Overview
As a Mid-Sized University, Stephen F. Austin State Blends Community with Opportunity
Stephen F. Austin State University is a four-year public university with approximately 12,000 students, located in the heart of the scenic Texas forest country. SFA's moderate size allows it to offer students all the amenities and academic opportunities of larger universities, with the personal attention one might find at a small private college.
The Scenic SFA Campus is Located in the Oldest Town in Texas, Giving it a Unique Texan Charm
With a low student to faculty ratio of 20 to 1 and average class size of 27, students are able to receive hands-on attention from distinguished faculty members. SFA strives to make its students feel like they are not just numbers, and as students walk the scenic path to class they are likely to pass friends and professors, underscoring the school's friendly community atmosphere.
One of Stephen F. Austin State University's primary distinctions is its beautiful campus, which is tucked among the towering pine trees of East Texas, with lush, flowering landscapes. The campus is located in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, which possesses a rich history and charm that is uniquely East Texas. With numerous annual events and festivals, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the community that students come to call home.
For example, students can try their skills at disc golf at Pecan Park, fish at Lake Nacogdoches, and cool off at Tonkawa Springs, a spring-fed lagoon equipped with a rope swing, barbecue pits, and sand volleyball courts. Another popular destination is Historic Downtown Nacogdoches, filled with unique shopping and dining options. Additionally, the campus is just a few hours' drive from Houston and Dallas, allowing students easy access to the opportunities of these major metro areas.
SFA Students Can Take Advantage of New Buildings and State-of-the-art Facilities and Residence Halls
With recent, state-of-the-art construction, the SFA campus is growing, and the school strives to provide exceptional facilities for students. The $30.8 million Early Childhood Research Center opened in July 2009, and a new School of Nursing facility will open in January 2010.
Additionally, incoming first-year students can choose from among a number of residence halls. The strong community of on-campus residents who live in the residence halls offers a way to bond and build lifelong friendships while taking advantages of the conveniences found on campus.
Learning Opportunities Outside the Classroom Provide Students with Valuable Real World Experience
Students at SFA have many opportunities to gain knowledge outside the classroom by utilizing study-abroad opportunities. Just a few of the past study-abroad ventures included trips to Costa Rica, Argentina, and Spain to earn Spanish credits, and earning art history credit in Dublin, Ireland. Within the United States, communication students recently enjoyed trips to "Meet the Media" in New York and Los Angeles. These opportunities allow students to enrich their education by gaining first-hand knowledge of other cultures and hands-on experience in their fields of study.
SFA's Unique First-Year Initiative Helps Freshmen Bond with Each Other and Adjust to College Life
Stephen F. Austin State University has a unique first-year program, known as SFA:101. This program is a freshman success initiative focused on educating new students on the ins and outs of college life and the long-standing traditions at SFA. The university has found evidence to indicate that proactively integrating first-year students into college life helps raise GPA and retention rates. SFA:101 was designed in response to this information.
The optional one-hour course focuses on subjects such as time management and study skills, and gives insight to all the useful resources Stephen F. Austin State provides. By encouraging its first-year students to participate in this program, SFA demonstrates a commitment to student success and a willingness to help first-year students adjust to the excitements and challenges of the college experience.
A Diverse Selection of Programs of Study Makes SFA a Good Alternative to Large Universities
SFA offers a wide range of programs of study from which students can choose. Among the most distinguished degree programs are those in advertising, biochemistry, cinematography, forestry, hospitality, theatre, and accounting. In addition, the university offers a number of teacher certification and education programs, including a program in special education. Pre-professional degree programs in health science fields are also popular.
No matter what field of study a student chooses to pursue, SFA's Academic Assistance and Resource Center offers free tutoring by fellow students to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.
