How to apply to Computer Science at Austin Peay State University: the 120-hour BS (2026-2027 catalog), its three concentrations and ABET accreditation, international materials and deadlines, English requirements, ACT/SAT or placement testing, costs and scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Austin Peay State University (APSU) is in Clarksville, Tennessee. Its Computer Science B.S. is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, which also offers B.S. degrees in Computer Information Systems and Computer Information Technology. 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

• Delivery: the department’s degree page says every Computer Science concentration is offered on campus only; the other two B.S. degrees can be completed fully online.
• Credits: the 2026-2027 undergraduate catalog lists a minimum of 120 degree hours and 65–69 program hours. The undergraduate degree information page says the Computer Science degree does not require a minor.
• Computing core (all three department degrees): Introduction to Programming I and II (CSCI 1010/1011, 2010/2011) or Programming for STEM (CSCI 2000); Computer Ethics (CSCI 2600), Data Communications and Networking (CSCI 2700), Principles of Information Security (CSCI 4200), Principles of Database Management (CSCI 4400) and the seminar (CSCI 4800).
• Computer Science major core: Graphic User Interfaces (CSCI 3005), Data Structures and Algorithms (CSCI 3250), Computer Organization I (CSCI 3400), Operating Systems and Architecture (CSCI 4100), Programming Languages (CSCI 4230), Algorithm Design and Analysis (CSCI 4270) and the Capstone (CSCI 4805).
• Math: Calculus I and II (MATH 1910, 1920), Discrete Mathematics (MATH 3000), Linear Algebra (MATH 3450) and Statistical Methods (STAT 3250).
• Science: the catalog requires at least 8 credits from listed two-course sequences in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology and physics; the degree information page says 2 classes. Students who transfer in from another university or change into Computer Science from another major (including CIS and CIT) must take these 2 classes even if they already met the university’s general science core.
• Concentrations:
  • General Computer Science: 4 more CSCI courses at the 3000 level or above, at least 12 credits.
  • Software Engineering: Introduction to Software Engineering, Testing and Quality Assurance, Software Design and Architecture, and Requirements and Project Management (CSCI 4600–4603).
  • Artificial Intelligence: the catalog lists CSCI 4450, 4451, 4452 and 4560; the pages we read do not give course titles.
  • Plus 11–15 hours of general electives.

Two points where official pages differ:

• Number of concentrations: the department degree page and the catalog list three (including Artificial Intelligence); the degree information page says the Computer Science degree offers two and does not mention AI.
• Statistics: the catalog and the degree information page list STAT 3250 as required; the math placement page says to select one of MATH 4670, STAT 3250 or STAT 4240.

Follow the current catalog and your department advisor when choosing courses.

2. Accreditation and starting math

• ABET: the department’s accreditation page says the CIS, CIT and CS B.S. programs are accredited through September 30, 2028 under the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) criteria, with the next on-site visit planned for fall 2027.
• Starting math: the math placement page says many students are not ready for Calculus I in their first semester and usually start in MATH 1710 or MATH 1730, depending on test scores, a placement exam or transfer credit. MATH 1910 Calculus I requires ACT Math 27 and high school trigonometry, or MATH 1730 with a C or better. Students who believe they can start higher can ask the math department for a placement test.

3. How admission works

• The pages we read do not describe a separate admission threshold for Computer Science or conditions for changing into the major; ask the department (apsu_cs@apsu.edu).
• Freshman admission standards (admission requirements page, which does not separate domestic and international applicants): completion of college prep courses including U.S. History plus one of high school GPA 2.85, ACT 20 or SAT 1020, with satisfactory ACT/SAT scores in two of math, reading and English and no remedial placement. GPA 2.75–2.84, ACT 19 or SAT 980 leads to Opportunity (conditional) admission with academic strengthening requirements in the first semester. Ask admissions whether international applicants are reviewed against these standards.

4. Deadlines and materials

• Recommended deadlines for international first-year (F-1) applicants: July 1 for fall, November 1 for spring and April 1 for summer (no year shown). F-1 students transferring from within the U.S.: August 1, December 1 and May 1.
• Materials:
  • Online application and a non-refundable USD 25 fee.
  • Passport biographical page.
  • Proof of financial support: the affidavit and supporting documents, dated within one year of the intake term and covering 9–12 months of costs.
  • Official record of high school completion, sent directly by the school, or certified/notarized copies of diplomas or certificates.
  • ACT/SAT or placement test (Accuplacer, available online) scores. Evaluations and scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions; copies sent by students are not considered.
  • English proficiency evidence if needed.
• Conditional admission is only available to students enrolled in the English Language Institute who have submitted all other documents.
• Immunization records are required before registering for classes.

Transcript wording differs: the international undergraduate page says freshmen typically do not need to add a transcript beyond proof of completion, while its “Transcript Evaluations” section says all transcripts, certificates and diplomas must be translated and evaluated by an agency. Ask admissions whether your high school records need an evaluation.

5. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 3.5 (61 for tests before January 2026), TOEFL Essentials 6.5; TOEFL ITP is not accepted.
• IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 85, PTE 52, Cambridge English B2/C1/C2 167, TOEIC 580; GTEC, MEXAM and Clarity English are also listed.
• Scores are valid for two years and must be sent by the testing agency.
• Exceptions:
  • Applicants whose entire U.S.-equivalent high school education was at least four years.
  • One full semester of English composition at an accredited U.S. institution with a C or better.
  • ACT, SAT or Accuplacer scores meeting the minimum in all placement areas, with admissions director approval.
• Students below the minimum can enter the English Language Institute’s Intensive English Program, online or in person; strong Level 5 students may receive a waiver when applying.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Apply as an international first-year (F-1) student with proof of completion, ACT/SAT or Accuplacer scores, English scores and financial documents.
• The website does not say how the Gaokao is used or give grade requirements for Chinese high schools; ask admissions (admissions@apsu.edu).
• A-Level, IB and AP credit rules are not on the pages we read; check the catalog or ask the registrar.
• Most students start with MATH 1710 or 1730 before calculus; contact the math department about a placement test if you want to start in Calculus I.

7. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Students entering on an F-1 visa apply through the international first-year process.
• The English page has no country exemption list. Applicants who completed at least four years of U.S.-equivalent high school are exempt; ask admissions whether a Canadian high school counts.
• No BC grade requirements are published; ask admissions.

8. Transfer students

• Applicants with 12 or more attempted college hours apply as transfers; the fee is also USD 25. Those with fewer than 12 hours are reviewed as freshmen.
• GPA (admission requirements page): 1.5 for 12–29 hours, 1.8 for 30–45, 1.9 for 46–59 and 2.0 for 60 or more, with no remedial placement.
• Transcripts from universities abroad need a course-by-course evaluation from an approved agency for admission and transfer credit.
• Students transferring into Computer Science must take the 2 major science classes (see section 1).

9. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 cost of attendance (full-time undergraduate, out-of-state, on campus): tuition and fees USD 16,012, housing USD 8,370, food USD 5,870, books and supplies USD 1,358, transportation USD 1,408 and personal costs USD 2,480, totaling USD 35,498. The page does not list international students separately.
• Freshman academic scholarships (by GPA, reviewed with the admission application): GPA 4.0 USD 6,000 a year, 3.85–3.99 USD 3,500, 3.7–3.84 USD 2,000, 3.5–3.69 USD 1,500 and 3.0–3.49 USD 1,000; the Presidents Emerging Leaders Program (GPA 3.6, ACT 23, apply by December 31) pays USD 3,000 a year.
• Governors Out-of-State Scholarship: first-time freshmen with a 3.5 high school GPA, USD 5,760 a year; it does not combine with other out-of-state waivers or scholarships.
• The pages do not say whether international students qualify for these awards; ask admissions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 3.5 (or 61 before 2026), IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 85, plus ACT/SAT or Accuplacer scores
• Apply by July 1 for fall with the USD 25 fee, passport, proof of completion and financial documents
• Ask admissions about the Gaokao and whether your transcript needs an evaluation

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

• Apply as an international first-year student and confirm whether English testing is waived
• Ask admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Check the GPA for your credit-hour band and get a course-by-course evaluation for foreign transcripts
• Plan the 2 science classes and ask the department about changing into the major

Sources: Austin Peay State University, B.S. degrees and concentrations; Undergraduate degree information; Math placement; Accreditation; 2026-2027 catalog: Computer Science (B.S.); International undergraduate admissions; English language proficiency; Financial support; Admission requirements; Freshman scholarships; Out-of-state scholarships; 2026-2027 cost of attendance. Check Austin Peay’s website for the latest information.