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.
Program Degrees
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

Robert A. Bartsch
Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3294
Email: bartsch@uhcl.edu
Office: B2617-12

Ira K. Blake
Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3329
Email: blake@uhcl.edu
Office: B1508.12

Giazú Enciso Domínguez
Assistant Professor of Critical Social Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Email: giazuenciso@uhcl.edu
Office: B2329.13

Beth Hentges
Associate Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3308
Email: hentges@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2617.05

Kelsey James
Assistant Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3428
Email: jamesk@uhcl.edu
Office: A1307-17

Amanda Johnston
Associate Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3393
Email: johnston@uhcl.edu
Office: SSCB 2109.06

Angela Kelling
Associate Professor of Psychology and Program Director of Behavioral Science,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3488
Email: KellingA@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2617-141
Nicholas Kelling
Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3443
Email: kelling@uhcl.edu
Office: SSCB 2109.08

David H. Malin
Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3339
Email: malin@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2617.12

Georgina Moreno
Associate Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3384
Email: morenog@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2121.10

Steven Sutherland
Associate Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3474
Email: sutherland@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2233.08

Christine Walther
Professor of Psychology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3463
Email: walther@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2233.10

Christopher P. Ward
Department Chair of Psychology and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3303
Email: wardchris@uhcl.edu
Office: SSCB 2109.05
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.
UHCL Psychology Research Groups
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.
Bartsch's Research Lab
Robert Bartsch, Ph.D. | 281-283-3327 | Bartsch@uhcl.edu
We have active projects in media effects, social influence, and SOTL (scholarship of teaching and learning).
Behavior Analysis Research Lab
Dorothea C. Lerman, Ph.D., BCBA | 281-283-3437 | Lerman@uhcl.edu
Current projects focus on behavioral interventions for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, teacher training, basic learning processes (rat lab), and observer accuracy. Undergraduate and graduate assistants conduct basic and applied research in school, lab, and clinic settings.
The UHCL Rat Pack
David Malin, Ph.D. | 281-283-3339 | Malin@uhcl.edu
This student research group conducts laboratory investigations of nicotine dependence and age-related memory impairment, as well as experimental treatments for these conditions. Students generally receive course credit (grad or undergrad, Psyc or Biol) through Behavioral Neuroscience Research Methods, Behavioral Pharmacology Research Methods or Master's Thesis.
Behavioral Neuroscience Research Lab
Chris Ward, Ph.D. | 281-283-3303 | WardChris@uhcl.edu
Undergraduate and graduate students are involved in research exploring the detrimental effects of sleep loss on learning and memory. Typically, research utilizes rodent models of sleep disruption and maze learning.
Perception and Action (PANDA) Lab
Nicholas Kelling, Ph.D. | 281-283-3443 | 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.
Gender and Motivation Research Lab
Amanda Johnston, Ph.D. | 281-283-3393 | Johnston@uhcl.edu
This is a social psychology research lab focused on topics related to gender stereotypes, gender roles, system justification, and politics. 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, the intersection of gender stereotypes and politics, and how gender stereotypes contribute to the maintenance of gender inequality within society.