How to Apply to Computer Science at Boise State University: the 120-Credit BS in Computer Science Four-Year Plan, Four Emphases, the BS in Artificial Intelligence Science and the Accelerated Master’s, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Boise State University, undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering. Here is what you need to know, based on Boise State’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. Degrees and curriculum

• BS in Computer Science: the department FAQ says the degree is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The general degree lets students choose electives in any area.
• Four emphases: Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, Entrepreneurship (with the Management department and the Venture College) and Secondary Education (graduates are eligible for recommendation for Idaho teacher certification).
• BS in Artificial Intelligence Science: a separate degree starting fall 2025. The department FAQ says it does not require Programming Languages, Theory of Computation, Software Development in C, Algorithms or Software Engineering (some are electives) and adds data science and machine learning courses instead.
• Four-year plan (2026-2027 catalog, 120 credits):
  • Year 1: Calculus I and II, Computer Science I (CS 121) and II (CS 221), Navigating Computer Systems.
  • Year 2: Discrete Mathematics, Physics I with lab or General Chemistry with lab, Intro to Full Stack Web Development, Intro to Version Control, Software Development in C, Data Structures, Digital Systems with lab, Technical Communication.
  • Year 3: Engineering Statistics or Probability and Statistics, Ethical Issues in Computing, Programming Languages, Microprocessors with lab, Theory of Computation, Computer Security, a lab science.
  • Year 4: Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Algorithms, a senior design project, the Senior Outcome Assessment and CS electives.
• Advising: students have a professional academic advisor; a faculty advisor is assigned after CS 221.
• Accelerated master’s: Boise State BS CS students with at least 75 applicable credits, a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.3 GPA in CS courses may apply. Up to three graduate courses count toward both degrees, so students may finish both in five years.
• Minors in Computer Science and Cybersecurity, and a Data Science for STEM certificate, are also offered.

2. Getting into the major

• The pages read do not say whether first-year students are admitted directly to computer science or what internal transfer requires; ask the department at computerscience@boisestate.edu.
• The four-year plan puts Computer Science I and Calculus I in the first semester. Math and programming prerequisites are not stated on the pages read; the catalog is rendered by script and was not checked here, so look it up there or ask the department.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year applicants)

• Application: Boise State’s own international undergraduate application. The website says the Common App is not accepted.
• Fee: USD 85, non-refundable; it cannot be waived for international students.
• Materials: high school transcripts, proof of English proficiency and a copy of the passport name page. Clear unofficial transcripts are accepted for review, with certified word-for-word English translations if needed; official transcripts are due at the start of the first semester and must arrive before registering for the second. Results of external exams such as A-Level and IB must come directly from the exam board. No external credential evaluation is needed for admission.
• Review: based primarily on past academic achievement. Recommendation letters and personal statements are not required but are welcome.
• Tests: SAT or ACT are not required for international students; scores sent are considered.
• Deadlines: the international first-year page lists a fall scholarship deadline of December 15 and a fall priority deadline of April 1, with October 1 for both in spring. The scholarship page states December 15, 2026 for fall 2027 and October 1, 2026 for spring 2027. The international application page still shows headings for spring and fall 2025, with the same dates. All materials must arrive by the deadline for the file to be complete.
• Decisions: usually within two weeks of a complete application.

4. English requirements

• Minimum scores: IELTS 6.0; TOEFL iBT 68 (before January 26, 2026) or 4 (on or after); Duolingo 100; PTE 50; ACT English 18; SAT EBRW 450.
• Other options: AP English Language or Literature 3; Cambridge English Scale 169; completion of the IB Diploma within the last two years with IB English A Language & Literature HL or SL 4; IGCSE or O Level English C.
• Applicants below the minimums are considered for the Pathway Program, which combines English and academic courses for 1–3 semesters before full admission to the degree.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used, and no minimum GPA for international first-year applicants is published; check with International Admissions at interntl@boisestate.edu.
• Exam credit: AP, IB and A-Level can earn credit; see the Credit for Prior Learning page.
• Scholarships depend on GPA: International Admissions calculates an unweighted cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, and merit awards start at 3.1 (see section 8).

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

• Requirements for BC and other Canadian curricula are not published; apply as an international student.
• English: applicants who complete three or more years of secondary school in Canada (excluding Quebec) at English-medium schools before enrolling are exempt from English scores; International Admissions may still ask for more proof case by case.

7. Transfer students

• Applicants who have taken post-secondary courses apply as transfers; those with fewer than 14 transferable credits (about one full-time semester) also submit high school transcripts.
• A minimum transfer GPA is not stated on the pages read.
• Credit from institutions outside the U.S. needs no external evaluation for admission, but an external evaluation is required before it can transfer; this can be done before or after enrolling.
• An English 101-equivalent course from a regionally accredited U.S. institution with C- or better, plus 14 or more transferable credits, satisfies English proficiency.
• Deadlines are the same as for first-year applicants; transfers with 14 or more transferable credits are automatically considered for transfer scholarships of the same amounts.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 international undergraduate estimate: tuition and fees USD 29,477, room and board USD 16,894, books USD 800, health insurance USD 2,175, personal expenses USD 2,203, total USD 51,549. This is also the amount to show for the student visa.
• Merit scholarships: international undergraduate applicants are considered automatically for USD 5,000–17,000 a year, by GPA:
  • 3.100–3.299: USD 5,000
  • 3.300–3.499: USD 10,000
  • 3.500–3.749: USD 15,000
  • 3.750–3.999: USD 16,000
  • 4.000+: USD 17,000
• Non-Resident Scholarships are guaranteed to students who meet the criteria and deadlines; Global Scholarships for international students depend on availability and go first to files completed earlier. Pathway Program students are not eligible.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Complete all materials for fall 2027 by December 15, 2026 for scholarship consideration
• Prepare English scores such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 68/4
• Ask the department how students enter the major

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

• Apply as an international student; three years at English-medium schools waives English scores

Transfer students:

• Fewer than 14 transferable credits means high school transcripts too; non-U.S. credit needs an external evaluation to transfer

Sources: Boise State University, Computer Science degrees; BS in Computer Science four-year plan (2026-2027 catalog); Computer Science FAQ; Computer Science advising; International applications; International first-year admission; International transfer admission; International cost of attendance; International undergraduate scholarships; Credit for prior learning. Costs are 2026-27 estimates. Check Boise State’s website for the latest.