Finish GCU’s BS in Software Development Fast

Why GCU’s BS in Software Development is Perfect for Degree Hacking

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GCU offers its 120-credit BS in Software Development online with courses that run in short 7-week blocks, a setup that lets you move faster while balancing your family and work life. That pacing, plus flexible transfer pathways and acceptance of selected ACE-recommended learning and national exams, makes this program highly hackable for speed and savings.

Fast Online Courses and Generous Transfer Policies

• Set your own pace with flexible 7-week online courses designed to fit around your work,family, or personal schedule
• Transfer your existing college credits, certifications, or military training to get closer to GCU’s 90-credit transfer maximum and skip repeat classes
• Choose from multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can begin your degree whenever it works best for you

Industry-Relevant Faculty & Hands-On Projects

• Programming foundations in multiple languages, web frameworks, cloud, databases, and application security
• Practice across the software development lifecycle from concept to integration
• Project-based courses taught by faculty with real-world industry experience

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

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years:

Many students miss some of the ways they can "hack the system," which means a longer, pricier path to their BS in Software Development.

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• They start before transferring: Many students enroll first and only later learn that GCU accepts up to 90 transfer credits. By then, they’ve already paid full tuition for classes they could have completed elsewhere for a fraction of the cost.
• They under-transfer general education: Even students with prior coursework often bring in only 20–40 credits, leaving 80+ credits to complete at GCU’s standard tuition rate.
• They skip the pre-mapping step: Without an equivalency plan, students end up repeating coursework or taking classes that don’t apply to their degree, wasting both time and tuition.

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

• They max out transfers first: Instead of starting from scratch, they bring in up to 90 credits, knocking out 75% of their degree before "starting."
• They map every equivalency: Before applying, they create a course-by-course plan to make sure everything they take will count toward their BS in Software Development.
• They use low-cost credit providers: Instead of paying $485per credit at GCU, they complete gen-ed and elective requirements through ACE-approved platforms where many courses cost under $100.
• They move fast through 7-week terms: By stacking two online courses per block, they can finish GCU’s portion in just 2–4 terms—often graduating in about 6–12 months total.
• Result:6-12 months,~$15,000 total

Degree hacking isn't about smarts or hard work. It's about seeing how the system functions and using it to complete a bachelor's degree in software development way faster and for much less money.

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack GCU’s Software Development Program

We dug deep into GCU's policies and talked to former graduates and education experts to build this BS in Software Development degree-hacking guide.

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The idea is to help you understand the process, see where you can save money and get you ready for a career in software development faster.

GCU BS in Software Development Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Transfer gen eds and electives - Front-load general education and elective credits through ACE-approved courses at Study.com, CLEP, or DSST exams. GCU allows up to 90 total transfer credits,including 30 from ACE or exam sources.
• Think about hidden transfer options - Do you have relevant work experience in IT or software development?Did you serve in the military? GCU might let you use those to earn credit without taking a course.
• Lock in lower costs - Take the$485-per-credit GCU rate only for upper-division software development courses and your senior projects. Most lower-division classes can be completed elsewhere for under $100.
• Create your personalized credit transfer strategy - Platforms like DegreeHacked.org take the guesswork out of transferring, giving you a customized degree plan showing exactly which 90 credits to earn before enrollment. You'll also get mentor guidance and GCU-specific hacks for the bachelor's degree in software development.

GCU BS in Software Development Degree Hacking Plan

Software Development Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

Many of the 120 credits you'll need to earn a Bachelor of Science in Software Development at GCU can be transferred in from outside sources, while some you'll need to take at GCU.

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Here's a breakdown:

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• General Education: 34-40 credits (largely transferable)
• Major: 60 credits (many lower-division may transfer,upper-division often best at GCU)
• Free Electives: 20-26 credits (transferable)
• Capstone: Senior Project I and II (GCU only)

Software Development Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for Software Development Students:

• Maximum savings: Study.com plans start at $95 per month. Doing4 courses per month brings the cost to about $24 per course—making it one of the most affordable ways to earn transferable college credit before enrolling at GCU.
• CLEP/DSST boost: For under $100 per exam, you can test out of general education subjects like English Composition or College Algebra in a single day, saving lots of time and thousands in tuition.
• Strategic focus: Use GCU for its specialty, which is advanced software development, cloud, and senior projects.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The full degree hacking roadmap includes:

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✓ All 25+ course-by-course transfer equivalencies
✓ Exact Study.com course codes and CLEP exam numbers
✓ Cost breakdown and timeline for each pathway
✓ Alternative options when your preferred choice isn't available

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Applying to GCU for the BS in Software Development

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Submit your application to GCU after you've completed your transfer credits and are ready to focus on the final stretch.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online in 10-20minutes
• Submit official transcripts for evaluation
• Receive a ruling on your transfer credits within 2-4 weeks

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Per-credit tuition: $485
• Aid options include FAFSA, scholarships, employer tuition benefits, and military education benefits
• Savings come from transferring the maximum allowed and limiting GCU enrollment to upper‑division courses

Software Development Career ROI

• Median annual pay for Software Developers: $133,080 (2024, U.S. Bureauof Labor Statistics)
• Degree payback time: Often one year
• Lifetime earnings boost: $1 million+compared to non-degree holders
• Typical roles: Software Developer, Web Developer, QA Analyst, Systems Analyst, Cloud Application Developer