To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.
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.
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 12,000 the past 3 years, a full-time faculty of 750 and assets of $4.2 billion - including an endowment of $2.0 billion (market value, May 31, 2023).
Offering only a handful of degree programs at its 1915 opening, the University presently awards over 100 baccalaureate degrees in more than 90 programs, within five schools. The university also offers a variety of graduate programs in all of its eight schools.
Of the 11,842 students enrolled for the 2023 fall term, 7,115 were undergraduates and 4,727 were graduate students. The full-time equivalent enrollment was 8,789 for undergraduates and 4,625 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 80 foreign countries; and from all races, religions and economic levels.
Undergraduate enrollment is 51 percent female. Graduate and professional enrollment is 48 percent female.
A majority of SMU undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2023-2024, 72 percent of first-year students received some form of financial aid, and 30 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.
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)
2031 (10) |
Cox School of Business
(5-year cycle) |
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
2021-2022 |
2026-2027 |
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences |
Chemistry (Undergraduate Only)
(5-year cycle) |
The American Chemical Society |
2021 |
2026 |
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) |
2021
2022 |
2031-2032
2023 |
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) |
2023 |
2022-2023 |
Teacher Education (Graduate)
(1-year cycle) |
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) |
2023 |
2022-2023 |
Learning Therapy (Graduate) |
International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) |
2020 |
2027 |
School & District Leadership (Graduate) |
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) |
2023 |
2022-2023 |
M.S. Counseling
(8-year cycle) |
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) |
2018 |
2026 |
School Counseling (Graduate) (1-year cycle) |
State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Education Agency) (TEA) |
2023 |
2022-2023 |
|