How to Apply to Computer Science at Cal State LA: The 120-Unit BS in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, Admission for Applicants Who Meet CSU Minimums, the March 31, 2027 International Freshman Deadline, and Requirements and Timelines for Students in China, Canadian High Schools and Transfer Students

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is part of the California State University (CSU) system. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST). Below are the courses, how admission works and the requirements for different applicants, based on Cal State LA’s official pages.

1. Degree and courses (requirements from fall 2026)

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC).
• Units: 120 in total: 21 units of general education (other GE areas are met by major courses), 5 units of university requirements and 94 units in the major.
• Lower-division major courses (44 units): CS 1011 or CS 1021 Explorations in Computer Science, CS 1222 Introduction to Relational Databases, CS 2011 and CS 2012 Introduction to Programming I and II, CS 2013 Programming with Data Structures, CS 2148 Discrete Structures, CS 2445 Introduction to Computer Systems, CS 2470 Fundamentals of Network Systems and Cybersecurity, ENGL 2030 Introduction to Technical Writing, MATH 2110 and MATH 2120 Calculus I and II, MATH 2740 Introduction to Data Science and Statistics, and PHYS 2100 Mechanics.
• Upper-division major courses (32 units): Programming Paradigms, Analysis of Algorithms, Introduction to Automata Theory, Web and Internet Programming, Software Engineering, Software Engineering Tools, Societal and Ethical Issues in Computing, Introduction to Operating Systems, Software Design Laboratory I and II, and Computer Science Recapitulation (CS 4963).
• Major electives (18 units): options include concurrent and distributed programming, compilers, databases, computer networks, computer and cyber security, graphics, 3D game programming, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, introduction to data science, machine learning and deep learning, data visualization and cryptography.
• Grades: many prerequisites require a C or better; for example, CS 2012 requires a C or better in CS 2011.
• Road map: the department’s four-year road map assumes freshmen are ready for MATH 2100 (as the road map writes it) and ENGL 1010 and need no remedial math or English.
• Integrated BS/MS: current Cal State LA BSCS students with 80 units, a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units and a 3.0 average in the required 3000-level CS courses can apply; up to 9 elective units are shared between the BS and MS.

2. Admission

• Admission: the international freshman page says applicants who meet the CSU minimum requirements will be admitted; only Pre-Nursing and the Music BM have additional requirements. Computer Science is not listed among them.
• Choosing a major: choose a major before applying, or apply as undeclared.
• Switching into Computer Science after enrolling: the conditions are not published on the pages read; ask the department or college advisors.
• Tests: the international pages read do not mention the SAT or ACT; confirm with admissions.

3. Timeline (fall 2027 entry)

• International freshmen: fall entry only. Cal State Apply opens for preview on August 1, 2026, and the filing period runs from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Admission requirements must be completed by the end of spring 2027.
• Transcripts: applicants at non-US high schools send official transcripts within two weeks of applying or as soon as fall grades are available, showing courses through the fall 2026 term.
• Decisions: fall offers are typically sent in March.
• Accepting: pay the non-refundable US$100 Enrollment Confirmation Deposit by May 1; it goes toward tuition.
• Classes begin: August 23, 2027.
• Application fee: the amount is not stated on the pages read; check Cal State Apply.

4. Students at high schools in China

• GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale) in academic courses in the last three years of high school, on a university-preparatory track.
• English: TOEFL 61 for tests taken before January 21, 2026 or 3.5 on the new scale after that, IELTS 5.5, PTE 44 or Duolingo 95; scores are valid for two years.
• A-Levels: 2 A-Levels (grade D or higher) plus 3 O-Levels (grade C or higher), or 4 AS-Levels (D or higher) plus 3 O-Levels (C or higher).
• IB: the IB Diploma is required, with 3 HL and 3 SL subjects; submit predicted scores if still in progress.
• Gaokao: Cal State LA does not publish how Gaokao results are used; ask admissions.
• Email: the admissions page warns that qq.com, 126.com, 163.com and yeah.net accounts are known to block its messages and recommends another provider.

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

• English: three or more years of English-taught high school courses in Canada (except Quebec) waives the English test.
• GPA: graduates of high schools outside the US are reviewed on a 3.0 GPA over the last three years. Cal State LA does not publish specific BC grade requirements; ask admissions how BC grades are converted.

6. Transfer students

• International transfer: fall entry only; the fall 2027 filing period is October 1 to November 30, 2026. Students already at a US college in F-1 status can request spring admission through an admission appeal.
• Lower-division transfer (under 60 units): an A–G high school GPA of 3.00 for non-California residents, C- or better in GE written communication and math, and a 2.0 college GPA.
• Upper-division transfer (60 units or more): at least 30 CSU-approved GE units, C- or better in the Golden 4 (written communication, oral communication, critical thinking, math), with critical thinking waived for most Engineering and Computer Science majors, and a 2.0 college GPA.
• Major criteria: only Fire Protection Administration, the Music BM, Nursing and Urban Learning have extra major-specific criteria; Computer Science is not among them. You must declare a major when applying and cannot change it after submitting.
• English: upper-division transfers with 60 English-taught units in Canada (except Quebec) or another listed country, including English composition and oral communication at C or better, are exempt from the test.

7. Costs (US$, 2026-2027, full time for two semesters)

• Tuition and mandatory fees for California residents: 7,938.
• Non-residents, including international students: add 471 per unit.
• On-campus estimate for a California resident: 38,500 (housing 13,682, food 7,972, books 1,128, transportation 3,002, miscellaneous 4,726 and loan fees 52).
• Scholarships: scholarships open to international students are not published on the pages read.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A 3.0 GPA over the last three years; TOEFL 61 (3.5 new scale), IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 95; apply between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027
• Use an email account other than qq or NetEase; ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• Three years of English-taught high school in Canada (except Quebec) waives the English test; ask admissions how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• Apply by November 30, 2026; a 2.0 college GPA; with 60+ units, complete the Golden 4 (critical thinking is waived for most Computer Science majors)

Sources: California State University, Los Angeles, Computer Science undergraduate program; Curriculum and requirements; 2026-2027 BS in Computer Science requirements; Graduation road maps; Integrated BS/MS; International freshman admission; International transfer admission; English language proficiency; Deadlines; Cost of attendance. The timeline is for fall 2027 entry and costs are for 2026-2027. Check Cal State LA’s website for the latest.