Earn Your TESU BA in Labor Studies in 12–24 Months

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

Thomas Edison State University’s Bachelor of Arts in Labor Studies is designed for working adults who want a flexible, affordable pathway to a degree. With generous transfer credit policies, prior-learning credit options, and multiple ways to accelerate completion, you can finish faster while building in-demand expertise in labor movements, workplace relations, and labor/employment policies.  

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Here’s why this degree is hackable:

Highly Flexible Transfer Credit Options

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

• Leverage credit-by-exam, portfolio, or prior-learning assessments to earn credit for what you already know from work or industry training programs

• Stay on track with year-round course offerings and 8- or 12-week terms that fit a busy schedule—no waiting for traditional semesters

Career-Focused Preparation Employers Value

• Gain a strong foundation in labor history, collective bargaining, labor law, and employment relations

• Build critical thinking, negotiation, and advocacy skills valued in careers across unions, HR, labor organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits

• Tailor your degree with electives in areas like employment policy, organizational leadership, or workplace diversity to match your career goals

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

Why most people take 4 years:

Many TESU labor studies majors spend around four years and about $30,000 not because the degree requires it, but because they miss key acceleration opportunities.  

Here’s what typically happens:

• 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 learning, military service, or union-sponsored training programs.

• 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 follow an inconsistent schedule: Without a structured study plan and continuous enrollment, gaps between terms cause unnecessary delays and extra expenses.

• They pay premium prices for basics: General education courses taken directly through TESU can run over $3,500 for 3 credits, while the same credits can be earned from alternative, approved providers for under $100 each.

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

• Maximize transfer and alternative credits: Transfer in as many as 90 credits from prior college coursework, CLEP/DSST exams, ACE/NCCRS-reviewed training, or military/other approved programs before enrolling.

• Save TESU for the core labor studies courses: Focus your TESU enrollment on upper-level labor studies requirements that define the degree and typically must be taken through TESU like labor history, collective bargaining, and labor law.

• Leverage flexible terms: Keep momentum with 8- or 12-week sessions and frequent start dates, stacking multiple classes per term instead of waiting for traditional semesters.

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

A smart strategy to fast-track TESU’s labor studies degree is to use low-cost, transferable credits for general education and electives, and reserve TESU coursework for the specialized major requirements.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack This Degree

To help you get started, we put together this step-by-step playbook based on insights from TESU graduates, labor studies professionals, and experienced online learners to help you finish your labor studies degree at TESU as quickly and affordably as possible.

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TESU Labor Studies Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

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

• Submit every possible transcript and record for evaluation – You won’t need to start from zero as TESU is very transfer-friendly! Send in prior college transcripts, military joint services transcripts (JSTs), union-sponsored training program certificates, and any ACE/NCCRS-evaluated professional learning.

• Aim for the 90-credit transfer maximum - Up to 75% of the degree can come from outside sources. Hitting that cap can shorten your timeline from the usual four years to as little as 12–24 months, depending on your transfer base and pace.

• Map a custom transfer strategy - Use DegreeHacked.org to help you determine which general education and free elective credits to earn elsewhere. This lets you save TESU enrollment for upper-level labor studies courses like labor and management, employment relations, workplace diversity, and the labor studies capstone.

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TESU Labor Studies Degree Hacking Plan

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

You don’t need an overloaded schedule to finish the 120-credit BA in Labor 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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Here’s a credit breakdown for the labor studies program:

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

• ~12 credits: Required courses for BA Labor Studies (easily transferable)

• ~18 credits: Labor studies electives (some transferable)

• ~12 credits: Social sciences electives (some transferable)

• 3 credits: Liberal arts capstone (not transferable)

• 30 credits: Other elective courses (some transferable)

TESU Labor Studies Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

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Why Degree Hacking Works for TESU Labor 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 exams for around $100. The TECEP® enables you to take exams on subjects you may have prior knowledge in, which can also earn you credits. These exams allow you to 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 labor studies courses, the capstone project, and faculty guidance where the university’s expertise adds the most value and directly strengthens your career skills.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking BA in Labor Studies roadmap includes the following:  

✓ All 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 Labor Studies

When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

In hacking TESU’s labor studies degree, a good strategy is to complete your transfer credits first before officially enrolling at TESU. This will enable you to immediately focus your time and effort on core labor studies courses once you start.

TESU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and submit transcripts (ACE, CLEP, Study.com, etc.)

• TESU accepts up to 90 transfer credits  

• 15 to 30 credits at TESU, including the capstone, must be completed at TESU

• TESU has multiple start dates throughout the year

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

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

• Available financial aid includes FAFSA, Pell Grants, federal loans, TESU scholarships, military TA, and employer reimbursement

• Knock out gen eds and electives externally to cut 70–80% of costs

TESU Bachelor’s in Labor Studies Career ROI

• Average Salary: ~$60,000–$75,000 for mid‐career roles in labor relations, HR, and labor policy

• Degree Payback Time: ~1–2 years

• Lifetime Earnings Boost: +$700k–$1.2M on average over 20 years (depending on experience and career progression)

• Greater job stability and access to benefit-rich positions, opportunity to combine expertise with international, non-profit, or public policy work

• Typical roles: Labor Relations Specialist, HR Specialist/Manager, Union Organizer/Representative, Labor Policy Analyst, Training and Development Specialist

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