The following is a sample schedule for this major – your actual schedule may vary.
Meet with your advisor and review the class schedule before confirming your schedule.
Missouri State is committed to helping you graduate in four years.
BS Four-Year Degree Plan
The following degree plan, last reviewed 10/09/2026, is based on the 2026-27 catalog and Missouri State general education requirements.
First semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Social and Behavioral Sciences - General Education | 3 |
| Total hours | 14 |
Second semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Life Sciences (lab) - General Education | 4 |
| Humanities - General Education | 3 |
| Total hours | 13 |
Third semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Cultural Competence - General Education | 3 |
| Public Issues - General Education | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Fourth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| Physical Science (no lab) - General Education | 3 |
| The Arts - General Education | 3 |
| Course for minor | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Fifth semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| American Gov./Politics and Public Law | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences - General Education | 3 |
| PLS subfield elective (upper level) | 3 |
| PLS subfield elective (upper level) | 3 |
| Course for minor | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Sixth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| American Gov./Politics and Public Law | 3 |
| PLS subfield elective (upper level) | 3 |
| Course for minor (upper level) | 3 |
| Course for minor (upper level) | 3 |
| General elective | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Seventh semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| PLS subfield elective (upper level) | 3 |
| PLS subfield elective (upper level) | 3 |
| General Elective or Capstone | 3 |
| Course for minor (upper level) | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Eighth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Elective or Capstone | 3 |
| General Elective or Capstone | 3 |
| General Elective or Capstone | 3 |
| General Elective or Capstone | 3 |
| Course for minor (upper level) | 3 |
| University Exit Examination - General Education | 0 |
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| Total hours | 15 |
Tips for success
- Depending on areas of interest and career goals, political science majors are required to complete 15 hours of elective from at least 3 of 6 subfields: American govt. and politics, international politics, comparative governments and politics, public administration, political theory, or public law.
- The PLS capstone requirement can be fulfilled with PLS 320 or any 400-500 level PLS course; this includes PLS 493 (internship) or PLS 497 (study abroad).