Earn your TESU BA International Studies in 12–24 Months

Why TESU’s International Studies Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

Thomas Edison State University’s international studies program offers working students the flexibility to balance school with busy schedules. With generous transfer credit policies and multiple ways to earn credits outside the traditional classroom, you can save both time and money while developing valuable expertise in international studies and global affairs. Here’s why this degree is especially hackable:

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Highly Flexible Transfer Credit Options

• Transfer in up to 90 approved credits from prior college coursework, professional training, CLEP/DSST exams, or ACE-evaluated courses

• Use credit-by-exam, portfolio assessment, or prior-learning assessments to demonstrate existing knowledge and shorten your path to graduation

• Take advantage of TESU’s year-round course starts and 8- or 12-week terms to keep momentum without waiting for a traditional semester schedule

Career-Focused Preparation Employers Value

• Build a strong foundation in international relations, global economics, comparative politics, and cross-cultural communication

• Develop analytical, research, and writing skills sought after by employers in government, NGOs, international business, and policy organizations

• Customize your degree with electives or area studies that align with career goals such as diplomacy, global development, or international marketing

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Why Most People Take 4 Years (And How to Do It in 12–24 Months)

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Why most people take 4 years:

Many TESU international studies majors put in around four years and about $32,000 not because the program requires it, but because they underestimate how much they can save through degree hacking. Here’s what typically happens:

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• They start from scratch: Many students assume that all 120 credits must be earned at TESU or they transfer too few, missing out on the chance to bring in up to 90 approved credits from other colleges, ACE-evaluated courses, military training, or professional certifications.

• They skip exam-based credit pathways: CLEP, DSST, and the Thomas Edison Credit-by-Examination Program (TECEP®) exams can cover lower-level requirements for a fraction of the cost, but students often overlook them and end up taking extra TESU courses.

• They take a stop-and-start approach: Without a detailed study plan and back-to-back semester scheduling, gaps between terms slow progress and add unnecessary expense.

• They pay premium prices for basics: General education courses taken directly through TESU can cost anywhere from $440 to $600 per credit, when equivalent credits might be earned elsewhere for under $100 each through approved providers.

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

• Maximize transfer and alternative credits: Bring in as many as 90 credits from approved sources such as prior college coursework, CLEP/DSST exams, ACE-evaluated courses, or military training before enrolling. This saves you time and money.

• Save TESU for the core international studies courses: Complete only the TESU-specific upper-level requirements like global politics, international economics, and regional or cultural studies seminars that make up the majors and can’t easily be satisfied elsewhere.

• Leverage frequent term starts and short courses: Take advantage of monthly course start dates and 8- or 12-week sessions to keep momentum and stack multiple classes each term without waiting for a traditional semester schedule.

• Result: ~12–24 months, for only ~$8,000–$12,000 total

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A smart approach to fast-tracking the TESU international studies degree is to earn transferable credits from more affordable providers and take only the specialized TESU courses required for graduation.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack This Degree

We designed this step-by-step degree-hacking playbook with insights from TESU graduates, global affairs experts, and experienced online learners to guide you toward the quickest, most affordable route to your degree.

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TESU International Studies Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Front-load gen eds through Study.com - Courses like Writing for Success, Sociology, American History, and Critical Reasoning transfer easily and cost significantly less than TESU credits.

• Submit every possible transcript and record - TESU is generous with credit acceptance. Send records for all prior college coursework, military training, professional certifications, and ACE-evaluated learning.

• Aim for the 90-credit transfer maximum - TESU allows up to 75% of the degree (90 credits) to come from outside sources. Reaching that cap can reduce completion time from the typical four years to about 12–24 months, depending on how many courses you take per term.

• Map a custom transfer strategy - Use platforms like DegreeHacked.org to decide exactly which lower-level humanities, social science, and general-ed courses to finish elsewhere. A clear plan helps you reserve TESU enrollment for the upper-division international studies core courses where TESU adds the most value.

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TESU International Studies Degree Hacking Plan

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International Studies Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

You don’t need an overloaded schedule to finish the 120-credit BA in International Studies at TESU. A smart approach is to earn low-cost general-education credits externally so you can focus your TESU time on upper-level core courses. This way, you reduce your time to degree at a lower cost.

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• ~45 credits: General education courses (easily transferable)

• ~21 credits: Required courses for BA International Studies (some transferable)

• ~21 credits: Global, regional, and social science electives (some transferable)

• 3 credits: Liberal arts capstone (not transferable)

• 30 credits: Other elective courses (some transferable)

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TESU International Studies Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

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Why Degree Hacking Works for TESU International Studies Students:

• Cut Your Cost Per Class: With Study.com’s $95/month plan, you can complete four courses in a month for about $24 each, saving thousands compared to TESU tuition.

• Explore Test-Out Options: You can take the CLEP for $97 plus a small testing fee, and the DSST for around $100. The TECEP® enables you to take exams on subjects you may have prior knowledge in. Through these exams, you can test out of entire courses in a single day, instantly reducing your degree requirements.

• Save TESU For the Important Stuff: Reserve your TESU terms for upper-level international studies courses, the capstone project, and faculty mentorship that directly build career-ready skills.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking roadmap includes the following:  

✓ Course-by-course transfer equivalencies for each required course
✓ Detailed TESU 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 TESU for a Bachelor’s in International Studies

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When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

The best strategy is to finish your transfer credits first before applying to TESU. That way, you can dive straight into the upper-level international studies courses once you start.

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TESU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and submit transcripts  

• TESU accepts up to 90 transfer credits (ACE, NCCRS, CLEP, DSST)

• Must complete at least 15 to 30 credits at TESU, including the capstone

• TESU has multiple start dates throughout the year

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

• Flat-rate per term option at $3,522-$4,561 per term for at least 9+ credits

• Per-credit price of $440-$600 (depending on residency type)

• Financial aid includes Pell Grants, federal loans, TESU scholarships, military TA, employer reimbursement

• Degree Hack Tip: Max out Study.com and other transfer credits before enrolling to save $20K+

TESU Bachelor’s in International Studies Career ROI

• Median Salary: $57,808 for entry-level foreign service  

• Degree Payback Time: ~1–2 years (depending on specialization)

• Lifetime Earnings Boost: +$200k–$300k on average over 20 years (depending on experience and career pace)

• Pluses: Great foundation for a master's in international relations, public policy, or law

• Typical roles: Diplomat, Political Analyst, International Lawyer, Foreign Service Officer, International Relations Analyst

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