Access our guides and download the eBook versions to help you on your journey as a graduate student or check out our blog, Advancing the Field for more informational material.

Request More Information

As you research and prepare for graduate school, make sure you understand the process at every step. Whether that means you are choosing a program, applying for graduate school, or preparing to write your dissertation, you need to be as informed as possible to make the best decisions.

The Moody
School of Graduate
and Advanced Studies

Discover how SMU is supporting world-changing research, competitive funding, & professional and community engagement thanks to a $100 million gift from the Moody Foundation.

How to Get a PhD: A Guide to Choosing and Applying to PhD Programs

Complete your PhD search with confidence! This guide has the information you need to choose a program, apply successfully and thrive during your years of doctoral study. 

The Graduate Student's Guide to Living in Dallas

What's it like to live, work, relax and study in Dallas? Get to know the city we call home and explore the unexpected opportunities that await you at SMU! We always say big things happen in Dallas. Could your graduate career be one of them?

How to Get Your Master's Degree: A Guide for International Students

It’s important to thoughtfully consider your interests, values, and long-term goals when choosing a master’s degree — you’ll also need resources to guide you through your journey.

The International Applicant’s
Guide to a Ph.D.

Read information about choosing and applying to a Ph.D. program, financing your degree, navigating housing and living in the U.S., and finding resources at SMU that can help you to do all these things successfully.

A Guide to Graduate
Admissions at SMU

SMU's Graduate School is proud to offer doctoral and master’s degrees in a wide variety of fields. This guide is designed to give you an overview of the admissions requirements and processes for our Master’s and Doctoral programs.

Competitive Funding and Student Experience

At SMU, our goal is to make your education financially attainable and to cultivate a collaborative and supportive community that sets you up for success. Tune in to learn about the competitive fellowships and funding opportunities available through the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. 

Moody Means: Exploring Graduate Student Resources at SMU

Discover what Moody means in this recorded webinar. Hear from current PhD students about what it's like to be a mustang and how they've used the resources available through the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies to enhance their academic experience. 

How to Succeed in Economics: Master's Degree Comparison Guide

Economics is a fascinating and complex field. With the right education and qualifications, it can lead to a fulfilling (and lucrative) career. So, what does it take to become a successful economist? In this guide, we’ll provide you with an overview of the various master’s degree options in economics and related fields, as well as the different career paths for which each degree will prepare you.

How to Become a Data Analyst in Less Than Two Years

Data analysts are the backbone of any data-driven organization — collecting, storing, maintaining, and analyzing large amounts of information that can have a major impact on the bottom line. But data analysis isn't just about crunching numbers and analyzing spreadsheets. It's about finding the story behind the data and using it to help businesses make smarter decisions. 

Making Work Work with a Master's in Organizational Psychology

Industrial-Organizational Psychology is one of the most topically relevant fields of our time with significant projected job growth. In the program guide, we’ll provide you with an overview of the field, job pathways to becoming a positive change agent in the workplace, and how to choose the right I/O Psychology program to kickstart your career.

A Guide to Online & Flexible Graduate Degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Our world needs qualified and passionate engineering professionals to provide solutions around the world. Learn how you can make a difference with an advanced degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from SMU.

Discovering Your Planet: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences

This resource highlights the value of Earth Science, details current research among SMU Earth Sciences faculty members, describes the different research areas available within the Earth Sciences discipline, and discusses career options available to a Ph.D. professional in this field. 

Addressing Challenges in Education and Learning: A Complete Guide to Earning a Ph.D. in Education

This resource aims to demonstrate the value of education research, explore current research occurring in the field, and exemplify how SMU offers high-caliber research opportunities to its doctoral candidates.   

A Complete Guide to Earning Your Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Explore the many facets of electrical and computer engineering and the Ph.D. programs that are preparing these engineers to invent the future. The guide also looks at research being conducted within the field and specifically at Southern Methodist University.

Reanalyzing Our World: Humanities PhDs at SMU

Do you want to understand the themes of life's "big questions"? If a passion for history, literature or religious studies is driving you to explore a doctoral degree, we invite you to explore the three interdisciplinary humanities PhDs offered at SMU  and learn about the career opportunities in academia in beyond.  

Exploring the Universe: A Complete Guide to Studying Physics at SMU

A Complete Guide to Studying Statistical Science at SMU

Because of the explosion of data from devices such as sensors, cell phones, and medical instruments, as well as from business processes, surveys, and social media, there is accelerating demand for specialists who are trained in data collection and analysis.