Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Founded in 1911 and named in 1981 for Robert H. Dedman, Sr. ’53 and his wife, Nancy McMillan Dedman ’50, Dedman College serves as the gateway for all entering first-year students at SMU, many of whom go on to major or minor in one of the more than 85 programs in Dedman College. As the cornerstone of the University, Dedman College serves to shape leaders who will effect positive change in Dallas and the world as the direct result of a solid liberal arts foundation. Dedman College is poised to make its contribution in moving SMU’s research program into the ranks of top-tier universities, while also upholding excellence in its undergraduate and graduate teaching.

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Centennial Decade Priorities

Student Quality

Increase scholarships to recruit and retain the most promising scholars

  • Increase the number of endowed undergraduate scholarships through the Dedman College Scholars Program
  • Increase the number of undergraduate and graduate scholarship endowments in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities

Faculty and Academic Excellence

Attract outstanding teachers and researchers and enhance academic programs, facilities and resources

  • Endow new faculty positions in several areas, most notably psychology, economics, sociology, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, anthropology, political science and English
  • Endow the Faculty Excellence Fund to provide resources for research, travel and equipment
  • Expand the University Honors Program through enhanced curriculum, internships, study abroad opportunities and extracurricular activities
  • Endow graduate programs that have high research potential
  • Enhance the teaching of science and computation
  • Establish an institute for sustainable resources and environmental studies
  • Upgrade facilities and technology

Campus Experience

Improve and expand student services and programs

  • Provide students with greater opportunities for community interaction through internships and philanthropic service
  • Create additional leadership development opportunities within the Dallas community
  • Expand funding for innovative departmental programming for undergraduate and graduate students, including lecture and speaker series as well as study abroad programs

Dedman College at a Glance

Through the General Education Curriculum, Dedman College serves as the University’s center for the integration of studies in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, undergraduate and graduate, with an underlying goal of fostering the leadership and critical thinking skills that are required for success in today’s ever-changing and complex global society.

With a faculty of more than 250, Dedman College offers:
  • More than 85 majors and minors across 16 academic departments
  • Numerous interdisciplinary and pre-professional programs
  • 18 graduate programs leading to a Master’s degree
  • 12 programs leading to a Ph.D. degree
  • 2 part-time multidisciplinary evening programs for Bachelor’s degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences
Dedman College’s 16 departments are:
  • Anthropology
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • The Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences
  • Economics
  • English
  • Foreign Languages and Literature
  • The William P. Clements Department of History
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Sociology
  • Statistical Science
Other programs and initiatives at Dedman College include the University Honors Program, Hilltop Scholars, SMU’s Academic Community Engagement (ACE) Program and the SMU Human Rights Education Program. The College also is the home of numerous centers and institutes, as well as endowed lecture series and community outreach, including:
  • Center for Statistical Consulting and Research
  • Institute for the Study of Earth and Man
  • John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies
  • William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies
  • Collegium da Vinci
  • Godbey Lecture Series
  • Tower Center Forum

Students also can complete joint degree programs or select minors from other schools on campus, including Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts and Lyle School of Engineering.

Join Us

Be a part of defining the next 100 years of unbridled achievement at SMU. To get involved in The Second Century Campaign, call 214-768-2608 or e-mail dedmangiving@smu.edu.