Department of Human Services

Robbie J. Steward, chair
Human Services Building, Room 302
Phone: (936) 468-1238
Fax: (936) 468-5837
stewardrj@sfasu.edu
sfasu.edu/humanservices

Objectives of the Department

The Department of Human Services offers programs of study leading to the Master of Education with a major in special education, the Master of Science with a major in speech-language pathology, the Master of Arts with a major in counseling, student affairs and school psychology, as well as courses that serve to enhance the professional development of teachers (certification-seeking) and people engaged in other human service occupations. The department also offers a doctorate in school psychology.

The professional counseling program allows students to select an emphasis in school counseling (requires prior teacher certification), clinical mental health counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling. All counseling degrees are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, enable graduates to be eligible for the Licensed Professional Counselor license and certification in their field of study. The program unit also provides graduate education in student affairs and higher education, which prepares individuals for work in higher education. 

The special education major is designed to:

1. provide advanced training in special education
2. provide the opportunity for professional certification as an educational diagnostician
3. and lead to certification as a teacher of students with visual impairment and/or as a nationally certified orientation and mobility specialist.

The speech-language pathology program prepares knowledgeable, caring professionals committed to educating the public, properly diagnosing and effectively treating people with communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan, thereby improving their quality of life. The program embraces cultural and linguistic diversity, emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice, critical-thinking skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical principles and continued professional development throughout one’s career. The speech-language pathology program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

The school psychology program provides options for:

1. M.A. for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested only in the M.A.
2. a post-baccalaureate doctoral program for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a doctoral degree
3. and a Ph.D. for applicants with an M.A. in school psychology.

The programs are designed to prepare professional educators, researchers and/or practitioners in public schools, higher education, community mental health facilities and hospital/medical settings. Coursework consists of didactic and individual and small group supervision as well as clinic and field-based experiences. The curricula are based on a scientist-practitioner training model. Consistent with the National Association of School Psychologists standards, candidates employ empirically supported treatments for a wide range of children and families who have special needs while they learn to conduct research that has direct relevance to their unique educational objectives and future employment.

Program Directors

• Frankie Clark, Clinical Instructor, School Psychology
• Robbie Steward (Interim), Professor, Professional Counseling, Student Affairs and Higher Education Programs, and Rehabilitation Services
• Paige Mask, Associate Professor, Special Education
• J. Lindsey Kennon, Assistant Professor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Robbie Steward (Interim), Professor, Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility Programs
• Lydia Richardson, Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology/Communication Sciences and Disorders

Graduate Advisors

• L. Aguerrevere
• D. Cady
• Y. Castillo
• F. Clark
• J. Conn
• S. Darst
• J. Dawes
• D. Dean
• L. Debardelaben
• A. Durham
• N. Ellis-Hervey
• E. Keeling
• W. Killam
• S. Koltonski
• A. Larson
• P. Mask
• D. McCleary
• G. McCuller
• H. Munro
• M. Munro
• J. Perry
• R. Prezas
• A. Pruit
• L. Richardson
• K. Sheriff
• L. Solmonson
• R. Steward
• W. Weber

Graduate Faculty

Professors

• Wendy K. Killam, Ph.D., University of Arkansas, Counselor Education
• Glen McCuller, Ph.D., Utah State University, Special Education
• Le’Ann Solmonson, Ph.D., Sam Houston State University, Counseling
• Robbie J. Steward, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, Counseling Psychology
• William F. Weber, Ed.D., University of Northern Colorado, Rehabilitation Counseling

Associate Professors

• Luis Aguerrevere, Ph.D., University of New Orleans, Neuroscience Psychology
• Nina Ellis-Hervey, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, School Psychology
• Alan Larson, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Rehabilitation Counseling
• Paige Mask, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University, Special Education, Educational Administration
• Raul Prezas, Ph.D., Wichita State University, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Kathleen Sheriff, Ed.D., Texas Tech University, Special Education

Assistant Professors

• Yuleinys Castillo, Ph.D., University of Texas Pan America, Rehabilitation Counseling
• Shannon Darst, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, Special Education
• Jillian Dawes, Ph.D., Oklahoma State University, School Psychology
• Summer Koltonski., Ph.D., Stephen F. Austin State University, School Psychology
• Daniel McCleary, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, School Psychology
• Michael Munro, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Special Education
• Lydia Richardson, SLP.D., Nova Southeastern University, Speech-Language Pathology

Instructor

• Heather Munro, M.Ed., Stephen F. Austin State University, Special Education

Clinical Instructors

• Deborah Cady, M.A., University of Northern Colorado, Special Education
• Frankie Clark, Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University, School Psychology
• Jessica Conn, M.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, Speech-Language Pathology
• DJ Dean, M.Ed., Stephen F. Austin State University, Special Education
• Layne Debardelaben, M.A., University of Houston, Speech-Language Pathology
• Amy Durham, M.S., Stephen F. Austin State University, Speech-Language Pathology
• Kelly Jobe, Au.D., University of Florida-Gainesville, Audiology
• Erin Keeling, M.S., Texas Woman’s University
• Jennifer Perry, M.A., Western Michigan University, Orientation and Mobility
• Deena Petersen, M.S., University of Southern Mississippi, Speech-Language Pathology
• Amanda Pruit, M.S., University of Memphis, Rehabilitation Counseling

Programs

• School Psychology, M.A.
• School Psychology, Ph.D.
• Special Education without Initial Teacher Certification, M.Ed.
• Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.
• Student Affairs and Higher Education, M.A.

• Professional Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A.
• Professional Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, M.A.
• Professional Counseling, School Counseling, M.A.
• Special Education, Education Diagnostician Certification, M.Ed.
• Special Education, Initial Teacher Certification, M.Ed.
• Special Education, Orientation and Mobility Concentration, M.Ed.
• Special Education, Visual Impairment Concentration, M.Ed.

• Educational Diagnostician Certification
• Orientation and Mobility Specialist Certification
• Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Certification