How to Apply to Computing Science at Sam Houston State University: the ABET-Accredited BS, Its Three Concentrations and 120-Hour Curriculum, C-or-Better Rule for CS Courses, 4+1 BS/MS, TOEFL 69, Deadlines and Costs for Students from China, Canada and Transfer Students

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is in Huntsville, Texas. Its computer science bachelor’s, a BS in Computing Science, is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Science and Engineering Technology. This guide draws on SHSU’s official website and is written 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. Program overview

• Degree: BS in Computing Science, face to face on the Huntsville campus, four years. The catalog says it is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Three concentrations: Computing Science (CS, 19 hours), Information Assurance (IA, 22 hours, focused on cybersecurity and digital forensics) and Information Systems (IS, 19 hours). The catalog notes that the BS with the IA concentration is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) by the NSA.
• Other bachelor’s degrees in the department: BS in Software Engineering and BS in Cybersecurity; this guide covers the Computing Science BS only.
• Internships: the department says internships are not a designated part of its degrees, though students have interned with the FBI and other organizations.

2. Curriculum (2026-2027 catalog)

• Total: at least 120 hours, including at least 42 advanced hours. No minor is required (one may be added, but not the department’s three computer science minors).
• Math: Calculus I (MATH 1420), Calculus II (MATH 1430), Discrete Mathematics (MATH 2395), one advanced math course and Statistical Methods in Practice (STAT 3379). Students not eligible for MATH 1420 have additional math requirements.
• Science: 8 hours of science beyond the 8 hours in the core curriculum.
• Foundation courses (all concentrations): Programming Fundamentals I and II (COSC 1436, 1437), Computer Organization & Machine Language (COSC 2329), Database Management Systems (COSC 3318), Data Structures and Algorithms (COSC 3319), Advanced Language Concepts (COSC 4318), Software Engineering (COSC 4319) and Professionalism and Ethics (COSC 4349).
• Computing Science concentration: Special Topics/Programming (COSC 2347), Computer Architecture (COSC 3327), Seminar in Computer Science (COSC 4149), Compiler Design & Construction (COSC 4316) and Computer Operating Systems (COSC 4327), plus 6 hours of advanced COSC or DFSC electives.
• Information Assurance concentration: COSC 2347, 3327 and 4149, plus Digital Forensics & Information Assurance Fundamentals I and II (DFSC 1316, 2316), Cryptography and Network Security (DFSC 3316) and Information Security (DFSC 4317), plus 3 hours of advanced DFSC electives.
• Information Systems concentration: Introduction to Computer Networks (COSC 2327), COSC 2347, Information Systems Design & Management (COSC 3337), COSC 4149 and Network Theory (COSC 4326), plus 6 hours of advanced COSC or DFSC electives.
• Grades: overall GPA, major GPA, SHSU GPA and SHSU major GPA must each be at least 2.0. The catalog says all CS majors and minors must earn a C or better in every COSC/DFSC course.
• First programming course: COSC 1436 requires a C or better in MATH 1410, MATH 1314 or MATH 1316, plus basic keyboarding and PC skills.

3. 4+1 BS/MS

• All three concentrations can lead into the MS in Computing and Data Science.
• Students must apply to and be accepted by the graduate program. The catalog says graduate study can begin only after all undergraduate requirements (at least 120 hours) are complete; the graduate program starts each Summer I term and runs as a cohort.

4. Admission: direct to the major or declare later?

• The program page and catalog we read do not state a separate entry requirement for Computing Science or the conditions for changing into it. This is not published; ask the department or admissions.
• Automatic freshman admission (freshman page, not split by domestic/international): any one of an unweighted GPA of 3.0+, the top 10% of the class, GPA 2.5–2.99 with ACT 22 or SAT 1110, GPA 2.25–2.49 with ACT 25 or SAT 1210, or GPA 2.5 with 12+ dual-credit hours. Tests are not required for admission but help with scholarships.
• International students: the international page only says international freshmen who attended high school in the U.S. need a GPA of 2.5. The GPA requirement for students from high schools outside the U.S. is not published.

5. Applying and deadlines

• Platforms: ApplyTexas or Common App.
• Application fee: the pages differ. The international page gives an undergraduate fee of USD 90; the freshman FAQ gives USD 50 (non-refundable). Follow what the application shows.
• Deadlines (same on the freshman, international and transfer pages; no year shown): fall August 1, spring December 15, summer May 15. The international page strongly encourages students outside the U.S. to apply at least 90 days before the term.
• Documents: official transcripts (with a certified English translation from a certified translator or NACES-accredited company if not in English), a passport copy, immunization records (Texas requires bacterial meningitis vaccination for students under 22) and financial support documents issued within the last six months. The I-20 is issued after admission and all documents are in.

6. English requirements

• Minimums (any one): TOEFL 69, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 100, ACT Verbal 27, SAT Verbal 600, IB English SL 4, Cambridge English O-Level C or better, or a C or better in English Composition I at an accredited U.S. college, among others.
• Waivers: may be considered after transcript review for applicants who studied where English was the language of instruction.
• Official English language nations: the list includes Canada and does not mention a Quebec exception; mainland China is not listed (Hong Kong is). The two sources differ: the international page says scores are required if your high school or previous college is not in a listed country, while the PDF list says applicants whose country of citizenship is listed are exempt. Confirm which applies with admissions.

7. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: whether and how Gaokao scores are used is not published; contact admissions (admissions@shsu.edu).
• A-Level, IB and AP credit: not stated on the pages we read; not published.
• English: mainland China is not on the exempt list, so a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score is generally needed.

8. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• BC grades: score requirements and conversion for BC courses are not published; ask admissions.
• English: Canada is on the official English language nations list; confirm the exemption as described in section 6.

9. Transfer students

• Credit: up to 70 transferable hours.
• GPA (by transferable hours): 0–11 hours must meet freshman requirements and have a 2.5 GPA on transferable hours; 12–17 hours need 2.5; 18+ hours need 2.0. Students currently suspended, dismissed or expelled elsewhere are not eligible.
• English: international transfers, and transfers from U.S. colleges with fewer than 30 transferable hours, must also meet the English requirement.
• Bearkat Transfer Scholarship: USD 2,000 total (USD 1,000 each in fall and spring), first come, first served, no separate application; requires fall entry and 30 to 90 transferable hours. The page does not say whether international students qualify.

10. Costs and scholarships

• Fall 2026–Spring 2027 estimate (full time, revised March 1, 2026): non-resident tuition and fees USD 23,810, food and housing USD 12,804, books USD 1,380, transportation USD 2,004, personal USD 1,792 and loan fees USD 70, for a total of USD 41,860. The cost page does not list international students separately.
• In-state tuition: the international student FAQ says a USD 1,000 scholarship for the academic year qualifies you for in-state tuition; the scholarships page says a single SHSU competitive scholarship of at least USD 1,000 (not several added together) can bring a non-resident tuition waiver for the same period.
• Applying for scholarships: one general application in Scholarships4Kats, by the November 1 priority date for freshmen. The international FAQ says international students are eligible for scholarships depending on availability.
• Department scholarships: two Computer Science scholarships, each requiring a GPA of 3.0 or higher, for enrolled students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Complete Scholarships4Kats by November 1 and aim for a competitive scholarship of at least USD 1,000 (in-state tuition)
• Fall deadline August 1; apply at least 90 days ahead if outside the U.S.
• Prepare TOEFL 69, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100; confirm Gaokao use and GPA requirements with admissions

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

• Canada is on the exempt list; confirm the English exemption and BC grade conversion with admissions

Transfer students:

• GPA 2.0 with 18+ hours; up to 70 hours transfer; every CS course needs a C or better

Sources: Sam Houston State University, Computing Science program page; Department of Computer Science (2026-2027 catalog); BS, Computing Science concentration; BS, Information Assurance concentration; BS, Information Systems concentration; 4+1 BS/MS; International application checklist; Freshman checklist; Transfer checklist; Official English language nations; Cost of attendance; Scholarships; International student FAQ. The deadline pages show no year; check SHSU’s website for the latest.