Work-Life Policies

SMU faculty members excel at teaching, carry out ambitious research agendas, and perform important service as members of the University community. Faculty balance these rewarding yet demanding roles with important personal commitments and family roles, to children, spouses and domestic partners, and parents. SMU seeks to support its faculty in balancing and excelling at these roles. This page highlights some key features of SMU's support for work-life balance.
  • Faculty Leave Policies


    • Under various policies, faculty members may be eligible for paid research fellowship leaves, unpaid leaves for scholarship, unpaid leaves for extenuating personal circumstances, and paid maternity leave. These policies can be found in Chapter 6 of the University Policy Manual.

  • Insurance Benefits

    SMU offers a wide and competitive array of benefits relating to health and wellness programs, insurance, and financial security.

  • Domestic Partner Benefits

    SMU extends all benefits to a same-sex domestic partner of an SMU employee that are available to the spouse of an SMU employee. (However, the IRS does not allow a tax exemption for employer benefits available to domestic partners).

  • Tuition Benefits

    Click Here to learn more about Tuition Benefits.

  • SMU Preschool and Childcare Center

    The SMU Preschool and Childcare Center is licensed by the State of Texas and certified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Center's mission is to meet the developmental needs of infants and young children (through age 5) of the University community.

  • Housing

    The various schools of SMU assist new faculty members with finding appropriate housing. In addition, SMU's Real Estate Department of Management and Leasing has residential properties including over 60 single family homes and duplexes. Reserved for faculty and staff of SMU, the residential properties enjoy the convenience of being within walking distance to campus, shopping, and entertainment.

  • Employee Assistance Program

    Employee Assistance Program provides confidential counseling and referral services for all benefit eligible faculty and staff members and their dependents.