Find Your Path: SMU Graduate Programs for Every Ambition | SMU
Source: https://www.smu.edu/graduate-programs
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Find Your Path: SMU Graduate Programs for Every Ambition | SMU
Skip to main content
Secure your future through an SMU graduate program
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.
Explore SMU graduate programs
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
MBA
, you can also pursue
dual degrees
in law,
engineering and the arts through Cox.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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
.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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
.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
In addition to its
master’s programs in public policy and public administration
, Moody partners with Dedman College, Simmons, Lyle and Guildhall to secure funding for fellowships and advance graduate education and research at SMU.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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 (
GRE
,
LSAT
, 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.
International students: Submit TOEFL or IELTS score and consult your program’s
specific application requirements.
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
FAFSA’s Direct PLUS program
.
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,
passports and visas
. 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 asked 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
here
, and for
Cox
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
100 graduate student organizations and communities
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
living arrangements within the city of Dallas
. 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.
Search the SMU website
Search
Submit
Popular Searches
Current Students
Majors and Minors
Undergraduate Admission | SMU
Graduate Admission
Faculty & Staff
Graduate Programs
Alumni
Did you know?
SMU's singular approach to integrating rigorous learning with
hands-on experience
will prepare you to achieve your educational goals and expand your world in ways you never imagined. Ours is a community of people
forging their own paths.
We'd like to
help you shape yours.
Plan your visit
Skip to main content
Secure your future through an SMU graduate program
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.
Explore SMU graduate programs
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
MBA
, you can also pursue
dual degrees
in law,
engineering and the arts through Cox.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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
.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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
.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
In addition to its
master’s programs in public policy and public administration
, Moody partners with Dedman College, Simmons, Lyle and Guildhall to secure funding for fellowships and advance graduate education and research at SMU.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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.
Admission requirements
Learn more
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 (
GRE
,
LSAT
, 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.
International students: Submit TOEFL or IELTS score and consult your program’s
specific application requirements.
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
FAFSA’s Direct PLUS program
.
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,
passports and visas
. 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 asked 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
here
, and for
Cox
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
100 graduate student organizations and communities
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
living arrangements within the city of Dallas
. 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.
Search the SMU website
Search
Submit
Popular Searches
Current Students
Majors and Minors
Undergraduate Admission | SMU
Graduate Admission
Faculty & Staff
Graduate Programs
Alumni
Did you know?
SMU's singular approach to integrating rigorous learning with
hands-on experience
will prepare you to achieve your educational goals and expand your world in ways you never imagined. Ours is a community of people
forging their own paths.
We'd like to
help you shape yours.
Plan your visit