The competitive outcomes of SMU graduate programs are rooted in their exceptional faculty, inclusive community and access to the opportunities of Dallas-Fort Worth. Here, you can pursue master’s and doctorate degrees across eight graduate and professional schools, conduct impactful research and work in one of the most diverse cities and best economies in the U.S.
Why choose a graduate program at SMU?
Pursuing a graduate degree at SMU means joining a cohort of passionate and driven peers with access to unbeatable academic resources.
Faculty expertise
A graduate degree at SMU means access to esteemed faculty at the top of their fields, from groundbreaking research scholars and award-winning artists to judges and CEOs. The caliber of our professors is a huge contributor to SMU having the best graduate programs in Texas.
Graduate research at SMU
Graduate students at SMU have access to research opportunities across disciplines and work closely with highly regarded faculty at the top of their fields. Master’s students can engage in field, lab and digital research starting their first year in the program. Ph.D. candidates receive funding in the form of SMU-sponsored fellowships to support their research. SMU produces student and faculty research that makes headlines.
Industry connections
When you leave SMU, you will join 136,000 alumni, with 65,000 in North Texas, a region of opportunity across industries; Dallas is home to 21 Fortune 500 headquarters, ranks in the top 10 U.S. cities for tech employment (CompTIA), and has the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation.
Return on investment
7 of 10
SMU master’s degree students were employed within 6 months of graduation (on average between 2018–2022)
$99,576
average starting salary of SMU graduate students in 2023
60%
of new master’s degree students received financial aid in 2023–24
1,700+
scholarships awarded to master’s degree students in 2023–24
Graduate degree programs tailored to your goals
SMU graduate programs help you reach new levels of scholarship and career success. Our programs benefit from a diverse student population that constantly brings new perspectives into their studies and continues to execute nationally recognized research. SMU is proud to connect our graduates with competitive internships, jobs, and a loyal and engaged alumni network.SMU Graduate Schools
SMU has eight degree-granting schools which offer doctoral and master’s degrees in a wide variety of fields, including the arts and humanities, engineering, law, business, theology and more. Explore below to find your area of interest and SMU graduate admissions requirements for each school.
Cox School of Business
Cox, ranked the 26th best business school in the U.S. according to Bloomberg and offers master’s in accounting, business analytics, finance, energy and sustainability, management and real estate, in addition to the renowned SMU MBA programs. If your goals expand beyond an , you can also pursue dual degrees in law, engineering and the arts through Cox.
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
Dedman College offers over 30 master’s and doctorate degrees in 16 areas of study, including English, history, statistics and data science, psychology and more. Dedman students have countless research opportunities.
Dedman School of Law
A law degree from Dedman is a law degree from a top-45 law school, according to U.S. News & World Report. The first law school in Dallas also offers LL.M., M.L.S. and S.J.D. degrees.
Guildhall
Ranked among the top 5 graduate schools to study game design (Princeton Review), Guildhall offers a Master of Interactive Technology with specializations in all four cornerstones of video game development: art, design, production and programming.
Lyle School of Engineering
SMU Lyle offers master’s and doctoral degrees in civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and operations research and engineering management.
Meadows School of the Arts
The Meadows School offers graduate degrees (M.A. and MFA) in visual and performing arts, advertising, design, art history and creative technology, as well as arts management and arts entrepreneurship.
In addition to its , Moody partners with Dedman College, Simmons, Lyle and Guildhall to secure funding for fellowships and advance graduate education and research at SMU.
Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is one of five university-related United Methodist theological schools and offers graduate degrees in divinity, ministry, sacred music, theology and doctorates in ministry and pastoral music.
Simmons School of Education and Human Development
Simmons, nationally ranked as a top-11 private graduate school by U.S. News & World Report, offers master’s and doctorate degrees in education, counseling, dispute resolution, applied physiology and sport management.
SMU graduate admission process and requirements
You can find a guide to SMU graduate school admission below, and if you have lingering questions, do not hesitate to contact our admissions teams. We look forward to hearing from you!Application steps and essential documents for SMU graduate programs
- Review your graduate program’s application requirements, including relevant test scores (, , etc.).
- Gather essential documentation, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, and apply through your program’s online portal.
- Pay application fee and submit! The application fee for Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons and Dedman Law School is $75. There is no application fee for Cox, Guildhall and Perkins.
- Complete a FAFSA form if you require financial aid. SMU’s Graduate Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility for aid through your FAFSA.
Financial aid, scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate students
SMU has many programs to offset the cost of attending grad school, including financial aid and scholarships offered by academic departments. Students also have access to government-sponsored grad school loans through .
There are many SMU-funded fellowships offered to Ph.D. students. Students are supported in their pursuit of external fellowships and awards.
International student guidance
International applicants may need supplemental documentation with their applications, such as language proficiency tests, . Once admitted, SMU’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) supports students through logistic considerations such as navigating I-20 requests or obtaining a driving license. ISSS also programs events where international students can connect with the SMU community.
Explore your desired program’s individual application process requirements at Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons, Cox, Dedman Law, Guildhall and Perkins for more information.
Student testimonial
“Having professors with both agency and client-side experience allowed me to understand the inner workings of both and choose which path was best for me. Meadows’ Temerlin Advertising Institute taught me that my innate curiosity and always trying to find the ‘why’ behind people’s behaviors is a superpower and that asking the right questions will always lead to more efficient and creative solutions.”
-Kayla Griffis ’21, Senior Strategist at Saatchi & Saatchi
M.A. Advertising, Meadows School of the Arts
Frequently ask questions
Moody, Dedman College, Simmons, Lyle, Meadows, Guildhall and Perkins generally require a 3.0 overall GPA as a prerequisite to admission. Cox and Dedman Law do not have a minimum GPA requirement, but the median undergraduate GPA for Dedman acceptances is 3.83, and 3.56 for Cox’s two-year MBA.
SMU master’s degrees vary in cost depending on the program. SMU has robust financial aid offerings that can offset the cost of a master’s degree and help make it one of the more affordable graduate programs in Dallas. Around 60% of new master’s students received financial aid in 2023. We invite you to explore program costs and financial aid options. SMU scholarships for graduate students are awarded from within their academic departments.
You can check the status of your application for Dedman, Lyle, Meadows, Simmons, Perkins and Guildhall , and for and Dedman on their respective application portals.
SMU provides students with comprehensive support services and health resources. Graduate students have access to Moody’s student services and to the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, which includes medical, dental and counseling services. SMU also has a health insurance program graduate students can opt into.
Graduate students have access to the Hegi Family Career Development Center, which helps students and alumni prepare for and connect with job opportunities.
SMU has close to you can join. These groups bring together students of shared cultural communities, professional aspirations and recreational interests.
SMU is proud to offer robust research opportunities for graduate students, whether they are in one of our 20-plus Ph.D. programs or are pursuing a master’s. Learn more here.
Graduate students often teach as part of their master’s or doctoral program. SMU provides training and workshops for graduate student instructors.
The majority of graduate students at SMU (97%) find off-campus . Admitted students receive an off-campus housing guide to help them navigate the many vibrant neighborhoods around campus. SMU also manages a series of apartment properties in University Park, which graduate students can apply to live in.
Yes, SMU offers many online graduate programs and flexible degrees across our graduate schools. Cox’s Online MBA is ranked No. 12 in the country by Fortune, and Lyle Anywhere® allows students to choose their attendance format: in-person, synchronous online, weekend format or recorded classes.