Program Overview/Mission
The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Health Service Psychology (Combined Clinical/School)
provides broad practitioner-scientist training with an emphasis on clinical practice.
The aim is to prepare students for careers as health professionals in clinical and
school settings. The overarching model of the program is the provision of health
services with particular emphasis on cognitive-behavioral psychology. Graduates from
this program are well prepared to function as licensed professional psychologists
in a variety of roles across a variety of settings with particular competencies in
behavioral health, prevention and health psychology.
The field of psychology, this program, and its individual faculty highly value diversity,
understanding, inclusiveness, compassion, and equal human rights, and strongly reject
and condemn violence, intimidation, discrimination, and judgmental action towards
groups or individuals in all forms. Given our field's acute focus and understanding
of the human toll exacted by these societal problems, psychology has an important
ethical role in advocacy and educating the broader public in hopes of minimizing these
problems for individuals and groups in our societies. Review the APA Advocacy page to learn more about some of these important areas and how they can be supported.
Program Degrees
Accreditation Information
The University of Houston – Clear Lake and the Doctor of Psychology program are approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS). The contact information for SACS is: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033; Phone: 404-679-4500; Fax: 404-679-4558; www.sacscoc.org
The Psy.D. in Health Service Psychology anticipates review for accreditation by the American Psychological Association when eligible. Questions related to the program’s accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002; Phone: 202-336-5979; Fax: 404-679-4558; apaaccred@apa.org; www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Admission Requirements
- Health Service Psychology Psy.D.
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Admission Deadline
Fall: Dec. 15
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ApplicationApplicants must apply for admission to both the Doctorate of Psychology program and to University of Houston-Clear Lake through ApplyTexas.org.
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Requirements
Admitted students typically have these qualifications:
- Specialist or Master’s degree in School Psychology or Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology or related field.
- GPA of 3.4 or higher.
- Score of 300 or higher on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), with a minimum score of 3.5 in Analytical Writing.
- Research evidence/potential (publication, thesis, formal research project, participation in research).
You must submit the following documents through ApplyTexas.org:
- A current curriculum vitae
- A statement of purpose
- Transcripts
- Scores on the general test of the GRE and TOEFL (if required).
- You must also have three (3) Recommendations for Applicant Admission submitted on your behalf. Each writer must complete the recommendation form and write a separate letter. Each recommender should email their letters to Psyd@uhcl.edu.
For a more detailed explanation, you can download the Application and Admission Process.
After initial review of the application materials (application, recommendations, and supplemental material) an admissions committee will invite selected applicants to campus for an interview. Interviews will typically be scheduled in February. Applicants will be notified of their program admission status by April 15.
Additional Admission Information
Enrollment is limited, and admission is offered only to the most qualified applicants. Students wishing to enroll in this degree plan must formally apply. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the faculty coordinator.
Program Faculty

Steven Bistricky
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3404
Email: bistricky@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2233.12

Sara Elkins
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3315
Email: elkins@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2617.15

Ryan Marek
Assistant Professor in Health Services Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3409
Email: Marek@uhcl.edu
Office: Arbor 1309.06

William Norwood
Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3320
Email: Norwood@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2529.06
Thomas Schanding
Associate Professor of School Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3484
Email: schandingjr@uhcl.edu
Office: B2529.04
Mary B. Short
Professor of Clinical Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3324
Email: ShortMB@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.26

Julia Strait
Assistant Professor of School Psychology and Health Services Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3357
Email: straitj@uhcl.edu
Office: Arbor Central 1309.04
Gill Strait
Assistant Professor of School Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3494
Email: strait@uhcl.edu
Office: Arbor Central 1309.02
Curriculum and Instruction
As a practitioner-scientist program, the PsyD program's primary aim is to train practitioners,
scholars, and applied researchers in the areas of Clinical and School Psychology.
The program develops graduates who use scientific methods in the professional practice
of psychology with the aim or improving health and behavioral-health outcomes. The
program emphasizes the importance of the scientific method as the primary basis for
advancing knowledge and informing practice. Graduates will be competent in evidence-based
practice (assessment, intervention, and consultation). The program emphasizes the
reciprocal relationship between psychological, biological, and social aspects of both
personal and community health. Through coursework, clinical experiences, and research,
students may individualize their training, including clinical-school and clinical-health.
The PsyD program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake is guided by five general goals designed to ensure that all candidates attain the requisite knowledge base that serves as a foundation for all psychological practice, acquire skills in the techniques that constitute the practice of psychology, develop skills to analyze and conduct research, understand and adhere to ethical practice in psychology, and become culturally competent practitioners. Specifically, the goals are:
- Foundational Knowledge - To enable students to acquire broad and general foundational knowledge in health service psychology
- Research - To train students to conduct and consume research and to disseminate this psychological knowledge through publication, presentation, and practice
- Clinical Skills - To develop students' knowledge of health service psychology and the clinical skills to apply that knowledge to assessment, intervention, supervision, and consultation/evaluation services
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity - To enable students to understand and appreciate individual differences and diversity, thereby becoming culturally competent in the delivery of psychological services
- Ethical and Legal Issues - To enable students to understand ethical, legal, and professional issues and to adhere to ethical and legal standards in all of their professional activities
Student Data and Outcomes
Student Resources
Information for Current Students
- Psy.D. Student Handbook
- Practicum Handbook
- UHCL Student Handbook
- Dissertation Manual
- FAQs
- Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- Class Schedule
- E-Services
- Payment
- Enrollment Processes
- Waitlisting a Class
- Enrollment Verification
- Catalog
- Types of Aid
- Scholarships
Additional Information
For information, please contact the Director of Clinical Training:
Dr. Mary Short
Full Professor of Clinical Psychology
Program Director
ShortMB@uhcl.edu
For immediate assistance, please call or email our Senior Secretary Rose McLaren at 281-283-3491
or McLaren@uhcl.edu.