Residency Required Hours

[StudiousTraveller]

Can you tell me if I am understanding this correctly, please? I am applying for the BA in History.

For the 30 credits I need to take with UMPI they do not necessarily have to be from the History concentration courses correct? 

Do these 30 credits need to be mainly UL or can they be any 30 credits?

For example, if I can find alternative courses to meet the History requirements from Sophia, Study.com etc. can I do classes with those companies instead and then take other courses (that may not necessarily be History) with UMPI to be used as elective credits?

I've been told by UMPI that the GEC will be waived since I already have a degree, but I don't have an evaluation of my degree yet so I don't know how many (if any electives) I'll be able to transfer in from my BSc. 

The reason I ask is that I would like to minimize the terms I need to do at UMPI (to 3 max. if possible) to stay within my budget, but I'm concerned that I'll use up a lot of time during each term writing essays. I'd prefer to do as many classes with essays outside of UMPI (as possible) where I can take longer if need be and then I'll be able to progress faster through the 30 credits I need to do with UMPI.