Distance Education at SMU: Identity, Privacy & Cost

SMU is committed to delivering rigorous, secure, and equitable online education to learners in Dallas, across the United States, and from more than 80 countries. This page brings together the University’s policies, practices, and student protections governing identity verification, data privacy, and academic integrity in distance education programs.

100%

Canvas access protected by SMUID + Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

$0

Additional charges for identity verification

4

Institutional policies governing DE student privacy

147

Entries in SMU's Data Stewards registry

SMU verifies the identity of every distance education student, protects student privacy through an integrated policy and technology framework, and imposes no additional charges for identity verification. Identity is established at admission, reinforced at enrollment, and continuously authenticated throughout every online course interaction. Privacy is governed by four institutional policies, FERPA-compliant training, and a 147-entry data stewardship registry. Identity verification tools are institutionally licensed and provided to students at no cost.

Student Identity Verification

SMU employs a multi-layered, institution-wide approach to confirming that the student who enrolls in a distance education course is the same student who participates, submits work, and receives credit. This framework operates at every stage of the student lifecycle.
🔑 Unique SMUID
📱 Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
🎓 Canvas SSO
📷 Respondus Monitor
🔒 Audit Trails
📜 Honor Code

At Admissions

All applicants to SMU distance programs apply through secure, authenticated portals that require individual accounts linked to verified email addresses. Supporting documentation requirements — including official academic transcripts transmitted directly from issuing institutions through certified electronic services (National Student Clearinghouse, Parchment, Naviance) — further establish applicant identity before admission is granted.

When required under Title IV federal student aid regulations, applicants must complete additional identity verification by submitting a government-issued photo ID and a Statement of Educational Purpose, either in person or through secure video verification with an authorized SMU official.

At Enrollment and Login

Upon admission, every student receives a unique, eight-digit SMU ID (SMUID) linked to their institutional record. Account activation at smu.edu/activate requires the student to set a personal password and enroll in two-factor authentication before gaining access to any SMU system.

  1. SMUID issued

    unique eight-digit identifier tied to the individual's admission record

  2. Password set

    student establishes credentials at smu.edu/activate using personal identifiers

  3. MFA configured

    second authentication factor required (push notification, passcode, or hardware token)

  4. Canvas access granted

    only after SSO authentication + MFA verification on every session

During Online Coursework

Every interaction within Canvas — assignment submissions, quiz attempts, discussion posts, and exam sessions — is associated with the authenticated student account and timestamped in institutional audit logs. Role-based access controls ensure that only enrolled, authenticated students can access their own course materials.

For assessments requiring enhanced identity assurance, faculty may require Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, which are integrated into Canvas at no cost to students. Respondus Monitor requires students to present a government-issued photo ID or SMU student ID on camera before an exam begins, and records the session for instructor review.

Respondus Monitor and Student Privacy

Video recordings made by Respondus Monitor are accessible only to the course instructor and authorized SMU personnel. Respondus is certified under FERPA, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and the Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP). SMU retains ownership of all student data. Learn more: Respondus Data Privacy Overview.