Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

About SMU



The Vision of Southern Methodist University

To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.

The Mission of Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University will create, expand and impart knowledge through teaching, research and service, shaping world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society. Among its faculty, students and staff, the University will cultivate principled thought, develop intellectual skills and promote an environment emphasizing individual dignity and worth. SMU affirms its historical commitment to academic freedom and open inquiry, to moral and ethical values, and to its United Methodist heritage.

Southern Methodist University

As a private, comprehensive university enriched by its United Methodist heritage and its partnership with the Dallas Metroplex, Southern Methodist University seeks to enhance the intellectual, cultural, technical, ethical and social development of a diverse student body. SMU offers undergraduate programs centered on the liberal arts; excellent graduate and continuing education programs; and abundant opportunities for access to faculty in small classes, research experience, international study, leadership development, and off-campus service and internships, with the goal of preparing students to be contributing citizens and leaders for our state, the nation and the world.

SMU comprises eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Dedman School of Law, Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, Perkins School of Theology, and Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, SMU is non-sectarian in its teaching and is committed to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry.

At its opening session in 1915, the University had two buildings, 706 students, a 35-member faculty and total assets of $633,540.

Today, the University has more than 100 buildings, a total enrollment averaging more than 11,000 the past 10 years, a full-time faculty of 767 and assets of $3.5 billion - including an endowment of $1.6 billion (market value, May 31, 2020).

Offering only a handful of degree programs at its 1915 opening, the University presently awards over 100 baccalaureate degrees in more than 90 programs, with in five schools. The university also offers a variety of graduate programs in all of its eight schools.

Of the 12,373 students enrolled for the 2020 fall term, 6,827 were undergraduates and 5,546 were graduate students. The full-time equivalent enrollment was 6,748 for undergraduates and 4,049 for graduate students.

Nearly all the students in SMU’s first class came from Dallas County, but now more than 50 percent of the University’s undergraduate student body comes from outside Texas. In a typical school year, students come to SMU from every state; from more than 100 foreign countries; and from all races, religions and economic levels.

Undergraduate enrollment is 49 percent female. Graduate and professional enrollment is 48 percent female.

A majority of SMU undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2020-2021, 76 percent of first-year students received some form of financial aid, and 25 percent of first-year students received need-based financial aid.

Management of the University is vested in a board of trustees of civic, business and religious leaders - Methodist and non-Methodist. The founders’ first charge to SMU was that it become not necessarily a great Methodist university, but a great university.

Academic Accreditation

Southern Methodist University: Regional and National Accreditations and Cycles

UNIT State/Regional/National Accrediting Agency Last Review Next Review
Southern Methodist University
(10-year cycle)
(5-year report)
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; 404-679-4501) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. 2011 2016 (5)
2021 (10)
Cox School of Business
(5-year cycle)
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) 2016-2017 2021-2022
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
Chemistry (Undergraduate Only)
(5-year cycle)
The American Chemical Society 2014 2021
Psychology (Clinical, Doctoral Only)
(5-year cycle unless mandated by APA)
American Psychological Association 2020 2025
Dedman School of Law
(7-year cycle)
The American Bar Association 2019 2026-2027
Lyle School of Engineering
(6-year cycle)
Civil Engineering Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Computer Engineering Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Computer Science Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Electrical Engineering Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Environmental Engineering Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Mechanical Engineering Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org 2020 2026
Meadows School of the Arts
Art, Art History, The Guildhall
(10-year cycle)
National Association of Schools of Art and Design 2013-2014 2024-2025
Dance
(10-year cycle)
National Association of Schools of Dance 2014-2015 2025
Music
(10-year cycle)
Music Therapy
(Reviewed with Music, submitted to AMTA following year)
National Association of Schools of Music

American Music Therapy Association (certification)
2011

2011
2021

2022
Theater
(10-year cycle)
National Association of Schools of Theater 2015 2025
Perkins School of Theology
(10-year cycle)
The Association of Theological Schools 2020 2030
Simmons School of Education
Teacher Education (Undergraduate)
(1-year cycle)
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) 2019 2020
Teacher Education (Graduate)
(1-year cycle)
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) 2019 2020
M.Ed. Accelerated School Leadership
(1-year cycle)
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) 2019 2020
M.Ed. Urban Leadership
(1-year cycle)
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) 2019 2020
M.S. Counseling
(8-year cycle)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 2018 2026