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Full, without restriction.
Provisional, when some essential document is lacking or the record suggests the advisability of a trial period. Provisional status is reviewed when the deficiency has been corrected or after the student has completed a minimum of 12 term hours of course work. If, on review, the record is found satisfactory, the status is altered by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies to full admission with credit from the time of first enrollment.
Nondegree, when the student needs background courses or desires transferable graduate credit for certification or some other purpose but is not undertaking a degree program. Nondegree admission is selective. Not more than six term hours of graduate credit earned under non-degree status may be applied toward an advanced degree in Dedman College.
No student is allowed to enroll unless notified of admission by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
Applicants holding the Bachelor’s degree from an institution of standard collegiate rank, recognized by the accrediting agencies in whose jurisdiction the college is located, may apply for admission to graduate studies. Graduates of colleges not fully recognized will be treated as special cases and required to produce evidence attesting to the quality of their programs.
Any student whose Bachelor’s degree is not equivalent to the comparable baccalaureate degree from Southern Methodist University may be required to take sufficient additional work to make up the deficiency. All applicants must have adequate subject preparation in the chosen major field, normally an overall grade-point average (G.P.A.) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Applicants from countries where the predominant language is not English are required to supply scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Educational Testing Service. The minimum score for admission is 550 (paper test) or 210 CBT. TSE (Test of Spoken English) or equivalent is required for teaching assistants. IELTS scores also are accepted.
Applicants who have completed studies at and received diplomas or professional titles from institutions outside the United States should ordinarily have completed 16 years of study: 12 years at the elementary and secondary school level and four years at the university level. Eligibility is judged by grades (marks), class obtained, or rank achieved in class. Evidence of class placement therefore should be specifically set forth in the official records submitted.
Applicants holding Bachelor’s degrees from foreign universities should not assume that these degrees will be automatically accepted in U.S. universities. Applicants who have achieved First or high Second class from universities that confer classes based on grades (marks) will be preferred. Applicants holding Bachelor’s degrees with honors or Master’s degrees have a better chance of getting accepted in U.S. universities. Also, decisions will be based on the academic standing of the institutions from which the applicant has graduated. Professional diplomas and higher certificates from technical or vocational schools are normally not considered as equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. Departments have the option of making authentication of transcripts part of the process of offering assistantships to international students.
Application materials may be obtained by writing to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Southern Methodist University, Dallas TX 75275 or through e-mail: smugrad@smu.edu. In addition, applications can be made online at smu.edu/graduate/appl.html or by contacting the department of intended study.
A complete application should include the following:
An application form
An official transcript for all post-high school work
The application fee of $75 (payable to SMU)
Three letters of recommendation
GRE scores
TOEFL scores for foreign applicants
Writing samples required for History or English programs
An application will be considered when all the aforementioned items have been received in the Graduate Office.
Fall: January 1 Psychology, Ph.D.
January 15 - English Ph.D.
February 1 To be considered for department assistantships and/or first- round admissions decisions
(Note: Religious Studies final deadline)
March 1 Second round of admission decisions
May 1 Final deadline
Spring: December 1 Final deadline
Due to the extra time necessary for visa processing, foreign applicants are advised to have their completed applications sent to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at least two months before these deadlines. Students who apply for departmental assistantships should submit their applications by February 1 as noted.
SMU encourages McNair Scholars to apply for graduate studies in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences by waiving their application fee. In addition, 10 tuition fee waivers – five through Dedman College and five through the School of Engineering – are designated for admitted McNair Scholars applicants. SMU supports the aims of this program – to identify and mentor undergraduates as they prepare for graduate school – and would like to participate in helping students realize their goals.
We ask that McNair Scholars identify themselves as such on the application. Questions can be directed to smugrad@smu.edu.
As the newest member of a consortium of universities working with the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers, we extend a welcome to applicants seeking graduate degrees. We provide an application fee waiver and invite you to apply to Dedman College’s graduate programs.
Departments award assistantships on the merits of the applicant and the limits of the budget.
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