Dedman College - Degree Requirements
General Information
Dedman College offers four undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the
Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Social Sciences and the Bachelor of Humanities.
For the degree available in a specific area of study, consult the individual
programs of study outlined in the following sections of this catalog.
The Major
A candidate for a degree must complete the requirements for a major in one of
the departments or interdisciplinary programs of the college. The major requirements
of each department and program are stated at the beginning of the section
describing the courses offered in that department or area. The applicable requirements
of the major are those in effect during the academic year in which the major
is declared, or those of a subsequent academic year. Course work counting toward
a major must include at least 18 advanced hours in residence and may not be taken
pass/fail. All advanced courses required for the major must be passed with a grade
of C- or better. In addition, Dedman College requires a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0
for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. All courses attempted
that could count towards the major/minor are included in determining the major/
minor G.P.A. Majors must be officially declared (or changed) through the Office
of the Dean.
The Minor
A candidate for a degree may also complete the requirements of a minor, either
in Dedman College or in one of the other undergraduate schools of the University.
Advisers in the minor programs assist students in selecting a minimum of 15 hours,
including at least nine at the advanced level, suitable for meeting requirements for
a minor. Course work counting toward a minor may not be taken pass/fail. All
advanced courses required for the minor must be passed with a grade of C- or
better. At least half of the advanced hours required by Dedman minors must be
completed in residence. In addition, Dedman College requires a cumulative G.P.A.
of 2.0 for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. All courses
attempted that could count towards the major/minor are included in determining
the major/minor G.P.A. Minors must be officially declared (or changed) through
the Office of the Dean.
General Requirements
Student Responsibility for Completion of Degree Plan
Students are required to schedule a degree plan conference (New Majors Meeting)
in the Dedman College Advising Center at the time of their acceptance into
a major in the college. Detailed information concerning academic regulations and
degree requirements will be provided at that time. Students are individually
responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations and requirements that
may apply to their respective programs.
Application for a Degree
Students must submit to the Office of the Dean a formal application for graduation
by September 1 for December 2009 graduation, by January 25 for May 2010
graduation, or by June 4 for August 2010 graduation.
Requirements for Obtaining Two Degrees Simultaneously
A student who selects two majors in Dedman College that lead to different
degrees (B.A. and B.S.) may receive both degrees simultaneously by completing
all requirements in each major, along with general requirements for a degree in
Dedman College. However, a student may not be awarded more than one baccalaureate
degree from the same department.
A student may pursue a program of study leading to a degree from Dedman
College along with a degree from Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the
Arts or the Lyle School of Engineering. The student must obtain approval for the
proposed program of study from the deans of the schools involved.
Graduation Honors
There are three classes of graduation honors: summa cum laude, magna cum
laude and cum laude. Eligibility for graduation honors will be based upon a student’s
total academic program. All academic work attempted at other colleges or universities
that is equivalent to SMU work will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A.
For students who have transferred to SMU, two grade-point averages will be calculated:
for all work attempted, and for work completed at SMU. Honors will be
based on the lower of the two averages.Graduation Honors
There are three classes of graduation honors: summa cum laude, magna cum
laude and cum laude. Eligibility for graduation honors will be based upon a student’s
total academic program. All academic work attempted at other colleges or universities
that is equivalent to SMU work will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A.
For students who have transferred to SMU, two grade-point averages will be calculated:
for all work attempted, and for work completed at SMU. Honors will be
based on the lower of the two averages.
Departmental Distinction
By successfully completing a special program of study in the major department,
a student may be awarded departmental distinction regardless of eligibility for graduation
honors. The program of study normally will be undertaken in both the junior
and senior years. This award is conferred by the major department on the basis of
certain criteria prescribed by the department, but all programs include the minimum
requirements of independent reading and research beyond the regular departmental
requirements for a degree and the completion of a senior paper or research report.
Further information may be obtained from the individual departments.
For more information about Dedman College programs and faculty, please visit
www.dedman.smu.edu.
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