Admission to Computer Science as a Second Major, or a Minor 

GW undergraduates outside the Department of Computer Science can apply to a second major or minor in Computer Science. Interested students must apply no later than the start of their 5th semester of study at GW, or completion of 60th credit, which ever comes later. The admission criteria is as follows:

1. Must apply no later than the start of their 5th semester of study at GW, or completion of 60th credit, which ever comes later.
2. A grade of B or higher in CSCI 1111 or CSCI 1011 or CSCI 1012 or CSCI 1121.
3. A grade of B‐ or higher in Math 1231 or Math 1232 or in both Math 1220 and Math 1221.
4. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 at the time of application.

Students seeking admission to CS as a 2nd major or minor should note that CS has a highly structured pre-requisite chain of required courses. Completion of a Computer Science minor will typically take approximately 4 semesters and a second major will take between 5-6 semesters. Additionally it is recommend that student plan their course sequencing starting from Fall to Spring where there is traditionally more space availability in required courses.

Once you have met the admissions requirements, you must complete the following:

1. Complete the corresponding CS Minor/2nd Major form and send a formal email with full name, GWID, and mobile number requesting to declare the CS minor or second major to [email protected].
2. Include a copy of your unofficial transcript which must include the grades for required coursework and cumulative GPA. If necessary, include unofficial transcripts from other institutions.
3. Include a copy of your school's minor/double major declaration form completed. This form will be signed by an advisor and returned via email. Submit this to your major school's advising office for processing.

Once your application to the CS minor/2nd major has been reviewed, you will be notified directly.

Please review the list of Frequently Asked Questions and then contact [email protected] with any further questions.

Computer Science Application Forms

• CS Minor Application Form (pdf)
• CS/BS Double Major Application Form – Primary Degree BS (pdf)
• CS/BA Double Major Application Form – Primary Degree BA (pdf)

Course registration information for interested and declared CS 2nd Majors/Minors

Students can only take each course during the semester they are eligible, with the appropriate prerequisite.

• CSCI 1111 - Spring 
  • Any GW undergraduate may take CSCI 1111 in Spring. Do not yet need to be declared a CS minor or 2nd major.
  • In Fall, CSCI 1111 is open only to SEAS first year students, primary CS majors and declared secondary BS in CS majors, all of whom may also take it in Spring.
• CSCI 1112 - Fall 
  • Declared majors and minors may take CSCI 1112 in Fall.
  • In Spring, CSCI 1112 is open only to SEAS first year students, primary CS majors and declared secondary BS in CS majors, all of whom may also take it in Fall.
• CSCI 1311 - Fall 
  • Declared majors and minors may take CSCI 1311 in Fall.
  • In Spring, CSCI 1311 is open only to primary CS majors and declared secondary BS in CS majors, all of whom may also take it in Fall.
  • It is recommended to be taken at the same time as CSCI 1112
• CSCI 2113 - Spring
  • Declared majors and minors may take CSCI 2113 in Spring.
  • In Fall, CSCI 2113 is open only to primary Computer Science majors and declared secondary BS in Computer Science majors, all of whom may also take it in Spring.

Note: GWU has offered some of these CSCI courses online during the Summer. Students can take the course(s) they meet the prerequisites for during the Summer. However, this will not change the eligibility during the Fall/Spring semesters.

If you have registration issues, please submit your inquiry here. For questions, email [email protected].