天美影院

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Our Lady of the Lake University Announces 鈥淟ake Express鈥� 鈥� a Three-Year Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Programs Beginning Fall 2026

San Antonio, Texas 鈥� June 8, 2026 鈥� Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) proudly announces its new accredited-approved, reduced-hour, three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree programs, 鈥淟ake Express,鈥� set to begin in Fall 2026. This 鈥渇irst in Texas鈥� innovative academic pathway offers students the opportunity to complete a high-quality undergraduate education in a shorter timeframe while maintaining the university鈥檚 rigorous academic standards equivalent to a 4-year bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree model requires 94鈥�96 total credit hours. Students will complete 37鈥�38 hours of General Education, 39鈥�40 hours in a selected major, and an 18-hour minor. The program is structured to be completed in six semesters (Fall and Spring only), with students taking approximately 15鈥�16 credit hours per semester. While programs at other colleges or universities may offer similar programs in which students attend classes year-round, this is the first reduced-hour three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree in Texas.

Available majors include Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Pre Counseling Concentration), Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Studies. Recommended minors vary by major, with strategic course overlap allowing for accelerated degree completion.

鈥淭his initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to access, affordability, and innovation in higher education,鈥� said Abel Ch谩vez, President of OLLU. 鈥淏y offering a three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree option, we are empowering students to achieve their academic goals more efficiently while reducing financial burdens and opening doors to career opportunities sooner.鈥�

The three-year model provides significant advantages, including a reduction in overall tuition costs by approximately 25%, lower total cost of attendance, and earlier entry into the workforce or graduate school. Compared to traditional four-year pathways, students gain the benefit of an additional year of professional experience and income.

鈥淭his approval demonstrates that innovation and academic quality can go hand in hand,鈥� said Stephen L. Pruitt, President of SACSCOC. 鈥淥ur Lady of the Lake University鈥檚 approach preserves the integrity of degree requirements while thoughtfully reimagining how students can progress through their education.鈥�

Importantly, OLLU鈥檚 three-year degrees maintain identical General Education, major, and minor requirements as the university鈥檚 traditional four-year programs. The model does not compress course content, alter academic rigor, or modify credit hour definitions. Instead, elective courses not directly tied to student learning outcomes have been removed to streamline the pathway.

鈥淥ur goal was to design a program that accelerates time to degree without compromising educational excellence,鈥� said Alan Silva, Provost of OLLU. 鈥淪tudents will receive the same high-quality instruction and comprehensive curriculum, just through a more focused and efficient structure.鈥�

Lake Express is especially beneficial for non-traditional and adult learners balancing academic responsibilities with work and family commitments. Additionally, the shorter timeline is expected to improve student retention and graduation rates by helping students stay on track and make the most of their financial aid resources.

The announcement comes two months after 天美影院announced a No-Cost-Master鈥檚 program in which incoming freshman can commit to a master鈥檚 program when they matriculate; and their graduate degree can be achieved at no cost.

Knowing that 鈥榚ducation is the great equalizer,鈥� these student-centered programs are OLLU鈥檚 efforts to help students commit to a college/university education while reducing the cost and time involved. For students who come in with dual credits, the 3-year bachelor鈥檚 degree can be completed in even less time and cost.

Our Lady of the Lake University is once again leading the way in higher education innovation with the launch of Lake Express, the first of its kind in the state of Texas. In 1978, 天美影院launched the first Weekend College program in the United States, serving as a pioneer in offering degrees to working adults and parents in South Texas. Long before online learning in the 1990s, Weekend College made education accessible to non-traditional students and emerged as a response to the growing number of part-time and non-traditional adult student learners. In 2019, 天美影院also launched the innovative Double Major in Four Years [DMFY] Degree Plans that allow students to complete general education requirements plus two majors within four years, whereas double majoring usually requires five years or more in college.

About Our Lady of the Lake University

Founded in 1895 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic institution committed to serving diverse communities and empowering students through education. As the birthplace of Hispanic Serving Institutions, OLLU has long been a national leader in advancing educational access and opportunity for underserved populations.

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