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In a move aimed at easing the transition for transfer students and maximizing educational opportunities, Stephen F. Austin State University has increased its accepted transfer credit limit from 66 to 90 credit hours. This significant policy change provides incoming transfer students with greater flexibility in applying their previously earned credits, helping them to progress toward degree completion without the need to retake courses or sacrifice credits.

The decision to expand accepted transfer credit hours aligns with SFA’s commitment to supporting students at every stage of their educational journey, including those transferring from community colleges or other four-year institutions. This dedication is evidenced, as well, by SFA’s long-running transfer scholarships that automatically offer up to $2,000 to students based on GPA.

“By allowing students to transfer up to 90 credit hours, SFA is ensuring that more students can bring their hard-earned credits with them, creating a smoother and more efficient path to graduation,” said Courtney Burns, interim vice president for enrollment management. “This change reflects our commitment to providing every opportunity for students to succeed and make the most of their educational investment.”

The accepted credit hour increase will also allow SFA to create “3+1” pathway programs, where students complete three years at a designated community college then one year at SFA to receive a bachelor’s degree, explained Megan Kelley, SFA’s academic partnerships coordinator. These programs would offer students more direct, streamlined paths to specific degree programs, such as the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and human development.

The flexibility offered by this increased transfer credit limit makes the university an attractive option for students seeking to complete their degree without losing time or resources. Although credit transfer policies vary by institution, SFA’s decision to accept up to 90 credits is among the highest limits in Texas, allowing SFA to offer robust transfer options to a wide range of students.

Through this initiative, SFA continues to solidify its partnerships with community colleges across the state, creating new pathways and ensuring that transfer students are well-supported throughout their transition.

For more information about transferring to SFA, visit sfasu.edu/transfer.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

The bands in Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Music will present their fifth annual “Kaleidoscope” concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium. The program will feature all three concert bands along with student chamber ensembles in a “kaleidoscope event” with no breaks between performances.

The concert will open with the SFA Trombone Octet performing John Danziger’s “Orbicularis Oris” followed by the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Chris Kaatz, assistant director of bands, performing two pieces, including “Seeds of Glass” by Benjamin Taylor. This work explores the intersection of nature and technology reflected by the duality by blending lush, open sonorities with a dubstep-influenced electronic music groove.

The SFA Tuba/Euphonium will continue with “Souvenir de Porto Rico” by Louis Gottschalk followed by the SFA Saxophone Quartet performing a movement from David Maslanka’s “Mountain Roads.”

The Wind Symphony will take the stage under the direction of Dr. Dan Haddad, associate director of bands. The students will perform Donald Grantham’s “Southern Harmony,” based on a choice selection of tunes, hymns, psalms, odes and anthems selected from some of the most eminent authors in the United States.

The SFA Percussion Ensemble will perform John Psathas’s “Kyoto.” Psathas composed a piece that maintains a constant pulse that drives the momentum, transitioning through varying time signatures and punctuated by moments of silence that give ruse to shifts in harmonic content. This will be followed by the SFA Horn Quartet performing a movement from Kazimierz Machala’s “Intuitions.”

The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Tamey Anglley, director of bands, will perform Aaron Copland’s “El Salón México,” inspired by the composer’s invitation to visit and conduct in Mexico.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit sfasu.edu/boxoffice.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Stephen F. Austin State University’s speech pathology clinic, the Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders, is celebrating its sixth consecutive year as the recipient of a Parkinson Voice Project grant that enables the center to offer the SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program.

Developed by the PVP, the SPEAK OUT! program helps people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This highly effective, evidence-based treatment combines education, individual and group speech therapy, daily home practice, and continuous follow-ups. Patients are empowered to “speak with intent,” transitioning speech from an automatic function to an intentional act.

“Up to 90% of people with Parkinson’s are at risk of losing their ability to speak,” said Samantha Elandary, Parkinson Voice Project’s founder and chief executive officer. “In addition, swallowing complications account for 70% of the mortality rate in this patient population. Our vision at Parkinson Voice Project is to make quality speech therapy accessible to people with Parkinson’s worldwide.”

Housed within the James I. Perkins College of Education, the Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders is a teaching clinic on the SFA campus staffed by graduate students, under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist, as part of their required clinical hours.

“Our services benefit all involved: they provide real-world experience for students aspiring to become speech-language pathologists while helping clients enhance their vocal intent and awareness,” said Deena Petersen, director of the center. “Our students all receive SPEAK OUT! training from the Parkinson Voice Project grant and are able to provide the therapy to clients with Parkinson’s disease in our clinic.

“Additionally, for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, this therapy can be transformative as it incorporates cognitive exercises to keep the mind engaged and active. Many clients experience improved swallowing ability through vocal exercises, as well.”

Following the individual SPEAK OUT! Therapy Program, participants can graduate onto a SPEAK OUT! group for continued group therapy.

For more information about SFA’s Stanley Center for Speech and Language Disorders, visit gosfa.com/3uaRd6t or contact Petersen at petersend@sfasu.edu.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications