How to Apply to Computer Science at James Madison University: Courses, Progression Standards and Starting from Zero in the BS in Computer Science in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE). Here is what you need to know, based on the university’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 courses

• Degree: a single B.S. in Computer Science with no official concentrations; minors in Computer Science, Logic and Reasoning, and Robotics.
• Credits: 120 credits to graduate. The department FAQ says the CS curriculum is around 52 credits and general education 41, leaving 24–27 credits for a second major, a minor or free electives.
• Sample path (department check sheets reviewed in August 2024; the catalog is the official requirement): Intro to Programming, Advanced Programming, Discrete Structures I, Algorithms and Data Structures, Software Engineering, Computer Systems I, Discrete Structures II, Computer Systems II and Programming Languages, plus calculus (a two-course sequence, or one course with the right placement score) and statistics.
• Electives: at least three 300/400-level CS electives plus a systems elective and an algorithms elective (Applied Algorithms or Design and Analysis of Algorithms). Elective areas include artificial intelligence (autonomous robotics, AI, machine learning), cyber defense (information security, cyber defense, cryptography), software development (application development, web-based information systems, interaction design and more) and systems (compilers, operating systems, networking, computer architecture, parallel and distributed systems).
• Small classes: CS courses have 30 or fewer students and are taught by full-time faculty, with teaching assistants for intro and intermediate courses.
• Accelerated master’s: the department offers a 4+1 option.

2. Getting started and entering the major

• No experience needed: the FAQ says the program accepts any level of experience, including none, and the first programming course, CS 149, assumes no prior programming.
• First semester: students usually take College Algebra (MATH 155) or Intro to Programming (CS 149), as decided with a first-year advisor. The department shows three sample paths: a CS 149 start, a MATH 155 start and a sophomore start.
• Progression standards: JMU’s admission and progression standards page lists Computer Science among programs with progression standards such as course prerequisites and GPA requirements, and the department’s advisor helps students prepare to apply to the major. The specific courses and GPA thresholds are in the catalog and were not on the pages we read, so they are not stated here; ask the CS advising team (cs.advising@jmu.edu).
• Admission is not entry to the major: the transfer page notes that admission to JMU does not necessarily guarantee admission to your intended major.

3. Admission requirements

• Competitive admission: JMU looks at core academic courses (English, social science, foreign language, lab science and mathematics), mostly A’s and B’s, and rigor (AP, IB, dual enrollment, Cambridge International and honors), plus activities, the recommendation and the essay.
• Math: at least one full year beyond Algebra II (such as precalculus, calculus, trigonometry or probability and statistics); computer science courses do not count toward this.
• Testing: JMU no longer requires SAT/ACT scores.
• Honors College: two short essays are submitted with the application and evaluated separately from admission.

4. Timeline and documents (international first-year)

• Deadlines (no year stated): fall June 1, spring October 1 and summer February 15, with every piece submitted by then; late applications are not considered. Domestic first-year deadlines are Early Action November 1 (non-binding) and Regular Decision January 15; the international pages do not say whether these rounds apply.
• Documents: the online application; complete original secondary school transcripts in English; English proof; one letter of recommendation; copies of visa documents; the financial certification form; and the USD 70 fee. The first-year page lists the recommendation and essay as optional, while the international checklist lists one letter; international applicants should follow the international checklist.
• Testing: SAT/ACT optional.

5. English requirements

• IELTS 6.5 (three sub-scores at 6.5 or above and one at 6.0 or above); TOEFL 81, or 4.5 on the new scale for tests after January 21, 2026; Duolingo 120 with sub-score minimums; PTE 58 (all sub-scores above 56); SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500; Cambridge Advanced 176; GTEC CBT 1210.
• Other ways: GCSE or GCE O-Level English Language; an American associate’s degree or two years of continuous full-time bachelor’s coursework at an accredited institution in a native English-speaking country; or graduation from an accredited high school in a native English-speaking country after living there at least four years.
• Students who meet all other academic requirements but not the English requirement may apply to the International Year Program at JMU’s International Study Center.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Grades: a minimum average of 80 on a 100-point scale, or a B average / 3.00 GPA in the U.S. system; students below this may still be considered and can contact admissions.
• Interview: JMU recommends that applicants from China complete a third-party interview about their academic and personal background, submitted before the June 1 international deadline.
• Gaokao: the China requirements page does not mention Gaokao results; this is not published, so ask international admissions (international@jmu.edu).
• A-Level, IB, AP: GCSE or O-Level English Language is accepted as English proof; AP, IB and Cambridge International courses can earn college credit.

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

• BC: a minimum average of B or 73 (“Good”), or a 3.00 GPA in the U.S. system; students below this can contact admissions to explain their situation.
• English: one listed option is graduating from an accredited high school in a native English-speaking country after living there four years; the BC page does not say separately that Canadian students are exempt, so confirm with admissions.
• BC students apply on the international timeline (fall June 1).

8. Transfer students

• Deadlines (transfer): fall March 1, spring October 15 and summer February 1. The dates page lists separate international deadlines (fall June 1, spring October 1, summer February 15) without saying which set international transfer students follow, so ask international admissions.
• Requirements: a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to be competitive, with college coursework in English, math, social science and lab science. Students who were not competitive from high school are advised to have at least 24 post-high-school credits completed or in progress. No test scores; send all college transcripts and the final high school transcript; USD 70 fee.
• CS department: separate curriculum guides and sample plans for students from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and other institutions, and dedicated transfer advisors.

9. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international estimate: tuition and insurance USD 33,862, living expenses (housing, food and incidentals) USD 15,088, books and personal USD 4,300, internet fee USD 276; the I-20 financial certification amount is USD 53,250.
• Tuition table: for 2026-2027, full-time non-Virginia-resident tuition and comprehensive fee is USD 16,288 per semester, plus a one-time USD 200 orientation fee for new students.
• University scholarships: the Madison Award for Academic Excellence, given by colleges and departments, equals 75% of in-state tuition and comprehensive fees with no extra application. The Second Century Scholarship for designated STEM majors equals 100% of in-state tuition and fees, requires a GPA of 3.75 or higher and a declared major in CISE or the College of Science and Mathematics, and is applied for through the Madison Scholarships Hub, ideally before the early deadline. The pages do not say whether international students are eligible; ask admissions.
• CS department scholarships mostly go to current sophomores through seniors; for example, the Malcolm G. Lane Scholarship requires two semesters at JMU and a 3.25 GPA, and some awards are limited to U.S. citizens or Virginia residents.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit everything by June 1, including one recommendation letter
• Prepare IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 81 (or 4.5 new scale) or Duolingo 120
• Average 80 or higher; consider a third-party interview
• Take a year of math beyond Algebra II

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

• BC average of B or 73; ask admissions whether English testing is waived

Transfer students:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; ask the CS transfer advisors about progression standards

Sources: James Madison University, Computer Science major; CS curriculum; CS FAQs; CS transfer students; CS scholarships; Admission and progression standards; First-year applicants; International applicants; International admissions process and English; Requirements for China; Requirements for British Columbia; Transfer applicants; Dates and deadlines; First-year scholarships; Undergraduate tuition. Deadline pages do not state a year; costs are for 2026-2027. Check JMU’s website for the latest.