Educational Programs

Academic Programs

SMU offers degrees in five undergraduate and graduate schools and three graduate professional schools: the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, the Dedman School of Law, the Linda and Mitch SMU Guildhall, the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, the Algur H. Meadows School of the Arts, the Joe and Lois Perkins School of Theology, and the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The University offers a range of distinguished graduate and professional programs, and since its beginnings in 1915, SMU has remained committed to the concept of a rigorous and relevant liberal arts undergraduate education. All SMU undergraduate degree programs reflect this commitment by encouraging students to combine broad, interdisciplinary inquiry with in-depth study in a particular field of interest.

Preface to the Curriculum

All SMU undergraduates participate in general education. General education provides students with a broad background in the liberal arts, which is essential to their growth as educated human beings. The general education curriculum is designed to help students put their majors into context, to promote valuable skills that students acquire in and outside the classroom in preparation for the modern workplace, to enable and encourage students to engage in their civic responsibilities in college and beyond, and to create a passion and platform for life-long learning. The elements of general education are fundamental, breadth, depth and co-curricular proficiency requirements. These elements are designed to build on one another over the four-year undergraduate experience. Students begin in fundamentals with a focus on writing, quantitative reasoning, foreign language proficiency, wellness, and ways of knowing. The latter exposes students to multiple lenses through which to view a particular problem or issue while comparing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. The breadth requirements, typically met in the first two years, provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of interdisciplinary interests. Depth requirements, often met in the major, enable students to apply what they learn in breadth courses to an area of focus. Finally, during their time at SMU, students gain a variety of skills that are recognized through the co-curricular proficiency requirements. These include writing in the discipline, oral communication, diversity of and engagement in the human experience, and information literacy. Thus, general education is an integral part of students’ learning and growth as they work toward graduating with a major or majors.

SMU undergraduate students choose curricula from over 100 baccalaureate degrees in more than 90 subject areas offered by the five undergraduate schools.

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

Cox School of Business

Bachelor of Business Administration

Lyle School of Engineering

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Meadows School of the Arts

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music

Simmons School of Education and Human Development

Bachelor of Science

For the degrees available in specific fields of study, students should consult the appropriate school’s section in this catalog.

Honors Programs

www.smu.edu/univhonors

The University offers a variety of honors and distinction programs to encourage research and creative scholarship among its best students.

The University Honors Program, the largest of these programs, is open to students in all majors and designed to prepare high performing students to meet the challenges of rapid change and take advantage of the possibilities this dynamic world presents. To this end, the program emphasizes the values of a liberal arts education, namely, the ability to read, write and think critically, and the acquisition of a basic under-standing of human society in all its dimensions. Along with these objectives, the program provides exceptional opportunities for international study and the exploration of topics across disciplines.

The University Honors Program focuses on University Curriculum courses taken over the course of a student’s career at SMU. Students begin with a two-term, first-year honors humanities seminar that encourages critical reflection about major concepts and works of literature that have shaped the modern world. Classes are small (15 or fewer students), with students in several honors sections occasionally meeting together as a larger group. Designed to be broad and introductory, and drawing on material from the past and present, the course offerings explore the way different disciplines raise questions and construct knowledge about the human experience.

In addition to the first-year honors humanities sequence of DISC 2305  and DISC 2306 , students also take at least four honors seminars (Breadth and Depth courses or Ways of Knowing courses, or a one-credit-hour sophomore seminar that introduces research methods and opportunities) from among the honors offerings.

The final requirement is for the Senior Culminating Project – designed to draw the student out of the classroom and into the larger society – applying the knowledge learned to the outside world. There are many possibilities for this project, including the senior thesis in the major (see below), a Richter Fellowship, an Engaged Learning project or fellowship or other research fellowship, as well as certain internships.

The University Honors Program creates an intellectual community of students and faculty that extends beyond the classroom. Beginning with several orientation activities, special events throughout the year provide additional occasions for coming together. Honors students and faculty are encouraged to attend dinners, programs, seminars and book discussions that may be organized around scholars, artists or other distinguished visitors to the campus. Honors students benefit, too, from the sense of solidarity and community found in a campus venue dedicated to bringing together students in all University honor and scholar programs, the Scholars’ Den. The program also takes advantage of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Visits to museums, studios, theatres and live-music venues allow students to experience the myriad opportunities for learning that only a large urban center can provide. At the same time, the University Honors Program at SMU is not segregated from the campus. Honors students interact with their fellow students in nonhonors classes; in the Residential Commons; in the student center; on the playing fields; and in the numerous student governing, social, pre-professional, political, cultural and social organizations that enhance student life at SMU.

Entrance to the University Honors Program is by invitation prior to matriculation or by application after at least one term of coursework at SMU. At the end of their undergraduate years, students who maintain a 3.000 GPA in their honors courses and at least a 3.300 overall GPA receive a diploma inscribed with the designation “Honors in the Liberal Arts.” More information about the University Honors Program is available on the website (www.smu.edu/univhonors) or from the director, Dr. David D. Doyle, Jr. (ddoyle@smu.edu).

The Richter Research Fellowship Program provides funding for undergraduates to travel and conduct independent research under a faculty adviser’s supervision. All honors students who have completed their second year are eligible to apply. Often this research work is connected to a student’s senior honors capstone or distinction project, although that is not a requirement to apply for the fellowship. Richter projects have included researching literacy in Ghana, education for non-native English speaking children in rural California, environment/government correlation in Fiji and women’s reproductive health in Ethiopia. The Richter Fellowships are available only to those students who are members of the University Honors Program.

Department and Division Honors. In addition to the University Honors Program, individual schools, departments and divisions of the University offer honors or distinction programs to exceptional students in their upperclass years. The strongest SMU students are encouraged to participate in honors programs at both the University level (the University Honors Program) and the departmental level. Depending on the major, students take a series of honors courses and seminars in their departments or divisions. Many departments and divisions also offer internships and re-search programs to upperclass students majoring in their fields. Such activities provide practical experience and specialized training within the major. Students completing honors or distinction programs within their departments or divisions graduate with an “Honors in” designation specific to their department or division. More information on these programs can be found under the individual department and division listings in this catalog.

The following is a list of schools with honors programs and departments that offer honors within the major, with a general overview of the programs:

Engaged Learning

www.smu.edu/engagedlearning

SMU recognizes that undergraduate students enhance their academic experiences when actively engaged in research, service, internships and other creative, entrepreneurial activities related to their studies. The Engaged Learning initiative helps students develop a significant and sophisticated understanding of disciplinary knowledge by putting their learning into practice. As a result, students cultivate professional skills related to their chosen fields.

Engaged Learning has three significant programs:

Engaged Learning Fellowships:

Through the Engaged Learning Fellowship (ELF), undergraduate students connect their personal passion to academic learning and turn it into a project of their own. Students engage in capstone-level scholarly research, community service or civic engagement, professional internships or other creative projects. SMU funds ELFs up to $2000 per project and records ELF titles on student transcripts and in commencement booklets.

Students apply during the annual November 15–February 15 application cycle or during the senior cycle, August 15–September 15. Students, with input from their mentors, work on projects through the summer and fall, present their findings at the fall or spring Engaged Learning Symposium in their semester of graduation and submit project reports, suitable for publication, by April 1 for May graduates or November 15 for December graduates. The Office of Engaged Learning provides structure and guidance throughout.

For more information contact Engaged Learning directly at engagedlearning@smu.edu.

Big Ideas:

Big iDeas at SMU is entrepreneurship training and experience that shapes the intelligence and potential necessary of world changers. All undergraduates are invited to participate and ignite their passions of starting a business, building a foundation, designing a product or providing a service.

Opportunities for students with Big iDeas:

• In the fall, students pitch ideas to make something new or better, and receive $1000 to turn their ideas into prototypes. 
• In the spring students showcase their work at the Big iDeas Demo Day Fair. 
• During Demo Day students can also compete in the Big iDeas Business Plan Competition for $5000 in seed money to kick-start or accelerate their big idea business.

Throughout the year, Big iDeas contests winners receive outstanding support from the Big iDeas team. This includes professional development and access to an incubator operated for, and by, students. Big iDeas also connects participants with entrepreneurship mentors, on and off campus, and exposes them to the Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

More information about Big iDeas programs are available on the SMU website at www.smu.edu/bigideas or contact the Big iDeas team at bigideas@smu.edu.

CGIU:

SMU is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative University Network (CGI U), a consortium of colleges and universities that support, mentor, and provide seed funding to student leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. SMU is one of more than 60 colleges and universities worldwide who have joined the CGI U network.

Undergraduate and graduate students commit to take action on some of the world’s most pressing challenges related to education, environment, health, human rights and poverty alleviation. Through CGI U, SMU provides funding up to $1500 to student commitment-makers to get their projects started and attend the annual CGI U meeting held at a network university.

For more information contact Engaged Learning directly at engagedlearning@smu.edu.

Academic Advising for SMU Pre-Majors

Through the University Advising Center, every student entering SMU as a first-year or premajor transfer student collaborates with a professional academic adviser. Advisers help students acquire the skills to plan their majors and minors, schedule courses, and resolve academic problems that may arise. Computerized Degree Progress Reports provide students with detailed information concerning completion of degree requirements. The Advising Center, which is located on the fourth floor of the Blanton Student Services Building, has received national recognition for its innovative programs and outstanding staff.

Academic Advising for Majors

After completing 24 credit hours and meeting other program admission requirements, students may be eligible to declare their major and transfer their records to an adviser in the school that houses their major field of study. Those who elect study in the humanities, sciences or social sciences enter Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Others, depending on their qualifications and interests, may enter the Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, or Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The University requires students to qualify for and declare a major upon completion of 75 credit hours, including credit by examination and transfer work. Upon declaration of a major in one of the schools, students work with a major adviser in that school.

English as a Second Language Program

www.smu.edu/esl

Students whose first language is not English may encounter special challenges as they strive to function efficiently in the unfamiliar language and culture of an American university setting. Dedman College offers the following ESL resources to students from all schools and departments of SMU. Students may apply on the ESL website.

More information about the ESL Program is available on the website or from the director, John E. Wheeler (jwheeler@smu.edu).

The Courses (ESL)

ESL 1001 (0). ESL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The goal of this course is to improve ESL students’ oral and aural interactive skills in speaking, giving presentations, pronunciation, listening, and American idiomatic usage so that they may become more participatory in their classes and integrate more readily with their native English-speaking peers. It is designed to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students who may be fully competent in their field of study yet require specialized training to effectively communicate in an American class-room setting. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

ESL 1002 (0). ESL COMMUNICATION SKILLS II. Building on skills developed in ESL 1001, students make use of their knowledge and practice to explore various aspects of American studies. In addition to speaking and presentation skills, reading and writing are also exploited as a means for students to gain a deeper understanding of American culture, customs, attitudes, and idiomatic use of the language. The course is noncredit and no-fee, and is transcripted as pass or fail. ESL 1001 is recommended as a precursor but is not a prerequisite. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

ESL 20XX (0). INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM. All 2000-level ESL courses are exclusive to the Intensive English Program. This multilevel, yearlong program is designed to prepare students and professionals for academic success at the university level. The course of study consists of English for academic purposes, TOEFL-related skills, and American culture. It is open to currently enrolled and newly incoming students, as well as to those not affiliated with SMU. This is a noncredit, nontranscripted program, and separate tuition fees are charged. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

ESL 3001 (0). ADVANCED GRAMMAR FOR WRITERS. This course helps students develop their grammar and writing skills within the context of academic readings. Problem areas of English grammar and style are explored through periodic assignments, research documentation methods, and a final research project. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

ESL 3002 (0). ADVANCED ACADEMIC WRITING. Building on principles of grammar and style covered in ESL 3001, this course helps students further improve the writing skills needed for their particular academic careers, using academic texts as a basis for out-of-class writing assignments and a final research project. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

ESL 4001 (0). ESL PRONUNCIATION SKILLS. Students improve their pronunciation by focusing on sentence stress, rhythm, intonation, and body language while learning to mimic American speech patterns. With the instructor’s assistance and extensive individual feedback, students develop personal strategies and exercises to become more aware of their own weaknesses. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.

Conversation Buddy Program

At the beginning of each term, all students are notified via campus email of the opportunity to practice their language skills in an informal, one-on-one setting out-side the classroom for one to two hours a week.

ESL Self-Study Materials

A collection of materials is available for self-study use at the Fondren Library Information Commons. Students will find materials to help them improve their pronunciation, listening, vocabulary and grammar skills.

SMU Abroad

www.smu.edu/abroad

International experience is an integral part of an undergraduate education at SMU. The SMU Abroad Office serves the University by developing and coordinating international undergraduate programs, and by providing support services during and after the experience abroad. SMU Abroad programs are comprised of faculty-led interterm and summer programs as well as SMU-approved affiliated programs offered during the academic year. SMU Abroad programs offer opportunities for students to encounter diverse global communities and intellectual traditions through SMU’s international partnerships and global initiatives. SMU Abroad courses also enhance and enrich the University’s curriculum with experiential learning experiences around the world.

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at SMU to participate in SMU Abroad programs. SMU summer programs require a 2.500 cumulative GPA; many programs require 3.000 or higher. For SMU-approved term abroad programs, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.700 is required, although the most competitive programs require a GPA as high as 3.500 or 3.700.

Eligibility and Application Process

Students may study abroad as soon as the first January term of their undergraduate career. Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply for January, May, summer or term-time programs abroad. Study abroad in the final senior term is not recommended. Transfer students normally must complete one term at SMU in order to apply for study abroad, as the student’s SMU GPA will be considered in the application process.

Students must apply to study abroad by the deadlines published on the SMU Abroad website: October 1 for January and spring terms, March 1 for fall term and February 1 for May and summer terms.

Earning Credit

Students will remain enrolled at SMU during the period of study abroad, and credits earned abroad count as courses earned in residence. SMU Abroad students are eligible for all institutional and federal financial aid, provided the student remains enrolled in six credits in an SMU summer program and at least 12 credits during an SMU-approved term abroad program. Grades earned abroad will be posted to the SMU transcript and will be calculated in the student’s GPA.

Students may fulfill major or minor requirements, University Curriculum requirements, and electives and language requirements through academic course-work completed on SMU Abroad programs. Specific information about procedures and policies for earning credit is provided on the SMU Abroad website. Students are urged to seek guidance on how to integrate study abroad coursework into their four-year plan of study through their undergraduate advisers. All SMU Abroad programs offer courses eligible for SMU credit.

Policies for courses taken at a US institution where the instruction is in an international location and for courses taken at a non-US institution can be found under General Policies/Transfer Policies from Other Institutions in the Enrollment and Academic Records  section of the catalog.

Programs and Courses

A complete list of SMU Abroad programs is available on the website. SMU faculty-taught courses offered in January, May, and summer terms are posted at the beginning of the academic year on the SMU Abroad website. Approved courses offered on affiliated semester programs in past years are listed in the SMU Abroad course database. All new abroad courses must be petitioned for approval before the period of study abroad begins. SMU Abroad uses the course prefix FESA (Free Elective Study Abroad) to award SMU credit for courses taken at non-US institutions for which there is no SMU equivalent. Information on the course petitioning process is available on the SMU Abroad website. Students may request general education credit for courses taught by non-SMU faculty on SMU Abroad programs retroactively; more information can be found on the SMU Abroad website. Students who wish to take courses on a no-credit or pass/fail basis should review the Grade Options for Courses Taken on SMU Abroad Programs and the Pass/Fail Option sections found under Grade Policies in this catalog.

SMU Abroad students will be charged SMU tuition at the SMU tuition rate on campus, as well as miscellaneous fees. Students will be billed by SMU at the usual time. SMU in turn will pay the academic costs of the abroad program. Details on SMU Abroad costs and billing procedures are available on the SMU Abroad website.

Summer Programs

Most summer programs are led by SMU faculty, and the programs and courses offered vary from year to year. Some programs have been running continuously for decades, but new programs are proposed by the faculty each year. In summer 2018, over 400 SMU Abroad undergraduates participated in faculty-led and internship programs in around the world. Summer 2018 programs and courses abroad are listed at www.smu.edu/abroad.

SMU-Approved Programs

SMU partners with well-established study abroad program providers to offer a diverse array of study abroad opportunities around the world. Term program options include study at universities, study abroad programs on specific disciplinary subjects, language immersion programs and programs with field study and intern-ship components taught in English in non-English-speaking countries. More than 150 programs are pre-approved for SMU students, with courses available in all disciplines.

Students applying to study abroad on SMU-approved term programs apply to the study abroad program directly for admission according to the program’s own dead-lines. They also apply to SMU Abroad to study abroad. All courses are preapproved, and students are registered at SMU during their time abroad. The dual application ensures that students are properly registered at SMU and registered as a participant on the study abroad program, as well.

Students should consult the study abroad program web pages for specific information on individual study abroad programs and deadlines. Each applicant for an SMU-approved term program will be assigned an SMU study abroad adviser who will offer guidance throughout the program application process.

Non-SMU Affiliated Study Abroad

Courses taken at a U.S. institution where the instruction is in an international location and courses taken at a non-U.S. institution: Students must obtain approval for the transferability and applicability of coursework prior to completing courses where the instruction is at an international location, both where the course enrollments are through an accredited U.S. institution and where they are through an international institution recognized as offering the equivalency of U.S. college-level work. Completed requests must be submitted to the SMU Abroad office by March 1 for fall term abroad; April 1 for summer term abroad; and, October 1 for spring term abroad. Detailed instructions and approval forms can be found on the SMU Abroad website. The approval review will consider the collegiate quality of the program and/or institution. Approval for transferability will not be given after the coursework is started.

Courses taken in the home country of a student on a F-1 or J-1 visa: Students attending SMU on a F-1 or J-1 visa can take courses at an institution recognized in their home country as offering the equivalent of US university course work without approval of the Study Abroad office. For study at another institution during a Fall or Spring term they must obtain prior approval from the International Student & Scholar Services Office as this can affect their status. To ensure in advance that a course taken at this international institution will transfer and that proper credit will be awarded, the student taking the course should obtain prior approval from the chair of the department, the records office of the school at SMU that normally offers the course, the academic adviser, the student’s school of record, and the Office of General Education. Petitions for pre-approval of transfer work are available in the schools’ records offices. Students who fail to get prior approval for transfer work taken may petition later for transfer credit, but they have no assurance that credit will be awarded. In either case, permission may be denied for educational reasons.

International Student and Scholar Services

www.smu.edu/international/isss

The International Student and Scholar Services Office provides immigration services to students, scholars and professors from around the globe who are engaged in academic studies or cultural exchange projects at SMU. ISSS coordinates pre-arrival information, ensures compliance with current federal guidelines and provides cultural and educational programming opportunities to SMU’s international community. ISSS is located in the Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building in the International Center, which supports students and faculty who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, as well as their families.

SMU-in-Plano

www.smu.edu/plano

SMU’s campus in Plano’s Legacy Business Park extends SMU’s resources to meet the educational needs of residents in Collin County and beyond, and makes enrollment in graduate-level programs more convenient for working professionals in North Texas. The campus collaborates with area businesses by offering programs to serve the training needs of their employees and by providing corporate meeting space.

Conveniently located about 1 mile south of the intersection of state Highway 121 and the Dallas North Toll Road, SMU-in-Plano features 16 landscaped acres and four buildings with nearly 200,000 square feet of classroom space.

SMU-in-Plano serves more than 800 adult students each year through several full-time, evening and weekend programs leading to master’s degrees and/or professional certificates in counseling, dispute resolution and video game technology (SMU Guildhall). In addition, numerous noncredit certificates and professional development programs are offered in Plano, including paralegal studies, certified financial planner, social media and digital communications, best practices in super-vision, and project management.

During the summer, more than 2,000 children participate in a variety of pro-grams designed to enhance their academic skills. The campus also provides important outreach services to the surrounding Collin County communities; these services include the Mediation and Arbitration Center and the Center for Family Counseling.

More information is available online or through the SMU-in-Plano office: 5236 Tennyson Parkway, Building 4, Plano, TX 75024, 972-473-3400.

SMU-in-Taos

www.smu.edu/taos

General Information

The University maintains an academic campus at Fort Burgwin, located 10 miles southeast of Taos, New Mexico. Academic terms are regularly offered at the SMU-in-Taos campus in January and during the summer.

The campus is home to historic Fort Burgwin, originally established in 1852. The fort served many purposes, chief among them to protect area settlers, prior to its abandonment in 1860 just before the Civil War. Reconstructed, the fort now serves as office and classroom space for campus academic programs. Pot Creek Pueblo, one of the largest prehistoric sites in the northern Rio Grande Valley, is also located on the property. This site is one of the ancestral homes of modern-day Taos and Picuris pueblos, and was occupied from A.D. 1250 to 1320.

SMU-in-Taos offers academic courses in January, May, June, and August. Courses are offered in the humanities, natural and social sciences, business, engineering, performing and studio arts, and archaeological research. At just eight class days, January Term is the most intensive term. Students can enroll in up to four credit hours and ski or snowboard on the weekends for PRW II credit. May and August are 12 class day terms in which students may take up to five credit hours. A longer, more traditional summer term in June allows students to take up to eight hours of coursework. Course offerings vary each year, and are designed to emphasize the Southwest, experiential learning and sustainability. Courses are heavily field trip oriented to take advantage of the campus’ proximity to important northern New Mexico cultural sites.

Program participants are housed in small residences called casitas. Each casita has shared dorm rooms, bathrooms and a large study area with fireplace. Laundry facilities are located on campus, as well as a campus center, chapel, dining hall, library, computer lab and auditorium. Campus recreational facilities include a sand volleyball court, tennis and basketball courts, workout room and hiking trails.

Additional information on the campus and its programs is available online or by contacting the SMU-in-Taos Office, Southern Methodist University, PO Box 750145, Dallas TX 75275; phone 214-768-3657. Course descriptions and additional information can also be found online (smu.edu/taos) or obtained via email (smutaos@smu.edu).

Student Appeals and Complaints

Student Appeals and Complaint procedures can be found in the Right to Know  section of the catalog.

Intersessions on the Dallas Campus

smu.edu/intersessions

SMU offers motivated students opportunities to take additional courses in a smaller class setting during the winter and summer breaks. In JanTerm, students complete one course in just 8 class days; in MayTerm students complete one course in just 11 days. The June and July intersessions are each 22 class days in length, and students may take two courses (7 credit hours) in each session (overload available by application). A few courses run all summer long in a Combined 10-week session. Whether the goal is to get ahead of the curve, explore new interests, or simply stay on track for graduation, Intersessions let students customize their experience and make the most of their time at SMU. 

Intersessions courses are separate and in addition to the course load carried during the fall and spring semesters. Some 70 courses in a variety of subjects are offered during each May and January intersession, and more than 200 courses are offered over the June and July sessions. Many courses fulfill University Curriculum (UC), major, minor, or prerequisite requirements. Any SMU student in good standing is eligible to enroll in Intersessions through my.SMU. It may also be possible for non-SMU students to be admitted as visiting non-degree students.

Intersessions are offered at a reduced tuition rate, and no other fees are assessed except for course-specific costs such as lab/studio fees, or travel/accommodation for courses held outside Dallas. On-campus housing is also an additional charge. SMU students should consult with their financial aid adviser for assistance regarding applicable financial assistance. Most SMU merit-based and need-based financial aid is available in pro-rated amounts. Federal and state funds are not available for JanTerm, but may be available for Summer if a student maintains enrollment in 6 or more credit hours.

Students living in SMU Residential Commons who wish to remain on campus during an intersession program may stay in their current room during JanTerm. Students in residence and staying for MayTerm are eligible for on-campus housing by application, but those accepted will be moved to a single MayTerm commons. On-campus housing is available by application to any student attending June and July, space permitting. All housing arrangements and fees are administered by SMU Residence Life and Student Housing (RLSH).

For more information about SMU Intersessions, please visit our website, smu.edu/intersessions. Email us at intersessions@smu.edu or call 214.768-1009.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

ROTC courses are not offered on the SMU campus; however, students who wish to participate in the ROTC may earn SMU-approved elective credit through area programs off-campus. Additional information about the Air Force ROTC program is available in the Dedman College section of this catalog, and the Army ROTC program is found in the Lyle School of Engineering section.

Continuing and Professional Education

The Office of Continuing and Professional Education provides noncredit courses that address different cultural, scholarly, personal and professional topics for the community, a practice that has been part of the SMU tradition since 1957. CAPE offers a selection of courses for open enrollment each fall, spring and summer term. Additional information is available at www.smu.edu/cape.

Personal Enrichment. CAPE classes are generally short sessions on topics for enjoyment and reflection. Courses offered for personal enrichment include several major areas of exploration: personal finance and life planning, communication and workplace skills, history, literature and film, culture and travel, and the fine arts (e.g., studio art, music, architecture, photography and art history). CAPE also offers noncredit language conversation courses.

Test Preparation. Study courses for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and LSAT are offered throughout the year. Information is available at www.smu.edu/CAPE/ProfessionalDevelopment/TestPrep.

Professional Development. For those who are seeking professional achievement or a new career direction but who are not interested in a traditional undergraduate or graduate degree-granting program, CAPE offers noncredit courses to enhance workplace skills and noncredit certificate programs.

Students complete certificates by taking a series of classes over weeks or months, depending on the specialization and the student’s schedule. Cohort and independent options are available, with some classes being offered online. Upon completion of the series, students receive a noncredit transcript documenting completion from Continuing and Professional Education at SMU.

Additional information and a full listing of current opportunities are available at www.smu.edu/cape/professionaldevelopment.

SMU’s Summer Youth Program offers one-week, special-interest enrichment workshops throughout the summer for those entering grades K-12. More information is available at www.smu.edu/Cape.

Online Learning. CAPE partners with national leaders in online teaching and learning to offer self-paced, practical, career-enhancing courses. Additional information is available at www.smu.edu/capeonline.

CAPE is also responsible for the administration and delivery of the Masters of Science in Data Science. (See the MSDS catalog listing in the graduate catalog for more information.)