Students majoring in Political Science will develop reasoning and analytical skills and acquire competence in oral and written expression. Students will also develop skills in statistical analysis, computer use or foreign language. Although these skills can be used in a variety of occupations, most Political Science majors seek careers in law, federal, state and local governments, public and private interest groups, business management, journalism, urban planning and secondary and higher education. Beginning salaries for graduates with B.A. or B.S. degrees in Political Science vary widely. Many Political Science majors go on to graduate or professional schools and find commensurate gains in earning ability.

The department offers a graduate program leading to a master's degree in Public Administration, as well as a master's degree in Global Studies. Also available is an accelerated Master's of Public Administration and Master's of Global Studies option. This option provides exceptional Missouri State undergraduate students majoring in political science the opportunity to complete their bachelor's and master's degrees in ten semesters and a summer. A new 18-hour post-baccalaureate certificate in Public Management is offered to practitioners in government and non-profit organizations. 

The department offers internships at all levels of government, including a legislative internship in Jefferson City, Missouri. Qualified students receive academic credit for successful completion of internships. In addition, we encourage students to participate in Pi Sigma Alpha, the honorary political science fraternity, the World Affairs Council, the model UN organization, and/or Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity.

The Political Science degree can be granted as either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor or Arts. The Bachelor of Science degree requires 47-51 hours of General Education, the Political Science courses listed below, and a minor of at least 15 hours. The Bachelor of Arts degree requires 47-51 hours of General Education,18-27 hours of specific classes required for the Bachelor of Arts, the Political Science courses listed below (with the exception of PLS 576), and a minor of at least 15 hours.   The University requires a total of 125 hours to graduate with at least 40 of those hours being upper division (300 level or above). 

ALL POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING CORE COURSES:

PLS 169 Intro to Political Science
PLS 205 Intro to Comparative Government
PLS 232 International Relations
PLS 255 Public Administration
PLS 330 OR PHI 330 Intro to Political Theory
PLS 492 Program Assessment

POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS SEEKING A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE MUST ALSO TAKE:

PLS 576 Quantitative Methods

ALL POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORS MUST CHOOSE ONE COURSE IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TWO GROUPS.  THE COURSES CHOSEN TO FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT CANNOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS THE ELECTIVE HOURS.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

PLS 316 Parties, Elections, Interest Groups  

PLS 317 Am Political Behavior  

 PLS 319  Women in Politics 

PLS 413 The American Executive 

PLS 414 Legislative Process

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

PLS 515 Constitutional Law I 

PLS 517 Constitutional Law II

PLS 518 Constitutional Politics

 

To broaden the student's knowledge base and give them exposure to the different subfields of study in Political Science, students must take 15 hours of elective courses from at least 3 of the following 6 subfields. 

1. American Government and Politics		4. Public Administration
PLS 316 Parties & Elections		PLS 102 Intro to American Public Policy
PLS 317 American Political Behavior		PLS 315 Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
PLS  319 Women in Politics		PLS 351 Municipal Government and Administration
PLS 399 Cooperative Education		PLS 498 In-Service Training in Public Admin
PLS 413 American Executive		PLS 555 Public Policy for a Global Environment
PLS 414 Legislative Process		PLS 573 Policy Analysis
2. International Politics		5. Political Theory
PLS 301 US National Security		PLS 561 Ancient Political Thought
PLS 437 International Organizations and Law		PLS 563 Modern Political Theory
PLS 535 American Foreign Policy		PLS 565 Contemporary Political Ideologies
PLS 547 Politics of the European Union		PLS 567 American Political Thought
3. Comparative Governments and Politics		6. Public Law
PLS 338 Politics of Less Developed Countries		PLS 419 Judicial Process
PLS 343 Post-Soviet Politics		PLS 451 Criminal Law & its Enforcement
PLS 544 Govt and Politics of the Middle East		PLS 515 Constitutional Law I : Powers & Constraints
PLS 545 Asian Politics		PLS 517 Constitutional Law II: Liberties & Rights
PLS 546 Political Violence and Terrorism
PLS 548 Latin American Politics
PLS 550 Modern African Politics