Earn Your GCU BS in Information Technology in Just 6–12 Months

Why GCU’s Information Technology Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

Grand Canyon University’s information technology program gives you the flexibility to fit college into a busy life without slowing down your goals. This fully online program lets you transfer credits, move through courses at your own pace, and cut both time and tuition costs so you can graduate faster and step into high-demand IT roles sooner. Here’s why this program is built for degree hacking:

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Smart Transfer Credit Options

• Skip rigid semester calendars and advance through your courses the moment you demonstrate mastery of a topic

• Spend your time building advanced IT skills, such as networking, cybersecurity fundamentals, cloud computing, and database management, instead of repeating general education requirements

• Fast-track the program by bringing in up to 90 approved credits and completing multiple courses per term to finish in just months

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Career-Focused Preparation Employers Value

• Strengthen technical problem-solving, systems analysis, and professional communication skills while deepening your expertise in areas like programming, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT project management

• Apply classroom concepts through practical labs, virtual simulations, and industry-aligned projects that mirror real IT environments

• Graduate ready for high-demand roles such as network administrator, systems analyst, cybersecurity specialist, or IT project manager across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors

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Why Most People Take 4 Years (And How to Do It in <12 Months)

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Why most people take 4 years:

Many students in GCU’s information technology program spend about four years earning the degree and pay roughly $14,000 per year. The surprising part? Much of that time and cost can be avoided. Here’s why so many students miss the chance to accelerate:

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• They start from scratch: Many students assume all 120 credits must be completed at GCU, instead of transferring previous coursework or certifications.

• They under-utilize transfer credit: Even with prior college classes, many bring in only 20–30 credits, well below GCU’s 90-credit transfer maximum.

• They stick to a traditional pace: Students take a standard semester schedule and move one class at a time, often without realizing they can overlap courses or work ahead.

• They pay premium prices for basics: They enroll in GCU’s general-education courses at about $485 per credit when the same credits could be earned elsewhere for far less.

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Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

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• Max Out Transfer Credits: Bring in as many as 90 approved semester credits from prior college coursework, certifications, or affordable community-college classes before enrolling at GCU.

• Take Only the Core IT Courses at GCU: Focus your GCU time on upper-division requirements such as networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and the capstone project.

• Accelerate with Continuous Sessions: Use GCU’s accelerated, 8-week online courses to overlap classes and keep momentum, rather than waiting for traditional semester breaks.

• Result: <12 months, ~$1,455–$5,820 total for an 8-week term

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In hacking this degree, creating a strategy early is key! Map out a clear course plan so you can identify which courses to take elsewhere at a lower cost, and use GCU strategically for the courses only it offers.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack This Degree

To help you get started with your degree hack plan, we’ve created an information technology program strategy guide complete with insights from GCU BSIT graduates, industry experts, and online degree-hacking communities.

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Think of this as a roadmap to finish your IT degree efficiently so that you can graduate faster, spend less on tuition, and be fully prepared for the job market.

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GCU Information Technology Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Front-load Gen Eds with Online College Courses: Study.com offers online college courses like English Comp I & II, Environmental Science, College Mathematics, General Biology, and US History, which transfer easily and cost significantly less than GCU credits.

• Gather every possible transcript and record: Submit all prior learning like college courses, military training, and industry certifications. Many students overlook older or non-degree credits that can transfer and shorten their path.

• Target the 90-credit transfer maximum: GCU lets you bring in up to 90 semester credits toward the BSIT’s 120-credit requirement—about three-quarters of the entire degree. Maximizing this option can cut your completion time from four years to as little as 12 months.

• Create your personalized credit transfer strategy: Use a platform like DegreeHacked.org, which provides you a well-sequenced plan tailored to GCU’s policies and upper-division BSIT requirements that ensures you save money and stay on track for an accelerated graduation.

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GCU Information Technology Degree Hacking Plan

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Information Technology Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Finishing your GCU information technology degree faster isn’t just about racking up 120 credits; it’s about where you earn them. Take general education and lower-division courses through affordable sources and complete the advanced IT coursework at GCU. Here’s the breakdown:

• ~34–40 credits: General education courses (easily transferable)

• 56 credits: Core information technology courses (some transferable)

• ~24–40 credits: Elective courses (GCU only)

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GCU Information Technology Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

_{Don't guess which courses transfer. Get your complete GCU Information Technology Degree transfer strategy covering all 120 credits with specific equivalencies, cost breakdowns, and timeline optimization.}

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Why Degree Hacking Works for GCU Information Technology Students:

• Save on Cost Per Class: ‍Study.com plans start at $95/month. Finishing an average of 4 courses per month brings the cost to about $24 per course, making it one of the cheapest ways to earn transferable college credit online.

• Explore Test-Out Options: For about $97 plus a small testing fee, you can take the CLEP, or choose the DSST for around $100. With either exam, you can test out of entire courses in a single day and cut down your degree requirements immediately.

• Specialized IT Expertise: Reserve GCU for the advanced IT curriculum and mentorship from experienced tech faculty who bring real-world systems, security, and project-management knowledge to the classroom.

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Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking roadmap includes the following:

• All 23+ course-by-course transfer equivalencies

• Detailed GCU equivalencies with exact Study.com course codes and CLEP exam numbers
• Full cost estimate and suggested completion timeline

• Backup course and exam options if your first choice isn’t available

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Applying to GCU for the Bachelor’s in Information Technology

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When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

We highly recommend wrapping up your transfer credits first, then submitting your GCU application. This lets you dedicate your time at GCU to advanced IT courses.

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GCU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Apply online, send in transcripts and ACE/NCCRS score reports

• GCU accepts up to 90 transfer credits from approved sources

• Evaluation returned in 3–5 business days

• Online IT program starts frequently (monthly rolling admissions)

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Costs, Aid & Ways to Pay Less for Your GCU Degree

• Tuition: $485/credit

• Financial Aid: FAFSA, dual enrollment, military benefits, GCU Scholarships, grants

• Save on tuition fees even before enrolling by knocking out gen eds, open electives, and available core courses and reduce your tuition costs through your earned credits

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GCU Bachelor’s in Information Technology Career ROI

• Starting salary: $171,200 per year for IT managers

• Degree payback time: ~3–5 years

• Plus: Strong job market, high earning growth, certifications and skill alignment, remote and hybrid opportunities, future-proof skills

• Typical roles: Network Admin, IT Support Manager, SysAdmin, Cloud Ops Specialist

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