Get Your TESU BA in Biology in 6–12 Months

Why TESU’s Biology Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

A biology degree can lead to careers in education, environmental science, healthcare support, or graduate study, while helping you build marketable scientific and research skills. TESU’s BA in Biology is super flexible and boasts a generous transfer credit policy, making it a wise choice if you want to save money and finish faster. Here’s why it’s a great degree to hack:

Competency-Based Structure

• TESU accepts up to 90 transfer credits, letting you bring in nearly three years of previous coursework

• You can transfer credit from outside platforms like Study.com or CLEP exams, plus TESU recognizes work experience, professional certifications and military training

• Courses are self-paced and fully online, meaning you can start at any time

Career- and Graduate-Ready

• Build strong research skills and master molecular, cellular, ecosystem, and evolutionary biology

• Pair your theoretical learning with hands-on labs, case studies, and a capstone project

• Helps prepare you for further study in areas like public health, ecology, biotechnology, or teaching

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

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Why most students take 4+ years

Most TESU students spend more than 4 years and around $28-36K earning their bachelor’s in biology because they don’t know that the system can be hacked, or they don't know how to do it. Here’s what often happens:

• They start their degrees from scratch: Many TESU biology students assume they have to complete all 120 credits at TESU.

• They don’t fully use their transfer power: Even students with prior college experience often transfer only 20–30 credits instead of the maximum 90.

• Paying for Labs the Expensive Way: Instead of using low-cost online lab kits or transfer-friendly alternatives, students take high-tuition, in-person labs at TESU.

• They overpay for foundational courses: Students end up paying thousands in tuition rates for general education courses that could cost under $100 elsewhere.

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

• Transfer the max 90 credits: Knock out up to 75% of your degree using lower-cost learning platforms before enrolling.

• Save TESU for what matters: Use TESU only for upper-division biology courses and the required capstone project.

• Accelerate pacing: Bundle multiple courses per term, focusing on TESU’s flexible online structure to finish faster.

• Result: Get your degree in 6–12 months and only pay $4,000–$8,000 total.

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The difference isn’t working harder; it's working smarter. By knowing which courses transfer cheaply and reserving TESU for the credits that count most, you can cut years and tens of thousands of dollars off your degree.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack TESU's Biology Program

We’ve pulled together advice from TESU biology students, alumni, and online degree-hacking communities to build this fast-track guide for TESU's BA in Biology.

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The idea is simple: go into the program with a clear plan, cut out wasted time, and line up your credits in a way that saves you money while still prepping you for the science-focused career or grad path you want.

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TESU Biology Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• Knock out general education and prerequisites early - Use platforms like Study.com to cover English comp, algebra, precalculus, and basic sciences for a fraction of TESU’s tuition.

• Take a deep dive into your old transcripts - Past college classes, military training programs, or even professional certifications could cover requirements you’d otherwise repeat. Every hidden credit brings you closer to graduation.

• Aim for the full 90 transfer credits - That’s three-quarters of your degree! Hitting the maximum transfer is what makes finishing in 6–12 months realistic instead of dragging it out for 4 or more years.

• Lock in a custom transfer plan before you enroll - Mapping your credits in advance, on a site like DegreeHacked.com, shows you exactly which courses to take outside TESU and which must stay in-house (like upper-level biology and the capstone), so you avoid surprises and wasted spending.

TESU Biology Degree Hacking Plan

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Biology Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

To hack your biology degree at TESU, think less about piling on a bunch of courses and more about what fits where. Knock out general education and specific lower-division science courses before enrolling; you’ll spend your TESU time focusing on the advanced biology work that employers and grad schools care about most. The sample below shows how credits can be divided between transfer options and TESU-only requirements.

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• ​​​45 Credits: General education courses (easily transferable)

• 60 Credits: Area of Study ​(some transferable)

• 15 Credits: Electives (some transferable)

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TESU Biology Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

Why Degree Hacking Works for TESU Biology Students:

• Lower your per-course costs: Starting at $95/month, Study.com gives you access to ACE-approved online college courses. By finishing four courses in a month, you effectively bring the cost down to about $24 per course, compared to TESU’s $440–$573 per credit. Over a full 90-credit transfer block, that adds up to thousands in savings.

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

• Keep TESU for what counts: Focus your TESU time on the upper-division biology electives, lab-intensive courses, and the Liberal Arts Capstone. These are the parts of the program that employers and grad schools look at most, and they can’t be substituted elsewhere.

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree hacking roadmap includes the following:  

✓ All 40+ 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 the BA in Biology

When to Apply: Timing Your Enrollment Strategically

For a fast-track path, complete all eligible transfer credits first, including general education, lower-division biology and elective courses through approved providers. This way, you can start your TESU studies with upper-division biology courses and the capstone, reducing your time to degree and letting you focus on core content.

TESU Admissions & Transfer Logistics

• TESU accepts up to 90 transfer credits from ACE/NCCRS sources

• Minimum 30 credits must be earned through TESU

• Apply online + submit all transcripts and ACE/CLEP records

• You can start monthly with rolling enrollment and flexible pacing

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

• Per-Credit or Reduced Flat Rate Tuition Options: $440 in-state / $573 out-of-state per credit or if you take more than 9 credits per semester, you qualify for a flat-rate cost of $3,522/in-state / $4,561 out-of-state

• Financial aid includes FAFSA, TESU scholarships and grants, military and employer benefits

• Finish gen ed courses and electives using low-cost platforms before enrolling

‍TESU's Bachelor’s in Biology Career ROI

• Common paths include health/science education, environmental roles, lab support, science writing, data analysis

• Median salary of $61,890 for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

• Will prep you for post-bachelor’s premed, allied health, teaching credential, and public health graduate school

• This is a BA (not BS), so it’s broader in humanities and flexible for many science-adjacent careers

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