How to apply to Computer Science at Christopher Newport University: the major (BS in Computer Foundations), required courses, electives and the five-year BS/MS, international ED/EA/RD deadlines, English requirements, 2026-27 costs and scholarship programs, and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Christopher Newport University (CNU) is in Newport News, Virginia. The Computer Science major is offered by the School of Engineering and Computing in the College of Natural and Behavioral 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

• Degree name: the program page says Computer Science majors who complete all requirements earn the BS, Computer Foundations. The 2025-26 catalog says this degree covers majors in physics, computer science or cybersecurity. The school also offers majors in artificial intelligence, computer engineering, data science, electrical engineering, information science and mechatronics.
• Accreditation: CNU’s accredited programs page lists the computer engineering and electrical engineering BS degrees as ABET-accredited; Computer Science is not listed.
• Required courses (program page and 2025-26 catalog):
  • CPEN 214 Digital Logic Design and CPEN 371W Computer Ethics;
  • CPSC 150/150L Introduction to Programming, CPSC 250/250L Programming for Data Manipulation, CPSC 255 Programming for Applications, CPSC 270 Data and File Structures, CPSC 280 Introduction to Software Engineering, CPSC 327 C++ Programming, CPSC 360 Programming Language Concepts, CPSC 410 Operating Systems I and CPSC 420 Algorithms;
  • Math: MATH 140 or MATH 148 (calculus) plus MATH 240 Intermediate Calculus;
  • Physics: PHYS 151/152 or PHYS 201/202 with labs;
  • ENGR 213 Discrete Structures and PHYS 341 Design and Analysis of Experiments;
  • One more course from a short list. The program page lists PHYS 340, ENGR 340, MATH 235 or MATH 260; the catalog lists PHYS 340, ENGR 210, MATH 235 or 260. One course differs, so confirm with the school when registering.
• Electives: three courses from object-oriented design, cryptography and network security, databases, Operating Systems II, compilers, theoretical computer science, applied AI, robotics, Android mobile computing, software design, multimedia and special topics, as well as numerical analysis, system design lab and modeling and simulation; 500-level courses count with advisor permission.
• Capstone: CPSC 498 Capstone Project in Computer Science (3 credits).
• Grades: no more than two grades below C- in the major’s required courses. A CNU bachelor’s degree needs at least 120 credit hours.
• Five-year BS/MS: continue into the MS in applied physics and computer science (with computer science, cybersecurity and other concentrations) by taking 9–12 graduate credits in the senior year plus one summer graduate course. It requires a 3.0 GPA; apply in the second semester of junior year with a transcript and two letters of recommendation.

2. How admission works

• Holistic review: the international pages say admission is competitive and meeting minimums does not guarantee admission. Reviewers consider school context, course rigor and grade trends, and success in AP, IB, Cambridge or other advanced work; include national exam results if you have them. The middle 50% high school GPA of the freshman class is 3.5–4.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Declaring a major (catalog): students typically declare by their fourth semester or upon completing 60 credit hours, using the Declaration of Major and Intent to Graduate form. The pages we read do not describe a separate admission threshold for Computer Science or conditions for switching into it; ask the School of Engineering and Computing.

3. Dates and materials (international freshmen)

• Deadlines (no year shown): Early Decision (binding) November 15, Early Action December 1, Regular Decision February 1. International applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions may come before each notification date. The FAQ strongly encourages freshmen to start in the fall.
• How to apply: there is no separate international application; use the Common App and choose ED, EA or RD.
• Materials: the Common App essay; a USD 65 non-refundable fee; official high school transcripts (translated if not in English); for F-1 applicants, the Financial Resources Statement and bank statements under six months old; a copy of any current U.S. visa. CNU strongly recommends an official credential evaluation sent directly to admissions to speed up review.
• Testing: native English speakers, or students taught in English in high school, should submit the SAT or ACT. Non-native English speakers cannot apply test-optional and must submit English proficiency scores; the SAT/ACT is then optional with no minimum.
• Recommended: a teacher evaluation in a core subject, a counselor’s School Report and an interview (required for scholarship applicants; virtual interviews are offered).
• After admission: pay a USD 500 enrollment deposit. CNU has a three-year residence requirement, and the university does not provide health insurance, so students need their own.

4. English requirements

• Required for students whose native language is not English or whose schooling was not completed in English; scores must come directly from the testing agency.
• Minimums: TOEFL iBT 71 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 with no section below 3.5 (later tests); Duolingo 100; IELTS 6.0; iTEP 3.7; Michigan MET 53; PTE 50; GTEC CBT 1150; Trinity ISE II Merit.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Include English translations of Chinese transcripts; a credential evaluation is recommended.
• How the Gaokao is used and what grades are expected from Chinese high schools are not published; ask admissions (admit@cnu.edu).
• Exam credit (2025-26 catalog):
  • AP Computer Science A: 3 earns CPSC 110 (3 credits), 4 or higher earns CPSC 150/150L (4 credits). AP Calculus BC 3 or higher earns MATH 140 and 240 (8 credits).
  • IB Computer Science HL: 4 earns CPSC 125, 5–6 earn CPSC 125 and 150/150L, 7 adds 250/250L; submit proof of the IB Diploma and score reports.
  • Cambridge AS and A-Level Computer Science, grades A to E, earn CPSC 125 (3 credits); this table is marked effective for fall 2026 applicants.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents apply as international freshmen.
• The English page decides by native language and language of schooling rather than by country; ask admissions whether Canadian students at English-medium schools are exempt. Native speakers and students taught in English should submit the SAT or ACT.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer: students enrolled at a college who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents apply as international transfers. Deadlines are July 15 for fall and December 1 for spring. All college transcripts must be evaluated by a credential evaluator, with the report sent directly to CNU; also submit secondary transcripts or leaving certificates and English scores (same minimums as freshmen).
• Applying (transfer page): use the Common App with a personal statement of about 250 words and a USD 65 fee; priority dates are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring; one letter of recommendation is recommended.
• Conditions for entering Computer Science as a transfer are not published; ask the School of Engineering and Computing.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 tuition: full-time out-of-state undergraduates (12–17 credits) pay USD 16,019 a semester including the comprehensive, capital and technology fees, or USD 1,332 per credit.
• 2026-27 cost of attendance (out-of-state undergraduate on campus): tuition and fees USD 32,038, housing 8,902, food 5,570, books 1,648, transportation 2,940 and personal expenses 2,664, for a total of USD 53,830. The page lists in-state and out-of-state only, not international students; the FAQ says that for students already in the U.S., in-state eligibility depends on visa type.
• Merit scholarships: the FAQ says CNU’s partial merit scholarships for incoming freshmen are offered through the Honors Program and the President’s Leadership Program (PLP); select them on the Common App, write the supplemental essay and interview.
  • Honors Program: minimum 3.75 GPA plus SAT 1310 or ACT 28 (test-optional applicants are also considered); renewable USD 5,000 a year.
  • PLP: competitive applicants typically have at least a 3.5 GPA and SAT 1250 or ACT 26; renewable USD 1,000–5,000 a year.
  • Students in both programs receive one scholarship. Essays by December 15 get priority; the final deadline is February 15.
• Out-of-State Incentive Scholarship: renewable USD 3,000 for new freshmen admitted as non-residents, based on a holistic review of high school performance. The page does not say whether international students qualify.
• CNU does not offer athletic scholarships (NCAA Division III).

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 71 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 100 or another accepted score
• Apply on the Common App by ED (November 15), EA (December 1) or RD (February 1) with the USD 65 fee and English transcripts
• For scholarships, apply to the Honors Program or PLP and schedule an interview
• Ask admissions whether the Gaokao is considered

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

• Apply as an international student; students taught in English should submit the SAT or ACT
• Ask admissions about the English requirement and how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• International transfer deadlines are July 15 for fall and December 1 for spring; college transcripts need a credential evaluation
• Ask the School of Engineering and Computing about entering Computer Science

Sources: Christopher Newport University, Computer Science program; School of Engineering and Computing majors; Accredited programs; International freshman: how to apply; International application review; English proficiency; International FAQ; Freshman admission requirements; Freshman scholarships; 2026-27 tuition; 2026-27 cost of attendance; International transfer; Transfer application; 2025-26 undergraduate catalog. Course requirements follow the 2025-26 catalog and costs are 2026-27 figures; check CNU’s website for the latest.