Looking to accelerate your education? Jump onboard OLLU’s Lake Express.

The Lake Express is Our Lady of the Lake University's Three Year Reduced-Hour Bachelor’s Degree track — the first of its kind in Texas. Students earn a full bachelor's degree, including General Education requirements, a chosen major, and a minor, in just three academic years across six semesters. The program was approved by SACSCOC, OLLU's regional accrediting body.

Yes. Lake Express students complete the same General Education requirements, the same major coursework, and the same minor requirements as traditional four-year students. The degree awarded is identical. The difference is in the timeline, not the academic content.

Yes. All four majors available through the Lake Express are also offered as traditional four-year bachelor's degrees at OLLU. Students who prefer a more flexible path, or who are not yet ready to commit to a specific major, may find the four-year track a better fit. Our admissions team is happy to help you explore both options and find the right path for you.

The Lake Express pathway is designed around a focused, purposeful curriculum. Every course in the plan counts directly toward your General Education requirements, your major, or your minor. The program was carefully structured and reviewed through OLLU's academic approval process and SACSCOC accreditation to ensure full academic integrity.

Yes. Our Lady of the Lake University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Lake Express three-year degree programs are fully accredited under this authorization. OLLU is the first university in Texas to offer SACSCOC-approved three-year bachelor's degrees.

The Lake Express is currently available in four majors: Psychology (BA), Social Work (BSW), Criminology and Criminal Justice (BA), and Childhood Studies (BA). Each major includes a recommended minor that fits within the three-year course plan. Academic advisers work with each student to map out all six semesters.

Lake Express students complete approximately 91 to 96 total credit hours, depending on their chosen major and minor. This compares to the 120 or more credit hours typically required for a traditional four-year bachelor's degree at most universities.

Students take 15 to 16 credit hours per semester, or approximately five courses. Classes are offered in the Fall and Spring semesters only. There are no required summer sessions.

No. The Lake Express is designed for Fall and Spring semesters only. Summer sessions are not required.

Yes. Because the Lake Express pathway is carefully mapped across six semesters, students must select their major when they apply. This focused commitment is part of what makes the three-year timeline possible. Academic advisers are available to help you choose the right fit before you begin.

Yes. Students entering with AP, International Baccalaureate (IB), dual credit, or transfer hours may be able to complete their degree in less than three years, depending on how those credits apply to their program requirements. An academic adviser will help you map your credits to your Lake Express plan.

Because you complete your degree in three academic years instead of four, your total tuition and fees are approximately 25% lower than a traditional four-year pathway at OLLU. Based on 2026-2027 published rates, a resident student's estimated cost of attendance is approximately $47,046 per academic year, covering tuition, fees, housing, meal plan, and books. Completing your degree in three years rather than four represents a significant reduction in your total investment, including tuition, room, board, and fees.

No. All financial aid options available to traditional four-year students are also available to Lake Express students. This includes federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Academic scholarships at OLLU range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year, and more than 95% of OLLU undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance. We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA and work with our Financial Aid office to understand the full picture of what your education will cost.

Yes. Pell Grant eligibility is determined by your financial need and enrollment status, not by which degree track you are on. Lake Express students who qualify for the Pell Grant will receive it just as any other full-time undergraduate student would.

Yes. Students who wish to switch from the Lake Express track to a traditional four-year degree track may do so by contacting the Registrar's Office to request a program change, following the same process as any other program change at OLLU. We recommend speaking with your academic adviser before making this decision so you can understand how your completed coursework will apply.

It may be possible, depending on your completed coursework, your chosen major, and how your credits align with the Lake Express course plan. Students interested in switching to the Lake Express should speak with their academic adviser and the Registrar's Office. Students who have completed a significant number of elective courses may find the transition more complex, and each case will be reviewed individually.

In most cases, yes. Lake Express students earn the same Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Work as traditional four-year students, completing identical General Education, major, and minor requirements. The degree is fully accredited by SACSCOC.

However, because three-year degrees are relatively new in the United States, some employers and graduate or professional programs may still expect a traditional 120 credit hour degree. Students planning to pursue graduate or professional school should review admission and prerequisite requirements carefully before choosing the Lake Express track.

Graduate schools are increasingly open to reduced-hour degrees, particularly as they become more common nationally and internationally. OLLU is committed to ensuring the Lake Express reflects the same quality and credibility that SACSCOC accreditation represents.

No. The Lake Express does not accelerate or compress course content. Each course maintains its full credit hour definition, its full academic rigor, and its standard semester length. Students simply complete a more focused set of courses, all of which count directly toward their degree requirements.

Yes. Lake Express students have full access to all OLLU campus resources, including academic advising, tutoring, career services, library resources, student organizations, athletics, and campus life activities.

Absolutely. Lake Express graduates earn a fully accredited bachelor's degree and are eligible to apply to graduate and professional programs. In fact, one of the advantages of the Lake Express is that you can enter graduate school a full year earlier than your peers in traditional four-year programs.

Students select the Lake Express option directly on the OLLU application. The program is listed by major, for example, Psychology, BA — Lake Express (3-Year Degree). Students apply through the standard OLLU admissions process. There is no separate application.

Lake Express students meet the same admission requirements as all OLLU undergraduate applicants. There is no additional test, portfolio, or screening required.

The Lake Express is designed for students who are ready to commit to their chosen field of study and who want to enter the workforce or graduate school as efficiently as possible. It is not for every student, and that is by design. Students who want more flexibility to explore different subjects, or who are undecided about their major, may be better served by the traditional four-year pathway. The best conversation is one that helps families understand their student's goals and match the right track to the right student.

Please reach out to the OLLU Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admission@ollusa.edu or 210-434-6711. Our admissions team is available to answer questions, schedule campus visits, and connect counselors and families with academic advisers.