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About SMU

Southern Methodist University offers degrees through seven schools, interaction with faculty in small classes, hands-on research, and leadership opportunities. With visiting national and international leaders, and more than 500 cultural events, SMU is a rich resource for the community.

SMU was founded in 1911 by what is now The United Methodist Church and held its first classes in 1915. SMU is a private, nonsectarian comprehensive university. Its seven degree-granting schools include Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Meadows School of the Arts, Cox School of Business, School of Engineering, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and School of Education and Human Development. The University also offers courses through its continuing education programs.

Student enrollment is nearly 11,000 with 6,309 undergraduate students and 4,665 graduate and professional students. The University has 800 international students from nearly 90 countries. SMU has nearly 600 full-time faculty members.

The campus is located five miles north of downtown Dallas. SMU-in-Legacy, located north of Dallas in Plano offers noncredit and credit courses for adults and young people. SMU-in-Taos, a 295-acre campus in Northern New Mexico, offers summer courses and includes excavation of a 13th-century Indian pueblo.