How to Apply to Computer Science at Loyola Marymount University: The B.S. in Computer Science at the Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Its Three Exploration Tracks and Senior Project, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a Jesuit university in Los Angeles. Undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, and the degree is the B.S. in Computer Science. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on LMU’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The major

• Degrees and minors: the department offers the B.S. in Computer Science, a Computer Science minor and an M.S.; there is also an Interactive, Gaming and Immersive Media minor with the School of Film and Television.
• Approach: the department describes a curriculum built on open-source culture, with app-development practicum courses in the sophomore year and capstone projects in the senior year.
• Accelerated Master’s Program: LMU computer science seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply to complete a one-year master’s right after the B.S.
• Summer program: the Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is for first-year students in computer science or related STEM fields, designed for groups underrepresented in computing; no prior programming is needed.
• Switching in: the bulletin says students transferring into the major must complete MATH 131 Calculus I, CMSI 1010 Computer Programming Laboratory and CMSI 2120 Data Structures and Applications with at least a B (3.0) in each, with final approval by the department chair. How first-year applicants choose a major is not stated on the pages read.

2. Curriculum

The bulletin lists 74 semester hours for the program within at least 124 for the degree, including at least 45 upper-division hours with a C (2.0) average in upper-division courses. Requirements fall into six areas:

• Foundational knowledge and skills (20 hours): Computer Programming Laboratory, Exploring Computer Science (0 hours), Data Structures and Applications, Algorithms and Analysis, Computer Systems Organization, and Logic and Computer Design.
• Explorations (24 hours): Theories of Computer and Human Languages and Programming Language Concepts and Implementation, plus four courses — one each from the AI, Systems/Architecture and Games and Interaction tracks, and one more upper-division elective.
  • AI: Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Systems Design, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models;
  • Systems/Architecture: Database Systems, Networks and the Internet, Operating Systems, Microprocessor and Microcontroller Systems;
  • Games and Interaction: Interaction Design, Computer Graphics, Game Design, Game Development.
• Applications and mastery (10 hours): Web or Mobile Application Development, and a two-semester senior project (or thesis).
• Mathematics (20 hours): Calculus I and II, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra (or Applied Linear Algebra), Methods of Proof and Discrete Mathematics (or Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science), and Probability and Mathematical Statistics, which is waived for students who take Cognitive Systems Design.
• University Core: at least 32 hours, including the First Year Seminar, Rhetorical Arts, philosophical and theological inquiry, American diversity, faith and reason, and ethics and justice.
• Free electives: to reach 124 hours; the bulletin suggests groupings such as business and information management, scientific computing, games and animation, mathematics and cognitive science.

3. First-year application and deadlines

• Application: the international page lists the Common Application with the LMU Supplement, or the Coalition Application. The fee is $75, with waivers requested through the application.
• Deadlines (fall entry; no year is stated):
  • Early Decision I (binding): November 1, decision mid-December;
  • Early Action (non-binding): November 1, decision mid-to-late December;
  • Early Decision II (binding): January 8, decision mid-February;
  • Regular Decision: January 15, with later applications considered as space allows. Spring (January) entry closes on October 15.
• Two inconsistencies:
  • Regular Decision results: the first-year page’s table says early March, while its text says normally no later than April 1, and the international page says decisions roll out by April 1.
  • Deposit deadlines: the two tables on the first-year page give January 11 and January 12 for ED I, and March 15 and March 16 for ED II.
  • Both versions are given here; follow your admission letter.
• Materials: high school transcripts and one letter of recommendation (preferably from a counselor, teacher or principal); SAT/ACT optional; LMU has no minimum GPA or test score.
• Recommended high school courses: applicants to engineering, science and computer science should complete four years of mathematics and a year each of biology, chemistry and physics, and be ready for calculus in the first year.

4. Students at high schools in China (Gaokao, A-Level, IB, AP)

• Testing: international students do not need the SAT or ACT. The international page says strong candidates without them show ability through IB, AP or A-Level courses or rigorous national examinations. No Gaokao score requirement is published.
• English: one of TOEFL 90 (4.5 for tests after January 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120 or PTE Academic 56. Students in the IB Diploma Programme or A Levels do not need to submit English results.
• Interview: an InitialView or Vericant interview is recommended but not required.
• A-Level credit: 6 semester units for each non-science A Level and 8 for each lab science; no credit for AS Levels.
• Documents: complete transcripts from every high school, with certified English translations. For the I-20, admitted students must show at least $71,000 to cover one year of tuition and housing.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Apply as an international first-year student; deadlines and materials are the same.
• Whether Canadian students are exempt from English testing, and grade requirements for BC curricula, are not published; check with International Admission (international@lmu.edu).

6. Transfer students

• Deadlines: October 1 for spring, February 1 (priority) for fall.
• Requirements: a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA for all majors (incoming average 3.5), with no minimum number of units. Business Calculus or Calculus 1 completed in class with a B or higher is mandatory; otherwise you will be asked to change major.
• Computer science: the Seaver College refers applicants to each program’s recommended courses; the internal switching rule is in section 1.
• International transfers: English can be shown by a C or better in in-person English Composition at a U.S. college, or by the tests above; international transcripts are evaluated by the Registrar; applicants who attended more than two U.S. colleges concurrently in one term are not considered.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 undergraduate estimate: tuition and fees $68,939, average on-campus housing and food $23,602, books $1,305 and other items, for an on-campus total of about $99,289.
• International scholarships: merit awards based on academic achievement and test scores, $2,000 to $30,000 a year, with no separate application.
• No need-based aid is available for international students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply ED I or EA by November 1, ED II by January 8, or Regular by January 15
• Strong math (ideally four years) plus biology, chemistry and physics; be calculus-ready
• TOEFL 90 (4.5), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120; IB Diploma and A-Level students exempt
• One recommendation letter; prepare proof of $71,000 in funds

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply as an international first-year student; confirm English and BC requirements with International Admission

Transfer students:

• Apply by February 1 for fall; GPA 3.00+ and a B or higher in Calculus 1
• To switch into computer science later: B or higher in Calculus I, CMSI 1010 and CMSI 2120

Sources: Loyola Marymount University, Department of Computer Science; Computer Science academics; Bulletin: Computer Science, BS; First-year applicants and deadlines; International first-year admission; International transfer admission; Credit for international examinations; Transfer requirements; Undergraduate cost of attendance. Information is a guide for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 estimates). Check LMU for the latest details.