How to Apply for Computer Science at Towson University: the BS in Computer Science in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, its AI, Cyber Operations and Software Engineering tracks, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer students

Towson University’s computer science degree is offered by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences in the Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, in Towson, Maryland. This guide summarizes what the university publishes 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 tracks

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission; the Cyber Operations track is also accredited under the Cybersecurity Program Criteria. The accelerated BS/MS is not ABET-accredited.
• Three tracks: Artificial Intelligence (AI, machine learning and data mining, Cyber AI, plus a capstone), Cyber Operations (systems programming, OS security, network security, application software security, reverse engineering and malware analysis; recognized by the NSA as a CAE-CO since 2012) and Software Engineering (requirements, object-oriented design, quality assurance and testing, a project practicum). Students can also skip a track and take at least two courses from each of two elective lists.
• Units: in the 2026-2027 catalog, shared major requirements are 66–67 units plus 15–22 units of electives or track courses, 81–89 in total; at least 30 major units must be taken at Towson; 120 units are needed to graduate.
• Required CS courses: Introduction to Cybersecurity, Introduction to Computer Science I and II, Computer Organization, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, Data Communications and Networking, Software Engineering, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, and Database Management Systems.
• Math and science: Discrete Mathematics (or Introduction to Abstract Mathematics), Calculus I and II, Introduction to Statistical Methods, and one math elective within the electives or track; plus two lab science courses (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology or physics).
• Other requirements: Public Speaking, Ethical and Societal Concerns of Computer Scientists, and Writing for Business and Industry, each with a grade of 2.00 or higher.
• Double major limits: Computer Science cannot be combined with Computer Information Systems or Information Technology.
• Accelerated BS/MS: nine MS Computer Science credits can substitute for undergraduate major courses.

2. Admission and programming background

• Holistic review: courses and GPA, rigor, grade trend, activities and leadership, the essay, and SAT/ACT if submitted. Towson is permanently test-optional for admission and scholarships, and submitted scores will not hurt an application.
• Fall 2025 freshmen: admitted students averaged a 3.91 weighted GPA (middle 50% 3.52–4.25); middle-50% SAT 1020–1320 and ACT 24–30; 82% applied test-optional.
• Major admission: Towson has a list of “screened” majors with extra admission requirements. The computer science pages and catalog we read do not list extra requirements; the list is filtered on the majors page, so confirm with admissions whether Computer Science is on it.
• Entry courses: per the catalog, Introduction to Computer Science I (COSC 236) requires General Computer Science (COSC 175) and a listed math course or a qualifying math placement score; CS I and II must be taken at the same institution. CS II also requires Calculus I (or a listed math course).
• Changing into the major: conditions are not published; ask the Department of Computer and Information Sciences.

3. Dates and materials (fall 2027)

• Application: the Common App, with an activities list and essay; USD 50 non-refundable fee.
• Deadlines: Early Action and Honors College November 1, 2026; Regular Decision February 1, 2027; international freshmen June 1, 2027; international scholarship February 1, 2027. Spring 2027 entry: November 1.
• Decisions: Early Action by mid-January, Regular by early March; merit scholarship notices by the end of February (international fall scholarships are usually announced in March).
• Transcripts: sent directly by the school or an evaluation service; non-English transcripts must be translated by a school official or an accredited evaluator, not the student. A credential evaluation is required only if you attended college outside the U.S.
• After admission: a USD 200 non-refundable enrollment deposit by May 1 for fall; the International Student and Scholar Office then handles the I-20.

4. English requirements

• Undergraduate minimums: TOEFL iBT 70 with 17 subscores (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4 overall with 3.5 subscores (later tests); IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 bands; PTE 49; Duolingo 105; iTEP 3.9; TOEFL Essentials 8.0.
• Other options: SAT EBRW 540; ACT English 21; IB SL English 5; C in GCSE/IGCSE or O, AS or A Level English; C in a U.S. college composition course; TU English Language Center Level 5.
• Waiver: at least three years of education in a listed English-speaking country; Canada (except Quebec) is on the list. Students below the standard can use Towson’s Academic Pathway.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the site does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask international admissions.
• Transcripts: sent by the school, translated by a school official if not in English.
• A-Level: the exam credit page awards credit for A Level passes of D or better: 8 units per science/math subject and 6 per other subject; AS science/math 4 units each.
• IB: the IB diploma earns 30 units toward Core Curriculum requirements, evaluated individually; certificate holders get credit by subject.
• English: TOEFL 70 or IELTS 6.0, or SAT EBRW 540, IB SL English 5 or A Level English C.

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

• English: three years of education in Canada (except Quebec) is on the waiver list; additional information may be requested.
• Grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; review is holistic, so ask international admissions.
• Deadline: students needing a student visa apply as international freshmen by June 1, 2027, and by February 1 for scholarships.

7. Transfer students

• Threshold: at least a 2.0 cumulative college GPA; requirements vary with transferable credits and records. Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable credits also send a final high school transcript. No test scores required.
• Deadlines: spring 2027 November 15, 2026; fall 2027 Early Action and Honors March 1, 2027, Regular June 1, 2027; USD 50 fee.
• Non-U.S. colleges: a course-by-course credential evaluation is required; credit depends on the evaluation and is not guaranteed. English rules as above.
• CS credit: students transferring into Computer Science should provide course descriptions for review by a departmental adviser; community college courses count only as lower-division work. The department urges a good math background, and transfer students should also check the screened-majors list.

8. Cost and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international undergraduate estimate (9 months, 12–15 units): tuition and fees USD 33,198, housing and food 16,366, books 960, personal 970, transportation 2,534, health insurance 2,997, total USD 57,025; USD 43,841 if living with a sponsor.
• Tuition differential: junior and senior students in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences pay an additional per-credit charge; see the Student & University Billing Office.
• International Student Scholarship: considered automatically with a complete application; amounts vary and selection is competitive on academic records; funds are limited, so submit everything by February 1.
• #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: a few awards each year for fall international freshmen, about half of tuition; requires a separate application by February 1 and is highly competitive; recipients cannot also receive the International Student Scholarship.
• Need-based aid: not available to international students; the university offers merit scholarships only.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Complete the application by February 1 for scholarships; June 1 at the latest
• Prepare TOEFL 70 (new scale 4) or IELTS 6.0
• Build strong math: the major requires Calculus I and II and statistics
• Ask admissions whether Computer Science is a screened major and how Gaokao results are used

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

• Three years in Canada (except Quebec) can waive English testing
• Confirm BC grade expectations with admissions

Transfer students:

• At least a 2.0 cumulative GPA; have course descriptions ready for departmental review

Sources: Towson University, Computer Science major; 2026-2027 catalog: Computer Science; Catalog: Computer & Information Sciences; International admissions; English proficiency; International expense estimates; International cost and scholarships; Freshman applicants; Freshman deadlines; Freshman profile; Exam credit; Transfer applicants. Timeline is for fall 2027 entry; costs are 2026-2027 estimates. Check Towson’s website for the latest.