Educator Preparation and Certification Program
Get started on your Journey
The Education Department at Our Lady of the Lake University offers undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for careers in teaching and educational leadership. Building on more than 130 years of experience, the department equips graduates to serve a diverse and growing student population.
Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Programs
Prepare for a rewarding teaching career with OLLU’s educator preparation program. Gain hands-on experience and earn Texas certification.
Students wishing to earn an Early Childhood through Grade 6 Certification (EC-6) pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Early Childhood through Grade 6 Certification specializations are available in:
Students wishing to teach in grades 7-12 must major in the subject area they wish to teach. A minor is also required. Certifications are available in:
Students wishing to pursue an All-Level Certification (EC-12) pursue a bachelor’s degree in their chosen subject area and minor in Education. Certifications are available in:
Scholarship Opportunity
OLLU’s education program is one of only 26 programs in Texas selected to participate in the Raising Texas Teachers program for the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers. This scholarship program, funded by Raise Your Hand Texas, provides scholarships annually to students who choose to pursue a degree in education. Visit the Charles Butt Scholarship page for information about scholarship criteria and how to apply.
Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers
Hands-On Learning and Quality Clinical Experience in Classrooms
The educator preparation program at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) embraces and practices a “clinically rich” model for teacher preparation.
We believe our teacher candidates learn the most from their experiences in K-12 classrooms. We thoughtfully scaffold their participation in field placements, guaranteeing our candidates have diverse and meaningful experiences in various districts, schools, and grade levels. We are mindful of our candidates’ certification areas, and we place them in classrooms where they will be introduced to a wide array of students, teaching styles, and school settings. Through designated courses, students engage in observation and supervised practice in elementary or secondary classrooms. This includes observing the teaching and learning processes, as well as working with students individually, in small groups, and in whole group settings. During the last year of our program, all candidates complete a yearlong clinical teaching residency experience.
Our teacher candidates are intentionally placed in diverse clinical experiences where they have the opportunity
- to observe,
- to engage in co-planning and co-teaching,
- to reflect on effective practice,
- to prepare and deliver responsive high-quality instruction, and
- to learn the professional responsibilities of the profession through high quality mentorship.
Clinical Teaching Residency Pathway
Along with field experiences, education majors undertake a yearlong clinical teaching or residency experience. Clinical teaching/residency is the final step in completing the educator preparation program at OLLU. During all phases of clinical teaching, candidates progressively demonstrate their ability to effectively plan and teach developmentally and culturally appropriate lessons while following a co-teaching model. They also apply a variety of relevant evaluation methods and assessments with students in their classrooms.
All educator candidates benefit from a comprehensive support network, which includes field supervisors, mentor teachers, content faculty, cohort mates, and administrative support, with supervisors having a combined 75+ years of experience in K-12, bilingual education, special education, and English as a Second Language, spanning K-12 to higher education. This network supports candidates as they develop their personal and professional identity as teachers.
Detailed information on the Clinical Teaching Residency is available here .
Paid Clinical Teaching Opportunity
Through partnerships with local school districts, some OLLU teacher candidates will complete their clinical teaching in the form of a one-year paid clinical teaching residency.
EPP Performance and Program Accountability
Per Section 21.0452 of the Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Program , the Our Lady of the Lake University Educator Preparation Program is designed to foster the intellectual and professional development of future teachers. Through the guided application of content knowledge, effective pedagogical models, varied field experiences, hands-on learning opportunities, and reflective practice, pre-service teacher candidates develop their instructional expertise and acquire professional skills. This program celebrates diversity as we emphasize the importance of applying culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate practices to our teaching. Our graduates are ethical and responsive practitioners; they are prepared to implement differentiated teaching and learning strategies in order to best meet the comprehensive needs of diverse student populations, including students with linguistic, cultural, and learning differences. Our graduates live the core values of OLLU: Community, Trust, Integrity, and Service. The Educator Preparation Program at OLLU is currently accredited through the Texas Education Agency. Information about our accredited status is provided here: TEA Education Program Data Dashboard .
The pass rates as reported in the ASEP Report for the last five academic years:
Certification Exam Pass Rate for OLLU candidates
- 2019-2020 100%
- 2020-2021 92%
- 2021-2022 98%
- 2022-2023 98%
- 2023-2024 88%
For more information about educator preparation programs in Texas please visit the Texas Education Agency site for Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Programs .
Supply and Demand of Texas Teachers
Per TAC §227.1 (c)(3)(A) , the Texas Education Agency requires Educator Preparation Programs to provide current information regarding the teacher shortage areas at the state level. Please use the links below to learn more about the effects of supply and demand on the educator workforce in Texas.
- Educator Reports and Data
- Teacher Shortage Areas for 2024-2025 (also includes Loan Forgiveness for Teachers)
- Resources: Teacher Shortages in the United States
- Job Supply Data
- TEA Teacher Vacancy Task Force Overview
Student Organizations
There are several student organizations dedicated to enhancing the education program at OLLU and advocating for education-related issues. These organizations also value community service and are often found in the community working with children and families. Through these organizations, students also receive professional development opportunities and attend regional and national conferences.
- Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) - this organization promotes the content, procedures and philosophy of bilingual and bicultural education.
- Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) - OLLU has recently formed a chapter of this statewide student organization created to allow students to explore the teaching profession. The organization also promotes character, service and leadership skills among its members.
Program Highlights
The education program at OLLU offers hands-on learning with partnerships with local schools. View the video to get a glimpse at what it is like to study education at OLLU.
Service-Learning
Service-learning opportunities are built into several of the courses in the education program. Students take what they have learned in the classroom and apply that knowledge in community organizations working with children in various capacities. These experiences give students the opportunity to work with students outside of the traditional classroom setting.