Application Process

Accepting applications now for spring 2027

Preferred deadlines for admission

The preferred deadlines for applications are May 1st for Summer admission, July 1st for Fall admission, and December 15th for Spring admission. If you have missed one of our deadlines but are still interested in applying, call our office at: 214-768-4273 for information about a possible extension.

Criteria for admission

SMU strives to enroll motivated and enthusiastic students prepared and interested in rigorous graduate education. All applicants must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Degree-seeking MLS admission information

爆走黑料's Master of Liberal Studies program (MLS) accepts and reviews applications throughout the year on a rolling basis for Summer, Fall and Spring semesters. The preferred application deadlines are May 1 for Summer admission, July 1 for Fall admission, and December 15 for Spring admission.

SMU strives to enroll motivated and enthusiastic students prepared and interested in rigorous graduate education. All applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Our most successful applicants typically have a GPA of about 2.7 - 3.5 from their undergraduate institution; however, every aspect of the ¬-application submitted is carefully reviewed and considered for the experience and contribution each student brings to the SMU classroom.

To apply for admission to the Master of Liberal Studies program please submit the following for consideration:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education

  • SMU online application

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

  • Two letters of recommendation.

  • An essay, one – two pages double spaced, explaining interest in studying dispute resolution.

  • Critical writing sample or academic paper – three to five pages double spaced

  • Resume or curriculum vitae

  • Interview with admissions faculty

  • Application fee

  • Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but applicants may submit their scores if would like them considered with their application.

  • International applicants for admission decision: Translated foreign transcripts and proof of English proficiency. See lanaguage requirements below. If accepted: documentation required to receive student visa (/Enrollment-Services/international/New-Scholar-Information).

Upon acceptance into the program, students should participate in the new student orientation. Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study Admission Information

Criteria for admission to the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies Certificate

Applicants to the CAGS program must submit the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education

  • SMU online application

  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

  • Two letters of recommendation.

  • An essay, two pages double spaced, explaining interest in studying dispute resolution.

  • Resume or curriculum vitae

  • Interview with admissions faculty

  • Application fee

  • Note: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required but applicants may submit their scores if would like them considered with their application.

  • For applicants with foreign transcripts, they must be translated and proof of English proficiency. See language requirement below. Student visas not eligible for graduate certificate programs.

Non-degree MLS admission information

The SMU MLS program offers to help students explore graduate interdisciplinary study with a non-degree option. This could be a great way to discern whether the MLS program is the right graduate program for you! Non-degree students may take up to 6 credits of coursework with good achievement apply these credits to a future degree program.

Criteria for non-degree admission:

  • Online MLS Non-Degree application.

  • Unofficial transcripts from all the colleges and universities you attended.

  • Brief personal statement.

  • Application fee.

Langauge requirement

Applicants to the Master of Liberal Studies or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study who do not speak English as their native language are required to supply scores on the TOEFL English language proficiency test, the IELTS English competency test, the Duolingo English Test (DET), or the TOEFL Essentials exam. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 80/score level 4. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. The minimum score for the TOEFL Essentials is 8.5 with a minimum score of 8 in all subsections. The minimum DET score is 110 unless specified otherwise by a program or department. SMU鈥檚 ETS (TOEFL) school code is 6660. For the IELTS, please indicate 鈥淪MU 鈥 Graduate Application Processing Office鈥. For DET, please send scores to 鈥淪MU 鈥 Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.鈥

This requirement can only be waived if applicants have either a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country from the list below:

  • American Samoa
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Dominica
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Grand Cayman
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Trinidad/Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United Kingdom
  • U.S. Pacific Trust

If you have any questions about the online admissions process

Please contact the Human-Centered Interdisciplinary Studies office at:
Email: GLSadmissions@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-4273