How to Apply to Computer Science at Missouri State University: Two BS Options (the Computer Science Option Is ABET-Accredited), No Separate Major Admission and a Required Minor, International GPA 2.5, TOEFL 61 and Deadlines, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science. 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. The degree and its two options

• The BS in Computer Science has two options:
  • Computer science option: focuses on the technical side of software creation and is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC).
  • Software development option: a broader degree covering the design, development and analysis of software, which can include courses in other subjects such as management and psychology. The department’s page names only the computer science option as ABET-accredited.
• Curriculum design: the department says both tracks were updated to ACM and IEEE recommendations.
• A minor or second major is required: the computer science option automatically completes the requirements for a math minor.
• No programming background needed: the department says several courses have minimal prerequisites, if any, and recommends adequate math and science skills.
• The department also offers a BS in Data Science, a computer science minor, a web programming certificate and an accelerated master’s in computer science.

2. Courses (four-year plans)

• Version: the department’s four-year plans were last reviewed on June 11, 2024 and are based on the 2023-24 catalog; they are sample schedules only. Check the catalog for current requirements. Course titles load dynamically from the catalog on the department’s pages, so only course numbers are listed here.
• Computer science option plan: CSC 130, 131, 232, 244, 325, 333, 335, 360, 365, 388, 448, 450, 482 and 565, plus three CSC electives. Math includes MTH 261 and MTH 280, MTH 314 Discrete Math or MTH 315 Algebraic Structures, and MTH 345 Stats for Science and Engineering or MTH 540 Statistical Theory; first-semester math is MTH 137 or MTH 138.
• Software development option plan: CSC 130, 131, 232, 244, 335, 360, 365, 388, 448, 450, 455, 482 and 565.
• Other: PHY 123 or PHY 203, ENG 310 or ENG 321, and general education courses.
• Department advice: don’t finish all general education first; mix it with major courses. Some CS courses have math prerequisites, and placement scores decide whether extra math is needed, so meet an advisor before your first semester. The computer science option can usually be completed in four years (eight semesters).

3. Declaring the major and admission

• No separate major admission: the department says there are no formal admission requirements for computer science; once admitted to Missouri State, declare the major. Contact the Academic Advising and Transfer Center to declare or change to computer science before completing 60 credit hours.
• International first-year students: minimum GPA 2.5/4.0; transcripts are needed in the original language and in English. SAT and ACT are not required for international students, but scores can help with scholarships.
• Standards for US high school students (for reference): the first-year admission page guarantees admission with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above and the required high school courses, with no ACT/SAT needed; lower GPAs or class rank percentiles use a selection index chart to set the ACT/SAT needed. Required courses are 4 units of English, 3 of college-prep math, 3 of social studies, 3 of science (one with a lab) and 1 of fine arts. This page does not separate domestic and international applicants; ask International Services which standard applies to you.

4. Deadlines and documents (international first-year)

• Deadlines (no year shown): undergraduate fall June 1 and spring November 1; the I-20 request deadlines are the same dates. I-20s are issued from September 1 for spring admits and from March 1 for fall admits.
• Application fee: USD 40, non-refundable.
• Documents: online application; transcripts (unofficial copies can be uploaded first, with official ones sent directly or electronically by the school); English scores; passport ID page; optional SAT/ACT. Once admitted, complete the I-20 request form and the Statement of Financial Support in the portal and upload proof of funding.

5. English requirements

• Standard admission: TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 95, Linguaskill 162 or LanguageCert Academic 62, from a single test session. Low sub-scores (below 15 on a TOEFL band, below 5.0 on IELTS, below 90 on Duolingo, etc.) require the matching LCR 297 or LCR 397 English course in the first semester.
• B1 level (Tier 2): TOEFL 42–60, IELTS 4.0–5.0, Duolingo 60–90 and equivalents. Applicants who meet all other requirements are fully admitted but must take the 14-credit I Succeed package in their first semester; all 14 credits count toward the degree. Students at B2 or higher may also choose it.
• I Succeed tuition discount: the page says students who complete the full package are eligible for an International Partnership Scholarship of 40% off international tuition for their whole time at MSU (prices may change).
• Exemptions: the English page lists exempt countries, and Canada is on the list (the page does not mention a Quebec exception). One or more years of full-time study in the US or in a country where English is the primary language may also be exempted at International Services’ discretion.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; the checklist only asks for high school transcripts in the original language and in English. Ask International Services.
• A-Level, IB and AP: the pages we read do not cover review or credit for these; check the catalog or ask International Services.
• English: China is not on the exempt list, so English scores are required; B1-level students can start with I Succeed.

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

• Canada is on the exempt-country list (the page does not mention Quebec; students at French-language schools should confirm with International Services).
• BC grade requirements are not published. The international first-year minimum GPA is 2.5/4.0; ask International Services how BC grades are converted.

8. Transfer students

• International transfer: USD 40 fee and a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0; English requirements match first-year students; SAT/ACT are not required. Deadlines follow the international deadline table.
• Switching into computer science: there is no major admission threshold; the department says to declare or change before 60 credit hours.
• Transfer credit: the department’s transfer page says credit can be earned for courses taken at regionally accredited institutions; students without a predefined two-year transfer plan can work with an advisor on a plan of study.

9. Costs and scholarships

• International undergraduate estimate (no year shown, 15 credit hours a semester): tuition and fees USD 23,760 a year, living expenses USD 15,068 and health insurance USD 1,691, for a total of USD 40,519.
• 2026-2027 tuition: undergraduate courses cost USD 678 per credit hour for non-Missouri residents (USD 317 for online courses). The fee schedule also lists College of Natural and Applied Sciences enrollment fees: USD 45 per credit hour for CSC courses numbered 200–599 and USD 25 for those numbered 000–199.
• International scholarships: the international checklist says SAT/ACT scores can help with scholarships, but the pages we read do not list amounts or criteria for international first-year awards. The Presidential Scholarship on the first-year page requires ACT 30 or SAT 1370 and a 3.90 GPA; the page does not say whether international students are eligible. International Partnership Scholarships (75% of non-resident tuition) go only to international students from institutions with a formal cooperative agreement. Ask International Services.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by June 1 for fall; GPA of at least 2.5
• Prepare TOEFL 61, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 95 (B1 level can use I Succeed)
• Submit SAT/ACT if you want scholarship consideration
• Declare computer science after admission, choose the computer science option (ABET) or software development, and pick a minor

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

• Canada is English-exempt; confirm BC grade conversion with International Services

Transfer students:

• College GPA of at least 2.5; declare computer science before 60 credit hours

Sources: Missouri State University, Computer science major; Admission and program requirements; Four-year plan: computer science option; Four-year plan: software development option; First-year admission requirements; International first-time college student checklist; International transfer checklist; International deadlines; English proficiency requirements; I Succeed package; International costs; 2026-2027 tuition and fees; First-year scholarships; International Partnership Scholarships policy. The international deadline and cost pages do not state a year, and the four-year plans are based on the 2023-24 catalog. Check Missouri State’s website for the latest.