Earn Your WGU BS in Psychology in 6–12 Months

Why WGU’s Psychology Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

A psychology degree can open doors to careers in counseling, healthcare, human resources, education, or graduate study, while equipping you with in-demand skills to understand and support people. Western Governors University’s psychology program gives students the flexibility to balance school with other commitments, making it a smart choice for those who want to graduate faster and save money. Here’s why it’s easy to accelerate:

Competency-Based Structure

• Complete each psychology course as soon as you demonstrate mastery, without waiting for semester start dates.

• Direct your time toward upper-level psychology and research courses instead of repeating general education.

• Apply up to 90 accepted CUs and take multiple courses per term to shorten your overall timeline.

Career-Ready Preparation for Psychology Professionals

• Develop strong research, analytical, and communication abilities while studying topics such as cognitive science, developmental psychology, and statistics in a fully online format.

• Complement theoretical knowledge with projects, case studies, and a capstone that connects theory to real-world practice.

• Finish the program equipped for positions in human services, mental health support, community programs, and other psychology-related fields.

‍

Why Most People Take 2.5 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why most students take 2.5 years:

Earning a WGU B.S. in Psychology typically takes around 2.5 to 3 years and costs about $35,000 when students follow the standard path. Here are some common reasons for a longer time to degree:

• Students start from scratch: Some students complete nearly all 106 required credits at WGU instead of transferring prior coursework, missing the chance to use up to 90 transfer credits.

• They don’t stack or overlap courses: Completing one class at a time instead of working on several concurrently stretches out progress.

• Slower, semester-like pace: Following a traditional term-by-term schedule extends the program and delays graduation.

• Gen eds are taken at WGU: Students end up paying $4,085+ per term for general education courses that could cost under $100 elsewhere. ‍

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

• Max out the 90 transfer credits: Bring in as close as possible to the maximum of 90 credits by completing general education and lower-division psychology requirements through approved, low-cost providers.

• Save WGU for core courses: Complete the upper-division psychology classes, research methods course, and the capstone project at WGU, meeting the 25% residency requirement.

• Take advantage of the competency model: Move through courses as soon as you’re ready—many students complete 15–20 CUs per six-month term by scheduling assessments immediately after mastering the material.

• Result: Finish in two terms or fewer (6–12 months) for as little as $4,085–$8,170.

Success isn’t about piling on more work—it’s about mapping out a strategy early. Identify the courses you can complete cheaply elsewhere and reserve WGU for the requirements only it offers.

‍

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack This Degree

To get you started, we’ve created this fast-track guide for the WGU BS in Psychology, drawing insights from WGU psychology graduates, academic advisors, and experienced online learners. It’s built to help you map out your coursework efficiently, sidestep common delays, and complete your degree on a timeline and budget that match your career plans.

‍

WGU Psychology Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Knock out Gen Eds early through Study.com - Complete transferable courses such as English Composition, Intro to Communication, Intro to Sociology, and Applied Probability and Statistics through low-cost providers like Study.com or Sophia to cut expenses before enrolling.

• Submit every transcript and credential for evaluation - WGU frequently grants credit for prior college work, military training, professional licenses, or industry certifications.

• Target the 90-credit transfer maximum - Bringing in 75% of your degree can shorten the program from four years to just roughly 6–12 months.

• Plan a customized transfer map - Use platforms like DegreeHacked.org, which organizes your courses in the most efficient sequence and builds a timeline that saves you time and money. That will help you decide which lower-division psychology and general education courses to finish elsewhere. A solid plan ensures prerequisites are met and lets you focus on core psychology/WGU-only courses and the capstone, saving both time and tuition.

WGU Psychology Degree Hacking Plan

Psychology Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Earning a psychology degree at WGU is less about piling on classes and more about smart credit planning. Save money by completing general education and introductory psychology courses through approved, lower-cost providers, and reserve your terms for the advanced psychology coursework and capstone that must be completed directly at WGU.

Here’s a typical breakdown:

• ~46–49 CUs: General education courses (easily transferable)

• 15 CUs: Core WGU courses for BS Psychology (not transferable)

• 38 CUs: Upper-level BS Psychology courses (not transferable)

• 4 CUs: Psychology capstone (not transferable)

WGU Psychology Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

‍

Why Degree Hacking Works for WGU Psychology Students:

• Reduce cost per course: Study.com’s $95/month plan enables you to complete multiple general education or introductory psychology courses for just around $24 each if taking four courses a month, saving thousands compared to WGU tuition.

• Test out with CLEP/DSST exams: You may take the CLEP for $97 plus a small testing fee, and the DSST for around $100. Through these exams, you can test out of entire courses in a single day, instantly reducing your degree requirements.

• Save WGU for high-impact courses: Keep your WGU terms for upper-level BS Psychology courses, capstone work, and faculty guidance that directly strengthen your career skills.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking roadmap includes the following:  

✓ All 30+ course-by-course transfer equivalencies for each required course
✓ Detailed WGU 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

‍

Applying to WGU for the Bachelor’s in Psychology

When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

For a fast-track path, complete all eligible transfer credits first, including general education and lower-division psychology courses through approved providers like Study.com or CLEP/DSST exams. This way, you begin your WGU studies with upper-division psychology courses and the capstone, reducing your time to degree and letting you focus on core content.

WGU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• Complete and submit the online application form

• Send all transcripts, credentials, or score reports directly to WGU

• Feedback for transfer evaluation is typically sent in a few business days

• Start dates are usually on the 1st of every month

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

• Flat tuition per six-month term: $4,085 per six-month term + resource/tech fee

• FAFSA, WGU scholarships and grants, military and employer benefits

• Save Before You Enroll: Knock out Gen Ed/electives externally; bring in cert credits

WGU Bachelor’s in Psychology Career ROI

• Starting salary ~$31,000–$60,000/year for entry-level roles as research assistants and human resources specialists (WGU’s psychology program provides a strong foundation for licensure and advanced clinical roles)

• Degree payback time: ~2–3 years

• Lifetime earnings boost: ~$1.2M–$1.6M over a 40-year career

• Plus: Versatile career paths, strong foundation for graduate studies, pathway to licensure or certification

• Typical roles: Research Assistant, Case Manager, Human Resources Specialist, Marketing Research Analyst, Substance Abuse Counselor, Mental Health Technician, Social Services Coordinator, Behavioral Health Specialist