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DEDMAN COLLEGE

Degree Requirements

Dedman College offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. For the degree available in a specific area of study, consult the individual programs of study described in the following section of the 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 in the major must be passed with a grade of C­ or better. In addition, Dedman College requires a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. 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 in 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 2.00 for all courses attempted for completion of a major or minor. 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 Office of the Dean 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 24 for December 2005 graduation, by January 23 for May 2006 graduation, or by June 6 for August 2006 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 G.P.A. of 2.00 on all work attempted at SMU.
  • A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 on all work attempted at SMU and 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 G.P.A. of 2.00 for all work attempted for completion of major or minor requirements.
  • No more than 12 hours with a grade of P.

Residency

As minimum requirements, a candidate for a degree in Dedman College must take the following hours in residence at SMU:

  • 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 Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts, or the 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, that for all work attempted, and that 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 consult dedman.smu.edu.