James I. Perkins College of Education

Welcome to the Perkins College of Education

Become a Teacher

Receive up to $4,000 per year (full time) with a total of $16,000 for undergraduate study and $ 8,000 for graduate programs.

This grant is available to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If, after reading the information on the TEACH Grant website you are interested in learning more about the grant, you should contact the SFA Financial Aid office.

Welcome to the Perkins College of Education website at Stephen F. Austin State University. Our college is home to five departments: Elementary Education, Human Sciences, Human Services, Kinesiology and Health Science, and Secondary Education and Educational Leadership. We offer 27 undergraduate/graduate degree programs and 45 educator certifications. We invite you to explore our various webpages which details information about our degrees, certifications, accreditations, centers, grants, advising, annual reports and other important information. Thank you for your interest in the Perkins College of Education.

News and Announcements

The James I. Perkins College of Education recently launched the National Head Start Online Degree Completer Program. This unique program allows Head Start teachers across the nation to earn a bachelor’s degree online while continuing to work. Head Start teachers complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at a local community college and then transfer seamlessly into the Online Head Start Completer Program. The Completer Program offers Head Start assistant teachers, teachers, coordinators or curriculum specialists two degree options: 1) a Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Family Development or 2) a Bachelor’s of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with Texas teacher certification at the EC-6 level. For more information visit the program website.
The CERT-Prep Grants office has up to $5,000 available towards tuition and fees for teacher certification programs. Visit our office in the McKibben Education Building Room 212 for more information or call (936)468-6555 to see if you qualify for this great opportunity.
The innovative and popular EC-4 Online Completer Program in the Department of Elementary Education received the prestigious 2008 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Star Award. For more information see THECB Star Award
The James I. Perkins College of Education released its 2007-08 Annual Report, “A New Beginning.” This past year the college was renamed the James I. Perkins College of Education--thus the title selection for this year’s report. We invite you to read about all the significant activities and achievements of our faculty, staff and students by visiting “COE Annual Reports”.
Dr. Stephen F. Waddell received the Outstanding Superintendent award for the North Texas Region
The James I Perkins College of Education sponsored a National Summit on Rural Education on March 28, 2008 on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. For video and information about the summit, visit http://www.perkinscollegesummit.net/
Groundbreaking for the new $30 million dollar Early Childhood Research and Development Center took place on January 29. Construction is expected to be complete July 2009, at which time the Department and Elementary Education, The new University Charter School and the Early Childhood Laboratory will relocate to this 120,000 square foot state of the art facility. Click here to view live the construction. See the press release.
The State Board of Education unanimously approves the Stephen F. Austin State University Charter School
The SFASU Department of Human Services faculty and students of the Rehabilitation/Counseling programs held free anonymous mental health screenings in recognition of National Depression Screening Day (NDSD.) on October 11, 2007. Thirty-four individuals took advantage of the free screenings with 7 being offered follow-up services. Attendees completed a written self-assessment and talked one-on-one with a mental health counselor in training. NDSD Mental Health Screening, held in October as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, is a program of the nonprofit organization, Screening for Mental Health, Inc. Last year, more than 200,000 people attended nationally.
New SFA education center will be 'one of a kind'
SFA College of Education named for East Texas banker James I. Perkins
The SFASU Department of Human Services - Rehabilitation/Counseling Programs will offer free anonymous mental health screenings in recognition of National Depression Screening Day (NDSD.) Screenings will be held at the Human Services Telecommunications Building Lobby from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on October 11, 2007.

The Counseling/Rehabilitation Faculty, graduate and undergraduate student body are pleased to offer this screening to the community as part of this year's event. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete a written self-assessment and talk one-on-one with a mental health counselor in training. Those who appear to need further evaluation will be given referrals to local treatment services.

NDSD Mental Health Screening, held in October as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, is a program of the nonprofit organization Screening for Mental Health, Inc. Last year, more than 200,000 people attended nationally
The Perkins College of Education tops $18 million in active grants and sets a new record for the college. According to Dr. John Jacobson, Dean, the Perkins College of Education submitted 16 grants this past year and was awarded funding for 14. "This outstanting track record speaks to the expertise of the faculty in writing grants that both meet the needs of our institution and aligns with established grant criteria." For more information see Perkins College of Education Grants.
Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) honors Dr. Julia Ballenger
On May 1, 2007, the SFASU Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa presented Dr. Julia Ballenger, Associate Professor in the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, with its prestigious Educator of the Year Award, based on her promotion of high-quality education through her visionary leadership, relevant research, and dedicated service. This scholar-practitioner leader has been instrumental in facilitating collaboration between SFA's Project DEVELOP and PDK to provide exceptional professional development activities to educators. Dean Jacobson, PDK's former 2006 Educator of the Year, presented Dr. Ballenger with the award at PDK's Annual Award Banquet.
Dr. Sandra Cole named Who's Who of American Women; Who's Who Among America's Teachers. More
Stephen F. Austin State University achieved a 100 percent pass rate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Title II Report on teacher candidate testing.

In its 2006 report, released in March 2007, the Department of Education recognized SFA’s Perkins College of Education as achieving a perfect pass rate on all state testing requirements for its initial teacher candidates during 2004 - 2005. Only 11 of 69 Texas higher education institutions achieved this rate.

“The U.S. Department of Education’s Title II Report recognizes the Perkins College of Education at Stephen F. Austin State University as a state and national leader in the preparation of students entering the education profession as teachers,” said Dr. John Jacobson, dean of the college. “The preparation of teachers is a university-wide effort and reflects the exceptional collaboration evident at SFA. This is a tremendous accomplishment in the attainment of the highest possible Title II Report pass rate in the Perkins College of Education’s impressive history.” more
Tommy Wallis, doctoral candidate and principal of Mabank High School, was awarded the 2006-07, "Principal of the Year” by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Wallis will now advance to compete for the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals National Principal of the Year Award.
SFA alumnus Monte Moses was named the 2005 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Moses has served as superintendent for the Cherry Creek School District in suburban Denver, Colorado for four years.
Perry signs tuition revenue bond bill to fund SFA education center, upgrade academic buildings
". . . By issuing the bonds, SFA plans to build a $20.1 million education research center and use the remaining $10 million for improvements to academic buildings. " more

Mission
The mission of the Perkins College of Education is to prepare competent, successful, caring and enthusiastic professionals dedicated to responsible service, more

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