Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership

Human Services Building, Room 302
Phone: (936) 468-2906
Fax: (936) 468-5837
hsel@sfasu.edu
sfasu.edu/humanservices

Program/Faculty Contacts

Professional Counseling
Wendy Killam

School Psychology
Daniel McCleary for MA

Luis Aguerrevere for PhD

Speech-Language Pathology
Lydia Richardson

Educational Leadership
Barbara Qualls for MEd
Summer Pannell for EdD

Student Affairs and Higher Education
Pietro Sasso

Accreditations

Council on Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology
Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related Programs
National Association of School Psychologists full approval in School Psychology, MA
American Psychological Association accreditation in SFA Charter School psychology internship program
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Clinic/Center Directors

Nina Ellis-Hervey (School Psychology Assessment Center)
Kelly Jobe (Cole Audiology Lab)
Luis Aguerrevere (Human Neuroscience Laboratory)
Nashae Turner (Counseling Clinic)
Deena Petersen (Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders)
William Weber (Rehabilitation Services Career Planning Laboratory)

Training Directors

Brittany McCreary, Nina Ellis-Hervey (SFA Charter School psychology internship)

Faculty

Professors

Luis Aguerrevere, PhD, University of New Orleans, Applied BioPsychology
Nina Ellis-Hervey, PhD, Oklahoma State University, School Psychology
Stacy Hendricks, EdD, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Educational Administration
Wendy K. Killam, PhD, University of Arkansas, Counselor Education
William F. Weber, EdD, University of Northern Colorado, Rehabilitation Counseling

Associate Professors

Jaime Flowers, PhD, Chapman University, School Psychology
Ali Hachem, PhD, Miami University, Educational Administration
Lori Kupczynski, EdD, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Adult and Higher Education
Daniel McCleary, PhD, University of Tennessee, School Psychology
Summer Pannell, PhD, University of Mississippi, Educational Leadership
Barbara Qualls, PhD, University of North Texas, Curriculum and Instruction, Research
Nandhakumar Radhakrishnan, PhD, Bowling Green State University, Communication Disorders
Lydia Richardson, SLPD, Nova Southeastern University, Speech-Language Pathology
Pietro Sasso, PhD, Darden College of Education, Educational Leadership
Brian Uriegas, EdD, Texas A&M University at Kingsville, Educational Leadership

Assistant Professors

Brandi Sawyer, PhD, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Counselor Education and Supervision
Ralf Schuster, PhD, East Carolina University, Counselor Education and Supervision
Andrew Southerland, PhD, University of Wyoming, Counselor Education and Supervision
Elaine Turner, PhD, Stephen F. Austin State University, School Psychology

Clinical Instructors

Layne Debardelaben, MA, University of Houston, Speech-Language Pathology
Amy Durham, MS, Stephen F. Austin State University, Speech-Language Pathology
Kelly Jobe, AuD, University of Florida, Audiology
Erin Keeling, MS, Texas Woman’s University, Speech-Language Pathology
Brittany McCreary, PhD, Stephen F. Austin State University, School Psychology
Deena Petersen, MS, University of Southern Mississippi, Speech-Language Pathology

Objectives of the Department

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

The professional counseling program offers an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling and is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and enable graduates to be eligible to become a licensed professional counselor and become certified in their field of study.

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 Speech-Language Pathology.

The school psychology program provides options for:

an MA for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested only in the MA.
a post-baccalaureate doctoral program for applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a doctoral degree
and a doctoral degree for applicants with an MA or EdS from an NASP-approved program 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, individual and small-group supervision, as well as clinic and field-based experiences.

The Educational Leadership, MEd leads to certification in educational leadership as principal. The 30-hour, fully online program is designed to prepare candidates for all roles in educational leadership: curriculum director, instructional coach, dean of students, etc., in addition to principal and assistant principal positions. Advice and guidance for preparation for all phases of the certification process is offered, including practicum and certification testing. Candidates who already hold an appropriate master’s degree are eligible for the 18-hour certification only track. The superintendent certification program is 15 hours of preparatory course work, as well as the practicum required for certification. The MEd leadership/athletic director concentration is a 30-hour degree program that prepares a candidate for positions of leadership in athletics in public schools.

The Educational Leadership, EdD is an advanced study in a cohort setting with emphasis on the educational leader as a scholar-practitioner. Students interested in the doctoral program must have successfully completed a master’s degree in educational leadership, higher education or a related field of coursework, and must complete all application documents and requirements of the department and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies guidelines.

The Student Affairs and Higher Education, MA program includes 36 hours of course credit plus six hours of internship to total 42 credit hours. Graduates are prepared to perform in leadership and support roles in the administration of higher education, including human resources, finance, student affairs, advising and other administration roles. The program has no thesis requirement, but there is a comprehensive examination. Candidates must meet all requirements for admission to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

Admission Requirements

All graduate programs require graduate admission to the university through the Office of Research and Graduate Studies as outlined in the Graduate Admission section and meet department-specific program admission requirements unique to each program. It is important that interested students complete all parts of the admission process through ORGS and the program prior to the stated deadlines.

Educational Leadership
To be accepted in educational leadership program as a major or for professional certificate work only, a student must meet the admission requirements of the Office of Research and Graduate Studies as outlined elsewhere in the bulletin and meet the department and program admission requirements. A major must have the approval of the graduate advisor and department chair. In each case, the undergraduate background must be appropriate to the graduate program pursued.

In the case of the principal preparation degree and/or certification program and the superintendent certification program, admission will be determined at the department level upon receipt and assessment of appropriate documents from the applicant and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.

To be considered for admission to the Educational Leadership, MEd , an applicant must:

have an overall GPA of 2.75 or a GPA of 2.8 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, each on a 4.0 scale
have completed a professional leadership profile as outlined in the application forms
be admitted to the educator preparation program
submit a valid Texas teacher’s certification and at least two years of teaching experience
and be officially admitted to the degree program by the program faculty.

Admission to the Educational Leadership, EdD is determined by the program faculty within the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. To apply, an applicant should:

obtain application forms from the department
obtain application forms from the ORGS
complete all required application materials, pay fees and append them to the necessary undergraduate and graduate degree transcripts
and return all forms and credentials respectively to the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership and to the ORGS.
A letter of application indicating academic and professional interests should be sent directly to the department’s doctoral program coordinator. A list of references should be included with the letter of application as outlined in the application forms.
Admission occurs once a year with a new cohort beginning in the summer. The deadline for completed applications to both the SFA graduate school and the program application is March 1.

Professional Counseling
Students applying to the professional counseling program are required to have a minimum 2.8 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. If a student does not meet the GPA requirement but has a significant professional work history, provisional admission to the program may be considered.

All application materials for graduate school and the program must be received by the Professional Counseling Admissions Committee prior to the set deadlines:

Fall admission - March 1
Spring admission - Oct. 1

School Psychology
It is recommended that application materials to SFA’s graduate school and school psychology program be received by the School Psychology Admissions Committee prior to the following deadlines:

Fall admission for MA - Jan. 31 for full consideration (candidates are admitted once per year)

Fall admission for PhD - March 1 (candidates are admitted ones per year)

However, interested individuals should apply at any time prior to the start date of the desired semester of entry. Incomplete applications are denied after 90 days and require a new application to reapply.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to be considered for admission. Application materials include the ORGS application, official transcripts, essay and three letters of recommendation.

Speech-Language Pathology
The deadline for admission to the Speech-Language Pathology, MS is Feb. 1. All requirements must be verified and received by the program director by that date. Candidates are admitted once per year (summer II).

Minimal requirements for acceptance include a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of 288, an overall GPA of 3.0, a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours, a factor of 865 obtained by multiplying GRE score and last 60 hours of GPA, bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or equivalent, and evidence of likelihood of success in graduate education and in the profession of speech-language pathology.

GRE for the 2025 cohort has been waived and is not required for admission.

Student Affairs and Higher Education
Students must hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, students must meet the following requirements:

For admission to SFA’s graduate studies, the student must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a 2.8 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, exclusive of freshman-level courses.

Application deadlines:

Fall admission - March 1
Spring admission - Oct. 1
Summer admission - March 1

Applicants submitting after these deadlines may be considered based on space availability.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded each year within the department. For information and applications, contact the coordinator for each program.

Programs

Program Overview

Speech-Language Pathology, MS

Major

Concentration/Emphasis

Certification

Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate