Cover Photo Image

This page is not intended as a substitute for the catalog.
Please consult with your advisor and the catalog for the year in which you were admitted.

You may declare the CS major or minor and take the introductory courses CS 149 Programming Fundamentals, CS 159 Advanced Programming, and CS/MATH 227 Discrete Structures I.

If you would like to continue in the CS major or minor beyond CS 159 and CS/MATH 227, submit an application for full admission no earlier than the semester in which you complete CS 159.

Applying to the CS Major
  • All students who are intersted in pursuing the CS Major or Minor must submit an application for Full Admission the semester they take CS 159. 

  • Students with a GPA of 3.0 or better in CS 149 and CS 159 who have attempted CS 159 only once are guaranteed full admission to the major or minor. Others will be granted full admission to the CS major or minor as space permits based on their GPA in CS 149 and CS 159 and faculty evaluation of their potential to succeed in the CS major or minor. The prerequisite for CS 159 is a grade of B- or better in CS 149.

  • Students may enroll in CS 149, CS 159, and CS/MATH 227 at most twice.

  • Students who have attempted CS 149, CS 159, or CS/MATH 227 at JMU may not attempt these courses elsewhere (that is, they must make their second attempts at JMU).

  • Students who have completed the CS minor may apply for full admission to the CS major no earlier than the semester in which they complete the last course in the CS minor.

  • CS minors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the CS minor will be fully admitted to the CS major; others will be admitted as space permits based on their minor GPA.

View sample plans of study

Transfer Students

Transfer students who have completed the equivalent of CS 159 (or for whom this class is waived) are granted full admission to the CS major. Other transfer students are subject to the same process as non-transfer students.

Learn more

Admission Notification

All students must submit an application for full admission to the CS Major or Minor the semester they are taking CS 159. Students will be notified of their CS major or minor admission status by January 1st for admission in the spring semester (following application the previous fall semester), and by May 15th for admission in the fall semester (following application the previous spring semester).

Students who are not granted full admission to the CS major or minor may file one additional application in the next regular semester after they are denied admission.

Apply for Full Admission

Change of Declaration

If you would like to change or declare your major, you must complete your request through MyMadison. For additional assistance, please view the Change/Declare a Major/Minor tutorial in MyMadison or on the tutorials website.

Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss classes for the upcoming semester and to receive final approval.

After you declare the computer science major, please subscribe to the computer science listserv so that we can notify you about upcoming events, registration, courses, internships, career opportunities, etc.

Back to Top