SAES Degree Counselor (HR Title: Degree Counselor II)

Southern Methodist University Inc; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Job summary

SMU is seeking a Degree Counselor for the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success. This on-campus role maintains pre-major academic records and guides students through education requirements, major declaration, and timely graduation.

You will work closely with academic advisors, support SAES retention and transfer initiatives, and help manage ADSA and UHP programs while communicating with students and advisors. A Bachelor's is required, with a Master’s preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master's degree preferred in a related field.
• Minimum three years of academic advising or counseling in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Communicate and enforce university policies to pre-major students via the UAC.
• Monitor course repeats, identify students for Academic Alert/Probation, and process enrollment forms.
• Support SAES retention, graduation, transfer initiatives, and ADSA/UHP programs.
• Maintain procedures and communicate with students and leadership as needed.
• Represent SAES at meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Organization

Time management

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Higher education degree preferred

Job description

Salary Range:

Salary range will be in the mid $50,000 range, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About SMUSMU

SMUSMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department

The Office of Student Academic Engagement and Success enriches the Mustang experience both inside and outside the classroom. We are dedicated to facilitating student engagement and academic achievement. SMU connects students to resources that allow them to thrive on and off campus.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Degree Counselor for the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) will be responsible for maintaining all pre-major academic records. Working closely with academic advisors in the University Advising Center (UAC), they will help guide students through the completion of general education requirements, major declaration, and timely graduation. Additionally, the degree counselor will proactively support SAES retention and graduation efforts, transfer initiatives, Academic Development of Student Athletes (ADSA), and the University Honors Program (UHP).

Essential Functions

• Communicate and enforce University policies and procedures to pre-major students working with the UAC, monitor and submit course repeat rosters, identify students for Academic Alert/Probation/Suspension/Dismissal, process late enrollment forms, athletic certification, and process duplicate credit queries and notify advisors and students.
• Review student records to determine eligibility for SAES retention programs and funding. Review leave requests, support participation in Early and Mid-term progress reports, use University dashboards to proactively reach out to students at risk of leaving SMU, and actively identify students eligible for 6-year graduation who are not currently enrolled.
• Support Transfer Admission at prospective and admitted student sessions, and with advising prospective students, support prospective transfer students with completing petitions, and review all transfers for matriculation to SMU.
• Proactively identify ways the GEAR office can provide academic records support to ADSA and the UHP to improve student outcomes and identify operational efficiencies.
• Monitor the pre-major and retention records email accounts, communicate proactively about possible concerns to students and leadership, and send student-specific communication to address areas of concern. Maintain accurate operating procedures in Wiki.
• Represent SAES at University meetings, when appropriate, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet deadlines.

Qualifications Education and Experience

• Bachelor's is required.
• Master's preferred.
• A degree in higher education, counseling, or social science is preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in academic advising or counseling in higher education is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.
• Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
• Must be incredibly organized and detail-oriented with strong time management skills and the ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
• Candidate must have strong technical writing skills and the ability to coordinate and process different work flows. Must be proactive in managing their work.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply

Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by November 10, 2026. Deadline to apply is November 23, 2026.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.