Finish GCU's History BA Faster for Less with Smart Transfers

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

GCU’s BA in History is offered online with a low-friction transfer process and clear tuition. With up to 90 transfer credits allowed, you can front-load affordable credits and finish the remainder at GCU.

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Here are a few ways this degree lends itself to a faster, cheaper path:

Faster Structure, Easier to Optimize

• 7‑week online course blocks that stack momentum for faster graduation pathways
• Up to 90 transfer credits accepted, with only 30 credits minimum in GCU residency
• ACE, CLEP, and DSST options evaluated for credit where approved

Skills That Travel Across Careers

• Research, analysis, and evidence-based writing practiced in every term
• Training in historiography, primary-source methods, and synthesis
• Communication and critical-thinking habits that support advancement

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 semester sequence and pay main-tuition rates for classes that could be satisfied for far less. They also enroll before planning transfers, which locks them into extra terms.

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Here is the typical pattern we see:

• ‍They enroll before mapping transfers: Without a credit map, students miss easy wins and duplicate requirements. ‍
• They skip credit-by-exam: Ignoring CLEP or DSST means paying for courses that could be earned in a day of testing. ‍
• They underuse ACE-evaluated options: Passing on evaluated alternative credits leaves 20–40 low-cost credits on the table. ‍
• They leave upper-division planning too late: Missing residency and upper-level rules can add an extra term or two.

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

• ‍Max out transfers first: Bring in up to 90 credits before matriculation to cut both time and tuition. ‍
• Use low-cost providers strategically: Knock out gen eds and survey courses via ACE-evaluated online options or CLEP/DSST exams. ‍
• Reserve GCU for high-value credits: Keep upper-division history methods, seminars, and the final sequence at GCU for quality and fit. ‍
• Result: 6 months for $14,550 total tuition fee

Your BA in History should not take four years and full sticker price. A focused degree-hacking plan trims months and costs while keeping your GCU credential intact.

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

These tips come from tested transfer plans built for adult learners. The goal is simple: finish the BA in History quickly and affordably by moving eligible credits in, then completing the upper-level core at GCU.

GCU BA in History Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• ‍Front-load general education - Use Study.com for lower-cost gen eds and survey history then transfer approved matches to GCU. Prices are at $95/month for the College Starter plan and $235/month for the College Saver plan. ‍
• Bank exam credits -Take CLEP/DSST where accepted; CLEP exams are about $97 each plus proctor fees, DSST exams are about $100 plus any local fees. ‍
• Lock your path with evaluations - Request unofficial and official transcript evaluations early and line up ACE/NCCRS credits before you apply. ‍
• Get a custom plan - DegreeHacked.org provides a tailored credit map for your GCU BA in History so you know the cheapest, fastest sequence.

GCU BA in History Degree Hacking Plan

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

GCU accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward the 120 required credits, with a minimum of 30 credits completed at GCU and at least 36 upper-division credits for graduation. Online courses run in 7‑week blocks, which makes stacking remaining requirements efficient.

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Below is a representative credit map to guide planning:

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• ‍34–40 credits: General Education courses (highly transferable) ‍
• 48 credits: Major history courses (mostly GCU only) ‍
• 32–38 credits: Open electives (mostly transferable)

GCU BA in History Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for BA in History Students:

• ‍Less tuition, more momentum: Shift low-cost credits in, then finish focused upper-division work at GCU. ‍
• Time advantage you can feel: 7‑week blocks and mapped transfers compress calendar time to graduation. ‍
• Sharper focus where it counts: Concentrate effort on GCU’s methods and seminar sequence for academic depth.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Here is what your personalized plan includes:

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✓ A full 120‑credit map with course-by-course transfer matches

✓ Provider and exam IDs for ACE, CLEP, and DSST equivalents

✓ Cost and timeline targets with contingencies

✓ Backup options if policies change midstream

Applying to GCU for the BA in History

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after you have banked as many transfer and exam credits as possible. With multiple online starts and 7‑week courses, you can enter the next available block and focus the final 30 or so credits at GCU.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and request official transcripts for evaluation
• Use the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation to preview what transfers
• Plan for residency: complete at least 30 credits with GCU

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Online undergraduate tuition: typically about $485 per credit
• Active-duty military online rate available for reduced rate
• Use GCU scholarships, employer tuition benefits, and federal aid where eligible

GCU BA in History Career ROI

• Median Annual Salary: $74,050 for Historians
• Degree Payback Time: 3-4 months at median pay for 30 credits at GCU
• Roles: Historian, Museum Worker, Archivist, Research Support, Historical Writer or Editor
• Strong fit for graduate study pathways in history, law, public service, and communications