Master's in Education at Our Lady of the Lake University: Specializations

How do you choose a master’s in education program that advances both your teaching practice and your career without forcing you to leave the classroom? For educators in Texas, Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) answers with targeted M.Ed. specializations in Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching, Reading and Literacy, and Science, delivered online, on campus, or in hybrid formats. OLLU’s roots as a Hispanic-serving institution in San Antonio mean its programs are built for the communities and classrooms that need skilled teachers most. With Texas teacher attrition climbing and certification gaps widening, a specialized degree from a local, practice-focused institution carries weight.

OLLU's School of Education: A Legacy of Preparing Texas Educators

For more than a century, Our Lady of the Lake University has been a pillar of teacher preparation in Texas, rooting its mission in the Catholic intellectual tradition and a deep commitment to serving the diverse communities of San Antonio and beyond. The School of Education, housed within the College of Professional Studies, continues this legacy by equipping educators to lead in linguistically and culturally rich classrooms.

A Tradition of Service and Scholarship

Grounded in values of social justice and community engagement, OLLU’s education programs emphasize the whole person: intellectual, spiritual, and professional. The curriculum is designed to address the real challenges facing today’s schools, particularly those serving bilingual, ESL, and special education populations. This focus on diverse learners is not an add-on; it is woven into every course and field experience, reflecting the university’s historic mission to uplift underserved communities.

Faculty Who Shape the Field

OLLU’s graduate education faculty bring both scholarly depth and practical classroom wisdom to their teaching. - Alycia D. Maurer, Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Chair of the Education and Counseling Department, specializes in teacher preparation, culturally sustaining pedagogy, adult learning, and early childhood education.¹ Her work directly informs how programs cultivate reflective, equity-minded practitioners. - Belinda Treviño Schouten, Professor and Director of Bilingual Education and ESL, guides teachers in serving linguistically diverse learners.² Her expertise ensures that certification pathways and master’s coursework address the latest strategies for English learners. - Apolonio Trejo, Director of Field Experience and Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education, bridges coursework and clinical practice, coordinating the school’s strong network of P-12 partners.²

Across Curriculum & Instruction, faculty research centers on multicultural issues, technology integration, mentoring new teachers, and teacher retention, topics that feed directly back into the classroom, keeping course content responsive to evolving school needs.

Accreditation and Real-World Preparation

OLLU’s graduate education programs are state-approved and designed to meet Texas teacher certification requirements.⁴ The School of Education maintains rigorous standards through structured field experiences with P-12 partners,³ ensuring that candidates leave not just with theoretical knowledge but with hands-on, supervised practice in local schools. This seamless blend of coursework and fieldwork has earned the university a reputation for producing classroom-ready educators who are immediately effective in their roles. By prioritizing partnerships with San Antonio-area districts, OLLU provides students an immersive, networked entry into the profession, often leading to employment upon graduation.

OLLU Master's in Education Programs: Side-By-Side Specialization Matrix

Our Lady of the Lake University's graduate education offerings are built around two core master's programs that serve different career stages. The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction is a 36-credit program for practicing teachers who want to refine their instructional skills and specialize in areas like dual language, science teaching, or reading and literacy. It culminates in a non-thesis research proposal. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), a 39-credit degree, is a teacher preparation program for aspiring educators, leading to initial Texas certification. It includes 27 credits of core pedagogy and 12 credits in a selected specialization, math, science, or special education, along with a required internship and student teaching. Neither program requires a thesis. Use the matrix below to compare these pathways at a glance.

Online, On-Campus, and Hybrid Options: Flexibility for Working Educators

OLLU's Master's in Education is built from the ground up to accommodate the unpredictable schedules of working teachers, offering a strategic mix of on-campus, hybrid, and flexible-format courses that let you advance your career without hitting pause on your paycheck.

Delivery Formats by Specialization

The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction uses a hybrid model that blends day, evening, weekend, and online coursework. The precise mix depends on the concentration you choose: Diverse Populations, Reading and Literacy, Dual Language and Special Populations, or Integrated Science Teaching, because each concentration may shift the balance of in-person and virtual meetings. While the university publishes the overall hybrid designation, it does not break down which courses are online for every concentration, so prospective students should contact their advisor to map out a typical term's schedule.

For those near Houston, the OLLU Houston Campus delivers the M.Ed. entirely on campus but with a schedule engineered for full-time professionals: classes meet only every other weekend, eight times per term, across three terms per year. This predictable rhythm lets you plan your school and work calendars months in advance. Fully online M.Ed. options are currently limited at OLLU; however, the university does offer a completely online, asynchronous M.A. in Counseling¹, which signals a mature online delivery infrastructure that may expand into more education tracks over time.

Online and Hybrid Course Structure

Online components within the hybrid M.Ed. are likely asynchronous (the university's online M.A. in Counseling runs this way, with no required synchronous sessions), but OLLU has not published the exact live-login expectations for Curriculum and Instruction. Education degrees always carry an in-person clinical dimension: even when your coursework lives online, you will complete field experiences, practica, or student teaching in a local K-12 classroom arranged through the School of Education. This means you cannot fully substitute campus visits with screen time, but you gain the practical, hands-on training that Texas districts expect.

Designed for the Working Teacher

OLLU bends its schedule around your contract hours. On the main San Antonio campus, graduate courses appear in day, evening, weekend, and online slots, making it possible to stack two classes after school or to devote one Saturday session per course. The Houston campus's every-other-weekend model reduces commute stress while keeping you on track: three terms per year mean you can take a lighter load each term without slowing your degree progress. Part-time enrollment is standard in these programs; you control how many credits you carry each term to protect your teaching job, your family time, and your own energy.

Support for Online Learners

Online and hybrid students tap into the same support systems as their on-campus peers: the virtual campus grants access to the library's digital collections, the writing center, academic advising appointments via video call, and 24/7 technical support. OLLU also assigns a dedicated advisor to help you sequence courses in a way that fits your life, not just the catalog. This wraparound approach means you never feel like you are clicking through a degree in isolation.

Licensure and Certification: Your Path to Teaching in Texas

Earning a master’s degree at Our Lady of the Lake University can open doors to new teaching roles, but the relationship between the degree and teaching licensure depends on which program you choose. Some tracks lead directly to an initial classroom license, while others add specialized credentials on top of an existing certificate.

Which Programs Lead to Initial Teacher Certification

If you do not yet hold a Texas teaching license, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is OLLU’s designated path to initial certification. This program integrates the coursework, field experiences, and exam preparation required to meet Texas master teacher certification standards.¹ Upon completion, graduates are eligible to apply for a standard Texas classroom teaching certificate in areas such as Elementary, Secondary, or All-Level specialties.

Add-On Endorsements for Certified Educators

For educators who already hold a standard teaching certificate, OLLU offers master’s-level specializations that lead to supplementary credentials. The Reading Specialist Certificate and School Counselor Certificate are both designed for experienced teachers. Each requires at least two years of classroom experience and culminates in a distinct TExES exam: the Reading Specialist TExES for the reading and literacy track, and the School Counselor TExES for the counseling concentration.² These endorsements allow you to deepen your impact without starting the certification process from scratch.

Certification Exam Requirements and Pass Rates

All OLLU certification pathways align with the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) teacher certification exams. For MAT candidates, the required exams include a content-area test, the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 exam, and the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) EC-6 exam for those seeking the early childhood through grade 6 certification.³ OLLU’s first-time pass rate on these licensure exams is 92%,² reflecting strong preparation and support throughout the program.

Clinical Teaching and Fieldwork

Initial certification through the MAT program includes a full-semester clinical teaching placement (often called student teaching) in a Texas school.³ This hands-on experience is supervised by OLLU faculty and mentor teachers, giving you a practical foundation before you step into your own classroom. The university’s Educator Preparation Program is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), meaning the curriculum, assessments, and clinical practice meet the state standards that lead to a standard certificate.⁴

Admission to OLLU's Graduate Education Programs: Requirements and Deadlines

Pursuing a master's in education depends on both finding a program that aligns with your career goals and navigating the admissions process smoothly. For OLLU's M.Ed. programs, the key is obtaining the most current requirements directly from the university, as policies can shift between application cycles.

Start with the Official Graduate Admissions Page

OLLU's Graduate Admissions website serves as the primary hub for application instructions, forms, and prerequisite details. Because admission criteria, such as minimum GPA thresholds, standardized test waivers, and required prerequisites, may be updated annually, always refer to the online resources for the latest information. Typically, you will need to submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and possibly standardized test scores, though specific requirements vary by program.

Contact the Admissions Office for Clarification

If you have specific questions about your eligibility (whether it's a GPA that falls slightly below a stated minimum or uncertainty about whether your undergraduate coursework meets prerequisites), reach out directly. The Office of Admissions can provide clarity on GRE or other test waiver policies, transfer credit evaluations, and any documentation needed beyond the standard application. Phone and email contacts are listed on the university's admission page, making it easy to get personalized guidance.

Check Program-Specific Requirements

While the Graduate Admissions office sets baseline standards, individual M.Ed. specializations often impose additional requirements. For instance, a program in Reading and Literacy might expect a teaching certificate or prior classroom experience, while a Curriculum and Instruction track could require a statement of professional goals tailored to that focus. Some programs may also request an interview or a writing sample. Contacting the program department directly ensures you submit a complete and competitive application.

Verify Deadlines Across Entry Terms

OLLU typically accepts applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer starts, but exact deadlines vary by term and program. Some specializations may operate on a rolling basis, while others have firm priority dates for financial aid consideration. International students often face earlier cutoff dates. Review OLLU's academic calendar and graduate admission page to avoid missing key dates; submitting early can also improve your chances for assistantships or scholarships.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Tuition and Financial Aid: What an OLLU M.ed. Really Costs

The published per-credit tuition rate for a graduate education program is rarely the full picture: your actual cost after financial aid, employer benefits, and scholarships can be significantly lower. When you compare sticker prices side by side, one program may look more expensive, but that equation changes once you factor in the specific aid you qualify for. At Our Lady of the Lake University, understanding the true investment starts with looking beyond the baseline numbers.

How Tuition is Structured at OLLU

Graduate education students at OLLU typically pay per credit hour, and total program cost depends on the number of credits required for your chosen specialization. Some M.Ed. tracks, like Curriculum and Instruction or Reading and Literacy, may have different credit loads than programs that lead to initial teacher certification. Additionally, online and on-campus sections sometimes carry slightly different per-credit rates due to technology or facility fees. Because tuition rates are revised annually, the most accurate numbers will always be on OLLU’s official graduate programs page. That page breaks down the current per-credit cost, any mandatory fees, and the estimated total for the full degree. If you are weighing multiple formats, look closely at any fee differences so you can budget realistically.

Financial Aid Options for Graduate Education Students

Unlike undergraduate study, graduate financial aid often centers on loans, but education majors have access to specific programs that reduce reliance on borrowing. The TEACH Grant, for example, can provide substantial assistance for students who commit to teaching in high-need fields at low-income schools. Graduate assistantships are another pathway: OLLU’s School of Education may offer positions that cover a portion of tuition in exchange for research or administrative support. These opportunities are competitive and not always widely advertised, so direct contact with the OLLU Financial Aid Office is essential. Ask specifically about education-specific scholarships, departmental awards, and work-study arrangements that can bring the net cost down considerably.

State and Professional Resources to Offset Costs

Beyond the university itself, Texas maintains programs that make graduate study more affordable for future teachers. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website publishes comparative tuition data and lists state-funded financial aid programs that may apply to your M.Ed. pursuit. Professional organizations like the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) also occasionally offer grants or scholarships to members or aspiring members. While these external sources take research to uncover, they can fill gaps that university aid does not cover, so it is worth setting aside time to comb through their current offerings.

Building a Realistic Budget and Next Steps

Start by visiting OLLU’s graduate admissions page to note the official per-credit rate and total estimated program cost. Then, contact the financial aid office with a list of questions tailored to education students: Are there departmental scholarships? Can TEACH Grants be stacked with other aid? Are assistantships available for online learners? Finally, cross-reference that information with state board and professional association resources. With a complete picture of both gross costs and available offsets, you can make a confident decision about whether an OLLU M.Ed. fits your career goals and your wallet.

OLLU M.ed. Graduate Earnings: At a Glance

While program-level earnings data for OLLU’s Master’s in Education is not yet published, the University’s overall graduate outcomes provide a benchmark for earning potential. The median salary for OLLU alumni ten years after entry underscores the long-term value of the institution’s degrees.

How OLLU Stacks Up: Value, Earnings, and ROI Vs. Other Texas Programs

As education professionals weigh the costs of advanced degrees against long-term earnings, the conversation around return on investment has become more data-driven than ever. For Texas educators considering a Master of Education, comparing Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) to other institutions in the state requires looking at not just tuition, but the full picture of what you pay, what you earn, and the support you receive along the way.

Understanding the Cost: OLLU vs. Peer Programs

OLLU's M.Ed. carries a per-credit rate of $1,031, totaling $30,930 for the 30-credit program before any discounts. Many students qualify for a 20% tuition reduction¹, bringing the total to roughly $24,744. This positions OLLU competitively among private institutions. Per-course costs at peer online programs averaged $4,330, while OLLU's per-course cost is $2,973.¹ Texas public universities like UT San Antonio or Texas State University typically offer lower in-state graduate tuition, often in the $300, $500 per credit range, but out-of-state or full-cost students may find OLLU's discounted rate a compelling midpoint.

Earnings Potential for Texas Educators

Program-level earnings for OLLU M.Ed. graduates are not yet published, but state and national data offer context. Texas educators with a master's degree generally earn $2,000, $5,000 more annually than those with a bachelor's alone, according to typical school district salary schedules. Nationally, master's degree holders in education fields command median wages about 20% higher than their bachelor's-only peers. Over a 30-year career, that premium easily offsets the upfront investment.

The Real ROI: What You Pay and What You Gain

With the total program cost after discount around $25,000, OLLU's M.Ed. represents a relatively low net investment compared to many private graduate programs. The degree can pay for itself within several years of increased salary, especially if you take advantage of Texas' Teacher Incentive Allotment or other performance-based pay systems. Considering the combination of below-average net price and solid long-term earning potential, OLLU delivers a strong value proposition for both career-changers and current educators seeking advancement.

Beyond the Numbers: Institutional Strengths That Matter

Cost and earnings data tell part of the story, but institutional culture directly shapes your experience. OLLU's small class sizes and faculty mentorship model offer individual attention that larger public universities often cannot match. Faculty typically have deep experience in Texas schools, and the university's longstanding ties with San Antonio-area districts can ease the path to student teaching placements and professional networking. These relational advantages don't appear on a tuition chart, but they influence everything from job readiness to long-term career satisfaction.

Common Questions About OLLU's Master's in Education

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Our Lady of the Lake University's Master's in Education programs.

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