Accredited and Flexible Online Programs

Accredited
Programs

100% Online Coursework

125 Years of Education

10% Tuition Discount for Military

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Programs Curriculum Careers

Join an Online Community of Learners Rooted in Faith and Wisdom

At Our Lady of the Lake University, our online programs offer advanced technologies and leading-edge techniques for the best online learning experiences. Excel at your own pace with comprehensive coursework from a university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). OLLU blends rigorous curricula with a personalized touch, built on the principles of faith, wisdom, and trust in 1895. With a deep cultural history and ties to our southwestern community, we support learning that promotes the caring for – and empowering of – the Hispanic population, the fastest-growing demographic. It’s what sets us apart from most universities.

Select from our online social work degrees or online master of arts in counseling degree. Study whenever and wherever you desire, make a positive impact with your newly adopted skills, and perform meaningful work as you fulfill your career goals.

Start your educational journey at Our Lady of the Lake University where you’ll become part of a close-knit community that fosters your academic, spiritual, personal, and professional growth to prepare you for success and service. Become part of the next generation of leaders with a convenient online format that presents unique, hands-on learning experiences.

  • Listed among “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report1
  • One-on-one mentorship through hands-on learning
  • Designed for working professionals
  • Lively discussion groups, interaction with peers from 40+ states

Elevate Your Career with the Convenience of an Online Degree

OLLU’s online offerings include our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC). Our high-quality curriculum offers you the opportunity to tailor your learning with either specializations, electives, or personalized field experiences. Take a closer look at each program:

Sit for the LSW exam at the bachelor’s level*

The BSW degree consists of 120 credit hours and offers well-rounded foundational coursework with small class sizes, personalized attention, and an emphasis on serving the Hispanic community. You will participate in hands-on field practicums in various settings to prepare you for the role of social worker and ready you for the LSW examination in Texas and other states. Beyond preparing you for social work licensure, the BSW curriculum allows you to pursue certificates in Violence Prevention and Intervention (VPI), Dismantling Oppression (DOC) and Administration and Leadership (ALC) at no additional cost. Each certificate allows you to choose electives to align with your professional aspirations.

Select from three counseling specializations

Take your counseling career to the next level with OLLU’s online MA in Counseling. Choose from three specializations. You’ll gain a mix of both foundational knowledge and real-world skills you can put to practice as a counselor.

School Counseling
Help students of all ages get the most out of their education by assessing and finding solutions to common behavioral and learning problems, promoting psychological health, and implementing effective career development planning. Graduate ready to complete the TEXES (Texas Examinations for Educator Standards) examination and earn School Counselor Certification in Texas and many other states.*

Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Help clients of all ages and cultures overcome their emotional health challenges as a clinical mental health counselor in government and non-government facilities, private practice, inpatient or outpatient agencies, or community organizations. Graduate ready for certification. Upon graduating, you’ll be ready to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) examination.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Improve the lives of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, veterans, those suffering from chronic illness and disability, and recovering addicts. Provide both mental health counseling and vocational support to help people build a better quality of life. Graduate ready for certification. Upon graduating, you’ll be ready to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) examination. This program also prepares you to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Foundation and Advanced Standing Program options

Ranked a Best Social Work Program by U.S. News & World Report, OLLU’s CSWE-accredited online MSW was the first graduate-level social work program in Texas and has been ranked a Best Online MSW by College Choice. It is one of only three programs in the country focused on serving the Hispanic community. Both options below build your social work competencies with convenient online seminars and close-to-home field experiences, preparing you for the LSW examination upon graduation.

Advanced Standing Program
This 30-credit hour program is meant to move current social work professionals to advanced practice quickly. If you have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program, you can earn your MSW in 11–20 months.

Foundation MSW Program
This 57-credit hour program is designed for those with an undergraduate degree in another field. If you’d like your next career move to involve service through social work, you can earn your MSW in 24–38 months.

“[Faculty] always stayed connected, either via phone video conferencing, email, or even text messages.”

– Rebecca Rebstock, Online Graduate

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Join a 125-year legacy from the comfort of home

Since 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) has provided students with the high-quality education and individual support they need to find success and transform their communities, families and professions. Today, our accredited online programs continue that tradition and serve ambitious students across Texas and more than 40 other states.

At OLLU, you’re well-supported from application to graduation. Your online experience utilizes the online platform Engage, where you’ll work side-by-side with professors who share real-world experience and wisdom. You’ll make meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds, a program manager will support you throughout your educational journey, and you’ll have 24/7 access to technical support.

Coursework Customized to You, the Working Professional

You’ll experience the same rigorous curricula and support as our on-campus students, but with enhanced flexibility to learn when and where you please. Designed for the working professional, our coursework is completed within 7-week sessions. You’ll gain insights through experiential learning that is mainly completed on your own personal schedule. Our coursework meets industry and accreditation standards and builds competencies in essential areas to prepare you for the next step, whether that’s certifications/examinations or direct entry into management-level roles.

Curriculum Highlights:

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

120 credits

CSWE-accredited program that addresses emerging needs and trends in the social work community while instilling students with time-tested foundational knowledge theories and skills. Courses focus on social welfare policy, human behavior, social work research, practice and direct service; 40 credits are focused on the major. Strong emphasis on serving the Hispanic population. Preparation for LSW examination.

Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC)

60 credits

Program that was developed to build basic competencies for professional counseling roles. Courses include theories, human development, research methods, multicultural issues in counseling, clinical diagnosis, assessment and appraisal, and more. Specializations include School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

30-57 credits

CSWE-accredited program designed to prepare you for social work licensure and customized to your level – either foundational or advanced standing coursework. Focuses on social work practice, human behavior, psychopathology, theories and perspectives. Engaging practicum experience to apply your skills, hands-on within a supportive agency. A generalist degree with an emphasis on Hispanic children and families, you will be culturally competent to work with diverse populations. Preparation for LSW examination.

Where Can You Go and What Can You Do?

OLLU’s online degree programs are in alignment with some of the biggest projected job growth fields. Substance abuse, behavior disorder, and mental health counselor roles are expected to grow 25% from 2019 through 20292, medical and health services management roles are growing at a projected rate of 32% from 2019 to 2029,3 and social worker jobs are growing at a 13% (much faster than average) rate from 2019 through 2029.4 By endeavoring to pursue an online degree, you’ll be ready with the skills and knowledge needed to enter in-demand career fields to perform rewarding work that helps people, processes, and progress.

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. “Best Colleges Rankings – National Universities.” U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved on June 29, 2021 from https://www.usnews.com/.
  2. “Substance Abuse, Behavior Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. Occupational Outlook Handbook.” BLS. Retrieved on June 29, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.
  3. “Medical and Health Services Managers. Ocupational Outlook Handbook.” BLS. Retrieved on June 29, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.
  4. “Social Workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook.” BLS. Retrieved on June 29, 2021 from https://www.bls.gov/.

*Applicants seeking licensure are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license per the Texas occupations code HB 1508.