Southern Methodist University (Dedman)

Law School Overview

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category

Rank Category Name #48 Best Law Schools

Specialties #15 in Part-time Law

Law School Overview

The Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University has an application deadline of February 15. The full-time program application fee at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University is $75. The part-time program application fee at the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University is $75. Its tuition is full-time: $44,017 per year and part-time: $33,013 per year. The student-faculty ratio is 15.4:1. The Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University has 80 full- and part-time faculty on staff.

At the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, students can complete a full-time J.D. in three years or a part-time evening J.D. in four years. Students also have the option to complete one of two dual degree programs in four years: a J.D./M.B.A. through the Cox School of Business and a J.D./M.A. in Economics through the Department of Economics.  

Through more than five clinics, J.D. candidates can get hands-on experience in legal areas including criminal defense and consumer law. There are several legal publications, including the SMU Law Review and the Journal of Air Law & Commerce. Students can also check out more than 30 organizations, including the Hispanic Law Students Association and the Older Wiser Law Students (OWLS) group. All J.D. students must complete at least 30 hours of pro bono work before graduation.

Notable alumni include Robert Dedman, founder of private club network ClubCorp, Inc. and the law school’s co-benefactor; Edward Rust, chairman and chief executive officer of State Farm Insurance; and Angela Braly, chief executive officer of healthcare company WellPoint, Inc.

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Year founded	1911
Public/private	Private
Law school designation	National

Admissions

Application deadline	February 15
Full-time program application fee	$75
Part-time program application fee	$75
Admissions Phone	(214) 768-2540
Admissions E-mail	lawadmit@mail.smu.edu
Web site	http://www.law.smu.edu

Academics

Full- and part-time faculty	80
Student-faculty ratio	15.4:1
Total faculty	97

Student Body

Enrollment (full-time)	527
Gender distribution (full-time)
J.D. candidates graduating in 2011-2012	295

Cost

Tuition and fees
Full-time: $44,017 per year Part-time: $33,013 per year
Room and board	$15,500

Careers

Employed at graduation 2	43.0%
Median private sector starting salary	$85,000
Median public service starting salary	$56,204

Library

Total volumes and volume equivalents

650,946

* Law School Overview details based on 2012 data