How to Apply to Computer Science at Old Dominion University: The 120-Credit BS in Computer Science in the College of Sciences, Elective Emphases and Dual Dominion BS/MS, International Deadlines, English Requirements and the ISS Merit Scholarship, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Old Dominion University (ODU) is in Norfolk, Virginia. Its undergraduate computer science degree is taught by the Department of Computer Science, which the catalog lists under the College of Sciences. 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 curriculum

• BS in Computer Science (BSCS): there is also a BSCS with a major in secondary computer science education (grades 6–12). Students on F-1 visas must attend classes on the main Norfolk campus.
• Credits: the 2026-2027 catalog requires at least 120 credits; its course list totals 120–134 credits and the four-year degree program guide 120–127. At least 30 credits overall and 12 upper-level credits in the major must be taken at ODU.
• Required CS courses: an introductory programming course (Java, Python or C++), Computer Architecture I and II, a second-language programming pair (such as Java plus C++), Unix for programmers, the undergraduate colloquium, object-oriented design and programming, software engineering, principles of programming languages, data structures and algorithms, discrete structures, theoretical computer science, Professional Workforce Development I and II (including the writing-intensive course), computational methods and software, machine learning or artificial intelligence, databases or web programming, and operating systems.
• CS electives: three more upper-level CS courses (9 credits), for example web science, cybersecurity, introduction to quantum computing, computer graphics, parallel computing or compiler construction; up to 6 credits of work experience may count.
• Math and science: Calculus I and II, introductory linear algebra and introductory probability and statistics; a two-course science sequence (8 credits in biology, chemistry, ocean and earth sciences or physics), plus one more science course or an advisor-approved technical elective.
• Emphases: there are no formal concentrations; the catalog says students may choose electives to emphasize data science, machine learning, databases, networking, web programming, systems programming, game programming or cybersecurity.
• Upper-division general education: one of four options — a minor (at least 12 credits), an interdisciplinary minor, an approved certification such as teaching licensure, or two upper-division courses outside the College of Sciences not required by the major.
• Grades: a C or better in all required CS courses, all CS prerequisites and the writing-intensive course in the major; graduation requires overall, major and minor GPAs of at least 2.00.
• Double degrees: CS majors may add a second degree or second major in computer engineering, cybersecurity or cyber operations; two degrees require at least 150 credits.
• Dual Dominion (BS to master’s): linked options lead to an MS in Computer Science, an MS in Data Science and Analytics, or an MBA. For the CS or data science MS, students need 60 credits (24 at ODU), completion of data structures and algorithms, discrete structures and Calculus II, and GPAs of at least 3.00 overall and in CS and math courses; up to 12 graduate credits count toward both degrees.
• Departmental honors: open to students with a 3.25 overall GPA and 3.50 in the major. Cooperative education usually starts in the junior year, and up to 6 co-op credits count toward the degree.

2. How admission works

• Entering the major: the program page says students entering the BSCS should meet the university’s minimum undergraduate admission requirements. The undergraduate admissions page says admission to ODU does not guarantee admission to a specific program and lists the programs that need an additional application after admission (cytotechnology, dental hygiene, nursing and other health programs); computer science is not on that list.
• Changing into CS later: extra conditions for switching into computer science are not published; check with the department’s chief departmental advisor.
• Testing: three pages say different things.
  • International admissions page: SAT/ACT are optional but highly recommended.
  • Undergraduate admissions page (US first-year applicants): ODU does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or standard scholarships; scores are used only for placement or some endowed scholarships.
  • 2026-2027 catalog: the weighted high school GPA and SAT/ACT scores are primary considerations; freshmen may apply test-optional by showing a challenging curriculum and leadership.
  International applicants should follow what the Office of International Admissions (intladm@odu.edu) tells them.

3. Application timeline and materials (international)

• Materials: the online application and USD 50 fee; all secondary school (and any college) transcripts with the diploma or leaving certificate; English proficiency; financial documents for F/J visas; and the passport identification page. Everything is uploaded through the application portal.
• Transcripts: the Office of International Admissions evaluates foreign credentials itself. Documents not in English need certified translations by a licensed or professional translator; translations by the student are not accepted. Where English is not the language of instruction, transcripts and course descriptions are required in both English and the original language.
• Deadlines: fall (August) April 15, spring (January) October 1, summer (May) February 1. The page gives no year; an incomplete file is moved to the next available term.
• US first-year timeline (for reference): fall Early Action December 1 with decisions January 15; Regular Decision February 1 (then rolling); deposit by May 1.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 79 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 (tests on or after January 21, 2026), MyBest not accepted; TOEFL paper-based 550; IELTS 6.5 overall; PTE 53; Duolingo 120; SAT critical reading 480 or SAT reading test 26; a GCSE or GCE O-Level pass in English; CPE grade C or higher.
• Other routes: a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a country where English is the official language, or two college English composition courses at an accredited US institution with a C or better in each.
• Conditional admission: applicants who meet every requirement except English may be admitted conditionally and start at the on-campus English Language Center; TOEFL 61–78, IELTS 5.5–6.0 or Duolingo 110–115 places students in the Monarch English Transition program.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: ODU’s website does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask the Office of International Admissions (intladm@odu.edu).
• Records: send all secondary school transcripts and proof of graduation with certified English translations; the international admissions office evaluates them.
• A-Level, IB, AP: ODU recognizes AP, IB and Cambridge A/AS Level exams, and qualifying scores earn credit; see the equivalency charts on ODU’s website. For A/AS Level credit details the catalog refers readers to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

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

• The English proficiency page does not list graduation from a Canadian high school as a waiver; non-native speakers should prepare one of the options above or check with international admissions.
• Score requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions how your grades will be evaluated.

7. Transfer students

• Review: the catalog says admissions considers the cumulative GPA and the GPA of the most recent 24 credit hours; applicants with fewer than 24 college credits may need SAT/ACT scores and must send the high school transcript. A minimum GPA is not published.
• US transfer deadlines: fall August 1, spring November 1, summer March 15; later applications are still reviewed on a rolling basis. The fee is USD 50.
• From universities abroad: apply through the international pages with certified English translations of course descriptions. International admissions awards general education and elective credit; core departmental credit is awarded by college advisors.
• At least 30 credits and 12 upper-level credits in the major must be taken at ODU.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026/2027 estimate for F-1 undergraduates (the amount to document for the I-20; 15 credits a semester, nine months): tuition and fees USD 35,400; housing, personal and books USD 13,500; health insurance USD 3,400; total USD 52,300, excluding summer.
• Per-credit rate: the program page lists USD 972 per credit for non-residents (tuition only, excluding fees).
• ISS Merit Scholarship: USD 5,000–16,000 a year according to the international page (up to USD 16,000 on the scholarship page), renewable for up to four years. Eligibility: a cumulative US-equivalent GPA of 3.25; newly admitted and never enrolled at ODU; non-immigrant visa status and not eligible for Virginia in-state tuition; pursuing a first campus-based bachelor’s degree. Apply by April 15 (fall) or October 1 (spring) with a one-page essay on academic intent and personal goals. Renewal requires full-time enrollment (at least 12 credits in fall and spring) and a 3.25 cumulative GPA.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit everything by April 15 for fall, which also covers the ISS scholarship (3.25 GPA and a one-page essay)
• Prepare TOEFL 79 (4.5 new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120
• Have transcripts and proof of graduation translated; ask international admissions whether to send SAT/ACT
• Build strong math; the major requires Calculus I and II and linear algebra

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

• Ask admissions whether English scores are needed and how BC grades are evaluated

Transfer students:

• With fewer than 24 college credits, send the high school transcript and possibly SAT/ACT; core CS credit is decided by the college

Sources: Old Dominion University, Computer Science undergraduate programs; BS in Computer Science program page; 2026-2027 catalog: Computer Science (BSCS); Catalog: Department of Computer Science; Catalog: Admission to Old Dominion University; International admissions; English proficiency; ISS Merit Scholarship; 2026/2027 estimated costs for F-1 students; Undergraduate admissions. The international deadlines page does not state a year; check ODU’s website for the latest.