01
Lower overall cost
Eligible students can continue into a participating master’s program without additional tuition payments, helping lower the total cost of earning both degrees.
No-Cost Master’s Program
Your bachelor’s degree is just the beginning.
Continue into a master's degree — at no extra cost.
Complete your bachelor’s degree at OLLU and continue directly into a participating master’s program through a structured five-year pathway — with no additional tuition.
A faster path with the same academic quality
A five-year pathway from bachelor’s to master’s.
Students begin in an eligible undergraduate program at OLLU, complete their bachelor’s degree in four years and, if they meet the program requirements, move directly into a master’s program for one additional year.
This model supports students who want to keep moving forward without pausing between degrees. It also strengthens affordability and completion by connecting undergraduate and graduate education into one uninterrupted pathway.
4
Years for your bachelor’s degree
+1
Year for your master’s degree
$0
Additional tuition for the master’s year
Eligible pathways
Undergraduate and graduate programs
Eligible undergraduate programs
- B.A. Art — All Level Certification
- B.A. Biology
- B.A. Childhood Studies
- B.A. Communication Sciences & Disorders
- B.A. Mass Communication — Digital Film & Multimedia Production
- B.A. Mass Communication — Public Relations
- B.A. Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Data Analytics
- B.A. English — Grades 7–12 English Language Arts Certification
- B.A. History — Grades 7–12 History Certification
- B.A. Math — Grades 7–12 Mathematics Certification
- B.A. Management
- B.A. Multidisciplinary Studies
- Professional Writing and Communication
- B.A. Psychology — Pre-Counseling
- B.A. Psychology
- B.A.S. Computer Information Systems & Security
- B.B.A. Accounting
- B.B.A. Computer Information Systems & Security
- B.B.A. Economics
- B.B.A. Finance
- B.B.A. Individualized Concentration
- B.B.A. Management
- B.B.A. Marketing
- B.S. Computer Information Systems & Security
- B.S. Environmental Science
- B.S. INDS — Bilingual EC-6 Certification
- B.S. INDS — EC-6 Certification
- B.S. INDS — ESL Certification
- B.S. INDS — Special Education
- B.S. Kinesiology — All Level Certification
- B.S. Kinesiology — Health Professions
- B.S.W. Social Work
Eligible graduate programs
Don't Miss Out!
Only 30 students will be admitted each cohort. Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served.
Request InfoWhy this pathway
Benefits for students
02
Finish sooner
Students move directly from undergraduate study into graduate study for an additional year (12–18 months), allowing students to reach career goals faster.
03
Clear academic path
The program creates a structured transition from undergraduate study to graduate education, with a clearly defined route from admission to advanced credential attainment.
04
Workforce preparation
By earning a graduate credential sooner, students can strengthen their professional preparation, leadership potential and long-term economic opportunity.
Eligibility
Who can participate?
Eligibility is based on academic progress, financial need, available space and institutional approval.
- Spots are limited — only 30 students admitted, first-come, first-served
- Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree at OLLU (120 credit hours)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during undergraduate and graduate enrollment
- Continuous enrollment from undergraduate program into graduate program
- Admission into an approved graduate program
- Demonstrated financial need: eligibility for federal Pell Grants and/or the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
- Subject to institutional approval, program capacity and continued academic standing
- Athletes who are not receiving athletic scholarships
30
students admitted each cohort
Spots are limited and awarded first-come, first-served. Apply now to secure your place in the inaugural cohort.
Request InfoFrequently asked questions
Common questions about
the No-Cost Master’s Program
What is the No-Cost Master’s Program?
The No-Cost Master’s Program provides eligible OLLU undergraduate students with a clear, structured pathway to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in one continuous academic journey, with no additional tuition charged for the graduate year.
Is the master’s degree truly free?
The program is designed as a bundled educational pathway. Through a redesigned undergraduate pricing and financial aid model, OLLU is able to extend access to graduate education without additional tuition charged for the graduate year.
Who is eligible?
Eligible students must complete a four-year undergraduate degree at OLLU, maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA, remain continuously enrolled, gain admission into an approved graduate program and demonstrate financial need through Pell Grant and/or TEG eligibility.
Can online students participate?
A limited number of online students pursuing an M.S. in Social Work will be part of the initial cohort and will receive a 50% discount on graduate tuition.
When must the master’s degree be completed?
Students must begin their graduate program immediately after completing their undergraduate degree and finish within 12–18 months.
Which graduate programs are available first?
The initial graduate programs are Master of Business Administration, M.S. Cybersecurity, M.S. Cybersecurity Management, M.S. Non-Profit Management and M.S. in Social Work.
How does this benefit students?
Students benefit from lower overall cost, accelerated time to degree completion, stronger workforce readiness and a clear, structured academic pathway from undergraduate study to graduate attainment.
Why is OLLU launching this program now?
OLLU is launching the No-Cost Master’s Program as part of its mission to expand access to higher education while also supporting completion, advancement and long-term student success.
How does this differ from other promise programs?
Many promise programs focus on helping students begin college. OLLU’s No-Cost Master’s Program goes further by emphasizing full academic completion and graduate-level attainment.
How does this differ from a 4+1 or 3+2 program?
Traditional 4+1 or 3+2 models help students save time, but students still pay for graduate coursework. The OLLU No-Cost Master’s Program goes further by allowing qualified students to earn a master’s degree without additional tuition.
Why include financial need as a factor?
The program is designed to prioritize students for whom this opportunity can be most transformative while also helping OLLU support affordability and long-term sustainability.