SMU's 423-acre campus in Taos, NM provides the perfect complement to the main campus in Dallas, TX. Undergraduate courses are offered during the summer and winter breaks. These short terms allow students to get ahead or stay on track for graduation. A wide variety of classes in art, engineering, business and science allow students of nearly every discipline to attend.
From starting your application to getting to Taos, we are here every step of the way to help! Contact us at smutaos@smu.edu or (214)-768-3657 for any assistance. Incoming first-year students are not eligible to attend SMU Taos until they are fully matriculated to SMU, typically after their Fall semester.
Applications will open soon!
Coming soon!
The Taos Leadership Institute is a NEW program at SMU Taos, focused on immersive leadership development. The application process is competitive rather than first-come, first-served. Please see the SMU Taos Leadership Institute page for more information on how to apply.
Apply by March 12, 2027 for priority deadline and priority Friends of Taos Scholarship.
Apply by May 5, 2027 for regular deadline and regular Friends of Taos Scholarship.
Visit SMU’s Academic calendar for more details. Information regarding program costs, financial aid, or withdrawing from the SMU-in-Taos program can be found on the Program Costs & Financial Aid page. Students should pay close attention to dates and deadlines.
October 9 -
Priority deadline for January applications
Priority deadline for Friends of Taos scholarships
November 14 - Regular deadline for January applications and Friends of Taos scholarships
Mid-November (Date TBD) - Mandatory pre-departure orientation at 5:15 p.m. in the Moody Graduate Auditorium (in Frances Ann Moody Hall - 6404 Airline Road); PRW students should arrive at 5:00 for information on their Mountain Sports class.
December 4- Last day to drop PRW 2135 Mountain Sports andget arefund for course fees (students who drop after this date may still be eligible for a refund of their tuition for the course, but course fees will not be refunded)
January 4 - Payment Deadline for Jan Term
2027 TERM DATES
January 1- Arrival of PRW students - arrive by 4 p.m. and check in the Dining Hall
January 2 - First day of PRW classes - classes are typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
January 3 - Arrival day for students (not enrolled in PRW) - arrive by 4 p.m. and check in the Dining Hall
January 4 - First day of classes - classes are typically 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
January 14- Last day of classes, including exams - you are permitted to leave AFTER your final
January 15 - Departure Day - check out by 9 a.m.
March 12 -
April 9 Regular deadline for May applications and for Friends of Taos scholarships
April 14 - Last Day to Withdraw from PRW without paying Non-Refundable Course Fee
Mid-April (Date TBD) - Mandatory pre-departure orientation
May 11 - Payment Deadline for May 2026 Term
May 13 - Arrival of students- arrive by 4 p.m. and check in the Dining Hall
May 14 - First day of academic classes - classes are typically from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 28 - Last day of classes, including exams - you are permitted to leave AFTER your final
May 29 - Departure Day - check out by 9 a.m.
DEADLINES
The Taos Leadership Institute is not equivalent to study in other Taos terms. The application process is competitive rather than first-come, first-served.
Please see the "How to Apply" section of the SMU Taos Leadership Institute page for more information on the application process.
March 12 - Priority deadline for July Friends of Taos Scholarships
May 5 - Regular deadline for July Friends of Taos scholarships
Mid-June (Date TBD) - Mandatory pre-departure orientation (virtual)
2027 TERM DATES
July 11: Arrival Day - arrive by 4 p.m. and meet in the Dining Hall
July 12: First day of classes (classes are typically 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
July 26: Last day of classes, including exams
July 27: Departure day for all students - check out by 9 a.m.
SMU Taos provides a unique experience for students away from the main campus where they can engage in experiential, personalized, hands-on collaboration with classmates and professors.
SMU Taos is energized and always ready to take action, whether that be hiking on the tallest mountain peak in New Mexico or tackling a new academic or professional challenge.
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and surrounded by stunning views of the Carson National Forest, SMU Taos feels like a vacation for the body, mind and spirit.
Small class sizes, engaging faculty and a “classroom without walls” philosophy encourage experiential learning, deep dives into subject matter and tight bonds with faculty and classmates.
Field trips are common and often include sites such as museums, Native American pueblos, local non-profits, historic churches, artist workshops, sustainable homes and many more. Adventurous learners will love this blend of natural beauty, local culture and academic pursuits.
Business students are able to complete Cox subset, core and elective courses in a hands-on and supportive setting.
Native flora, fauna and ecology, as well as global environmental issues, are the scope and focus of each biology course taught at Fort Burgwin.
Courses in anthropology explore local Native American cultures and the archaeology of the Southwest, focusing on the continuing excavation and examination of Pot Creek Pueblo and historic Fort Burgwin.
Courses in music, painting, sculpture, theatre, and dance benefit from the natural surroundings - - far removed from the distractions of the city.
Students studying engineering are able to utilize the campus as their laboratory.
Geologically, the region provides a diverse landscape, allowing for the investigation of a variety of formations.
