Located near the center of Dallas, SMU is a private university of about 12,000 students offering strong undergraduate, graduate and professional programs through seven schools – Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Meadow School of the Arts, Lyle School of Engineering, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development. The Simmons School was founded in 2005 and is ranked among the top 15 private graduate education schools in the United States. The school has undergraduate and graduate programs across five academic departments, including Applied Physiology and Wellness, Counseling and Dispute Resolution, Education Policy and Leadership, Graduate Liberal Studies, and Teaching and Learning. Comprised of two state-of-the-art academic buildings, the Simmons School has over 80,000 sq. feet of office and classroom spaces, applied physiology labs, and a 21st century teacher development studio to advance the development of pre-service and in-service teachers. The Simmons School promotes excellence by engaging in and disseminating research, securing significant external grants and contracts, preparing exemplary professionals, and collaborating with other schools on campus.