What does SMU stand for? For most American readers the answer is Southern Methodist University, a private university in the Dallas, Texas, area. Its sports teams are the Mustangs, so you will see the letters on game day schedules as well as on diplomas and admissions letters.
The name records the school's roots. It was founded in 1911 by Methodists, a Protestant Christian tradition, and it keeps a tie to the United Methodist Church today. Students of any faith or none attend. Abroad, those initials can also belong to universities in Singapore and Canada, which is covered further down.
Quick facts
Stands for
Southern Methodist UniversityType
Initialism, said S M ULocation
University Park, a small city surrounded by Dallas, TexasFounded
1911, with classes starting in 1915Teams
The MustangsOther meanings
Singapore Management University; Saint Mary's UniversityNot to be confused with
TCU, another private Texas university
What does SMU stand for, word by word?
| Letter | Word | Clue to the school's story |
|---|---|---|
| S | Southern | The region, the American South |
| M | Methodist | The church tradition that founded it |
| U | University | A school with undergraduate and graduate programs |
Southern here describes the part of the country, not a sports conference or a direction on a map. Methodist refers to the church that started the school, and University means it offers advanced degrees as well as bachelor's degrees. Like many colleges, it is far better known by its initials than by its full name.
The SMU campus and its schools
The campus sits in University Park, a separate small city that is completely surrounded by Dallas. Most people simply say SMU is in Dallas, and mail is often addressed that way. Its red brick buildings and central lawn are a familiar sight in the city.
SMU has separate schools for business, law, engineering, the arts, education, theology and the humanities and sciences. Students can study at the undergraduate level or work toward master's, law and doctoral degrees such as a JD or a PhD.
SMU on game day
The teams are called the Mustangs, and the live mascot is a small black horse named Peruna. School colors are red and blue. Sports headlines tend to use only the letters, so you may see lines like "SMU tops rival in overtime."
On a sports ticker: "SMU 31, TCU 24." This means Southern Methodist beat Texas Christian University. The two schools, both private schools a short drive apart, have a long rivalry.
College sports pages also use letters like FBS, for the top level of college football, and NCAA, the body that runs most college sports.
Other schools called SMU
Outside Texas, SMU can mean a different university. Use location to tell them apart.
| Full name | Where | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas area, Texas | Mustangs, US news and college sports |
| Singapore Management University | Singapore | Business and law programs, Asian news |
| Saint Mary's University | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Canadian sources |
A few other colleges with Saint Mary's in their names also use the letters. If the story mentions Texas, the Mustangs or Dallas, it is Southern Methodist.
How SMU is said and written
Read it as three letters, "S M U", the way students and fans always do. Capitals, no periods. The letter S begins with an "eh" sound, so careful writers choose an: "an SMU graduate."
- "She transferred to SMU after her first year."
- "He is an SMU law student."
- "The SMU campus is a short drive from downtown."
- "Is SMU playing at home this weekend?"
For more college names that are mostly known by initials, such as UCLA, browse the school acronyms hub.
Questions people ask
What does SMU stand for in Texas?
It stands for Southern Methodist University. The private university is in University Park, a city inside Dallas, and its teams are the Mustangs.
Is SMU a religious school?
It was founded by Methodists and still has a link to the United Methodist Church. Students of all backgrounds attend, and the main programs are not religious, though it does have a school of theology.
Why is it called Southern Methodist University?
Southern names the region it serves, and Methodist names the church that founded it. University shows it grants graduate degrees as well as bachelor's degrees.
What is the SMU mascot?
The teams are the Mustangs, and the live mascot is a black pony named Peruna. The school colors are red and blue.
Is SMU in Dallas?
Practically, yes. The campus is in University Park, a separate small city that Dallas surrounds on all sides, so most people describe it as a Dallas school.