Psychology Program

Program Overview/Mission

Undergraduate

Through the Department of Psychology, we offer an undergraduate degree in psychology that broadly prepares students to enter careers in fields such as social services, human resources, public relations, sales, law enforcement, government, education support services, and many more. The undergraduate degree also provides a solid foundation for graduate study in psychology.

Undergraduate students who complete their degrees will have a liberal arts orientation that includes critical thinking and attention to people from diverse backgrounds. These students are prepared to begin entry level positions, for example, human services agencies and medical centers.

Graduate

A master's degree in General Psychology can further prepare students for working in human or government services. This degree will also prepare students for jobs that require technical skills in behavioral research and statistics. Students can also meet requirements to teach psychology to undergraduates.

Students have the option to specialize in their graduate degree with concentrations in:

• Applied Cognitive Psychology (Human Factors)
• Behavioral Neuroscience

Graduate students who complete their degrees gain a more specific orientation to the study of psychology through critical analysis, application, and synthesis of knowledge. Graduate students use and develop these skills through a thesis or practicum track that constitutes their culminating experience. Graduate students who complete specialized coursework in Applied Cognitive Psychology, Applied Social Issues, or Behavioral Neuroscience will complete a separate application. Those who complete their Master's in Psychology are prepared to be human services and research managers, teach at the community college level or pursue doctoral degrees.

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Program Degrees

• Psychology B.S.
• Psychology M.S.

Admission Requirements

• How to Apply as a Freshman Student
• How to Apply as a Transfer Student
• How to Apply as an International Student

Program Faculty

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Student Resources

Research Participation Pool (Sona site)
This is a site where students can sign up to participate in studies for course requirements or extra credit.

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Department of Psychology Student Research Labs

If you are interested in learning more about or volunteering with any of these research labs, please email the faculty member associated with the lab you are interested in learning more about.

Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) Student Lab

Dr. Robert Bartsch – bartsch@uhcl.edu

This student lab conducts research in the area of teaching and learning in higher education.  Each year we pick an area of SoTL to study.  Areas might include student engagement, technology in teaching, content of teaching materials, etc.  The goal of the meetings will be to start and finish a project to be presented nationally and possibly published by the end of the academic year.  Additionally, lab members may have the option of working on additional projects.  All students are welcome!  Please contact me for more information. 

Critical Disciplinary Studies (CIS) Research Group

Dr. Giazú Enciso Domínguez - giazuenciso@uhcl.edu

A student-centered research group whose work focuses on the analysis of power relations, identity, and resistance in contexts of inequality. Through (post)qualitative methodologies (performance and art-based research), we develop a critical analysis of the academy and its impact on the subjectivity and agency of those who inhabit/transit it.  If you do not have experience in research but you are curious about it, this is your place. We meet face-to-face twice a month. Please consider that we are a heavy reading group.  CIS especially welcomes undergraduate, Latinx students, and underrepresented minorities.

Gender & Motivation Research Lab

Dr. Amanda Johnston - johnston@uhcl.edu

This is a social psychology research lab focused on topics related to gender stereotypes, gender roles, system justification, and political ideology. The lab approaches most research questions from a motivational framework; for instance, recent research in the lab examined beliefs about the motivations that men and women possess to fulfill traditional gender roles. Current projects are examining gender stereotype content and implications in various ways, the influence of social group membership on conspiracy theory beliefs, and the impact of gendered racial microaggressions on self-efficacy beliefs. Research in the lab is influenced by the research questions of graduate students completing a thesis and advanced undergraduates as opportunities to take the lead on a research project are available. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply by contacting Dr. Johnston.

Animal Welfare and Learning Lab

Dr. Angela Kelling - kellinga@uhcl.edu

Projects focus mainly on human and non-human animal 1) stress and welfare or 2) learning, both formal and informal.  Recent welfare research has explored ways to enhance outcomes for shelter dogs and human stress and sleep deprivation.  Recent learning research has focused on student assessment and retention and best practices for Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).  Some projects have opportunities for assisting projects from home. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply by contacting Dr. Kelling.  

Perception and Action (PANDA) Lab

Dr. Nicholas Kelling – kelling@uhcl.edu

Undergraduate and graduate students conduct applied research within the field of Human Factors. Typical projects involve the investigation of how individuals interact with technology with the purpose of improving products and systems and increase understanding the perceptual and cognitive elements involved in technology use. Current research efforts include virtual reality, utilizing games in training and education, and psychomotor/technology interactions. 

Emotion & Decision Making Lab

Dr. Georgina Moreno - morenog@uhcl.edu 

Dr. Moreno's research investigates how emotion and decision-making changes across the lifespan and the underlying physiological mechanisms related to these processes. Additionally, she is currently working on research projects related to inclusive teaching strategies and Latinx psychology. 

DAA'nG Lab (Decision-Making, Advice, Automation and Games)

Dr. Steven Sutherland - sutherland@uhcl.edu

Dr. Sutherland's research falls under two main themes. The first main research theme is human-automation interaction, focused on human users receiving and implementing advice from automated decision support systems. His research's second main theme is the design and development of serious games (games created with the purpose of training and education). All of his research takes place in video games/virtual environments where environmental variables can be controlled, and player telemetry data can be collected.

Development and Substance Use Lab

Dr. Christine Walther - walther@uhcl.edu

Undergraduate and graduate students are involved in research examining how patterns of substance use, perceptions of substance use, and risk and protective factors for substance use change with development. Current projects focus on substance use patterns among UHCL students and how social roles may influence perceptions of substance use.

Sleep Research Lab

Dr. Chris Ward – wardchris@uhcl.edu

Undergraduate and graduate students are involved in research exploring the detrimental effects of sleep disruption on learning and memory, stress, and emotional regulation.