Dedman College - Description of the University
To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.
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Southern Methodist University’s mission is to be a leading private institution of higher learning that expands knowledge through research and teaching. Among its faculty, students, and staff, the University develops skills and cultivates principled thought and wisdom. The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage.
To fulfill its mission the University strives for quality, innovation and continuous improvement as it pursues the following goals:
- To enhance the academic quality and competitiveness of the University.
- To improve teaching and learning.
- To strengthen scholarly research and creative achievement.
- To support and sustain student development and quality of life.
- To broaden global perspectives.
To advance the University through select, strategic alliances.
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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, professional 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 seven degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Meadows School of the Arts, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, Dedman School of Law and Perkins School of Theology.
Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and is committed to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry.
The University has 104 buildings, a total enrollment that has averaged more than 10,000 the past 10 years, a full-time faculty of 656, and assets of $260,460,000 – including an endowment of $1,363,846,000 (Market Value, June 30, 2008).
Of the 10,965 students enrolled for the 2008 fall term, 6,240 were undergraduates and 4,725 were graduate and professional students. The full-time equivalent enrollment was 6,073 for undergraduates and 3,121 for graduate and professional students.
Nearly all the students in SMU’s first class came from Dallas County, but now 47 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 92 foreign countries, and from all races, religions and economic levels.
Undergraduate enrollment is 54 percent female. Graduate and professional enrollment is 44 percent female.
A majority of SMU undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2008–2009, 77.1 percent of first-year students received some form of financial aid, and 25.0 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.
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Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 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.
NOTE: The Commission on Colleges asks that it be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.
Individual academic programs are accredited by the appropriate national professional associations.
The Cox School of Business is accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (777 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Suite 750, Tampa, Florida 33602-5730; telephone number 813-769-6500; fax 813-769-6559).
The Dedman School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association. In Dedman College, the Department of Chemistry is accredited annually by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society, and the Psychology Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15275-1103; telephone number 412-788-6506) to award M.Div., C.M.M., M.S.M., M.T.S. and D.Min. degrees.
In the Meadows School of the Arts, the Dance Division is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, the Music Division is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association. The Art and Guildhall programs in digital Game Development and the Master of Interactive Technology are accredited through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the Theatre Division is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theater. The program in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs is accredited by the American Communication Association.
Accredited programs in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development include the Teacher Education undergraduate and graduate certificate programs, which are accredited by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The undergraduate program is approved annually by TEA. The Learning Therapist Certificate program, which is accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council, was last accredited in 2006.
The Lyle School of Engineering undergraduate programs in civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone: (410) 347-7700. The undergraduate computer science program that awards the degree Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate computer science program that awards the degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is not accredited by a Commission of ABET. ABET does not provide accreditation for the discipline of management science.
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