code is 3598.

You can start the FAFSA ® form here. OLLU’s FAFSA® code is 3598.

You don’t. Yellow Ribbon funding is part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and is automatically applied if your tuition costs exceed the maximum state cap for tuition reimbursement and you qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% rate.

OLLU has a simple, three-step application process — start here.

To begin the application process, you can start the online application here.

Getting started is easy with our online application.

The first step in the simple, three-step application process is to fill out your application. Get started now.

Go to the VA’s education application page and follow their instructions.

If you are a U.S. military veteran, use the Find a Form link, search and complete VA Form 22-1990, Application for VA Education Benefits. The VA will typically mail your COE within eight weeks.

To access your Certificate of Eligibility, please sign in to your account. When you are logged in, you can make this request. You will only be able to view the benefit if you are awarded educational benefits.

Request and provide an official copy of your JST or CCAF transcript during the admissions process, along with your prior college transcripts and high school transcripts so the admissions team can evaluate them.

You can order your transcripts using the appropriate military branch link below. Please note that you will likely be prompted to accept the DoD’s security certificates manually.

OLLU tries to accommodate its military students so they may continue their education during their deployment, when possible. Since every student’s circumstance will vary, the accommodations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

OLLU offers rigorous, CSWE-Accredited programs that meet professional standards and prepare you for real-world practice. You learn from expert faculty members who have years of field experience, learning everything you need to pursue licensing after graduation and take a step forward in advancing your career.

If you take two courses every 14 weeks, you can complete:

  • the School Counseling concentration in 3.5 years
  • the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling concentrations in 3–3.5 years.

The Advanced Standing Program can be completed in 11–20 months and is available to students holding a bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.

First-year college students can earn the online BSW in four years. However, with transfer credits, some students may complete the program as quickly as 2 years.

There is no theology in the Master of Arts in Counseling program.

As a University inspired by Catholic values and the heritage of the founding Congregation of Divine Providence, the University is a community called to transform individuals as they discover their purpose in life. Our Lady of the Lake is a community whose members are committed to serving students by:

  • Ensuring high-quality and innovative undergraduate and graduate learning experiences
  • Fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth
  • Preparing students for success and continued service

There is no theology in the BSW program.

As a University inspired by Catholic values and the heritage of the founding Congregation of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a community called to transform individuals as they discover their purpose in life.

As a Catholic university sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a community whose members are committed to serving students by:

  • Ensuring high-quality and innovative undergraduate and graduate learning experiences
  • Fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth
  • Preparing students for success and continued service

Depending on your program of choice, your program’s classes could be 7 weeks long or 14 weeks long.

The School Counseling specialization takes an average of 3.5 years, and the Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Rehabilitation specialization takes an average of 3–3.5 years. However, you have up to 6 years to complete the degree.

You have up to 6 years to complete the program.

Most full-time students complete the online BSW in 2-4 years but you have up to 10 years to complete your degree.

The length of time it takes to become a licensed social worker depends upon many factors such as prior academic and professional experience, certifications and licensing, how long it takes you to complete the master’s program, and what your state’s licensing requirements in social work are.

The application process usually takes about 1-2 weeks. This can vary since part of the process is dependent on gathering transcripts from schools attended.

The first school of social work in the state of Texas, OLLU’s Worden School of Social Service, has been educating social work leaders since 1942.

The MSW at OLLU has been online for nearly 10 years, and OLLU launched the BSW online in August 2020.

The length of the admissions process depends upon the program, however from start to finish the University’s most successful candidates complete their files in 2-3 weeks. Upon verified completion, decisions can take between 2-4 weeks to be rendered.

The program requires 600 hours of internship experience and 100 hours of practicum experience for all specializations.

Students are required to complete one full-time, supervised field experience in an agency, under the supervision of a social worker. BSW students must complete a minimum of 450 agency-based clock hours. You can learn more about the Field Education requirements here.

Depending upon your concentration, you’ll complete 16–20 courses to earn your Master of Arts in Counseling.

You’ll take 19 courses for the Foundation and 10 courses for the Advanced MSW.

You may take as many as 40 or as few as 20 courses, depending on transfer credits. First-year college students can expect to take the full number of credit hours unless they have AP course credits accepted for transfer.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and the School Counseling specializations include 60 credit hours.

There are 57 credits for the online Foundation MSW, or 30 credits required for the Advanced Standing MSW.

There are 120 credits required for the online BSW from Our Lady of the Lake University. Students may transfer up to 72 credits to OLLU. Take a look at the courses now.

The MAC program does not accept transfer credits.

Graduate-level transfer credits are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For applicants pursuing the Foundation MSW program, a maximum of 6 credits may be accepted. For applicants seeking the Advanced Standing MSW, a maximum of 3 credits may be accepted. Transfer credits are accepted at the discretion of the department and should be requested upon application to the program.

We accept up to 72 transfer credits from your previous university or community college. You can review all the admissions requirements here.

The Foundation program has two fieldwork requirements. The first consists of 450 hours and the second consists of 500 hours. The Advanced Standing program has a 500-hour fieldwork requirement.

OLLU currently has 800+ online students.

More than 3,100 students attend OLLU’s 60 undergraduate majors and minors, more than 14 master’s programs, and three doctoral programs.

Online programs typically take 15-20 hours a week per course to complete.

This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You can speak with the admissions team directly for more information by calling 210-432-8904 or emailing application@ollusa.edu.

Once your file is complete, it is sent to the Graduate Committee for review. The review process can take 1-2 weeks.

Yes, contact our VA Certifying Official Marsha Eldridge by phone at 210-431-6519 or email at mreldridge@ollusa.edu.

You can also visit https://benefits.va.gov/gibill.

If not accepted, then your options will depend on any reasoning surrounding your denial. This is going to differ for each individual.

It is possible. If you are authorized to use more than one GI Bill® benefit, you may use up to 48 months of benefits, but one at a time. If you have used all of your Chapter 30 benefits and have not utilized other chapters (31, 32, 34, 35, 1606, or 1607), you could be eligible for an additional 12 months if you have not reached your delimiting date.

Most students will use student loans to cover the upfront expenses, then pay themselves back with their employer’s reimbursement upon receiving their grade. Our Lady of the Lake University does not currently offer a tuition deferment option.

The diploma is the same as the one received by students who complete their program on campus.

The MAC Program recently submitted their self-study to be considered for CACREP accreditation (June 2024). After submission, the accreditation timeline is beyond the control of the program. CACREP states that the accreditation process typically takes 18 months from program submission to accreditation decision, however this timeline is not guaranteed. Although we feel quite confident in our program’s readiness for CACREP accreditation, we must reiterate that submission of the self-study does not guarantee the MAC program will be granted accreditation. If accredited, all students who graduated 18 months prior to the official CACREP accreditation date are granted CACREP graduate status. The faculty and staff of the counseling program at Our Lady of the Lake University are committed to achieving CACREP accreditation and will continue to communicate updates with students.

No, this program is offered entirely online.

Yes, the online MSW program is fully CSWE accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

This program is offered both online and on-campus, however, due to the lockstep nature of the program it is highly recommended that a student select their desired modality and stick with it through the duration of their enrollment. If a student does start in one or the other, however, they can work with an adviser to make a change. The MSW is not considered blended or hybrid, as there is no requirement for any course work to be done on campus.

The Worden School of Social Service at Our Lady of the Lake University has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1942 and meets all guidelines for regional accreditation. The degree you earn online is identical to the Bachelor of Social Work degree offered on campus. Upon earning your BSW, you may apply for the Master of Social Work’s Advanced Standing program, an accredited program of 30 credits that may be completed in 12 consecutive months of accelerated track study.

No, this program is only offered on-campus or entirely online.

The online degree is of the same rigor and has the exact same outcomes as OLLU’s on-campus programs.

Yes, Our Lady of the Lake University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

There is no difference between the online and on-campus courses. The curriculum, expectations, and learning outcomes are all the same as they are for the on-campus programs.

Our Lady of the Lake was founded in San Antonio, Texas in 1895 and remains there today. It operates as a co-educational, comprehensive university serving more than 3,100 students in more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors, more than 14 master’s programs, and three doctoral programs.

Yes. Even though OLLU is a traditional Catholic, faith-based school, it has students from many different religious backgrounds and welcomes and encourages diversity.

Work experience is not required for admission into the University’s online programs.

Given current privacy laws, the University cannot give out student contact information. However, you can visit OLLU’s social media pages on Twitter and Facebook.

The University welcomes you to campus at any time, especially for this important milestone.

Applicants to the MA in Counseling program need:

  • A completed online application
  • Background check fee: $10
  • Background check authorization form
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Sealed transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions attended
  • Personal statement
  • Student acknowledgment form
  • Student questionnaire
  • Reference form
  • A complete and current résumé
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • FERPA Consent to Release Educational Records and Information form (consent for release of records to OLLU certification officer and program faculty)
  • Current teaching license and teaching service record (if applicable)

Additional Requirements

Please see our admissions page for further details.

For the Advanced Standing program, students need:

  • A completed application
  • Completed form for each Letter of Recommendation
  • A bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) completed within the last 8 years
  • Cumulative undergraduate 3.0 grade-point average in all undergraduate coursework and cumulative social work major
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary work
  • Three letters of recommendation written within the past year
  • A personal statement
  • A current résumé

For the Foundation program, students need:

  • A completed application
  • Completed form for each Letter of Recommendation
  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5, or a 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work
  • Official transcripts from all previous post-secondary work
  • Three letters of recommendation written within the past year
  • A personal statement
  • A current résumé

You can review all the admissions requirements here.

We have three start dates in January, May, and August.

The MSW has six start dates per year. Start your program in January, March, May, July, August, and October.

The next start for the online BSW is January 2021, with the following start date in Fall 2021.

Start dates vary by program. Find your program to learn more.

Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic community with faith in a Provident God at its roots. Its core values reflect what we believe and live in our daily lives:

COMMUNITY

OLLU is a community that values and expects:

  • Respect for diversity of experience, thought, and expression.
  • Transparency and accountability.
  • Productivity, creativity, and innovation.

TRUST

OLLU recognizes our individual and collective roles and responsibilities. As loyal and contributing members of the University, we demonstrate:

  • Conscientiousness in performing our duties.
  • Accountability to one another.
  • Responsibility for University resources.

INTEGRITY

We engage in consistent, professional practice throughout our relationships with:

  • Honesty, openness, and ethical behavior.
  • Congruence between ideals and behavior.

SERVICE

We are each called to share our resources through:

  • Use of our personal skills and knowledge for the benefit of others.
  • Promotion of the common good of the University and external communities.

With your BSW, you can pursue many job titles including a victim service advocate, school social worker, crisis intervention specialist, case manager, community organizer, life skills counselor, mental health assistant, and more. Read more about career outcomes here.

With an MA in Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University, you’ll be prepared to become a leader in the field of human services and an advocate for social justice. You could pursue a role as a mental health counselor, clinical case manager, school counselor, behavior analyst, correctional counselor, therapist, job coach, rehabilitation counselor, or vocational case manager.

On a weekly basis, you’ll complete readings, discussion post, and assignments. The number of hours you will spend on your coursework will vary depending on how many classes you take.

It means that Our Lady of the Lake University is inspired by Catholic values and the heritage of the founding Congregation of Divine Providence. OLLU is a community called to transform individuals as they discover their purpose in life.

Generally, an academic cohort enters their program at the same time and takes the same courses throughout their program.

A 3.0 GPA is preferred.

For the Advanced Standing MSW, a 3.0 GPA is preferred. A 2.5 GPA is preferred for the Foundation MSW program.

For admittance into the online BSW, you’ll need:

  • A GPA of at least 2.5 with minimum scores of 840 on the SAT or 15 on the ACT
  • A GPA of at least 2.0 with minimum scores of 880 on the SAT or 15 on the ACT

Students who do not meet the grade and test requirements are recommended to submit letters of recommendation, a resume, or a personal statement to supplement their application. You can review all the admissions requirements here.

Financial aid is funding from companies, banks, lenders, and the government that helps students and their families pay for college. It can take the form of loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study programs. Some types of aid need to be repaid, others do not. You can learn more about financial aid at OLLU here.

OLLU has a simple, three-step application process that you can start here.

OLLU likes to keep class sizes small. Typically, each class has 15-20 students.

We have a combination of full-time and part-time faculty members in the MAC. Our faculty can be reviewed here.

Our faculty is diverse and highly accomplished, made up of a variety of full-time and part-time members.

We have a combination of full-time and part-time faculty members in the BSW. Read about the faculty here.

The current cost per credit hour is $991.

The cost per credit is $991.

The cost per credit is $504. The online BSW program from OLLU includes 120 credits, making the total tuition $60,480.

FAFSA ® is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — a form you’ll complete to determine eligibility for categories of government-based student aid, including work-study jobs, grants and scholarships (neither of which require repayment), and loans (which need to be repaid). Sallie Mae loans are private loans offered through the Sallie Mae Bank or a lender partner.

The largest class will generally have a ratio of 20:1. Many classes have less than that.

The first step in the simple, three-step application process is to fill out your application. Get started now.

Transfer credits for the University’s graduate programs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may range between 3-6 credit hours.

Transfer credits for undergraduate students are based upon review. A maximum of 72 credits may be transferred from a community college and a maximum of 75 hours may transfer in total. Upper-division social work courses will be reviewed and transferred only if completed at a CSWE-accredited program after determining equivalence with the BSW department.

As a Catholic university sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a community whose members are committed to serving students by:

  • Ensuring high-quality and innovative undergraduate and graduate learning experiences.
  • Fostering spiritual, personal, and professional growth.
  • Preparing students for success and continued service.

You can learn more about OLLU here.

Total tuition estimates are as follows and do not include the cost of books and fees:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specializations, $59,460
  • Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specialization: $59,460
  • School Counseling specialization, $59,460

Tuition for the Foundation program is $56,487 plus the cost of books and fees, and tuition for the Advanced Standing program is $29,730 plus the cost of books and fees.

The total tuition for the online BSW at OLLU is $61,080, as the tuition rate is $509 per credit and the program requires 120 credits.

Our Lady of the Lake offers respected accreditation, which also applies to its online programs. Our Lady of the Lake University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

OLLU is recognized in a number of ways:

  • No. 49 university in the nation for social mobility (2020), U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 76 university in the nation for alumni giving rate (2020), U.S. News & World Report
  • Elevated to the national category by U.S. News & World Report in 2020, from Tier 1 of the western region, due to the growth of OLLU’s doctoral programs; previously among the top 70 universities in the western region
  • No. 19 best online college for school counseling degrees for MEd school counseling program (2019), SR Education Group, GuidetoOnlineSchools.com
  • No. 35 in awarding need-based aid among western region (2019), U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 10 in economic diversity among western region (2019), U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 36 in ethnic diversity among western region (2019), U.S. News & World Report
  • Among top 60 universities in the nation for granting master’s degrees to Hispanics, and among the top 11 in Texas (2018), according to The Hispanic Outlook on Education magazine

Learn more about the University here.

OLLU is a Catholic university, sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence and called to transform individuals as they discover their purpose in life.

OLLU’s FAFSA® code is 3598. You can start the process here.

Our Services to Students with Disabilities (SSD) office provides reasonable accommodations to ensure students with disabilities can participate in and benefit from all online and on-campus programs and activities.

Prospective students should not send any disability documentation to SSD or any other university department during the application process. Disability documentation should only be submitted to SSD after you have been admitted.

Military students receive a 10% tuition discount on online programs and work with staff in the financial aid office who are dedicated to working with military students. They’ll be able to quickly answer your questions and provide guidance throughout the process.

You’ll be a part of lively discussion forums where students and professors ask questions, exchange ideas, and discuss thoughts on the course material through online discussion forums and email. If you need additional help, professors are available by phone or email, offering you the same support and interaction on-campus students enjoy. When you study online at Our Lady of the Lake, you are part of a genuine learning community.

Throughout your courses, you’ll connect with other professionals across the country who have the same goals you do. You’ll also get to know professors with varied work experience and professional connections who are familiar with your work and look forward to connecting you wherever they can.

Regional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the United States by one of seven regional accrediting agencies. Nationally accredited schools are generally for-profit and offer vocational, career, or technical programs. National accreditors generally offer accreditation to schools that focus on career or religious education.

Learning online means you can study in the times and locations that are best for you. You’ll be given access to an easy-to-use virtual learning system that houses your syllabi, assignments, and that gives you access to discussion groups. Before you start the program, you will take part in orientation to make sure you understand the system and how to use its resources. You’ll log on to each virtual class and complete assignments and exams, just like in a traditional college course, but online. You’ll also interact in frequent, lively discussion forums with professors and your fellow students.

The application varies by program and start date, so get in touch with admissions at 855-275-1082 or application@ollusa.edu for the most appropriate application deadline for you.

Admissions deadlines vary by semester. Please contact us for information on upcoming deadlines.

The deadline is typically one-and-half to two weeks before the program start date.

OLLU’s BSW program has multiple start dates per year, with a deadline that is usually 1.5 to 2 weeks before the start date. To ensure you’re enrolled in time for your start date, apply now or call us at 855-275-1082.

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) was founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1895 on the principles of faith, wisdom, and trust in providence.

You are notified of acceptance (or denial) by your enrollment counselor once a decision is received from the Committee.

Campus is located at
411 S.W. 24th St.
San Antonio, TX 78207

Staff in the Office of Student Financial Services are available to answers questions specific to your program. They can be reached at 210-431-3960 or finaid@ollusa.edu.

The University’s admissions team is standing by to help answer your questions. You may reach them at 855-275-1082 or application@ollusa.edu.

A program that is CSWE-accredited ensures that the academic program adequately prepares students for practice in their desired profession, specifically social work. Many states may mandate CSWE accreditation as part of the educational requirements associated with obtaining a professional license.

No, you will receive the exact same diploma as a student completing their degree on campus. The modality in which you earned your degree is not listed on your diploma.

Our online students have access to a dedicated technical support line that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Your diploma will not say online on it.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specializations prepare you to apply for the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) exam upon graduation.

The School Counseling specialization prepares you to take the TExES (Texas Examinations for Educator Standards) School Counseling Exam.

Each state’s licensure requirements vary. To ensure you’re on the correct academic path and prepared for the career you want, you must understand the licensing requirements set by the state where you plan to practice. To determine your state’s requirements, you can visit our licensure page here.

The names for social work licenses can vary from state to state, as can the requirements for different roles and responsibilities. And while most states have processes for reciprocity and transferring licenses from one state to the next, some states will require you to go through the application process as a new applicant.

To ensure you’re on the correct academic path and properly prepared for the roles you want, it’s important you understand the rules and regulations for licensure in the state you plan to practice within. Review your state’s requirements now.

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