How to apply to Computer Science at the University of Central Missouri: the 120-hour BS, ABET accreditation of the Computer Science Option and the Software Development, Networking and Game Development options, a 2.0 GPA, TOEFL 61 and summer entry for international students, and what students in China, students in Canada and transfer students need

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) has its main campus in Warrensburg, Missouri. Its BS in Computer Science belongs to the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity in the College of Health, Science, and Technology. This guide summarizes what the university’s website says 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, options and courses

• Credits and accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is 120 hours. The Computer Science Option is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Computer Science; the other option pages do not mention ABET accreditation.
• Options: Computer Science, Software Development, Computer Networking (focused on web and cloud application development) and Game Development. Locations: the Computer Science Option’s at-a-glance box lists only Warrensburg, while the same page’s fast facts and FAQ say classes are in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit; the Software Development Option page lists both campuses.
• Course content (Computer Science Option page): programming, database applications, operating systems and programming languages, with calculus, probability and statistics; electives include AI and data science, cloud computing and software security, game development and mobile apps, and network programming and software engineering. In the final year students work in teams with industry partners on a senior capstone project.
• Other opportunities: undergraduate research, internships for credit, programming competitions, and study abroad in France, Germany or the Netherlands. Courses are mainly in person, with select courses online, on a full-time or part-time schedule.
• Full course list: the program page’s “View Courses” link goes to the catalog, which we could not read (see the note at the end); check the catalog for required courses.

2. Getting into Computer Science

• The international student FAQ says admitted students can change majors; undergraduates need approval from their advisor in Success Advising.
• Whether Computer Science has its own admission threshold is not published; ask International Student Services or the department.

3. International undergraduate applications and timing

• Application fee: USD 75, non-refundable.
• GPA: a high school GPA of at least 2.0 is required; applicants with college coursework also need a 2.0 college GPA.
• Deadlines (no year shown):
  • Fall (August start): applying from outside the U.S., application and documents by July 1 and proof of financial support by July 15; transferring from within the U.S., July 15 and August 1.
  • Spring (January start): outside the U.S., November 1 and November 15; within the U.S., November 15 and December 1.
  • Summer (May start): outside the U.S., April 1 and April 15; within the U.S., April 15 and May 1. Summer admission is offered only for Computer Science, Data Science and Cybersecurity bachelor’s programs, plus the Intensive English Program.
• How early to apply, conflicting statements: the undergraduate information page recommends applying 3–4 months before the deadline; the international FAQ says one to two months. Both cite I-20 and visa processing time.
• Transcripts: upload English-translated unofficial transcripts to your student portal after applying, then have official English-translated transcripts sent directly to International Student Services. You may use a NACES member for a course-by-course evaluation with a calculated GPA to speed things up. Country-specific requirements are in a cloud document linked by the university, which we did not read.
• Financial support: a Financial Declaration Form and an English bank statement. The page’s estimated yearly expenses for on-campus undergraduates are about USD 30,550 for most majors and USD 30,400 for IEP classes (no year shown).

4. English requirements (undergraduate)

• TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS Academic 5.5, Duolingo 95, Cambridge C1/B2 162 or Oxford ELLT 6; UCM’s own English Proficiency Test is also available. Home-based TOEFL and IELTS are accepted.
• Waivers: two years at a U.S. high school; 24 credit hours at a regionally accredited U.S. university; graduation from a WASC-accredited secondary school; IB English A (SL or HL) 5, English B HL 5 or English B SL 6 (predicted IB scores accepted if sent by the school). Applicants from listed countries are also exempt, including Canada (no Quebec exception is mentioned), the United Kingdom and Singapore. Request a waiver by emailing intladmit@ucmo.edu.

5. Students at high schools in China

• High school GPA at least 2.0; transcripts must be translated into English, and you may get a NACES course-by-course evaluation.
• IB students with the English scores above can skip English testing.
• How Gaokao scores are used and whether A-Level earns credit are not published; ask International Student Services.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Canada is on the English waiver list; the page does not mention Quebec, so confirm when you email for the waiver.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask International Student Services.

7. Transfer students

• Undergraduate transfers need a college GPA of 2.0 or above.
• With 24 or more college credits, send official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions; with fewer, send secondary diplomas or certificates. Transfers from U.S. colleges send official transcripts from each school.
• Transfer credit is not automatic; credit advisers review and apply it toward general education or major requirements.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Tuition, fall 2026 to summer 2027: USD 621.80 per credit hour for non-resident undergraduates (the non-resident portion is USD 297 per hour), not including mandatory, technology, testing, program or course fees.
• Out-of-state yearly costs listed by UCM (30 credit hours): tuition and general fees USD 20,278, plus textbooks, a double room and a meal plan, for a total of USD 32,834. This differs from the USD 30,550 on the international page, and neither page explains its basis; confirm with the university.
• Computer science scholarships: the program page lists the ACM, Brown, Computer Science Achievement Award, Griffith, Harmon, Kennedy and Moore scholarships, with criteria in UCM’s Scholarship Finder. Which scholarships international students can receive is not published on the pages we read.
• The test-optional policy and automatic Red & Black merit scholarships appear on the domestic freshman requirements page, which does not say whether they apply to international students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• From outside the U.S., submit the application and documents by July 1 for fall and proof of funding by July 15; summer entry is also possible
• Pay the USD 75 fee; high school GPA at least 2.0
• Prepare TOEFL 61, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 95
• Prepare English-translated transcripts, optionally with a NACES course-by-course evaluation

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

• Email for the English waiver and confirm it applies
• Ask International Student Services how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• College GPA of 2.0 or above
• Transfers within the U.S.: complete documents by July 15 for fall

Note

UCM’s catalog site blocked our access, so we did not read it. This guide therefore does not list the full required courses; check the catalog.

Sources: University of Central Missouri, Computer Science, BS – Computer Science Option; Software Development Option; Computer Networking Option; Game Development Option; Prospective international undergraduate information; International admissions process; International student FAQ; Incoming freshman admission requirements; 2026-2027 tuition and costs. Tuition is for fall 2026 to summer 2027; the international deadline and yearly cost estimates show no year. Check UCM’s website for the latest.