Southern Methodist University, USA - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About Southern Methodist University

Lyle School of Engineering belongs to the Southern Methodist University, which is ranked among the top 10 percent of universities in the U.S. by Times Higher Education/The Wall Street Journal. The school is constantly ranked amidst the country’s best by the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Graduate Schools.

With over 90 years of legacy in innovation, excellence, and achievement, the Lyle School of Engineering is one of Southwest’s leading institutes of advanced learning for students who seek degrees in engineering or technical disciplines.

The school offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees, with various specializations through its five academic departments:

Civil and Environmental Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Operations Research and Engineering Management
Mechanical Engineering

The school currently has an enrolment of over 1,000 students each at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Lyle School provides students with advanced research facilities as well as the finest teaching in the nation. The faculty comprises a group of world-class technical experts in a number of critically significant fields like cyber security, telecommunications, and biomedical research. It is awarded some of the country’s largest research awards on a per faculty basis. The school’s strong research has resulted in new programs like the recently created master’s degree in datacenter systems engineering.

Situated in Dallas, Texas, the school is based in the heart of a dynamic technical community as well as an urban setting. Dallas is one of the cities with the largest concentrations of companies in engineering and technology in the nation. Many of the students graduate from the school with engineering experience via co-op employment opportunities or summer internships.

Graduate outcomes

SMU has an excellent reputation for graduate outcomes, and it is ranked in the top 21 percent of American universities for student return on investment (PayScale, 2017). Additionally, alumni employment rates place SMU amongst the top 30 universities in the world (Center for World University Rankings, 2018-19).

Providing strong career development programs for its students, SMU provides more than 4,400 internships and placements every year through local Dallas businesses.

The Lyle School of Engineering also boasts the Hart Center for Engineering Leadership. This helps connect students to incredible opportunities including internships, work experience placements, job opportunities and connecting mentors. The Center also hosts networking events, workshops and recruiting events, which help students with mock interviews, resume writing and interview prep.

Once students graduate from Lyle, they are still part of the strong SMU alumni network, which was ranked 13^th in the U.S. by the Princeton Review.

What's new

The Lyle School of Engineering is at the forefront of new research and technologies. This has included the creation of several new programs which teach the latest developments in engineering.

As well as new courses, Lyle develops new teaching spaces and invests in facilities to provide excellent educational experiences for students. This includes the new Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a joint project between the Lyle School and Cox School.

Student excellence and doctoral research opportunities have also recently been boosted due to a generous USD 5 million donation from Mary and Rich Templeton. This gift will create new scholarships and fellowships, including four Ph.D. fellowships over the next five years.

Lyle was recently recognized for its significant work on increasing diversity, degree attainment, and inclusion. The American Society for Engineering Education awarded the institution with a bronze award, the highest level that can be achieved.

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate students and graduate students can find the most recent fees for their chosen course on the university’s website.

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Each degree program at The Lyle School of Engineering has individual entry requirements. However, there are some entry conditions that are applicable across the school, including English proficiency.

There are different entry requirements for first year students, transfer students, and graduate students – students can find details on the university’s website.

All international applicants who don’t have English as their first language must submit a TOEFL test (or equivalent). This also applies to graduate applicants who have not gained their undergraduate qualification at a US university.

Applicants need to achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on a computer exam or 80 overall online to be considered for a Lyle program. A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS would also be accepted. The school now also accepts Duolingo with a minimum score of 110.

Graduate applicants must have a minimum 3.000 GPA (on a 4.000 scale) for all previous undergraduate or graduate studies to be eligible for a course at the business school. For doctoral studies applicants, three letters of recommendation and an official GRE graduate school admission test score are also required.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

With over 90 years of experience, The Lyle School of Engineering has a strong reputation as one of the best institutions in the Southwest for engineering and technical subjects.

Its expert faculty (including 60 full-time members) have renowned statuses in engineering, and many are regarded as the best teachers in America. Lyle teachers are responsible for designing and delivering the course material, and several are still working in engineering full-time, ensuring modern industry viewpoints and developments are taught. With an average of 14 years of experience within the faculty, students receive a high standard of education that is relevant to modern developments.

Teaching at Lyle is innovative and practical, with a student to faculty ratio of 11:1. These small class sizes ensure students receive an excellent standard of teaching, a high level of one-to-one teaching attention, and accessible support.

In addition to classroom learning, world-class research is also undertaken at the school. This allows the faculty to create new programs and broaden industry experience for its students. Research specializations include critically important global issues such as cybersecurity and biomedical research.

Department structure

Lyle has five departments and several multidisciplinary courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. A range of interdisciplinary master’s programs is also available, including:

Dual Degree Programs – Lasting two years, dual degrees prepare students for leadership roles across the technology industry.

Civil and Environmental Engineering – This department teaches a variety of specialisms in modern laboratories. Students can learn in a range of areas, including modeling, analysis, and geotechnical engineering.

Computer Science and Engineering – Practical disciplines are taught here, including design and advanced research. Students collaborate with each other, as well as across disciplines, for an innovative way of learning.

Electrical and Computer Engineering – Specialist laboratories provide students with a tailored approach to research. Areas of specialism within this department include communications, circuits, and photonics.

Operations Research and Engineering Management – Ideal for students looking for analytical courses, this department combines technical management with engineering knowledge. Students create their own advanced analytical programs in modern laboratories.

Joint Degree Program – The Master of Science in Engineering with MBA program is geared toward recent graduates as well as early-career professionals employed in the engineering and technology sector who desire to broaden and deepen their skills to further their career opportunities and become leaders in technology with the appropriate business and management acumen.

Mechanical Engineering – Offers programs based around problem-solving within engineering, including design and manufacturing. Students are involved in research and solution projects in specialist laboratories.

Multidisciplinary Studies – These courses are individually planned and allow students to experiment with new and modern technologies.

Campus and facilities

Campuses

SMU Dallas

SMU Taos

Facilities

Accommodation

There is a range of accommodation available on the SMU campus, with first-year students assigned to the same residential facilities as each other. Most accommodation includes common areas for studying and socializing, laundry rooms, and a 24-hour access card system. There is also a resident assistant and residential community director on campus.

SMU facilities

Lyle students have access to SMU’s state-of-the-art facilities on its campus, as well as within the business school.

This includes access to SMU’s six campus-based libraries, including the main Fondren Library. During term times, this library is open 24 hours a day Monday to Thursday, with shorter hours on Friday and weekends. It also houses a café, IT support desk, research help center, classrooms, study spaces and lockers.

Lyle students can also enjoy SMU’s recreational spaces, including the Dedman Centre. It boasts a range of sporting facilities and recreational spaces, including two sand volleyball courts, a climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 7,000-seat basketball arena.

Students can also visit the McFarlin Memorial Auditorium. Opened in 1926, it is one of the oldest buildings on campus, and houses a stunning theatre with over 2,000 seats.