Southern Methodist University

What you'll study

The Social Sciences degree is built around a core of social-science theory, research methods and quantitative reasoning, alongside discipline-specific courses drawn from departments such as political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology and public policy. Typical core modules include Introduction to Social Science Theory, Research Design and Methods, Statistics for Social Scientists, and Ethics and Social Policy.

• Discipline electives: students usually choose a sequence in one or two fields (for example political institutions, social inequality, economic behaviour, cultural anthropology or applied psychology).
• Methods and data: courses in statistics, survey methods, GIS or computational social science teach data collection and analysis skills.
• Applied components: many students take internships, service-learning projects or community-engaged research with local government, non-profits or industry partners in the Dallas area.
• Capstone or honours work: the programme often culminates in a senior seminar, capstone research project or thesis where students apply theoretical perspectives and methods to an original question.
• Electives and minors: students can combine the core with electives across Dedman College or minors in areas such as international studies, public policy, statistics, or business to tailor their pathway.

Entry requirements

Admission to Southern Methodist University is competitive and based on achievement in secondary-school studies and the strength of the overall application. Typical expectations include a secondary-school diploma with strong grades across a rigorous curriculum, especially in social studies, mathematics and writing.

• Academic record: high academic achievement in a challenging high‑school programme (for example A-levels, IB, or AP courses where available).
• Standardised tests: SMU considers standardised test scores as part of the application; applicants should check the university's current policy on whether submission is optional or required.
• Application materials: a personal statement or essay, official transcripts, and one or more letters of recommendation are routinely required.
• International applicants: proof of secondary credentials equivalent to a US high-school diploma and evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or accepted alternatives) unless exempt.
• Additional considerations: relevant extracurricular activities, community engagement, work or internship experience, and a demonstrated interest in social‑science inquiry strengthen an application.

Career prospects

Graduates with a social-sciences degree possess transferable analytical, research and communication skills valued across many sectors. Common career paths include public policy and administration, social research and data analysis, non-profit and community development, education, and corporate roles in human resources, market research or public affairs.

• Public sector: roles in local, state or federal government, policy analysis and programme evaluation.
• Research and analytics: positions in research institutes, think tanks, consulting firms and businesses using survey and quantitative methods.
• Non-profit and advocacy: programme management, fundraising, community outreach and evaluation work with NGOs.
• Private sector: corporate social responsibility, human resources, market research, and client-facing roles that require understanding of social trends.
• Further study: many graduates go on to professional or graduate programmes in law, public policy, social work, business or advanced social-science research degrees.

Why study at Southern Methodist University

Studying social sciences at SMU offers access to small-class teaching within Dedman College and opportunities to engage with research-active faculty across multiple disciplines. The university's location in Dallas provides strong internship and employment links with municipal agencies, statewide policy institutions, corporations and non-profit organisations.

• Experiential learning: a wide range of internship, service-learning and community research opportunities in a major metropolitan area.
• Cross-disciplinary resources: students can draw on courses, centres and faculty expertise in economics, political science, sociology, anthropology and psychology.
• Advising and career support: dedicated academic advisers and a career centre help with placements, practicum opportunities and graduate‑school preparation.
• Study abroad and exchange: options to gain international perspectives through short-term programmes and semester exchanges.