2007-09 Graduate Catalogs -

DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIVERSITY

Statement of Mission

The Vision of Southern Methodist University

To create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.

The Mission of Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University’s mission is to be a leading private institution of higher learning that expands knowledge through research and teaching. Among its faculty, students, and staff, the University develops skills and cultivates principled thought and wisdom. The University is dedicated to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry and to its United Methodist heritage.

To fulfill its mission the University strives for quality, innovation and continuous improvement as it pursues the following goals:

To enhance the academic quality and competitiveness of the University.
To improve teaching and learning.
To strengthen scholarly research and creative achievement.
To support and sustain student development and quality of life.
To broaden global perspectives.
To advance the University through select, strategic alliances.

Southern Methodist University

As a private, comprehensive university enriched by its United Methodist heritage and its partnership with the Dallas Metroplex, Southern Methodist University seeks to enhance the intellectual, cultural, technical, ethical and social development of a diverse student body. SMU offers undergraduate programs centered on the liberal arts; excellent graduate, professional, and continuing education programs; and abundant opportunities for access to faculty in small classes, research experience, international study, leadership development and off-campus service and internships, with the goal of preparing students to be contributing citizens and leaders for our state, the nation and the world.

SMU comprises seven degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Meadows School of the Arts, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, School of Education and Human Development, School of Engineering, Dedman School of Law and Perkins School of Theology.

Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and is committed to the values of academic freedom and open inquiry.

The University has 105 buildings, a total enrollment that has averaged more than 10,000 the past five years, a full-time faculty of 609, and assets of $1.825 billion – including an endowment of $1,121,360,015 (Market Value, June 30, 2006).

Offering only a handful of degree programs at its 1915 opening, the University presently awards baccalaureate degrees in more than 80 programs through five undergraduate schools and a wide variety of graduate and professional degrees through those and professional schools.

Of the 10,941 students enrolled for the 2006 fall term, 6,296 were undergraduates and 4,645 were graduate and professional students. The full-time equivalent enrollment was 6,133 for undergraduates and 2,962 for graduate and professional students.
Nearly all the students in SMU’s first class came from Dallas County, but now 36 percent of the University’s undergraduate student body comes from outside Texas. In a typical school year, students come to SMU from every state, from 93 foreign countries, and from all races, religions and economic levels.

Undergraduate enrollment is 54 percent female. Graduate and professional enrollment is 42 percent female.

A majority of SMU undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. In 2006-2007, 81.5 percent of first-year students received some form of financial aid, and 30 percent of first-year students received need-based financial aid.

Management of the University is vested in a Board of Trustees of civic, business and religious leaders – Methodist and non-Methodist. The founders’ first charge to SMU was that it become not necessarily a great Methodist university, but a great university.

Academic Accreditation

Southern Methodist University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southern Methodist University.

Individual academic programs are accredited by the appropriate national professional associations. The Edwin L. Cox School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The Dedman School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association. Perkins School of Theology is accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society. In the Meadows School of the Arts, the Dance Division is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance; the Music Division by the National Association of Schools of Music; and the Theatre Division by the National Association of Schools of Theater.

School of Engineering undergraduate programs in computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700. The undergraduate computer science program that awards the degree Bachelor of Science (B.S.) is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate computer science program that awards the degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the undergraduate program in civil engineering are not accredited by a Commission of ABET. ABET does not provide accreditation for the disciplines of environmental science and management science.