what the usual course load for southern methodist university students

How hard is it to get into Southern Methodist University?

Gaining admission to Southern Methodist University is challenging. SMU received 14,010 applicants for its Class of 2025 and accepted just 7,379 students, giving the university a 53% overall acceptance rate.

What is Southern Methodist University known for?

Today, SMU offers a broad experience to its students—for example, SMU is well-known in some circles for its Division I athletic teams and sending numerous players to the NFL, while others know SMU for its Meadows School of the Arts renowned Dance program. How Hard Is It to Get Into Southern Methodist University?

How many AP classes do you need to get into SMU?

At top-tier schools like SMU, great grades are not enough to distinguish yourself academically, you’ll need to earn them in the most challenging coursework available to you. It’s common for a student accepted to SMU to have completed between five and 12 AP classes in high school.

How much does it cost to attend SMU?

Amounts may vary depending on the individual students’ degree plan, number of hours enrolled, choice of housing, and specific program of study. It should only serve as a point of reference for students and their families to determine how much it may cost to attend SMU. It is NOT the amount you will be required to pay.

What is a normal college course load?

Breaking it down further, most college courses at schools with semesters are worth three credit hours. So on average, you would expect to take five classes a semester.

What is the typical class size at SMU?

22 studentsThe average class size is 22 students, and SMU has an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

What is considered a normal load per semester?

Normal Load A normal course load is defined as four (4.0) course credits and, as noted above, you are expected to enroll in at least this many course credits each semester (see however “Enrollment in an Underload” below).

What is a full course load in university?

What is a Full Course Load? In University Programs, a full course load is normally five courses per semester, or 15 semester credits.

Is Southern Methodist University good?

SMU's 2022 Rankings SMU is ranked #68 in National Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

What is special about Southern Methodist University?

A champion of diversity and the nuances that make its students unique, SMU is a bold pioneer of bespoke education: Its broad-based and rigorous curriculum is constantly reviewed to stay relevant, with over 300 double degree and major combinations for an interdisciplinary, individualised education.

Is 5 courses per semester too much?

If you take less than five courses per semester, it may take you a bit longer to complete your degree, but it will likely improve your academic performance and school/ life balance.

Is 4 classes a semester too much?

Taking 12-15 credits is considered “full-time” in college lingo. That amounts to 4-5 classes, and for young students, that course load is really heavy (let's be honest, it's heavy for MOST students of any age).

How many classes do you take a day in college?

six classesOn average, students attend six classes every day in the same building. While some classes such as electives only last for a fall or spring semester, other classes like English or math last the entire academic year. Classes like these depend heavily on each institution's curriculum.

How do I calculate my course load?

To find your course load percentage for each term:Divide the number of units you're enrolled in by the 100% course load for one term.Example: enrolled in 9 units, 100% is 15 units: 9/15 = . 6 or 60% course load.

What is the course load?

Course load refers to the number of registered course credits for a session.

What is 60 of a full course load?

For example, if a full course load for your program is 5 courses and you're taking 3 courses, that's 60% of a full course load. Your school determines the number of courses or credits that make up a 100% course load.

How many hours of credit can I earn at SMU?

These programs are offered in January, May, and Summer terms. Students can earn 3, 6, 7, or 8 hours of credit while spending one to eight weeks studying, researching, or interning abroad. All courses are either taught by or approved by SMU faculty.

What is general education at SMU?

All SMU undergraduates participate in general education. General education provides students with a broad background in the liberal arts, which is essential to their growth as educated human beings. The general education curriculum is designed to help students put their majors into context, to promote valuable skills that students acquire in and outside the classroom in preparation for the modern workplace, to enable and encourage students to engage in their civic responsibilities at the university and beyond, and to create a passion and platform for life-long learning. The elements of general education are foundation, breadth, depth and co-curricular proficiency requirements. These elements are designed to build on one another over the four-year undergraduate experience. Students begin in foundations with a focus on writing, quantitative foundations, second language proficiency, wellness, and ways of knowing. The latter exposes students to interdisciplinary problem-solving by providing multiple, intellectual lenses through which to view a particular problem or issue, while comparing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. The breadth requirements, typically met in the first two years, provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of disciplinary frameworks for learning. Depth requirements, often met in the major, enable students to apply what they learn in breadth courses to an area of focus. Finally, during their time at SMU, students gain a set of skills that are recognized through the co-curricular proficiency requirements. These include writing in the discipline, oral communication, diversity of and engagement in the human experience, and information literacy. Thus, general education is an integral part of students’ learning and growth as they work toward graduating with a major or majors.

What is SMU Big IDEA?

Big iDeas at SMU supports entrepreneurship training and experience that fuels innovation. All undergraduates are invited to ignite their passions for starting a business, building a foundation, designing a product, or providing a service through the Big iDeas program. The entire SMU and wider Dallas communities are invited to participate in programming, networking, and organizational development opportunities at the Incubator@SMU.

What is an SRA at SMU?

The Office of Engaged Learning’s Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) and Summer Research Assistantships (SRA) provide research opportunities for students in all disciplines. Students work side-by-side with faculty mentors, for whom the Office of Engaged Learning provides matching funds to a department, school, or research grants. This office also matches SMU scholarship awards, including the Hamilton and McNair, and provides start-up funding to innovative developments in areas where there is high student interest and fewer resources for recent faculty research endeavors in areas such as digital humanities, oral history, and sustainability.

When did SMU start?

The University offers a range of distinguished graduate and professional programs, and since its beginnings in 1915, SMU has remained committed to the concept of a rigorous and relevant liberal arts undergraduate education.

What are the breadth requirements in college?

The breadth requirements, typically met in the first two years, provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of disciplinary frameworks for learning. Depth requirements, often met in the major, enable students to apply what they learn in breadth courses to an area of focus.

Is SMU considered full time?

Students enrolled on SMU Abroad programs are considered full-time students during the duration of their abroad study. Grades earned abroad will be posted to the SMU transcript and will be calculated into the student’s cumulative and SMU GPA. Academic credit earned abroad counts as credit earned in residence.

Academic Programs

SMU offers degrees in five undergraduate and graduate schools and three graduate professional schools: the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, the Dedman School of Law, the Linda and Mitch Hart SMU Guildhall, the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, the Algur H.

Engaged Learning: Research and Entrepreneurship Programs

Over the last decade, the Office of Engaged Learning has developed and refined experiential education opportunities for SMU students through a cluster of research and entrepreneurship initiatives built on a cycle of action, reflection, and implementation.

Academic Advising for SMU Pre-Majors

Through the University Advising Center, every student entering SMU as a first-year or premajor transfer student collaborates with a professional academic adviser. Advisers help students acquire the skills to plan their majors and minors, schedule courses, and resolve academic problems that may arise.

Academic Advising for Majors

After completing 24 credit hours and meeting other program admission requirements, students may be eligible to declare their major and transfer their records to an adviser in the school that houses their major field of study. Those who elect study in the humanities, sciences or social sciences enter Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

English as a Second Language Program

Students whose first language is not English may encounter special challenges as they strive to function efficiently and succeed in less familiar cultural and academic settings. Dedman College offers the following ESL courses to students from all schools and departments of SMU.

SMU Abroad

In a globalized economy, employers increasingly demand job candidates with intercultural competence. Studying, interning, and researching abroad builds global experience, which is an integral part of an undergraduate education.

International Student and Scholar Services

The International Student and Scholar Services Office provides immigration services to students, scholars and professors from around the globe who are engaged in academic studies or cultural exchange projects at SMU.

What is general education at SMU?

All SMU undergraduates participate in general education. General education provides students with a broad background in the liberal arts, which is essential to their growth as educated human beings. The general education curriculum is designed to help students put their majors into context, to promote valuable skills that students acquire in and outside the classroom in preparation for the modern workplace, to enable and encourage students to engage in their civic responsibilities in college and beyond, and to create a passion and platform for life-long learning. The elements of general education are fundamental, breadth, depth and co-curricular proficiency requirements. These elements are designed to build on one another over the four-year undergraduate experience. Students begin in fundamentals with a focus on writing, quantitative reasoning, foreign language proficiency, wellness, and ways of knowing. The latter exposes students to multiple lenses through which to view a particular problem or issue while comparing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. The breadth requirements, typically met in the first two years, provide students an opportunity to explore a variety of interdisciplinary interests. Depth requirements, often met in the major, enable students to apply what they learn in breadth courses to an area of focus. Finally, during their time at SMU, students gain a variety of skills that are recognized through the co-curricular proficiency requirements. These include writing in the discipline, oral communication, diversity of and engagement in the human experience, and information literacy. Thus, general education is an integral part of students’ learning and growth as they work toward graduating with a major or majors.

Where is SMU located?

The University maintains an academic campus at Fort Burgwin, located 10 miles southeast of Taos, New Mexico. Academic terms are regularly offered at the SMU-in-Taos campus in January and during the summer.

What is SMU abroad?

International experience is an integral part of an undergraduate education at SMU. The SMU Abroad Office serves the University by developing and coordinating international undergraduate programs, and by providing support services during and after the experience abroad. SMU Abroad programs are comprised of faculty-led interterm and summer programs as well as SMU-approved affiliated programs offered during the academic year. SMU Abroad programs offer opportunities for students to encounter diverse global communities and intellectual traditions through SMU’s international partnerships and global initiatives. SMU Abroad courses also enhance and enrich the University’s curriculum with experiential learning experiences around the world.

What is the SMU advising center?

Through the University Advising Center, every student entering SMU as a first-year or premajor transfer student collaborates with a professional academic adviser. Advisers help students acquire the skills to plan their majors and minors, schedule courses, and resolve academic problems that may arise. Computerized Degree Progress Reports provide students with detailed information concerning completion of degree requirements. The Advising Center, which is located on the fourth floor of the Blanton Student Services Building, has received national recognition for its innovative programs and outstanding staff.

What is SMU CGI?

SMU is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative University Network (CGI U), a consortium of colleges and universities that support, mentor, and provide seed funding to student leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. SMU is one of more than 60 colleges and universities worldwide who have joined the CGI U network.

What is SMU Big IDEA?

Big iDeas at SMU supports entrepreneurship training and experience that shapes the intelligence and potential necessary of world changers. All undergraduates are invited to ignite their passions of starting a business, building a foundation, designing a product, or providing a service through the Big iDeas program. The entire SMU community is invited to participate in programming, networking, and organization development opportunities at the SMU Incubator.

What is an ELF at SMU?

Through the Engaged Learning Fellowship (ELF), undergraduate students connect their personal passion to academic learning and turn it into a project of their own. Students engage in capstone-level scholarly research, community service or civic engagement, professional internships or other creative projects. SMU funds ELFs up to $2000 per project and records ELF titles on student transcripts and in commencement booklets.

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Lyle School of Engineering

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How Hard Is It to Get Into Southern Methodist University?

Gaining admission to Southern Methodist University is challenging. SMU received 14,010 applicants for its Class of 2025 and accepted just 7,379 students, giving the university a 53% overall acceptance rate.

Average Academic Profile of Accepted Southern Methodist University Students

The average high school GPA of Southern Methodist University’s Class of 2025 was 3.63 and 20.84% of the class graduated high school with a 4.0.

What is Southern Methodist University Looking for?

Southern Methodist University takes a holistic approach to the admissions process. Considerable weight is given to academic achievement, however, other factors like writing ability, extracurricular activities, and recommendations are figured into admissions decisions as well.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University views GPA as “very important” when it makes admissions decisions; consequently, SMU students generally have graduated at, or near, the top of their high school class. The average high school GPA of SMU’s Class of 2025 is 3.63.

Learn more about Southern Methodist University

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