Southern Methodist University began as a bold vision shared by the Methodist Church and civic leaders in Dallas. The University aims to create, expand, and impart knowledge through teaching, research, and service, shaping world-changing leaders who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society. SMU serves as an internationally recognized intellectual resource for Dallas and the world. While it has deep roots in the Methodist tradition, the University is nonsectarian in its teaching and is committed to open inquiry and academic freedom.

Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law is distinctively unmatched in the state of Texas, offering a rich educational experience to the next generation of legal professionals. Uniquely situated in Dallas, where business and law intersect, students graduate with one of the highest employment placement rates in the nation and, as alumni, go on to contribute to the economic vitality of the state and region.