Due to severe enrollment pressures, the campus is changing the requirements to become a Computer Science major, starting with Fall 2024 matriculants. While we plan to increase the number of freshmen directly admitted to the Computer Science major by 150 slots (from 450 to 600 enrolled freshmen), the number of slots for new external transfers and internal transfers coming from a different UMD major will be reduced to 100 per year (down from 1,000). The new LEP Guidelines go into effect for students matriuclating to the University of Maryland, a Maryland Community College, or a USM school in Fall 2024. Current students who matriculated to the University of Maryland, a Maryland Community College, or a USM school prior to Fall 2024 will follow the prior LEP Guidelines.
GENERAL FAQ
- What is an LEP?
The University designates certain majors as Limited Enrollment Programs (LEPs) to try to match student demand to the faculty, advising and instructional resources of that major. LEP majors have more limited capacity than other majors on the campus. Students who apply to LEP majors when they enter the University are reviewed for direct admission to an LEP major. Current UMD students who were not directly admitted may apply to transfer internally to that major after they meet the appropriate Gateway courses and other requirements for that LEP.
- Can I still take Computer Science courses even if I am not a Computer Science major or minor?
Computer Science Gateway courses (CMSC131 and 132, or 141 and 142) will continue to be open to all students who meet the pre/co-requisites for the courses. Students who are not majors or minors may enroll in CMSC courses at the 200 level on a space available basis with permission of the department. For more information on enrolling in CMSC courses as a non-major or minor, please review information on non-major permissions.
- I understand that there are a number of specializations in Computer Science. If I have selected one and wish to change to another, do I need to reapply?
Students do not need to reapply to the major to change their specialization. Their assigned advisor will be able to assist with this process.
- Can I add a Computer Science minor?
Students who successfully complete the Gateway requirements may add the Computer Science minor. Effective for Spring 2025 admission to the minor, students will be required to complete the following gateway criteria: Completion of CMSC131 or CMSC133 or CMSC141 with a minimum grade of B-, Completion of CMSC132 or CMSC142 with a minimum grade of B-, Completion of MATH140 with a minimum grade of B-, and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all courses taken at the University of Maryland. Please see this page for information on the minor and how to apply.
Students with majors in Computer Engineering and the computing (BS) track of Immersive Media Design are not eligible for the Computer Science minor.
INFORMATION FOR CURRENT OR RETURNING UMD STUDENTS
- I am a current student in a different major who matriculated at UMD prior to Fall 2024. I wish to major in Computer Science. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculated at UMD prior to Fall 2024 should refer to the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024.
- I am returning to the University after time away and wish to major in Computer Science. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculated to the University in Fall 2024 or later will follow these LEP guidelines. Students who matriculated to UMD prior to Fall 2024 will follow these LEP guidelines.
- I matriculated at the University prior to Fall 2024. Is there a deadline for me to apply to the Computer Science major under the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024?
Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 who wish to change their major to Computer Science will need to apply by Fall 2028. Starting in Fall 2028, all students will fall under the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated in Fall 2024 or later.
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS WHO WILL MATRICULATE TO UMD IN FALL 2024 OR LATER
- I was accepted to a major other than Computer Science for the Fall 2023 term, but I deferred my admission to Fall 2024. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who defer admission will follow the Computer Science guidelines at the time of their matriculation. Students who matriculate at the University in Fall 2024 or later should refer to these LEP guidelines.
- I was accepted directly to the Computer Science major as a freshman or external transfer student. However, I plan to defer my admission to Fall 2024 or later. How will the new LEP guidelines affect me?
Students who were admitted directly to Computer Science will not need to go through the Admissions process again. They will remain a Computer Science major and may defer their start date to a later term.
- I plan to apply as a freshman for Fall 2024 and have completed the Gateway requirements while I was in high school. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculate at UMD as freshmen in Fall 2024 or later must follow these LEP guidelines, regardless of whether or not they have completed transferable coursework, participated in early college programs, and/or participated in dual enrollment programs.
- I took classes at a Maryland community college through the dual enrollment program in high school and am entering UMD as a freshman in Fall 2024. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculate at UMD as freshmen in Fall 2024 or later will follow the new LEP guidelines.
- I plan to apply as a freshman for Fall 2024 admission to the Computer Science major. What should I do if I am admitted to the University but not to the major? Can I transfer to the major at a later time?
Students admitted to the University but not to Computer Science MUST be prepared to select an alternate major. There are many other computing majors at UMD including Geospatial Data Science, Immersive Media Design, Information Science, Information Systems, Social Data Science, and Technology and Information Design. Students may also be interested in one of UMD’s other 100+ majors or 80+ minors. Many programs offer coursework that include courses in information technology, programming languages, and data science.
It is highly unlikely that students will be able to change majors to Computer Science at a later time. Current students who wish to change their major to Computer Science after matriculating at the University would apply as internal transfers. We expect to have no more than 100 spots available to external and internal transfer students each year. Students who wish to change their major to Computer Science must complete the Gateway requirements and the LEP application will be reviewed for selective admission.
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What will be considered in the selective review process for students who matriculate in Fall 2024 or later who wish to switch their major to Computer Science?
Admission to Computer Science is selective. Academic record, co-curricular involvement, computing-related research experience or personal projects, as well as college level honors and awards are considered in the admission decision. We strongly encourage students to share their academic and co-curricular experiences and career goals in their application to the Computer Science major. However, space is limited and not all applicants are guaranteed admission. Students must be prepared to select an alternate major if they are not accepted to Computer Science.
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I am planning to matriculate to UMD in Fall 2024 with another major (such as Math or Physics). Can I add the Computer Science major later as a double major or double degree?
Students who are interested in adding Computer Science as a double major or double degree will need to go through the standard internal transfer application process. Space is limited and admission is selective (see Questions 3 and 4 for more information about the internal transfer process).
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I am an incoming freshman or transfer student who applied to Computer Science for Fall 2024 but was admitted to Letters & Sciences. Can I declare a different major before my first semester?
Yes, newly admitted students interested in changing their major should submit a major change request form.
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I am currently enrolled at a Maryland Community College or 4-year USM school and am applying to the Computer Science major at UMD as an external transfer student for Fall 2024 admission. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculated to a Maryland community college or 4-year USM school prior to Fall 2024 should refer to these LEP guidelines.
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I am planning to enroll at a Maryland Community College or 4-year USM school beginning in Summer 2024 and plan to apply to the Computer Science major at UMD as an external transfer student at a later time. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who begin taking coursework at a Maryland Community College or 4-year USM school in Summer 2024 will fall under the new LEP guidelines. UMD operates on the semester system and does not recognize summer as a matriculation term.
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I am currently enrolled at a Community College or 4-year school outside of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and USM, and I am applying to the Computer Science major at UMD as an external transfer student for Fall 2024 admission. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students applying as external transfers from schools outside of Maryland’s community colleges and USM schools will follow the LEP guidelines for students who matriculate in Fall 2024 or later.
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I am a freshman or external transfer student (from outside of a Maryland public institution) admitted for Fall 2024. If I take classes at a Maryland community college in Summer 2024, can I follow the prior guidelines?
No. New freshmen and external transfer students from outside of Maryland's public institutions fall under the new LEP guidelines. Taking classes at a Maryland community college does not change this. Students must have been enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a USM school or Maryland community college prior to Fall 2024 and must apply for transfer admission from that institution in order to fall under the prior LEP guidelines.
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I am planning to enroll at another institution (community college or 4-year school) beginning in Fall 2024 and plan to apply to the Computer Science major at UMD as an external transfer student at a later time. Which set of requirements apply to me? What should I do if I am admitted to the University but not to the major? Can I transfer to the major at a later time?
Students who matriculate to a community college or other institution in Fall 2024 or later and plan to transfer to UMD should refer to these LEP guidelines. External transfer students who have completed all Gateway requirements before applying to UMD will be considered for direct admission to the major. Space is limited and admission is selective.Students admitted to the University but not directly to Computer Science MUST be prepared to select an alternate major. There are many other computing majors at UMD including Geospatial Data Science, Immersive Media Design, Information Science, Information Systems, Social Data Science, and Technology and Information Design. Students may also be interested in one of UMD’s other 100+ majors or 80+ minors. Many programs offer coursework that include courses in information technology, programming languages, and data science.
It is highly unlikely that students will be able to change majors to Computer Science at a later time. Students who wish to change their major to Computer Science after matriculating at the University would apply as internal transfers. We expect to have no more than 100 spots available to external and internal transfer students each year. Students hoping to internally transfer to Computer Science must complete the Gateway requirements and complete an application that will be subject to a selective review process.
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I am applying for Fall 2024 admission directly to the Computer Science major as an external transfer student. However, my Computer Science courses are not approved for equivalent credit for CMSC131 and CMSC132. Can I take the exemption exams to meet the Gateway requirements and still be considered for direct admission to the major?
Freshmen and transfer students with prior learning experience in Computer Science may take up to four exemption exams to determine their appropriate placement in the curriculum. Passing the CMSC131 and CMSC132 exemption exams fulfills these Gateway requirements. However, these students will not be considered for direct admission to the major. They will have to apply to the Computer Science major through the standard internal transfer application process. Space is limited and admission is selective (see Questions 3 and 4 for more information).
- I completed my Bachelor's degree. Can I pursue a second bachelor's/post-bacc in Computer Science at University of Maryland?
Second Bachelor's degree students matriculating in Fall 2024 or later will follow these LEP guidelines. Students who completed their first Bachelor's degree at UMD should work with the Student Success Office to complete the re-enrollment process. These students will be re-enrolled into Letters & Sciences and will need to apply to the Computer Science major as internal transfers. Students who completed their first Bachelor's degree at another institution should follow the transfer applicant admissions process. External transfer students who have completed all Gateway requirements before applying to UMD will be considered for direct admission to the major. Space is limited and admission is selective.
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Whom can I contact with additional questions?
Please email CS-LEP [at] umd [dot] edu with questions or if you need more information. Please allow three business days for a response.