No Cost Master's Program | Our Lady of the Lake University
No-Cost Master’s Program at Our Lady of the Lake University
Complete your bachelor’s degree at OLLU and continue directly into a participating master’s program through a structured five-year pathway designed to lower cost, shorten time to completion and expand access to graduate education.
OLLU’s No-Cost Master’s Program gives eligible undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a master’s degree immediately after finishing their bachelor’s degree. This seamless pathway reduces overall tuition costs and time spent earning a graduate degree while preserving the rigor, support and academic quality that define an OLLU education.
How it works
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 an approved graduate program. The master’s portion is designed to be completed in 12-18 months, creating a clear five-year path to advanced education, leadership and career opportunity.
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 study in one intentional academic path.
Eligible pathways
Undergraduate and graduate programs
The No-Cost Master’s Program will launch with a defined group of eligible undergraduate and graduate programs for Fall 2026.
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. Kinesiology - All Level Certification
- B.S. Computer Information Systems & Security
- B.S. Environmental Science & Sustainability
- 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 - Health Professions
- B.S.W. Social Work
Have questions about the No-Cost Master’s Program?
Get more information about eligibility, participating programs and next steps.
More InformationWhy this pathway
Benefits for students
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.
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.
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.
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. For Fall 2026, the requirements include:
- Only 30 students will be admitted for Fall of 2026. First-come, first-served. Apply now so you don't miss out.
- Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree at OLLU (120 credit hours)
- A 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, including eligibility for federal Pell Grants and/or the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)
- Participation is subject to institutional approval, program capacity and continued academic standing
- Athletes who are not receiving athletic scholarships
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about 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 path. After meeting the program requirements in their undergraduate degree, students can earn a master’s degree at no cost in one additional year instead of two.
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 payments from eligible students. Students may still incur modest costs for books and fees.
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. Participation is also subject to program capacity, institutional approval and continued academic standing.
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.
Students must begin their graduate program immediately after completing their undergraduate degree and finish within 12-18 months.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 with no tuition cost, making graduate education more affordable and accessible.
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.
Have questions about the No-Cost Master’s Program?
Get more information about eligibility, participating programs and next steps.
More Information