How to Apply to Computer Science at UL Lafayette: the 120-Hour BS with Five Concentrations, the Rule That a Third W, D or F in CMPS 260 or 261 Ends the Major, the 2.5 GPA and June 1 Deadline for International Freshmen and the Fleur-de-Lis Out-of-State Fee Waiver, with Requirements for Students in China, Canada and Transfer Students

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) is a public university in Lafayette, Louisiana. Its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is offered by the School of Computing and Informatics in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. Below are the courses, how students enter the major and the requirements for different applicants, based on UL Lafayette’s official pages.

1. Degree and courses

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC).
• Hours: 120 hours over four years: 44 hours of core computer science, 15 hours in a concentration, and the rest in mathematics, science and general education. For mathematics and science, the department’s undergraduate home page says 30+ hours and its degree requirements page says 27+ hours; the two pages differ.
• Concentrations: Cloud Computing, Computer Engineering, Cyber Security, Scientific Computing, and Video Game Design and Development, usually chosen in the first two years. The department says a new concentration and minors related to AI/ML and space computing will be available from fall 2027.
• Four-year plan (advising handout, 2024-2025):
  • Freshman: CMPS 150 Introduction to Computer Science, CMPS 260 Introduction to Data Structures and Software Design, EECE 140, ENGL 101 and ENGL 102, MATH 270 and MATH 301, among others.
  • Sophomore: CMPS 261 Advanced Data Structures and Software Engineering, CMPS 310 Computers in Society, CMPS 340 Design and Analysis of Algorithms, CMPS 341 Foundations of Computer Science, CMPS 351 Computer Organization and Assembly Language, MATH 362, among others.
  • Junior: CMPS 315 Introduction to Cyber Security, CMPS 320 Introduction to AI and Machine Learning, CMPS 413 Computer Communication and Networks, CMPS 430 Computer Architecture, CMPS 453 Software Methodology, CMPS 455 Operating Systems, and one statistics course.
  • Senior: CMPS 432 Parallel and Distributed Computing, CMPS 450 Programming Languages, CMPS 460 Database Management Systems, CMPS 490 Senior Project, plus CMPS and concentration electives.
• Science: 9 lecture hours including both biological and physical science, with six hours in the same discipline, plus one associated lab; the Computer Engineering and Video Game concentrations specify physics.
• Math starting point: CMPS 150 requires one of MATH 109, 110, 143, 270 or 272 with a C or better.
• Grades: a C or better in all CMPS, MATH, STAT and EECE courses applied to the degree and in all concentration electives, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to graduate.
• Repeat limit: students may enroll in CMPS 260 and CMPS 261 at most three times each; the handout says that on the third W, D or F in these courses a student may not continue in the Computer Science major at UL Lafayette.

2. Entering the major

• Admission: the major page says students who meet the university’s admission requirements can major in Computer Science; no separate major threshold is published.
• Changing major: the major page links to a change-of-major guide. Whether switching into Computer Science requires a particular GPA or courses is not stated on the pages read; confirm with the department (cmps@louisiana.edu).

3. Timeline

• International freshman deadlines: fall June 1, spring October 1, summer March 1 (no year shown); documents must be submitted with the application. Late applications cost an extra US$25.
• International scholarship: for the Fleur-de-Lis scholarship, apply for admission by June 20 for fall or December 16 for spring.
• Application fee: US$25, non-refundable, by card, U.S. check or U.S. money order.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Admission requirements:
  • English: ACT English 18, SAT reading and writing 500, Accuplacer Writing 250, or an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0;
  • Math: ACT Math 19, SAT Math 510, Accuplacer QAS Math 250, or an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0;
  • a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5;
  • official proof of English proficiency.
  Applicants who do not meet guaranteed admission may be invited to admission by committee.
• English (one of): TOEFL iBT 79 (paper 550), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 100, PTE 50, ACT English 18, SAT reading and writing 500 or Accuplacer Writing 250. Students below these can apply to the Intensive English Program.
• Documents: official or certified copies of all secondary records; the Chronological Record of Education; the Confidential Financial Guarantee with a current bank statement; a passport copy; and the immunization form. Translations must come from the American Translators Association; evaluations by NACES members are also accepted.
• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask Admissions (admissions@louisiana.edu).

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

• English: the English page says students from a country where English is the official language, or who completed all high school coursework in such a country, do not need TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores, but it does not list the countries. Canadian students, especially from Quebec, should confirm with Admissions.
• GPA: a cumulative unweighted 2.5 is required; how BC grades are converted is not published, so ask Admissions.

6. Transfer students

• International transfer deadlines: fall June 1, spring October 1, summer March 1.
• GPA: 2.25 or higher on the U.S. scale (excluding remedial courses). The page also lists completing both college-level freshman English courses with a C or better and demonstrating English proficiency; a college-level English course at another U.S. school meets the English requirement.
• Transcripts: official transcripts with official translations from every college attended.
• Cayenne scholarship: international transfer students with 12+ non-remedial credit hours from a U.S. college, a 2.75 GPA on all college work and no bachelor’s degree can receive a full non-resident fee exemption.

7. Costs and scholarships (US$)

• International estimate for 2025-2026: tuition and fees 25,210 (for a Tier 2 high-cost program at 24 hours a year; Tier 1 programs cost less; course and lab fees not included), supplemental health insurance 1,818, average housing and meals 11,920, total 38,948. The cost page does not say which tier Computer Science is in.
• Housing: first-time freshmen must live on campus unless home is within 50 miles.
• Fleur-de-Lis scholarship (2026-2027, freshmen): a full non-resident fee exemption, estimated at 6,864 a semester for up to 8 semesters. Requirements: a secondary program comparable to a U.S. high school, a converted 2.5 GPA, ACT 20 or SAT 1030, regular admission, minimum English, and applying by June 20 for fall or December 16 for spring.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A high school GPA of 2.5; TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 100; apply by June 1 for fall
• For the Fleur-de-Lis fee waiver, take the SAT (1030) or ACT (20) and apply by June 20; ask Admissions whether the Gaokao is used

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

• Ask Admissions whether Canada is exempt from English testing and how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• A college GPA of 2.25 (2.75 for the Cayenne scholarship); ask the department whether courses like CMPS 260 and 261 transfer, and note the repeat limit on those two courses

Sources: University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Computer Science major page; Undergraduate Computer Science; Degree requirements; Concentrations; Undergraduate courses; Computer Science advising handout (2024-2025); International first-time freshmen; English language proficiency; International transfer admissions; Costs and financial aid; 2026-2027 international student scholarships. Costs are 2025-2026 estimates. Check UL Lafayette’s website for the latest.