Degrees from Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas.
Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, Texas with a wealth of programs at the bachelor’s through the doctoral level. There are several schools and colleges within Southern Methodist University. They offer degrees on topics as varied as:
- engineering
- law
- the humanities
- theology
Divisions include:
- the Cox School of Business
- the Dedman School of Law
- the Meadows School of the Arts
- the Simmons School of Education & Human Development.
- the Perkins School of Theology
- the Lyle School of Engineering
- the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
The student/faculty ratio is a low 11:1, and the university enjoys a high freshman retention rate of 91 percent. More than 58 percent of its classes are offered with fewer than 20 students in attendance.
Some of the most popular majors at the university are those in:
- business
- management
- marketing
- social sciences
- engineering
Other popular subjects for study include:
- communication
- journalism
- visual and performing arts
Some of the most interesting degrees offered at Southern Methodist University include those in:
- creative computing
- biophysical sciences
- arts entrepreneurship
- digital game development
For students who enroll in programs from the university’s popular School of Business, standard options are available, like:
- accounting
- finance
- business administration
The university also offers interesting degrees in unusual areas like:
- business energy management
- real estate finance
- risk management
- financial consulting
The arts are another popular and diverse area for students with programs in:
- dance performance
- film & media arts
- music
- journalism
Students may also major in:
- music composition
- songwriting
- the history of visual and performing arts
Students can also pursue educational degrees like those in music therapy or music education.
Students may be able to qualify for concurrent enrollment at Southern Methodist University. This means they will take college classes at SMU before they graduate from high school. Concurrent enrollment classes allow advanced students to earn college credits at the same time as they earn high school credits. There are some prerequisites for enrolling in college classes that applicants must meet before gaining eligibility for the program.
About Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911 by a group of prominent Dallas citizens. Although the university has ties to the Methodist Church, it’s nonsectarian and welcomes students of all religious backgrounds. The school is both a private institution and a research university. Nearly 12,000 students attend the university, which is located in University Park, Texas.
The students who are part of the university’s sports teams play as the Mustangs. The official colors are red and blue. There are 17 varsity sports teams that play at the university, as part of NCAA Division I. The university has an endowment of more than $1.6 billion and operates additional campuses beyond Dallas in the city of Plano, as well as near Fort Burgwin, which is just outside Taos, New Mexico.
Southern Methodist University Accreditation Details
Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This allows the institution to award college degrees. Southern Methodist University offers:
- bachelor’s degrees
- master’s degrees
- doctoral degrees
- professional degrees
There are some individual academic programs that have been further accredited at the university.
Some of the associations that have approved programs at Southern Methodist University include:
- the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, which has accredited the programs offered by the Edwin L. Cox School of Business
- the American Bar Association, which has approved the School of Law
- The Perkins School of Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools.
Southern Methodist University Application Requirements
Southern Methodist University suggests that it weighs several factors during the admission process. These include the student’s GPA, SAT scores. It also looks at whether the student has completed the minimum high school course requirements in:
- a foreign language
- science
- math
- English
Students who want to apply to one of the theater, music, or dance programs must audition as part of the admissions process. A portfolio is required for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in film & media arts or studio art.
At the start of the application process, students may submit self-reported test scores. However, they must submit official test scores before enrolling for classes. The university also offers four different application options that include:
- the MyCoalition Application
- the Common Application
- the application at ApplyTexas
- the official online application from Southern Methodist University
The application fee is $60 and is non-refundable.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The estimated cost for tuition at Southern Methodist University for undergraduate students is $58,540.00. This includes $51,598.00 in tuition and $6,582.00 in general student fees. Students who live on campus in a dorm room will pay a further $17,110.00 per year for a double occupancy room and a dining plan. Add another $3,476.00 per year for:
- Books and supplies
- transportation
- miscellaneous costs
The undergraduate tuition rate assumes that students will take 12 to 18 credits each term. For graduate students, tuition is based on the school that offers the student’s chosen program. For example, the Master of Business Administration program has a flat rate of $23,487.50 per year. The accelerated MBA program has a flat rate of $20,335.00 per trimester.
Each year, Southern Methodist University offers several million dollars worth of scholarships and grants to students. In all, the university has more than $135 million at its disposal to offer students. This includes:
- academic-based scholarships of more than $78 million
- athletic scholarships of more than $17 million
- need-based awards of more than $27 million
Around 74 percent of first-year students at Southern Methodist University receive some type of scholarship. More than 20 percent of students receive a need-based loan. Student employment opportunities are offered to 13 percent of first-year students. Those awards vary from $117 to $6,000 per year. Students can contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Southern Methodist University with financial aid questions.