Top-Ranked Teacher Preparation Programs at SFA
Stephen F. Austin State University appears in our ranking of theĀ 20 Most Affordable Online MAT Degrees.
In McKibben Hall, the James I. Perkins College of Education led by Dr. Judy Abbott grants a 120-credit B.S. in Elementary Education (EC-6) where Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks observe at the Charter School, complete a 15-week clinical teaching semester, and join Kappa Delta Pi. Chaired by Dr. Joey Bray, the B.S. in Agricultural Science Education uniquely shapes a 123-credit, CAEP-accredited curriculum with opportunities to intern at the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden, conduct Soils Lab research, become Agri-Ambassadors, and mentor 4-H youth. Other undergrad options include the B.F.A. in Art Education, B.S. in Deaf or Hard of Hearing Education, B.A. in French Education, B.S. in Mathematics Education, B.S. in Middle-Level Education, and B.S. in Kinesiology: Physical Education.
Online on D2L Brightspace, the M.Ed. in Reading Specialist follows a 36-credit, ILA-aligned path headed by Dr. Kimberly Welsh that fulfills the Texas Master Reading Teacher certification after rigorous 500-level courses like Literacy Acquisition and two field practica, such as the Early Childhood Laboratory. Since May 2016, the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership has admitted cohorts of 10-17 into a 72-credit sequence outlined by Dr. Tom Franks with face-to-face weekend seminars and Center of Community Research dissertation work for superintendent endorsements. Additional post-grad offerings include the M.Ed. in Special Education, M.M. in Music Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, M.Ed. in Bilingual Education, M.Ed. in Teaching & Learning, and Ph.D. in School Psychology.
About Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University originated on March 2, 1915, when the Texas Legislature passed legislation to organize three normal colleges for teacher training. In Spring 1917, Nacogdoches donated 200 acres of the late Senior Thomas Rusk’s homestead for building. Despite Governor Patt Neff’s veto, the Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College was appropriated funds to welcome an inaugural class of 158 in September 1923. Fourteen years later, President Alton Birdwell founded the Graduate School. In 1946, enrollment at Stephen F. Austin State first surpassed 1,000. In 1949, the “Teachers” part of its name was dropped to signify fast-growing liberal arts programs. In 1969, the Stephen F. Austin State University title was adopted. That same year, the 331,480-volume Ralph Steen Library was opened. By 1970, the Early Childhood Research Center was built on Raguet Street.
Endowed for $81.7 million, Stephen F. Austin State University now employs 655 faculty teaching 13,144 Lumberjacks from 46 states and 42 nations online or on the 430-acre Nacogdoches campus in Southern Ark-La-Tex with 200+ clubs like the Early Childhood Organization. In 2019, SFA had the Gilbert I. Low Excellence in Education Award recipient. In 2017, Stephen F. Austin State University won an Educational Advertising Gold Award. SFA had the 2003 University Council for Educational Administration’s Paula Silver Case Award finalist too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Austin State the 191st best education school. On Niche, SFA boasts America’s 66th best Greek life, 215th best athletics, and 242nd top public education. College Factual declared SFA the 237th best value before financial aid. Washington Monthly crowned Stephen F. Austin State the 244th best master’s institution.
Stephen F. Austin State University Accreditation Details
On January 26, 2011, Stephen F. Austin State University satisfactorily submitted a Quality Enhancement Plan to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to extend its Level VI accreditation through 2021-22 under President Baker Pattillo, Ph.D., who earned the Nacogdoches County Citizen of the Year Award. Located 695 miles east via Interstate 20 in Decatur, this grand 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to review SFA’s 82 baccalaureate, 44 master’s, and three doctoral options. The James I. Perkins College of Education also lists the following approvals:
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Association for Childhood Education International
- National Association of School Psychologists
- Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
- National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
Stephen F. Austin State University Application Requirements
Starting at Stephen F. Austin State University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 7,250 of the 11,081 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for only 65 percent acceptance. First-year Lumberjacks pursuing the James I. Perkins College of Education must finish a strong high school curriculum or a GED. The Class of 2022 achieved an average secondary GPA of 3.31. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 430-540 for reading and 440-550 for math. The middle 50th percentile had ACT composite marks of 19-24. Freshmen must exceed the 930 SAT or 17 ACT minimum. Transfers must complete 15+ college-level credits with GPAs above 2.0. Online education completer programs mandate 45 previous credits and 3.0 GPAs. The Graduate School strongly prefers upper-division GPAs of 2.8 and higher in regionally accredited bachelor’s study. Most degrees, excluding the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, make GRE scores optional. Acceptable scores are approximately 130-170 on each GRE section. Unlike the MAT, the Master of Education requires current K-12 teacher certification.
Stephen F. Austin State University has rolling undergraduate admission until August 25th for Fall, December 25th for Spring, and May 25th for Summer enrollment. International bachelor’s students should file before June 1st, November 1st, or April 1st respectively. The Graduate School opens the application period on August 1st and December 1st. Use the ApplyTexas portal to complete the SFA Application online for $25 ($50 if graduate). Mail official transcripts to PO Box 13023 in Nacogdoches, TX 75962. Forward standardized tests via SAT/GRE code 6682 or ACT code 4188. Attach supplemental materials, such as the personal statement, 2-3 references, resume or CV, teacher certificate, education portfolio, and background check. Contact (936) 468-1292 or collegeofeducation@sfasu.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Stephen F. Austin State University is charging full-time Texas undergrads $10,946 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition $23,398 each year. Learners cover the $73 university services fee, $120 recreation sports fee, and $85 Student Center fee each term. Residing at the Nacogdoches campus’ dorms like Griffith Hall adds $9,012 for yearly room and board. SFA budgets $78 for loan fees, $1,202 for books, $1,800 for travel, and $1,874 for miscellaneous. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $24,912 in-state and $37,364 out-of-state. Online bachelor’s programs are priced $1,095 per course. The Graduate School bills average full-time tuition of $4,896 for Texans and $12,366 for non-residents. Online education master’s degrees cost 1,237 each course.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Austin Building Room 104 connects 67 percent of full-time SFA Lumberjacks to median tuition assistance of $7,167 each for $52.38 million combined. Education funds include the Addijo Williams Scholarship, Albertine Gandy Scholarship, Barton Family Scholarship, Bill Greer Memorial Scholarship, Eloise Chambers Adams Scholarship, Dr. Morgan Moses Memorial Scholarship, Jane Robertson Scholarship, Mary Leland Watkins Scholarship, Maco Stewart Scholarship, Sarah Ross Scholarship, Naomi Booth Campbell Scholarship, and T.P. White Scholarship. The Regents Scholarship gifts $3,000 annually to freshmen meeting the 1220 SAT or 27 ACT minimum. The $2,000 Community College Transfer Scholarship supports associate graduates who’ve achieved GPAs above 3.50. Federal programs, such as the Teach Grant and Pell Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 003624. Texans also pursue the Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers, Troops to Teachers Scholarship, TRTF Beginning Teacher Scholarship, and others.
Learn more about Stephen F. Austin State University at the James I. Perkins College of Education website.