Right to Know and Other Legal Disclosures

Institutions of higher education that receive federal student financial assistance are required to make certain information available to current and prospective students, families of current and prospective students, current and prospective employees, and the general public.  Included are key items disclosed in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), such as campus safety, cost of attendance, financial aid, graduation rates, and more.  We have created this online resource to make the relevant information readily available.

Note: Please check this website periodically as information will be updated regularly.

Accreditation

Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges to award Bachelor's, Master's, professional, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southern Methodist University.

Please note: the Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.

Other Accreditations

Southern Methodist University is accredited by other national associations for its individual academic programs. The full list of discipline specific accreditations is available on the Office of Assessment and Accreditation webpage.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) helps protect the privacy of student education records. Learn more about FERPA and students' rights under this Act.

Gainful Employment

The term Gainful Employment refers to a small subset of the many programs offered by SMU such as programs that prepare teachers to take their certification exams and other certificate programs. This webpage has been created to provide prospective students with information about Southern Methodist University's programs that qualify under federal guidelines as Gainful Employment Programs.

Privacy Statement

Southern Methodist University respects your privacy and the privacy and security of the information you provide the University. Learn about the University's approach to your privacy.

Right to Know

This webpage has been created to provide access to information that current and prospective students of the University, along with their families, may need to be informed consumers. Please check this website periodically as information will be updated regularly.

State Authorization

When students are enrolled in the university, they may or may not be in classes within the state of Texas. Whether studying online, via other distance courses, at internships, at our campus in Taos, SMU works with all states to be in compliance with all requirements for notification, authorization or exemption from fees or other licensing. A full list of SMU's status in all states can be found here.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

Please visit the Office of Institutional Access and Equity webpage for more information on Southern Methodist University's nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action policies and procedures including Title IX.

Student Complaints

Southern Methodist University operates with integrity in all issues and is dedicated to preserving the rights of all members of the University community.  Categories for which students may wish to reach out for advice and assistance and/or to submit an appeal or register a complaint are as follows: academics, code of conduct, discrimination, financial issues, honor code and privacy issues.  An overview of the roles, responsibilities and procedures for complainants and the University is outlined in each of the areas below.

Additionally, every student has the right under federal law to use complaint processes provided by the state in which his or her campus is located.

  • Complaints regarding programs in Texas, contact the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Office of General Counsel, PO Box 12788, Austin, TX 78711-2788; email: studentcomplaints@thecb.state.tx.us.  More information about the Texas student complaints process may be found at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ (“College Readiness and Success” link).
  • Complaints regarding programs in New Mexico, contact the New Mexico Higher Education Department, 2048 Galisteo Street, Santa Fe, NM 85705-2300; telephone 505-476-8400.  More information about the New Mexico student complaints process may be found at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/students/complaints.aspx.

Terms of Use for Websites

Learn about the terms of use that pertain to the access and use of the services offered and all information, content, media, printed materials and "online" or electronic documentation accessible from any website or social media account operated by or for Southern Methodist University.

The official addresses for SMU are:

Southern Methodist University
6425 Boaz Lane
Dallas TX 75205

Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750100
Dallas TX 75275-0100