Department of Allied Health Studies

Dr. Wycliffe Njororai, Director
Norton HPE Complex, Room 204
(936) 468-3503
Fax: (936) 468-1850
sfasu.edu/kinesiology

Program Coordinators

Dr. Eric Jones, kinesiology program co-coordinator

Dr. James Rowe, kinesiology program co-coordinator

Dr. Linda Bobo, athletic training program director

Dr. Darla O’Dwyer, dietetic internship coordinator

Dr. Andrew Southerland - Professional Counseling

Dr. Daniel McCleary - MA School Psychology

Dr. Nina Ellis-Hervey - PhD School and Health Services Psychology

Dr. Lydia Richardson - Speech-Language Pathology

Accreditations

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
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

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)

Training Directors

Frankie Clark (SFA Charter School psychology internship)

Objectives of the Department

The Department of Allied Health Studies offers six programs of study leading to either a Master of Science or Master of Arts, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy. The purpose of the graduate programs is to improve the competency of students in diverse fields, including human performance, athletic training, nutrition and integrative health, speech-language pathology, school and health services psychology, and school psychology. It also is the conscious intent of the school to serve as a center for conducting research and for interpreting new professional developments in the various allied health fields. Consistent with the mission, core values and vision of SFA and the Perkins College of Education, the school emphasizes enhanced student achievement, life-long learning, and development through innovative teaching, research and service.

Program Descriptions

Master of Science in Kinesiology

The Masters of Science in kinesiology/human performance studies is designed to prepare individuals for research, advanced graduate education and careers in academic, medical, corporate and clinical settings. It provides the theoretical and experiential framework needed to prepare for the American College of Sports Medicine certification exams. The program offers research facilities, including human performance and biochemistry laboratories, that are used extensively as both an applied learning center and research facility. Ample opportunities are provided for students to utilize the laboratory equipment and to assess current and future research problems/questions.

Master of Science in Athletic Training

The Master of Science in athletic training program is a professional program designed to prepare students for an entry-level position by exposing them to hands-on application of clinical skills, experiences with diverse clinical settings and preceptors, and relatable course work that transitions to global work settings. The athletic training program begins in the summer and can be completed in two years. Within this time frame, students will be provided with the necessary academic requirements to assist them in becoming eligible to attempt the Board of Certification national examination before graduation.

The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Athletic training, as defined by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, “encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association, Health Resources Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services as an allied health care profession. Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes. The NATA Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.” The 4,500-square-foot SFA Sports Medicine Complex (located in the Johnson Coliseum) is an integral part of the graduate athletic training clinical experiences.

The Department of Allied Health Studies also offers the Master of Science with a major in speech-language pathology, the Master of Arts with a major in counseling, the Master of Arts with a major in school psychology, and a doctorate in school and health services psychology.

Master of Arts in Counseling

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.

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

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.

Master of Arts in School Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy in School and Health Services Psychology

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 a 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.

Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health

The Nutrition and Integrative Health, MS program is designed to blend standardized nutrition therapy with integrative nutrition concepts, using evidence-based practices. Students will learn how to look at health from a holistic viewpoint, considering multiple factors to design individualized interventions. The program offers two tracks: 1) general and 2) dietetic internship, accredited through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. The dietetic internship track is for students with a didactic program in dietetics, or DPD, verification statement who are matched to the program through the centralized application process. It provides a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised practice and enables students to sit for the national registration exam once the Master of Science is completed. The general track is for students who have a nutrition/allied health degree and want to expand their knowledge and career opportunities.

Admissions Requirements

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, School and Health Services 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 School Psychology, MA - Jan. 31 for full consideration (candidates are admitted once per year)

Fall admission for School and Health Services Psychology, 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 Office of Research and Graduate Studies 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.

Graduate Faculty

Professors

Luis Aguerrevere, PhD, Univeristy of New Orleans, Applied BioPsychology
Linda Stark Bobo, PhD, ATC, LAT, University of Southern Mississippi, Administration and Teaching
Nina Ellis-Hervey, PhD, Oklahoma State Univeristy, School Psychology
Eric Jones, PhD, University of Alabama, Exercise Physiology
Wendy K. Killam, PhD, University of Arkansas, Counselor of Education
Wycliffe Njororai, PhD, Kenyatta University, Physical Education and Sport
Darla O’Dwyer, PhD, Texas Tech University, Food/Nutrition/Dietetics
Nandhakumar Radhakrishnan, PhD, Bowling Green State University, Communication Disorders
Christina Sinclair, PhD, University of New Mexico, Physical Education
Todd Whitehead, PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, Applied Physiology

Associate Professors

Mihae Bae, PhD, University of Maryland, Kinesiology
Daniel McCleary, PhD, Univeristy of Tennessee, School Psychology
Lydia Richardson, SLPD Nova Southeastern Univeristy, Speech-Language Pathology
James Rowe, PhD, Texas Woman’s University, Exercise Physiology

Assistant Professors

Amber Chelette, PhD, University of Houston, Kinesiology
Chrystal Evans, PhD, Texas Tech Univeristy, Educational Psychology
Lisa McCleary, PhD, Univeristy of Tennessee, School Psychology
Muswamba Mwamba, DrPH, University of North Carolina, Public Health Executive Leadership
Sharon Rice, EdD, Capella University, Adult Education
Ralf Schuster, PhD, East Carolina Univeristy, Counselor Education and Supervision
Andrew Southerland, PhD, University of Wyoming, Counselor Education and Supervision
Keilea Sumrall, DHSc, ATC, LAT, A.T., Still University, Fundamentals of Education Concentration
Elaine Turner, PhD, Stephen F. Austin State Univeristy, School Psychology
Victoria Wagner-Greene, PhD, University of Toledo, Health Education
Melinda Watts, PhD, ATC, LAT, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Athletic Training
Robyn Whitehead, PhD, University of the Rockies, Health and Wellness Psychology