How to Apply to Computer Science at Western Michigan University: the ABET-Accredited BS in Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Foundational Courses First and Then the Professional Program, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Western Michigan University (WMU), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS). Here is what you need to know, based on WMU’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. Degree and curriculum

• Degree: B.S. in Computer Science, accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET under the computer science program criteria. The department’s B.S. in Cybersecurity is also ABET-accredited.
• Core courses (as listed): digital logic, web technology, database management systems, data and file structures, design and analysis of algorithms, operating systems, network fundamentals, reusable software architectures and foundations of programming languages.
• Electives: three technical electives and two free electives; certificates such as web development and artificial intelligence are available.
• Capstone: every student completes a Senior Engineering Design project with a team, for an industry client.
• Accelerated master’s: up to 12 graduate credits during the bachelor’s, then one more year for the master’s.
• Laptop: computer science students need a laptop that meets the department’s minimum requirements.
• Total credits and full requirements are in the academic catalog, which we could not read; check WMU’s catalog.

2. Getting into the major

• Not a competitive admission program: WMU’s only competitive majors are Aviation Flight Science and direct admission to Nursing.
• Foundational courses first: the department says you start with foundational computer science and engineering courses and, once you complete them, apply to the upper-level professional program.
• Process: CEAS advising describes the process for pre-engineering and pre-engineering technology students: apply to the professional program in the semester you take your final pre-program requirement; grades are checked at the end of the semester and successful students are notified by email. Whether computer science follows exactly this process, and its specific pre-program courses and grade standards, are not stated on the pages read; check the catalog or a CEAS advisor.
• Standing: students may be dismissed from WMU or CEAS for failing to maintain a 2.0 GPA or for unsatisfactory marks in required courses.
• Recommended high school courses: 4 years of English, 3–4 years of math (through Algebra II or pre-calculus), 3 years of science (two with labs) and 2 years of one foreign language. These are recommendations, not requirements. The department recommends a strong math foundation and an interest in coding.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• International undergraduate deadlines (no year stated): June 1 for fall, September 1 for spring, February 1 for Summer I. Students needing visas should apply early; many programs admit on a rolling basis.
• Fall 2027: the admissions office lists non-binding Early Action on December 1 for first-year students, covering all programs, admissions merit scholarships and priority Honors College invitations, then rolling admission to June 1. The admissions office says WMU is Common App exclusive for first-year applicants.
• Fee: USD 100, non-refundable, per the international page.
• Materials: transcripts or mark sheets from all secondary and post-secondary schools, diplomas and exam results, official grading scales, English translations, and your passport identification page. Unofficial transcripts are used for decisions; official ones are due by the end of your first semester.
• Tests: WMU is test-optional for admission and admissions scholarships, and superscores scores you report.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 71 (4 on the 2026 and later format), IELTS 6.0, PTE 48, Duolingo 100, MET 48 or SAT EBRW 500, taken within two years.
• Or IB English Higher Level 5, IGCSE English A–C, or Cambridge Advanced English A–C, among other options.
• Students below the minimum can start at WMU’s Center for English Language and Culture for International Students.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used. The international page notes that some educational systems provide exam results instead of transcripts; check with international admissions.
• Exam credit: A Level grades of E or higher (equivalent to a C at WMU) can earn credit; send official results to International Student and Scholar Services. IB credit depends on the subject; send official IB transcripts to Admissions.
• Scholarship: the Global Education Undergraduate Merit Scholarship is worth up to USD 10,000 a year toward tuition for up to eight semesters, requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA as converted by WMU, and is reviewed automatically once your application is complete. There are more eligible applicants than awards.

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

• English: Canada is on the English waiver list with an asterisk, meaning the waiver applies only if you completed four years of upper secondary school in an English-language educational system.
• Requirements for BC and other Canadian curricula are not published; apply as an international student. International admissions has a counselor assigned to students from Canada.

7. Transfer students

• Criteria: a minimum 2.00 cumulative college GPA, with recent grade trend and number of college courses considered. With 24 or more hours, send college transcripts only; with 23 or fewer, also send high school transcripts.
• Deadlines (domestic transfers): August 15 for fall and January 1 for spring; apply 6–8 months ahead. Review is rolling and decisions come about two weeks after the file is complete.
• Credit: courses below a C do not transfer; students from two-year colleges must complete at least 60 hours at a four-year institution, and at least 30 hours must be through WMU.
• CEAS: after admission, meet a CEAS advisor for an official transfer credit evaluation; some courses need syllabi for department review.

8. Costs

• 2026-27 international estimates (tuition and fees, housing and meals, and health insurance; about USD 3,600 for personal expenses and books is extra):
  • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences: USD 38,860 a year at the lower level and USD 40,900 at the upper level;
  • the upper-level rate applies after 55 credits.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by June 1 for fall and pay the USD 100 fee
• Prepare IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 71
• Keep a 3.0 GPA or higher for automatic merit scholarship review
• After enrolling, finish the foundational courses with your advisor and apply to the professional program

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

• Check whether you completed four years in an English-language system; if not, prepare English scores

Transfer students:

• College GPA of 2.00 or higher; meet a CEAS advisor after admission for credit evaluation

Sources: Western Michigan University, BS in Computer Science; Accreditation information; CEAS advising; Competitive admission programs; Dates and deadlines; Testing policy; First-year admission criteria; International applicants; English proficiency; International funding; Transfer criteria. International deadlines do not state a year; costs are 2026-27 estimates. Check WMU’s website for the latest.