Interdisciplinary, human-centered education for the twenty-first century

The Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies (HCIS) programs at SMU Simmons offer a wide range of interdisciplinary skills-based master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs. You can pursue your lifelong intellectual passion, enhance your leadership skills, earn valued credentials, or transform a career. 

The curriculum includes courses in the humanities, organizational dynamics, social justice, dispute resolution, executive coaching, healthcare collaboration, and conflict engagement.

Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution

Prospective Students

Because conflict is a natural and recurring part of all aspects of society, students from all walks of life benefit from a Master of Arts in the study of dispute resolution and conflict management. These skills can enhance current career paths or launch new careers.

Career and Personal Benefits

Rooted in the social and behavioral sciences, the curriculum provides in-depth study of conflict theory with options for concentration in alternative dispute resolution, organizational transformation and conflict management, executive coaching, and healthcare collaboration and conflict engagement as they apply to business, family, education, public policy, religion, law and healthcare. Field-based opportunities in a variety of settings further enhance the skills of dispute resolution and conflict management.

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Master of Liberal Studies (MLS)

MLS students at SMU Dallas Hall

Prospective Students

The pursuit of a human-centered, interdisciplinary, Master of Liberal Studies degree from SMU fosters growth for professional and community leaders. Students can pursue their lifelong intellectual passions and enhance their leadership contributions to their professions and the world.

Career and Personal Benefits

Designed to offer flexibility to students in planning their master’s level study, MLS coursework encourages creative and critical thinking by taking courses in humanities, organizational dynamics, social justice, arts, and culture. Students benefit from building vital skills and examining the human condition from a variety of perspectives in order to meet the problems of the 21st century.

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Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS)

Professor discussing artwork at Meadows Museum

Prospective Students

The Doctor of Liberal Studies (D.L.S.) degree is designed for adult learners who want to challenge themselves with rigorous advanced study on a part- or full-time basis in a variety of topics with the goal of benefitting their workplace, professions and society.

Career and Personal Benefits

Under the guidance of senior faculty, DLS students engage in focused scholarly reading and research on an interdisciplinary topic or issue, culminating in a doctoral thesis that demonstrates interdisciplinary analysis, synthesis, and interpretation.

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Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution

Professor in class session

Prospective Students

Because conflict is a natural and recurring part of all aspects of society, training in dispute resolution and conflict management can enhance the lives of individuals in a variety of professions and industries.

Career and Personal Benefits

The seven-course program offers a solid foundation in conflict theory and skill development. Students learn the skills of negotiation, problem solving, mediation, arbitration, and systems design through classroom instruction that includes simulations.

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Executive and Leadership Coaching

Business Executive meeting

Prospective Students

One of the fastest-growing fields of management consulting in America, SMU’s Executive Coaching program is designed for individuals who want to work as executive coaches or coaching consultants.

Career and Personal Benefits

The 3-course curriculum offers theoretical and applied training in the areas of assessment and interviewing, transitional coaching (used with individuals who need to adapt to new work environments), developmental coaching (used for accelerating the development of high-potential leaders), and performance coaching (used with leaders who need to overcome performance issues).

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Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Engagement

Professor in class speaking to students

Prospective Students

This program is designed for physicians, healthcare administrators, nurses, healthcare human-resource professionals, and those who seek healthcare leadership roles.

Career and Personal Benefits

The three-course curriculum teaches engagement and collaborative skills that are grounded in evidence-based social science, fundamentals of neuroscience, emotional and social intelligence, and the fundamental concepts of conflict and conflict escalation and de-escalation.

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Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

Denisa Gandara

Prospective Students

This program is designed for students with a Master's degree who wish to pursue advanced graduate work in a focal area of interdisciplinary study.

Career and Personal Benefits

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study serves to provide adults the opportunity to pursue advanced study in the liberal arts and professional studies in a focused and disciplined manner. The program encourages in-depth study of a core topic, while drawing upon various disciplines to provide a broad understanding of the subject.

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