How to apply to Computer Science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis: the 71-hour BS in the College of Arts and Sciences, certificate specializations and the accelerated MS, international English requirements and costs, A-Level credit, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) is the St. Louis campus of the University of Missouri System. Its BS in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. This guide summarizes the official requirements 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 courses

• Credits: the 2026-2027 Bulletin lists 71 hours of major requirements; the sample four-year plan totals 122 hours. Every UMSL bachelor’s degree needs at least 120 hours, at least 45 of them in courses numbered 2000 or above.
• Computer science core (13 courses): Computer Science Experiences (CMP SCI 1000), Introduction to Computing (1250), Programming and Data Structures (2250), Object-Oriented Programming (2261), Computer Organization and Architecture (2700), File Systems, Operations, and Tools (2751), Web Full Stack Development (3010), Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3130), C/C++ for Advanced Programming (3260), Programming Languages (4250), Program Translation Project (4280), Introduction to the Software Profession (4500) and Operating Systems (4760).
• Electives: four more computer science courses numbered above 3000, 12 hours.
• Mathematics and statistics: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (MATH 1320), Calculus I and II (MATH 1800 and 1900, 5 hours each), Elementary Linear Algebra (MATH 2450) and Discrete Structures (MATH 3000), plus Technical Writing (ENGL 3130).
• Grades: required courses need C- or better and cannot be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory; the CMP SCI GPA must be at least 2.0; at least four courses numbered 3000 or above must be taken in residence.
• Specializations and certificates: electives and certificates let students focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, mobile apps and computing, or internet and web. The department also offers a BS in Computing Technology, a BS in Cybersecurity (Computer Science emphasis) and a BS in Data Science (Computer Science emphasis).
• Delivery: the whole program can be completed in the evening and most courses are available online; the degree page says a three-year track is also offered.
• Accelerated MS: departmental majors with 60 credits, CMP SCI 1250, 2250, 2261, 2700 and 2750, and a 3.0 GPA can be admitted provisionally and double count up to 12 hours toward the BS and the MS in Computer Science.
• Accreditation: the department and Bulletin pages we read do not mention ABET accreditation.

2. How admission works

• Major chosen on the application: the Bulletin says a student’s first major, or undeclared status, is determined by the application for admission.
• Extra criteria: the pages we read do not describe separate admission criteria or a cap for computer science, or conditions for switching into it from another major; ask the department or admissions.
• First-year admission (US applicants): the University of Missouri System requires 17 high school units (4 English, 4 math, 3 science, 3 social studies, 1 fine arts, 2 of one foreign language); applicants with ACT 24 or redesigned SAT 1160 are admitted without regard to class rank, and the page says the test-optional policy runs through fall 2026. The international undergraduate page does not state a minimum GPA or test requirement.

3. International first-year requirements and dates

• Application fee: USD 40.
• Transcripts: upload unofficial copies first; current high school students send all completed years, and graduates send final transcripts plus diplomas or exam results. Official documents are required later. UMSL cannot accept documents by email.
• Immigration documents: passport, an English financial statement covering one year (less than six months old) and the UMSL Affidavit of Support.
• Priority deadlines (no year shown): fall July 15, spring October 1.
• Housing: all first-time college students must live in Oak Residence Hall in their first year.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL 61 (4.0 on the new scale), IELTS Academic 5.5, Cambridge C1 Advanced 160, PTE 44 or Duolingo 90.
• Exemptions (any one):
  • citizenship of a UMSL-recognized English-speaking country, including Canada, the UK, Australia and Singapore;
  • for first-time college applicants, ACT composite 24+, redesigned SAT 1160+, IB English HL 4+, or GCSE/A-Level English (not ESL) at C or higher;
  • 24 semester hours at a college in the US or a recognized English-speaking country;
  • Level 112 at an ELS Language Center.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: UMSL does not publish how Gaokao scores are used; ask international admissions (intadmission@umsl.edu).
• A-Level credit: A-Level Computer Science or Computing at C or higher earns a 6-hour computer science elective (no credit for AS-Level); A-Level Mathematics at C earns MATH 1030 and 1035 plus an elective (8 hours). Credit by exam (A-Level, IB, AP and others) is capped at 30 hours.
• IB and AP: several IB HL exams earn credit at 5 or higher; AP credit depends on the exam and score, with scores sent directly by the College Board.
• English: China is not on the exempt-country list; A-Level English (not ESL) at C or SAT 1160 waives the test.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canadian citizens are on the exempt-country list. The list is based on citizenship, so students of other nationalities studying in Canada should use another exemption or submit a score.
• BC: UMSL does not publish specific BC grade requirements; ask international admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Materials: college transcripts; applicants with more than 24 university credit hours do not need to send high school transcripts.
• Credit: US coursework is posted 10–15 business days after an official transcript arrives; coursework from universities abroad goes through the international transfer credit process (questions to internationaltc@umsl.edu).
• English: 24 semester hours at a college in the US or a recognized English-speaking country waives the requirement.
• Residency: at least 24 of the last 30 graded hours must be taken at UMSL, and the CS major needs at least four 3000-level courses in residence.
• GPA or prerequisite requirements for transferring into computer science are not published.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international estimate (the table heading says “Spring 2027” while the notes say estimates are for the 2026-2027 academic year; 9 months, 30 hours): Arts and Sciences USD 1,370 per credit hour, tuition USD 41,100, fees USD 200, living expenses USD 13,356, health insurance USD 2,932, books USD 4,702, total required for the I-20 USD 62,290. The table is organized by college; the Department of Computer Science is in Arts and Sciences, but the table does not list computer science by name, so confirm with UMSL.
• International Merit Scholarships: for F-1 international students only, no separate application, competitive, and conditional on F-1 status and academic progress. Amounts and criteria are not published.
• Freshman merit scholarships: the USD 4,000–8,000 a year awards (for students admitted fall 2026 and later) are for students from Missouri and bordering states, and the page says these scholarships are open to US citizens or permanent residents.
• Department scholarships: the department offers awards for its majors; for example, the Computer Science Scholarship requires a 3.5 GPA in department courses, with preference for freshmen and sophomores.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 61 (4.0 on the new scale), IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 90
• Submit application and immigration documents by July 15 for fall or October 1 for spring
• If you have A-Level Computer Science or Mathematics, check the credit you can earn
• Ask international admissions whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• Canadian citizens: confirm the English exemption
• Ask admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Prepare all college transcripts and materials for review of coursework from abroad
• Ask the department which courses transfer into the major

Sources: University of Missouri–St. Louis, Computer Science BS (2026-2027 Bulletin); Computer Science (Bulletin); Computer Science Accelerated MS; Undergraduate study; Department of Computer Science; BS in Computer Science; Degree page; International undergraduate applicants and costs; English language requirements; A-Level credit; First-year admission requirements; Freshman Merit Scholarship. Courses follow the 2026-2027 Bulletin and costs are 2026-2027 estimates; check UMSL’s website for the latest.