Centers and Institutes

The following centers and institutes are located at Southern Methodist University, serving as resources to the University, the community and the world. Many also offer opportunities for scholarly research and writing, conferences, periodic lectures and symposia. Questions about the centers and institutes should be sent to their directors or faculty members.

SMU Cox School of Business

Albert W. Niemi Center for Economic Growth and Leadership Development	The Albert W. Niemi Center for Economic Growth and Leadership Development focuses on creating learning experiences for students and community members. Paid fellowships have been created to provide undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to be involved in impactful research with the Bush Institute and SMU Centers and faculty. The fellowship program was designed to drive positive change and promote growth and freedom in the global economy throughout the world. The Niemi Center also has a certificate program in American Capitalism and offers undergrad and graduate credit courses at SMU.
Brierley Institute for Customer Engagement	The nation’s first academic institute devoted to the study of customer engagement will be based at SMU in the University’s Cox School of Business thanks to a $10 million gift from Diane and Harold (Hal) Brierley. The Brierley Institute plans to change the business world and transform the fundamental interaction between a customer and a company.
Business Library	The Business Library provides high-quality information services for Cox Business School students and others in the University community.
Edwin L. Cox Business Leadership Center	The Center provides Cox Business School students with the "soft skills" needed to be successful in business. The BLC offers classes and seminars that complement the curriculum at the school.
Career Management Center	You can start using the vast, dedicated resources of the Cox MBA Career Management Center from the moment you enroll. That's the time to start targeting your career goals and mapping a strategic plan, and we're here to help you. From personal branding and coaching, to job search and the CMC's unique career treks, our mission is to make sure you achieve your goals. And the help doesn't end at graduation. The world measures the success of an SMU Cox degree by the success of our graduates and alumni.
Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship	As one of the oldest entrepreneurship centers in the United States, the Institute has for more than 25 years been committed to encouraging those who can to build a business of their own.
Folsom Institute For Real Estate	The Margaret and Robert Folsom Institute was established at the SMU Cox School of Business in 1984 through a generous gift from former Dallas mayor and real estate developer Robert Folsom. It has been the backbone of real estate activity at SMU, supporting research and the real estate academic programs at both the BBA and MBA levels. Today, SMU Cox is committed to building upon its success by broadening the Institute’s presence in the real estate industry on a national basis.
Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies	The Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies provides enrichment programs and research opportunities for students and faculty in the Cox School's Finance Department.
EnCap Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center	The Alternative Asset Management Center provides students with hands-on training in the increasingly important financial markets of non-traditional asset classes, including hedge funds and private equity funds.
Kitt Investing and Trading Center	The Kitt Investing and Trading Center is a state-of-the-art instructional and research facility designed to integrate finance curriculum, enhance innovative faculty research, and teach students practical finance and investment applications.
JCPenney Center for Retail Excellence	The Center is a leading source of academic expertise on consumer shopping behavior and the effects of retailer activities on shopping behavior.
Maguire Energy Institute	The Institute promotes the study of policy, marketing, and management issues related to oil, natural gas and electricity.
National Center for Arts Research	The National Center for Arts Research provides a toolkit of evidence-based insights into the health of arts and cultural organizations in America.
O'Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom	The O'Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom was established to study the impact of competitive market forces on freedom and prosperity in the global economy.
Southwestern Graduate School of Banking	The School offers a comprehensive, state-of-the-industry program designed for those seeking a dynamic approach to graduate-level instruction in banking.