How to apply to Computer Science at UMass Dartmouth: the 120-credit BS in the College of Engineering, its four concentrations and change of major standards, international English requirements, scholarships and 2026-2027 tuition, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMassD) is a public campus of the University of Massachusetts system in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Its BS in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer & Information Science (CIS) in the College of Engineering. 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

• Accreditation: the program page says the BS in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Credits: the department’s four-year curriculum page lists 120 credits and notes that the full catalog is the official record.
• Year 1: ENL 101 and 102 writing, CIS 180 and CIS 181 object-oriented programming, EGR 111 Introduction to Engineering & Computing, MTH 153 and 154 calculus, and one University Studies course.
• Year 2: MTH 181 and 182 discrete structures, CIS 190 Systems Programming, CIS 272 Introduction to Computing Systems, CIS 246 Foundations of Secure Computing, CIS 280 Software Specification & Design, and two semesters of laboratory science (PHY 113/114, CHM 151/152 with labs, or BIO 121/122 with labs).
• Year 3: CIS 360 Algorithms & Data Structures, CIS 381 Social & Ethical Aspects of Computer Science, CIS 361 Models of Computation, CIS 362 Empirical Methods, CIS 370 Design of Operating Systems, ENL 266 Technical Communications, a math elective (MTH 211 or 213, MTH 221 or MTH 331) and a science elective.
• Year 4: CIS 498 and CIS 499 Software Engineering Project (a year-long team capstone for businesses, nonprofits, government agencies or faculty research), CIS 481 Parallel & Distributed Computing, four technical electives, plus University Studies and a free elective.
• Concentrations: students can focus their technical electives in one area after meeting an advisor; technical electives in a concentration need a C or better.
  • Artificial Intelligence: CIS 412, two of CIS 430, 431, 465, 466 and 490, and one more 400-level CIS course.
  • Game Design: CIS 464 plus three electives, and PHY 111 or PHY 113.
  • Cybersecurity: the page says “three required courses” and then lists eight (CIS 442, 443, 444, 446, 447, 475, 476 and 477); ask the department how to choose. Students also take one more course from a list.
  • Software Engineering: CIS 432, two of CIS 440, 446, 461, 469 and 470, and one more 400-level CIS course.
• Programming background: the program page says high school programming is not required; all majors learn Java and C/C++.
• BS/MS: students can apply to the accelerated 4+1 BS/MS in their third year; if accepted, they take three graduate courses in the senior year that count toward both degrees.

2. How admission works

• First-years: the international application page says programs such as nursing, biology and engineering are highly competitive and encourages applying early. Whether Computer Science has its own first-year admission criteria is not published.
• Switching in: the College of Engineering change of major standards say current UMassD students can switch into Computer Science with:
  • a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher;
  • a C or better in a programming course (CIS 180 preferred; CIS 115, CIS 180, CIS 190, ECE 170 and MTH 280 count, and others need the CIS chair’s approval);
  • a B- or better in MTH 150 or a C- or better in MTH 151;
  • all met within three consecutive semesters of first attempting the courses.

3. International first-year requirements and dates

• How to apply: Common App or the UMass Dartmouth application, with a USD 60 fee.
• Deadlines: admission is rolling; the international application page gives July 15 for fall and December 1 for spring. The dates page currently shows fall and spring 2026: Early Action for all applicants on November 15; international first-years apply by July 15 and deposit by July 31 for fall, and apply by December 1 and deposit by December 5 for spring. Check the university for fall 2027 dates.
• Grades: minimum GPA 2.5; at least three years of grades, translated into English, uploaded by the school counselor through Common App or emailed to international@admissions.umassd.edu.
• Optional materials: SAT/ACT (UMassD is 100% test optional and encourages scores of SAT 1080 or ACT 22 and above); a recommendation from a teacher or counselor (highly recommended for competitive programs such as engineering); and a personal essay of up to 650 words.
• Proof of funds: the international application and financial pages require a minimum balance of USD 54,000 (less any scholarship awarded), while the international FAQ says at least USD 51,253 per academic year. The figures differ, so follow what the university asks for when issuing the I-20.
• If you do not qualify for direct entry: the Gateway Program builds English skills, and the FAQ mentions an alternative Navitas pathway.

4. English requirements

• Tests: TOEFL 79 or 4 on the new scale, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE 53, Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) 176, TOEFL Essential 9.0, or ELS level 112.
• Exemptions: citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and other listed countries are exempt. Applicants can also waive the score if their school verifies English-medium instruction, or if they are in an IB curriculum, at an American school, or in a Cambridge International (IGCSE/O-Level, A-Level) curriculum.
• A different wording: the admissions requirements page says students who attended an English-medium school for at least one year do not need TOEFL or IELTS. The two pages differ, so check with international admissions.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: at least three years of grades translated into English; minimum GPA 2.5.
• Gaokao: whether Gaokao scores are used is not published; email international@admissions.umassd.edu to ask.
• A-Level and IB students: Cambridge IGCSE/A-Level and IB students can waive the English score; AP scores of 3 or higher earn placement or credit.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canadian citizens (except Quebec) are exempt.
• BC: grade requirements and conversion for BC curriculum are not published; ask international admissions.

7. Transfer students

• From a university abroad: get a foreign credit evaluation from an approved US agency (CED, TEC or WES); applications without it are not reviewed. Also send copies of catalog pages describing the courses you took.
• Few credits: with fewer than 24 transferable credits or less than three years out of high school, also send your high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores if you have them.
• Deadlines (2026 table): students transferring from an international school follow the international first-year dates; international students transferring from a US school apply by August 12 for fall and January 9 for spring.
• Transfer scholarship: international transfers with a transfer GPA of 3.0 are automatically considered for USD 10,000 a year.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 tuition and mandatory fees: USD 34,936 a year for out-of-state and international students, or USD 53,358 with housing and an unlimited dining plan in a double room.
• Other costs: college fees follow the student’s registered major, USD 1,350 a year for Engineering (Computer Science is in the College of Engineering; confirm with the university); an international student fee of USD 535 a year; a one-time international orientation fee of USD 260; mandatory health insurance of USD 2,338.20; and USD 1,000–2,300 for books and supplies.
• Scholarships: international first-years with a high school GPA of 2.75 or above are automatically considered for USD 10,000–15,500 a year, renewable for four years with full-time status (12 day credits a semester) and a 3.0 cumulative GPA; falling below either ends the award permanently.
• Aid: need-based and federal or state aid are not available to international students; private loans usually need a US citizen or permanent resident co-borrower, and on-campus jobs are available.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 79 (4 on the new scale), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105, or ask about a waiver if you take IGCSE/A-Level or IB
• Apply and pay the USD 60 fee by July 15 for fall or December 1 for spring
• Prepare at least three years of translated transcripts and proof of funds
• Ask international admissions whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• Canadian citizens (except Quebec): confirm the English exemption
• Ask international admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Get CED, TEC or WES evaluations for university credit from abroad
• Current UMassD students: complete the programming and math courses in the engineering standards, then apply to switch

Sources: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Computer Science program page; BS in Computer Science four-year curriculum; Curriculum and concentrations; College of Engineering change of major standards; International undergraduate application; International financial information; International admissions FAQs; Admissions requirements; Dates and deadlines; Undergraduate tuition and fees. Tuition is for 2026-2027 and the deadlines page currently shows fall and spring 2026 dates; check UMass Dartmouth’s website for the latest.