TESU Introduces Accelerated Courses (4-week format)

[animuscerebri]

Hi everybody,

I just got an email from TESU that they're gonna launch a new program called "Accelerated Courses" starting in July, 2026.

In general, they take some of their "Guided Study" courses, and put them into a 4-week format. Those courses appear under a new section called "Accelerated Courses."

I interpret it as such that TESU intends to provide an alternative for students who already have subject matter knowledge due to previous work experience or for students who simply had to deal with some of the material covered in those courses in the past. Hence, students can speed through those classes significantly, meaning that you can finish in 4 weeks instead of the regular 12 weeks. That's a big time saver here.

In my view, it looks like TESU intends to compete against other online schools that offer similar programs, such as WGU's competency-based programs or UMPI's 8-week terms. However, what TESU intends to do is to provide a sort of hybrid option: on the one hand, this 4-week format is kind of competency-based because students should already have previous knowledge to be able to speed through those accelerated courses; on the other hand, they are shorter than most of their competitor's courses (mostly 8-week format vs. TESU's now 4-week format alternative).

However, you cannot finish all undergrad programs completely this way; the ones you can finish completely are: 

However, several of our most popular degrees can be completed entirely through these accelerated courses, including:

• B.A. in Liberal Studies (General, Computer Science, or Humanities)
  
• B.S. in General Management
  
• A.A. in General Studies
  
• A.S. in Business Management or Computer Science
  
• AAS in Construction and Facility Support 
  

For instance, some of the BACS Accelerated Courses are now:

- Introduction to Computers (COS-1010)
- C Programming (COS-1160)
- C++ Programming (COS-2130)
- Operating Systems (COS-2400)
- Data Structures (COS-2410)
- Computer Architecture (COS-3300)
- Liberal Arts Capstone - Natural Sciences, Math and Computer Science (LIB-4970)

In my opinion, Operating Systems and Computer Architecture and the Capstone classes look pretty interesting now; finishing each one just in 4 weeks with this new format looks quite enticing.

In addition, you also have this option:

What if I need more time?
We offer a no-cost eight (8)-week course extension upon request. Unlike other formats, you do not need a mentor's certification or a requirement to have 50% of the work completed to ask for this extension.

You can read up on this new program here: https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/co...f21671a4-0

[WDue]

Another interesting addition is the: Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today (SOS-1100) required course. Meaning you can have it completed in the first month and work on your capstone for the remaining two.

[NotJoeBiden]

Another interesting addition is the: Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today (SOS-1100) required course. Meaning you can have it completed in the first month and work on your capstone for the remaining two.

I think that would benefit a number of people on this forum

[animuscerebri]

I agree. I think this is a pretty cool program for many people who just wanna get over with some classes that shouldn't take so long. In particular, if you already have the subject matter knowledge to pass them relatively quickly, you shouldn't be required to sit through 12 or more weeks.

Moreover, you can get RA credits fast as well this way.

I think TESU really analyzed their competition pretty well so that they could come up with a very practical alternative. In particular, you can combine it with their flat-rate option and finish 15 credits this way faster.

If you take the flat-rate option, you're not required to take all classes at once. If you want, you can only speed through one class at a time and finish the rest in the next two consecutive 4-week terms. Thus, instead of taking 4-5 classes at the same time, you can focus - for example - on one or two classes in one month, and again one or two in another 4-week term. Hence, they split up their regular 12-week term flat-rate option into 3 terms with this new feature: you don't have to take all 15 credits at the same time. Instead, you can chunk them as you like within a 12-week range within the flat-rate option.

[WDue]

I agree. I think this is a pretty cool program for many people who just wanna get over with some classes that shouldn't take so long. In particular, if you already have the subject matter knowledge to pass them relatively quickly, you shouldn't be required to sit through 12 or more weeks.

Moreover, you can get RA credits fast as well this way.

I think TESU really analyzed their competition pretty well so that they could come up with a very practical alternative. In particular, you can combine it with their flat-rate option and finish 15 credits this way faster.

If you take the flat-rate option, you're not required to take all classes at once. If you want, you can only speed through one class at a time and finish the rest in the next 4-week term. Thus, instead of taking 4-5 classes at the same time, you can focus on one or two classes in one month, and again one or two in another 4-week term. Hence, they split up their regular 12-week term flat-rate option into 3 terms with this new feature: you don't have to take all 15 credits at the same time. Instead, you can chunk them as you like within a 12-week range within the flat-rate option.

Definitely! They weren't really known for their course completion rate, but rather their generous transfer policy. This change allows them to compete more directly with WGU and UMPI like you outlined above. I also think TESU was struggling to obtain new students, given that most end up going with either UMPI or WGU.

[Mint Berry Crunch]

I agree. I think this is a pretty cool program for many people who just wanna get over with some classes that shouldn't take so long. In particular, if you already have the subject matter knowledge to pass them relatively quickly, you shouldn't be required to sit through 12 or more weeks.

Moreover, you can get RA credits fast as well this way.

I think TESU really analyzed their competition pretty well so that they could come up with a very practical alternative. In particular, you can combine it with their flat-rate option and finish 15 credits this way faster.

If you take the flat-rate option, you're not required to take all classes at once. If you want, you can only speed through one class at a time and finish the rest in the next 4-week term. Thus, instead of taking 4-5 classes at the same time, you can focus on one or two classes in one month, and again one or two in another 4-week term. Hence, they split up their regular 12-week term flat-rate option into 3 terms with this new feature: you don't have to take all 15 credits at the same time. Instead, you can chunk them as you like within a 12-week range within the flat-rate option.

Definitely! They weren't really known for their course completion rate, but rather their generous transfer policy. This change allows them to compete more directly with WGU and UMPI like you outlined above. I also think TESU was struggling to obtain new students, given that most end up going with either UMPI or WGU.

This is a pretty solid option and I think that's a realistic expectation considering the other schools we talk about on here. This feels like the same offer that Excelsior University has with their newest rate for the undergrad program in business admin. I think its split up into 2 or 3 terms for a max of 21? credits (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Not bad

[mylo]

Is TESU’s flat-rate term three months? Does that mean I only need to take four accelerated courses within three months to be charged the flat rate?

[bluebooger]

https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/co...d4bdbf21-1

Do Accelerated Courses require fewer assignments and exams than online or Guided Study courses?

Accelerated courses require the same amount of work in each course as online and Guided Study courses. Per TESU’s Credit Hour Policy, please expect to spend 48 hours per week for each three (3) credit accelerated course. Students who have previous knowledge or experience in the subject of the course may be more comfortable in the Accelerated Courses.

48 hours per week ???

[animuscerebri]

https://www.tesu.edu/degrees-programs/co...d4bdbf21-1

Do Accelerated Courses require fewer assignments and exams than online or Guided Study courses?

Accelerated courses require the same amount of work in each course as online and Guided Study courses. Per TESU’s Credit Hour Policy, please expect to spend 48 hours per week for each three (3) credit accelerated course. Students who have previous knowledge or experience in the subject of the course may be more comfortable in the Accelerated Courses.

48 hours per week ???

According to this description, they don't reduce workload, and 48 hours per week seems to be right for a 3 credit course. However, bear in mind that they stress that Accelerated Courses are for people who already have subject matter knowledge. If you have it, I assume you won't need that much time per week. If you don't have it, then I'd think twice whether I'd go this accelerated way. In particular, if you also have a full-time job at the same time.

In my opinion, this program makes most sense for the following groups:

- People with lots of subject matter knowledge in the respective courses (that's the primary group)
- People currently unemployed and having the time to dedicate full-time to study, and they want to finish courses fast
- People who are in between two jobs, meaning they quit their job and are waiting to start their new one
- People simply interested in speeding through courses, and they feel comfortable and capable to do it
- People who pre-study the material (you can check out the syllabus of each course online, get the respective textbook, and study the material) so that they only need to take the accelerated route to finish those courses quickly (similar to what many people do at WGU)
- People deliberately taking time off (vacation) just to complete their degree, meaning that those who already have more than 90 credits to transfer in take this Accelerated Courses route, and they only need like 15 residency credits and they already have the subject matter knowledge for the most part

And I think it is good that they didn't reduce the amount of course workload or objectives, because, otherwise, the value of these courses would require a separate designation, which you honestly don't want. It is simply a different way of how to complete it.

All in all, I think this is a great option for those groups.

---

Is TESU’s flat-rate term three months? Does that mean I only need to take four accelerated courses within three months to be charged the flat rate?

TESU writes this:

You can take advantage of the Full-time Flat Rate Tuition without needing to take 9 credits all at once. Instead, you can spread those 9+ credits across the three consecutive four (4)-week sessions.

[LevelUP]

If you are a CS major, that means you may only have to complete the capstone and could be done in just four weeks.