BS Four-Year Degree Plan: Computer Science/Software Development Option
This is only a sample schedule – 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.
The following degree plan, last reviewed 06-11-2024, is based on the 2023-24 catalog and Missouri State general education requirements.
First semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| GEP 101 or UHC 110 (GenEd First Year Seminar) | 2 |
| ENG 110 (GenEd Written Commun. & Info Literacy) | 3 |
| MTH 137 or MTH 138 (GenEd Quantitative Literacy) | 3-5 |
| Total hours | 11-13 |
Second semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| COM 115 (GenEd Oral Communication) | 3 |
| HST 121 or HST 122 (GenEd US & MO Constitution) | 3 |
| GenEd (Life Sciences) See list on front | 3-4 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 16-17 |
Third semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| MTH 314 Discrete Math or MTH 315 Algebraic Structures | 3 |
| PSY 121 (GenEd Social & Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| ENG 321 (GenEd Written Com. & Integ. Learning | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 16 |
Fourth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| GenEd (Humanities) | 3 |
| GenEd (Arts) | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 15 |
Fifth semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| GenEd (Physical Sciences) See list on front | 3-5 |
| PLS 101 (GenEd US & MO Constitution) | 3 |
| Total hours | 15-17 |
Sixth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| CSC Elective | 3 |
| One course (MKT350,MGT340,COM315,PSY305,PSY481) | 3 |
| GenEd (Cultural Competence) | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 16 |
Seventh semester (fall)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| CSC Elective | 3 |
| CSC Elective 500 level or higher | 3 |
| GenEd (Public Issues) | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 16 |
Eighth semester (spring)
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
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| CSC Elective | 3 |
| ECO 165 (GenEd Social & Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| Minor Requirement | 3 |
| Total hours | 12 |
Tips for success
- A minor or second major is also required.
- The software development option can usually be completed in four years or eight semesters.
- You may be able to finish sooner if you've earned dual credit or transfer credit while in high school or at other universities.
- We recommend that you do not finish all of your general education courses before you start to take courses in computer science.
- Some computer science courses do require prerequisites in mathematics. So, it's important to meet with an advisor in the program before you schedule for your first semester or as soon as you think you might be interested in the computer science major.
- College preparatory exam scores in mathematics will determine if you will have to take additional courses in mathematics.
- Review the admission and program requirements for full details on completing your degree.
Frequently asked questions
If you don't find your question answered below, contact us.
Is the Software Development option accredited by ABET?
No.
Will the Software Development option be well-regarded by employers?
Our Advisory Board, made up of MSU computer science grads in industry leadership, have told us that a Software Development option will be attractive to their companies. (There’s a shortage of Computer Science majors!)
The Software Development option is a variation of the computer science degree. Your printed degree will simply read “Computer Science.”
Is there a disadvantage to completing the Software Development option compared to the Computer Science option?
Answers to this would be anecdotal: at least one person will hold every possible opinion.
We believe employers are most interested in demonstration of individual skills and motivation, and that completion of either the Software Development option or the Computer Science option is preferable to any other degree.
What is a good choice for a minor?
Dozens of minors are available for you to make a personal choice. Minors vary in number of credit hours required. Although Cybersecurity is one of the minors many students choose, several other minors are available. Explore the full list of minors.