Earn Your TESU BA in English in 6–12 Months for Less

Why TESU’s BA in English Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

TESU’s BA in English is designed for working adults, offering a flexible, fully online format that’s highly transfer friendly. The program builds strong writing, critical thinking, and communication skills that prepare graduates for careers in education, publishing, content development, and beyond.

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Here are some other reasons why this English degree program is perfect for degree hacking:

Competency-Based & Transfer-Friendly

• Transfer up to 90 credits into your BA in English degree from outside college credit options

• No traditional semester pacing, so take more classes per term with TESU’s shorter 12-week terms

• Save TESU for the capstone and upper-level English courses only to save time and money

Career & Grad School Preparation

• Builds advanced skills that employers want such as research and synthesis, critical analysis, and creative or technical writing

• Opens doors to careers in teaching, publishing, communications, and graduate study

• Prepares you for graduate school in fields such as literature, philosophy, history, law, sociology, education, and communications

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Why Most People Take 3–4 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why Most People Take 4+ Years

It’s not uncommon for students pursuing an English degree to spend more than 4 years and over $36,000 completing it. This is often due to rigid course schedules, limited credit transfer policies, or having to retake courses.

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At TESU, the BA in English program is designed to avoid these setbacks, offering a fully online format and generous credit transfer options to help you stay on track.  

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Here’s where many students lose time and money:

• They start with a few transfer credits. Instead of maximizing the generous transfer policy from TESU, they end up completing nearly all 120 required credits at TESU.

• They don’t take advantage of TESU’s 12-week term pacing. Some students don't leverage the 12-week term structure. They extend their studies by taking fewer courses per term or spreading them out over longer periods.

• They don’t plan out their degree plan ahead of time. Some students go with the flow, and don’t realize that some planning before enrolling can go a long way in speeding up their path to a degree.

• They pay the full tuition price. Instead of using cost-efficient alternatives to earn college credits, some students who opt to take all of their courses in TESU could be missing out on massive savings.

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

• Transfer credits using other college credit options: Work/military experience and credit-by-exam options are a handy way of earning accepted college credits quickly and for a lower cost.

• Save TESU for English core and capstone: Get a quality education from TESU by knocking out gen eds and other electives through other providers, while still getting your core courses taught in-house.

• Complete multiple courses per month: Degree hackers use self-paced options and platforms like Study.com to knock out multiple courses each month and graduate faster.

• Result: Finish in 6–12 months for $4,000–$8,000+ total instead of $36,000+.

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Finishing the degree faster and cheaper isn’t about ability or effort; it’s about strategically leveraging TESU’s system. By planning and making the most of TESU’s unique course format, degree seekers can earn their degree in less time, without breaking the bank.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack TESU’s English Program

This guide features insights from students and alumni of TESU’s BA in English program, and other degree-hackers.

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Learn to overcome credit, course, and cost challenges while building key skills. Whether you're planning to launch a career in writing, continue to grad school, or break into fields like media, education, or public policy, this guide will help you stay on track and finish strong.

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TESU Online English Pre-Enrollment Hacks

• Maximize Your Course Load - Take advantage of Study.com’s flexible online courses, starting at $95/month, to earn credits quickly and fit your learning around your schedule.

• Leverage Work or Military Experience - Tap into TESU’s credit-by-exam and prior learning assessments to turn your military service or job experience into valuable college credits, often at little or no extra cost.

• Test Out to Save Time - Use CLEP and DSST exams, which typically cost $97 and $100 per test respectively, to skip introductory classes and earn college credit faster, saving you both time and tuition.

• Get a Personalized Game Plan - Check out DegreeHacked.org, which offers personalized degree-hacking plans, helping you finish smarter and faster with a strategy tailored just for you.

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TESU English Degree Hacking Plan

BA in English Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Not all transfer credits align perfectly with TESU’s BA in English core requirements. But many students use those credits toward electives or general education, allowing TESU coursework to focus on literature, composition, and analysis classes. This can cut down on both your time and tuition costs.

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Here’s the best way to leverage transfer credits and accelerate earning your TESU English degree:

• 45 credits: General Education courses (easily transferable)

• 45 credits: Area of Study courses + Liberal Arts Capstone (mix of transferable and TESU-only courses)

• 30 credits: Electives (easily transferable)

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TESU English Degree Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

_{Don't guess which courses transfer. Get your complete TESU English transfer strategy covering all course with specific equivalencies, cost breakdowns, and timeline optimization.}

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Why Degree Hacking Works for TESU English Students

• Sharper Academic Focus: Degree hacking helps you concentrate on essential English courses, so you’re not wasting time on the pacing of your classes.

• Smarter Tuition Savings: Using transfer credits, CLEP exams, and budget-friendly online courses, degree hacking helps you lower overall costs by at least $9K.

• Faster Degree Completion: By testing out of what you already know and stacking credits efficiently, degree hacking speeds up your journey to earning your TESU English degree.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Your full TESU English bachelor’s degree plan includes:

• All 40+ course-by-course transfer equivalencies

• Study.com course codes + CLEP/DSST exam IDs

• Cost breakdown and timelines

• Backup alternatives if transfer rules change

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Applying to TESU for the BA in English

When to Apply: Ideal Enrollment Time

Apply once you’ve earned all of your transfer credits from alternative options. That way, you only need to work through TESU’s capstone and required English core courses when you’re there.

TESU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online through TESU’s admissions portal

• Send official transcripts from all previous schools

• Use the Transfer Credit Tool to check ACE/NCCRS eligibility

• Choose a start date from TESU’s monthly enrollment options

TESU Tuition and Other Aid Information  

• Pay per credit: $440 (NJ/PA residents), $573 (out-of-state), $600 (visiting students)

• Taking 9+ credits? Save with a flat-rate term: $3,522 (in-state) or $4,561 (out-of-state)

• Use FAFSA, TESU scholarships, grants, or employer tuition assistance

• Cut costs with transfer credit: Bring in up to 90 ACE-approved credits toward your degree

TESU BA in English Career ROI

• Median Annual Salary: $72,270 for Writers and Authors

• Degree Payback Time: ~1–2 months of work

• Plus: Careers in media, education, publishing, and marketing

• Builds skills valued for law school, grad school, and nonprofit work

• Typical Roles: Content Strategist, Technical Writer, Copywriter, Editor, English Teacher, Communications Specialist, Public Relations Associate, and Grant Writer

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