Complete GCU’s BA in Communications Much Faster and Cheaper

Why GCU’s BA in Communications is Perfect for Degree Hacking

GCU offers the BA in Communications online with  a generous transfer policy that accepts up to 90 credits, including a portion from exams and ACE‑evaluated learning. This lets you keep tuition for the courses that matter most and move efficiently to graduation.

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Here's a quick look at why this degree is hackable in practice:

Online Flexibility & Transfer-Friendly

• 7‑week online classes with frequent starts, designed for working adults

• Up to 90 transfer credits accepted, with up to 30 from CLEP, DSST and ACE‑evaluated sources

• 120‑credit program you can sequence to keep GCU for upper‑division work

Career & Communications Preparation

• Training in interpersonal, organizational, and strategic communication

• Applied projects that build writing, presentations, campaigns, and research

• Ethics and audience analysis that sharpen problem‑solving across settings

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 follow the default path and stretch a communications degree across several years. The missed opportunities usually come from not leveraging transfer credit, exams, and course sequencing.

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What we see most often looks like this:

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• They underuse exams and ACE credits: Students skip CLEP, DSST and ACE sources that could replace dozens of credits.

• They enroll before mapping equivalencies: Without a pre‑enrollment audit, they retake classes and lose savings.

• They leave electives for later: Unplanned electives clog the end of the degree and delay graduation.

• They pay top dollar for gen‑eds: Courses that could be completed cheaply elsewhere get taken at full tuition.

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

• Front‑load transfers: Bank as many approved gen‑ed and lower‑division credits as possible before enrolling.

• Target cheap wins: Use online course providers plus CLEP/DSST to clear gen eds and other courses quickly.

• Keep GCU for the finish: Reserve upper‑division, capstone and emphasis courses for GCU to ensure fit.

• Result: 6 months for $14,550 total in tuition fees

Your BA in Communications does not need to take years or drain your budget. Degree hacking focuses your GCU time on high‑value upper‑division courses, cutting both calendar and cost.

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack GCU BA in Communications Program

These tips reflect patterns used by successful finishers. The goal is simple: maximize low‑cost credit before enrollment, then sprint through the remaining upper‑division GCU courses with a focused plan.

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Follow the sequence, verify every equivalency in writing, and keep at least one backup option per requirement.

GCU BA in Communications Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Stack low‑cost courses - Study.com can be an efficient source for general education and survey courses, available for either $95/month for the College Starter or $235/month for the College Saver, if you pace aggressively.

• Knock out exams - CLEP and DSST exams typically cost about $97/exam (for CLEP) or $100/exam (for DSST), and can replace full classes when pre‑approved.

• Lockdown your credit map -Use DegreeHacked.org to get a custom credit‑by‑credit plan with costs, timing and backups before you apply.

• Collect proofs early - Gather syllabi, JST and ACE transcripts so GCU can evaluate everything in one pass.

GCU BA in Communications Degree Hacking Plan

BA in Communications Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

GCU generally accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward a 120‑credit bachelor’s degree, with up to 30 from approved alternative credit like CLEP, DSST and ACE‑evaluated learning. Online courses commonly run in 7‑week blocks, which supports fast sequencing once you enroll. Submit all outside credits before starting for maximum application.

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Here is a high‑level credit map for planning:

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• 34–40 Credits: General Education (highly transferable)

• 48 Credits: Major communications courses (mix of transferable and GCU only)

• 28–34 Credits: Open electives (highly transferable)

• 4 Credits: Communication capstone (GCU only)

GCU BA in Communications Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for GCU BA in Communications Students:

• Bigger wins per dollar: Redirect spend to upper‑division courses where instruction and signaling value are highest.

• Speed through structure: 7‑week online courses and smart sequencing shorten the path to the credential.

• Focus where it counts: Plan around writing, presentations and research to build portfolio‑ready outcomes.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Here’s what your personalized degree‑hacking plan includes:

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✓ Full 120-credit map with GCU transfer equivalencies  

✓ Provider and exam IDs for each approved course  

✓ Cost and timeline scenarios for 6–12 months  

✓ Backup options if a policy or course changes  

Applying to GCU for the BA in Communications

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after you’ve logged as many approved transfer credits as possible, then use GCU’s frequent online starts to begin the remaining upper‑division courses at a 7‑week clip.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and submit all transcripts for a formal evaluation

• Transfer up to 90 credits total, with up to 30 via CLEP, DSST and ACE sources

• Submit outside credits before starting to ensure maximum application

• Use the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation to preview your plan

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Online undergraduate rates: $485 per credit

• GCU scholarships, federal aid, and employer tuition benefits may reduce total cost

• Leverage GCU’s flexible transfer policy to reduce costs immensely for your tuition fees

GCU BA in Communications Career ROI

• Median annual salary: Public Relations Specialists ~$69,780/year

• Degree payback time: 3–4 months for 30 credits
• Typical roles: Public Relations Specialist, Communications Coordinator, Writer, Media Relations

• Versatile writing and presentation skills, cross‑industry applicability, portfolio‑ready projects