MEADOWS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Graduation

Students who are candidates for a degree in Meadows School of the Arts must submit a formal application for graduation to the Undergraduate Academic Services Office by the third week in September for December graduation, by the last week in January for May graduation, and by the third week in June for August graduation. In addition to the requirements for general education and the major, candidates for graduation must also fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Credits:
    1. A minimum total of 122 term credit hours (125 for art majors and 124-137 for music majors).
    2. Each student with a major in Meadows School of the Arts will complete, as a co-curricular requirement, three term credit hours of course work within Meadows but outside the division in which he or she is a major.
  2. Grades:
    1. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 on all attempted SMU work and a minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in the major area of study.
    2. A maximum of 12 term credit hours with a grade of P.
  3. Residency:
    1. A minimum total of 60 term credit hours in residency.
    2. A maximum of 15 term credit hours of transfer work after matriculation.

A degree from Meadows School of the Arts is awarded by the faculty only in recognition of developed abilities, demonstrated knowledge of the student's particular field of study, and the capacity to express an understanding of the art medium; merely passing all courses is not necessarily sufficient.

Requirements for the Major

Candidates for undergraduate degrees must complete the requirements for an academic major in one of the divisions in Meadows. Students usually declare a major at the end of the first year. Students may major in more than one program within Meadows, or combine a major in Meadows with one in a different school. All course work counting toward a major must be taken for a letter grade, except for those courses which are routinely designated Pass/Fail. To change majors or to declare a second major, students must process appropriate forms in the Undergraduate Academic Services Office.

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements of the University must be met by all undergraduate students, regardless of degree program or major. All courses used to meet general education requirements must be taken for a letter grade. Questions concerning general education requirements may be directed to advisers or the Undergraduate Academic Services Office.

Double Majors

A student who wishes to double major (majors in two departmental areas or in two schools) must satisfy the requirements of each department or school.

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.

Commencement Activities Prior to Completion
of Degree Requirements

Participation in May graduation activities is allowed to students who are within six hours of completing graduation requirements and are enrolled to complete the required work during the summer following graduation activities. Students who meet the above requirements may petition to participate in Commencement activities.

Interdisciplinary Course Offerings (MSA)

1101. Introduction to Performing and Visual Arts. A survey of arts opportunities on campus and in the Dallas area, this course consists of approximately five lectures and 10 performances or museum visits.

2301. Mass Media and Society. A survey of all print and broadcast media ­ their backgrounds as well as their current status as industries. Ethics, law, effects of mass media, international communication, advertising, and public relations also are treated. Required for majors.

1315. Mass Media and Technology. An overview of technology as it applies to mass media in America, emphasizing the access of information via the Internet. Topics include the expanding nature of technology, legal aspects, and the effects of technology on society.

2308. Strategic Writing I. The fundamentals of structuring and presenting information in written form, especially for mass audiences and using all media. Emphasis on language usage and syntax. Required for majors. Prerequisites: MSA 2301 and CCPA 2327.

5005, 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104. Workshop: Microcomputers in the Arts.

5105, 5205, 5305. Directed Study.

5301. Microcomputer Applications in the Arts. An in-depth survey of available courseware and utilities programs in the arts, including sound and graphics application. Introduction to structured BASIC programming for arts application.

5302. Developing Computer-Based Instructional Materials for the Arts. A course designed to provide students with skill in hierarchical, structure program design in BASIC computer language, including sound and graphics routines. Explores pedagogical approaches, using the computer, appropriate to the student's arts discipline.

Minor in Arts Administration

Adviser: Gregory Poggi
Coordinator: Lynette Hilliard

The minor in Arts Administration provides an overview of how the nonprofit professional arts are managed in the United States with an emphasis on understanding the practical issues facing today's arts manager.

Requirement: 18 hours, distributed as follows:

ACCT 2311 Fundamentals of Accounting (Prerequisites: Calculus, ECO 1311, 1312)

STAT 2301 Statistics of Modern Business Decisions (Prerequisites: CEE Math Fundamentals or equivalent)

CCPA 2308 Strategic Writing I

CCPA 3352 Strategic Writing II (Prerequisite: CCPA 2308)

ARAD 4301 Management of the Arts

ARAD 4302 Fiscal Strategies for Successful Arts Organizations

The Courses (ARAD)

4301. Management of the Arts in the United States. A study of nonprofit arts institutions such as orchestras, museums, theaters, etc., and their management practices with a focus on structure, governance, their funding patterns, and their role in the community. Practicum required.

4302. Fiscal Strategies for Successful Arts Organizations. The theory and best practices of marketing, development, and outreach strategies to build audiences and secure income for nonprofit arts institutions. Practicum required.