Dedman College
(2010 Undergraduate Catalog)
Degree Requirements
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.
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. Coursework counting toward a major must include at least 18 advanced hours in approved SMU credit courses and may not be transferred or 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 GPA of 2.0 for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. All courses attempted that could count toward the major/minor are included in determining the major/minor GPA. Majors must be officially declared (or changed) through the Office of the Dean.
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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. Coursework 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 approved SMU credit courses and may not be transferred or taken pass/fail. In addition, Dedman College requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. All courses attempted that could count toward the major/minor are included in determining the major/minor GPA. Minors must be officially declared (or changed) through the Office of the Dean.
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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 August 27 for December 2010 graduation, by January 24 for May 2011 graduation or by June 3 for August 2011 graduation.
Credits
A candidate for a degree in Dedman College must have:
- A minimum total of 122 term hours of credit, including the requirements for general education and the requirements for a major.
- A minimum total of 42 advanced hours (3000 level or above).
- A maximum total of 2 hours of Wellness.
- A maximum total of 3 hours of internship credit.
Grades
A candidate for a degree in Dedman College must attain:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all work attempted through enrollment at SMU.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on all equivalent work attempted elsewhere, if any.
- A minimum grade of C- on any advanced course offered in fulfillment of major or minor requirements.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all work attempted for completion of major or minor requirements.
- No more than 12 hours with a grade of P (Pass).
Credit Requirement
As minimum requirements, a candidate for a degree in Dedman College must take the following hours as SMU credit (That is, they must be earned in SMU courses or SMU-approved international programs.):
- A total of 60 hours.
- A total of 18 hours of advanced work in the major.
- A total that is equivalent to at least 50 percent of the advanced work required in any minor program selected. Departmental requirements may exceed this minimum.
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 the Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts or 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 GPA. For students who have transferred to SMU, two grade-point averages will be calculated: for all work attempted and for work completed through enrollment 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, visit
www.smu.edu/dedman.aspx.
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