SMU Dedman has full- and a part-time JD programs, built on the traditional first year of required courses and a largely elective third year. The school has no formal concentration program, but students can tailor their own schedules to specialize in areas like family law, litigation or international law. In general, SMU Dedman's academics lean towards business law and tax law, and it offers an LLM in taxation, a JD/MBA with the Cox School of Business, and a JD/MA in economics.

In July 2008, Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law graduates earned the highest first-time taker bar passage rate in the state--93.9 percent, almost 9 percent higher than the Texas average. And as the only law school in Dallas, SMU Dedman is well situated for those interested in the North Texas market. Dallas-Ft. Worth firms snatch up most SMU graduates, but the school name carries weight throughout the state. SMU's campus is in an upscale neighborhood in Dallas, so crime is not a problem, but housing can get expensive. As with most urban schools, social activities are largely based around downtown attractions, though SMU Dedman houses several student organizations that often host social events for those looking for entertainment on campus.