How to Apply to Computer Science at Portland State: Complete Lower-Division Courses, Then Opt In to the Upper Division of the BS in Computer Science in the Maseeh College, 180 Quarter Credits, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

2026-10-18 · Application guides

Portland State University’s BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission and runs on quarters, with 180 credits to graduate. After admission to PSU, students complete lower-division CS, discrete structures, calculus and three lab sciences (CS courses with a C or better), reach 90 credits and submit an Opt-In form for upper-division courses; the department says approval is guaranteed once the requirements are met. International first years need a 2.5 GPA, over 80% in Chinese high school or over 73% for the BC diploma; the fall 2027 deadline is August 1 and the fee is USD 60. International students are automatically considered for USD 3,000 to 10,000 a year. This guide covers the degree, admission, English, transfer and costs, based on PSU’s official information.

At Portland State University (PSU), in downtown Portland, Oregon, undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. PSU runs on quarters (fall, winter and spring). 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. Lower division first, then opt in to the upper division

Two steps: the program page says that in addition to being admitted to PSU, you must meet the eligibility requirements and opt in to the upper-division program to take 300- and 400-level courses.
Opt-In requirements: 90 credits (junior standing) and the required lower-division courses: CS 161 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving, CS 162 Intro to Computer Science, CS 163 Data Structures, CS 205 Computer Systems Programming, CS 250 and CS 251 Discrete Structures I and II, MTH 251Z Calculus I, MTH 252Z Calculus II or MTH 261 Linear Algebra, and three approved lab science courses. CS courses need a C or better; math and lab science a C- or better, and non-CS courses can be in progress. Students who started at PSU as first years must also finish the university’s first- and second-year general education; transfers finish the Maseeh College lower-division general education.
Approval: the degree map says approval is guaranteed once the lower-division requirements are complete, but it is not automatic: you submit the Opt-In form, generally in the first term after completing them. Submit by week 8; you cannot take upper-division courses in the term you submit, only from the next term.
Tuition change: once approved, you pay the differential tuition rate in every later term.

2. What you study

Degree: BS in Computer Science, accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. The college also offers BS degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics and Computer Science, and Computer Engineering, among others.
Credits: the 2026-27 degree map requires 180 credits, including at least 62 upper-division (300/400-level) credits; most PSU courses are 4 credits.
Four-year plan (sample): first year, First Year Inquiry, three lab sciences, MTH 251Z, MTH 252Z, CS 161 and CS 162; second year, MTH 253Z or MTH 261, CS 163, CS 250, CS 251, CS 205 and general education; opt in during fall of the third year, then CS 302, CS 350, CS 314, CS 333, CS 486 and an upper-division security elective; fourth year, CS 358, CS 469, CS 470, upper-division CS electives and math electives.
Work experience: the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP) has its own degree map with two paid internship rotations, and the department also runs the PCEP cooperative education program.
Honors track: research with a faculty advisor; contact the department no later than the first term of senior year.

3. Dates and materials (international first years)

Eligibility: completion of secondary school equivalent to a US high school, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on the US 4.0 scale. International applicants who meet PSU’s country-by-country equivalency threshold are automatically eligible once the application is complete.
Fall 2027: the application opens August 1, 2026 and closes August 1, 2027, documents are due August 5, and the term begins September 27. Winter and spring entry are also possible. Decisions take about four to six weeks after all documents arrive.
Application: PSU’s online application with a USD 60 fee; submit complete high school records with your graduation certificate or exam results. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for a decision; official records are required to enroll.
Testing: SAT/ACT are optional for first years; international students can use the SAT to show English proficiency.
Financial documents: needed for an I-20 or DS-2019; sending them with your application shortens I-20 processing.

4. English requirements (undergraduate)

Undergraduates on non-immigrant visas submit one of these, taken within two years: TOEFL iBT before January 21, 2026, 71 overall with 15 in reading and writing; on or after January 21, 2026, 4.0 overall with 3.5 in reading and writing; Academic IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing; PTE 53; SAT EBRW 560; or Duolingo 110.
Exemptions: a passport from Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or other listed countries plus proof of an entire academic history in English from those countries; or a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university in those countries or the US. Others can submit documents they feel show English proficiency for a waiver review.

5. Students at high schools in China

Grades: PSU’s country table lists China’s Secondary School Graduation Certificate with an overall average above 80%.
Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used. This is not published; ask International Admissions (intladm@pdx.edu).
IB: a complete IB diploma with 30 or more points.
A-Level and AP: A-Level grade requirements are not published, and AP credit rules are not checked here; ask admissions.

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

BC: the BC Secondary School Graduation Diploma (Dogwood) with an overall average above 73%.
Ontario OSSD above 70%; Alberta diplomas with an average of 3.0 (B) or higher.
English: citizens of English-speaking Canada whose entire academic history is in English in the listed countries are exempt; others submit a test score or request a waiver.

7. Transfer students

International transfers: 30 transferable quarter credits (20 semester credits) with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25; students transferring from a US institution also need Writing 121 or equivalent with a C- or better. The fall 2027 transfer deadline is September 1, 2027.
Courses to take: the Maseeh College transfer guide maps courses at several Oregon and Washington community colleges to PSU’s lower-division CS requirements: MTH 251Z and 252Z, MTH 253Z or 261, three lab sciences, CS 161, 162, 163, 205, 250 and 251, plus writing and public speaking.
After enrolling, transfers also need to meet the Opt-In requirements for upper-division courses. Transfer students may be able to follow an earlier catalog year.

8. Costs and scholarships

2026-2027 international undergraduate estimate (12 credits per quarter, three quarters, base tuition of USD 712 per credit): tuition USD 25,632, fees and health insurance USD 5,775, living expenses USD 20,406, total USD 51,813. Each extra credit costs USD 712 to 782.60 depending on the department, and PSU notes the Maseeh College and others may charge different tuition levels. New students also pay a one-time USD 475 matriculation fee.
International Achievement Scholarship: new international undergraduates are reviewed automatically on admission, with no separate application, for USD 3,000 to 10,000 a year; recipients typically have an entering GPA of at least 3.25. It lasts up to 12 terms for first years and 6 for transfers, requires 12 credits each quarter and applies to tuition only. Students sponsored by state entities or outside organizations may be ineligible.
Other scholarships: PSU’s scholarship application for 2027-28 opens November 2, 2026, with most deadlines on March 1; it is separate from the admission application.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

An average above 80%; apply by August 1, 2027 for fall, earlier is better
TOEFL 4.0 (71 on the old scale) or IELTS 6.0, with the reading and writing minimums
After enrolling, finish CS 161–251 and calculus, then opt in during your third year
Ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

A BC diploma average above 73%; check whether you qualify for the English exemption

Transfer students:

30 quarter credits and a 2.25 GPA; take the lower-division CS and math courses in the transfer guide; the fall deadline is September 1

Sources: Portland State University, Computer Science BS; Upper Division Opt-In; 2026-27 degree map; Maseeh College transfer guides; International first years; Minimum academic requirements by country; English language proficiency; International transfers; Dates and deadlines; International cost estimate; International student scholarships. Dates are for fall 2027 entry and costs are for 2026-2027. Check Portland State’s website for the latest.