Southern Methodist University Reviews

  • 105 Reviews
  • Dallas (TX)
  • Annual Tuition: $61,980
82% of 105 students said this degree improved their career prospects
95% of 105 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Jax
  • Reviewed: 1/20/2023
  • Degree: Conflict Resolution
"Please be honest with students at the start of their Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program—especially at the Master’s Degree level—that employment opportunities within the field of mediation are nonexistent, UNLESS you are an attorney. Otherwise, the program is a waste of very hard work & money. I would really like for SMU to make available accurate data on ADR graduates (non-attorneys) who secure full-time professional employment within mediation. I strongly believe the numbers to be dismally low."
Yanina Vashchenko
  • Reviewed: 7/16/2019
  • Degree: Conflict Resolution
"I highly recommend the dispute resolution program at SMU because it really prepares students for the world of work, no matter the career path. The skills we learn in the program can be applied at work, in the community, in personal relationships and even in the broader global context. We learn how to mediate between two or more people, how to conduct dispute resolution online, how to advise others on career choices, how to troubleshoot work issues, and so much more. The best part of the dispute resolution program are the professors: they are beyond knowledgeable, kind, caring and respectful. They are true mentors."
Bob Byrd
  • Reviewed: 11/28/2018
  • Degree: Performing Arts
"I found that the theatre program was so absorbing and demanding that I had no connection with so-called campus life. I did see a lot of students on the campus who seemed to be there for the good times, and they were mostly attractive. I never felt excluded by these people. They just lived in a different world. I recently visited the campus again, and found the students a little less glamorous but much more intellectual. And even friendlier than in the 1960s. I didn't see as many expensive cars as in the 60s, when everyone drove new Mustangs. The campus is much more beautiful now, and there i s an atmosphere of expensive comfort. the theatre faculty of my era were beyond superb: they were true artists, and devoted to the students. I was poor as dirt during my years at SMU, but I never felt snubbed or excluded. I loved Dallas deeply, and it gave me a lot. I am very proud to have an MFA from SMU. It got me a lot of respect in theatre circles."
Draymond
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Physical Therapy
"It put me in the best position to succeed in every one of my dreams"
Disappointed
  • Reviewed: 6/19/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"I'm shocked and disappointed by the behavior of the professors in this program. The professors are judgmental, unprofessional, stuck up and highly uncaring. I don't understand how they were ever successful counselors. The only thing they taught me was how to not act as a counselor. They do not properly prepare you to work with clients until the very last minute. Never ask for help because they are too busy to respond to your emails. They do not like "poor" people, one professor said she stopped working with "poor" clients because she cannot relate. They clearly do not practice what they preach of being judgmental. If you are different or unique, you will be targeted and bullied (by the professors.) Unless someone dies, you are not allowed to miss class. If you do, you will drop an entire letter grade. So you better hope there isn't a family emergency or an issue with your child because you'll be expected to be there. They are heartless and cold. Something all counselors should be (eye roll.) I honestly could go on about this program. Don't be fooled by their facade because they are working extremely hard at covering up their issues. I'm just trying to get out as fast as I can. Save your money and find an actual accredited program with qualified professors."
Bree
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Counseling
"I enjoyed my college experience. I was able to not only grow in my field of study, but also as a person. It's the first time in your life that most people are in charge of their own lives. It can be hard at first, but part of college is learning how to juggle different things in life- studying, friends, and family that could be left at home."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Engineering
"Great university, great location and top rated"
Alyce
  • Reviewed: 3/28/2017
  • Degree: Creative Writing
"People "have an idea for a book" about as often as they catch a cold. SMU has the cure through their "writer's path" program. In the last three years I've immersed myself into the art of properly organizing a story and executing it into a novel. Taught by a handful of authors, the program is sculpted around the rigor necessary to complete a novel and the often overlooked realities of publishing. Because of the intimate class sizes, many instructors go out of their way to instruct outside of the classroom. Outside of completing a novel and utilizing their wealth of connections in publishing, my much improved writing and editing has trickled into my professional life. This program is ground breaking for the want-to-be author and creative writer."
Katherine
  • Reviewed: 3/19/2017
  • Degree: Biology
"Attending SMU has been the best decision I've made in my life so far. The academics are top notch and the student life is great. I have had an amazing experience while here and couldn't recommend it highly enough. There are TONS of study about opportunities and financial aid is huge."
Mason
  • Reviewed: 3/10/2017
  • Degree: Education
"Exceptional cohort style M.Ed. that adequately prepares students for preK-12 education leadership position in public, private, and/or charter school systems. Southern Methodist University is centrally located in the heart of Dallas making it easy for DFW students to get to class on evenings and weekends."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2017
  • Degree: MBA
"SMU was a highly collaborative environment that stressed interactive cross-functional group work. It is also situated in the heart of Dallas with a network of mentors and companies to utilize. It was a great experience that prepared me for my professional career."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 1/24/2017
  • Degree: Business
"SMU has great professors and is a terrific place to create Dallas business connections."
JaneDoe007
  • Reviewed: 1/3/2017
  • Degree: Law
"Great school but make sure you can pay for it otherwise go cheaper."
Nicholas Davis
  • Reviewed: 12/19/2016
  • Degree: Business
"SMU has an an incredibly diverse and talented student body. There are people from an very broad range of backgrounds. During class, as in the workplace, there is a ton of collaborative work that must be done. It's a perfect opportunity to showcase your individual talents and also learn from people with different strengths. Although the curriculum is challenging, it's worth the effort. The MBA program is top class and you're able to make connections that are only possible through a school like SMU. Not only that, but the MBA faculty will bend over backwards to help you find an internships and full time work. They work around the clock and it's comforting to know considering most of your time will be spent doing projects and studying. It's a small school and you see a lot of the same faces around campus so it becomes a fairly tight knit community. This lends itself to bigger base in your network and a LOT more friends! Dallas is a great city and there is no shortage of things to do when you're not studying. It has museums, arts district, wonderful restaurants that are all within 10 minutes from campus. It also has a presidential library that is basically a museum but you can study there too if you want. Overall it's a great experience and the likelihood of doing well after school will go up dramatically. Pony Up!!!"
Gina Weber
  • Reviewed: 9/27/2016
  • Degree: Art & Design
"Excellent school and educational opportunities! The professors assist all students to be very successful. They encourage inquire and questioning to make the learning experience more fulfilling. It is a beautiful campus, with many amenities that is very conducive to a positive learning environment."
Johnnie Simpson Jr.
  • Reviewed: 9/20/2016
  • Degree: Religious Studies
"I am currently enrolled at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University pursing a Master's in Divinity. I plan to graduate in May of 2017, Perkins School of Theology has the privilege of being one of the few Schools in the Texas approved by the United Methodist Church authority. The professors are diverse and well qualified. The Seminary is Methodist but the professors come from different denominations so you are exposed to a broad range of theology and doctrine to make you a well rounded Seminarian when you graduate. The one drawback is that the school is just now starting to look at hybrid classes, which I think would encourage more people looking to further their theological education. The current program requires you to be a more traditional student or be employed by a church already, the Houston-Galveston program offers some flexibility for working professionals but in order to complete a degree, one will have to take classes on the Dallas Campus eventually. Overall the program is a great educational opportunity and the degrees offered will help develop anyone looking to grow in theology and theological training."
Daniel Howard
  • Reviewed: 7/5/2016
  • Degree: Economics
"Education-wise, I got what I needed to land a good job. Networking is good and the school is respected amongst employers. Biggest qualm is with the student body. Bunch of stuck up, rich snobs who are entitled frat/sorority stars who don't know how to do anything without daddy's credit card and last name. The fact that you really have to search to find a decent human being is worrisome, but believe it or not, it's doable."
Whitney
  • Reviewed: 5/31/2016
  • Degree: Mechanical Engineering
"I loved my college! It was great for undergrad and for graduate a like. I liked my professors and got along really well with my other engineering students."
Alexandria Kerr
  • Reviewed: 1/28/2016
  • Degree: Counseling
"The graduate program at SMU is fantastic, however very expensive. For someone just getting done with my undergraduate degree, it was very difficult to afford the program especially since the amount of scholarships available is rather low."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 11/30/2015
  • Degree: English
"The professors at this institution are not only really intelligent, they care about their subject and their students."