Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences - University of Houston
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College of Education

Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences

Student teacher with a student behind a Third Ward mural

The University of Houston’s Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences department is an interdisciplinary collection of scientists, scholars and educators committed to innovative research and academic excellence. We are dedicated to breaking down the traditional silos that place restrictions on how and what students learn. We are a forward-thinking institution committed to developing forward-thinking leaders who will face down the challenges of our modern world. And we do all this in a multicultural, multilingual campus (and city) that provides students and faculty members numerous opportunities to learn and grow in the classroom and out in the field.

Our Programs

  • students at the conference table

    Counseling Psychology

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

    Our counseling psychology program generates new knowledge and trains community-engaged change agents. We provide our students the tools they need to help others navigate the modern world.

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    Measurement, Quantitative Methods, & Learning Sciences

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

    We help students develop a broad understanding of psychological and learning theories while also receiving strong quantitative methods training.

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    School Psychology

    Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

    Our program is home to faculty and students committed to impacting the academic, behavioral and social-emotional functioning of children. Our faculty teaches students how to apply the core principles of school psychology inside and outside of schools.

  • A happy family

    Counseling

    Master of Education (M.Ed.)

    We help students develop a deep understanding of counseling theories, skills and techniques. Our students gain an understanding of the role and influence of the counselor in providing services to a diverse population.

  • Nurse with patient

    Health

    Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

    Our program is dedicated to meeting the increased needs for public health educators, health promotion specialists and allied health professionals. We prepare graduates to work in a variety of settings.

  • Generations

    Human Development & Family Sciences

    Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) & Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

    We provide a broad study of the intellectual, emotional, social and moral development of individuals and families. We prepare students for such careers as elementary school or special education teacher, human services administrator or day care director.

About PHLS

  • Department Overview

    We welcome you to the Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences. We train the next generation of counseling, school, quantitative and learning science professionals. We prepare undergraduate students for work in the fields of health and human development & family sciences.

    Our students and faculty are a vibrant group. We may practice different disciplines, but we're drawn together by a desire to right society's wrongs. We work to ensure people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives. Our diversity — of thought, discipline, and background — unites us. This diversity will solidify our place among the top departments of our kind in the nation. It will also nurture what makes us unique amongst our peers.

  • Mission Statement

    The mission of our department is to advance scientific knowledge, effect real-world change, maximize student potential for global competitiveness and enhance the quality and length of life in all segments of society.

    This mission has three critical goals:

    1. Leverage both innovative research and academic excellence to offer nationally competitive and internationally recognized degree programs — related to psychological, health and learning sciences — that prepare a diverse student body to serve an increasingly diverse society.
    2. Build an interdisciplinary enterprise that advances innovative scientific inquiry and services that have a measurable impact on the elimination of global disparities in health and education.
    3. Lead in the advancement of Houston’s future by establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with local school districts; medical and mental health service agencies; and community-based organizations, coalitions and stakeholders.

  • Program Values

    EXCELLENCE
    Engaging in innovative research and providing rigorous and pioneering programs of study that have significant social/educational impact and public health relevance.

    STUDENT SUCCESS
    Fostering robust mentoring relationships and providing exceptional undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare future professionals to solve real-world challenges and improve the lives of those they serve.

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
    Sustaining strong long-term relationships that enable and enhance our collective impact on local, national and international communities through our research, teaching and service.

    DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
    Valuing diversity and promoting social and academic inclusion to enrich learning, inform scientific inquiry and facilitate the development and delivery of culturally-informed services within a uniquely diverse metropolitan context. Furthermore, this involves challenging structural inequities to reduce disparities and promote social justice locally and globally.

    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
    Fostering an educational culture that promotes collegiality, honesty, fairness, empowerment, transparency and collective responsibility.

PHLS NEWS & FEATURES

  • Woman sitting in a chair writing on a notebook with a black pen

    Faculty, Students and Alumni to Share Research at APA Conference

    Researchers from the College will present on topics such as autism spectrum disorder, stress and trauma, and schooling during COVID-19 at the 2023 American Psychological Association Convention.

  • UH Campus with red flowers in the foreground

    UH College of Education Welcomes New Faculty in Fall 2023

    “The faculty joining the College this year represent an amazing depth and breadth of expertise and experience,” said Dean Cathy Horn. “Their superpowers will join with our already amazing faculty to move the College forward in ensuring that everyone has access to outstanding public education and a healthy environment in which to thrive.”

  • Chakema Carmack

    Health Researcher Works to Prevent Cervical Cancer

    Associate Professor Chakema Carmack launched a pilot project funded in part by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. “This cancer shouldn’t exist,” said Carmack, whose prevention work includes culturally informed outreach through podcasting and other media.

  • A man standing in front of a research poster on the left and a man looking at the poster on the right

    Award-Winning Student Researchers Share Lessons Learned

    The 2023 Research Symposium hosted by the College’s Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences gives students an “amazing experience,” said award winner Wilmer Lugo (left), whose research focused on smoking among Latino men.

  • Women looking at a computer with a young boy and girl

    Assistant Professor Examines Gender Gap in STEM

    Allison Master found that girls’ interest in computer coding decreases around third grade. “It’s no coincidence that this is approximately the age when kids start taking notice of things like social media, as well as books and TV programs that usually depict smart scientists as white or Asian men, rarely a woman,” Master said.

  • Saad Nadeem

    Triple Major, Triple Minor Graduate Earns 4.0 GPA

    Saad Nadeem (right), whose degrees include a B.S. in health, is one of eight undergraduates in the class of 2023 to earn recognition as graduation banner bearers. “Our banner bearers remind us that academic excellence can and should be inclusive,” said Associate Dean Tiffany J. Davis.

  • Ezemenari Obasi

    Researchers Host Community Forums to Explore Vaccine Hesitancy

    Associate Dean for Research Ezemenari Obasi, who leads the UH HEALTH Research Institute, is collaborating with the Houston Health Department on a $500,000 grant to better understand vaccine hesitancy in Houston’s underrepresented communities.

  • Family at the dinner table with children

    Researchers Develop Strategies To Help Parents at Mealtime

    Leslie Frankel, an associate professor of human development and family sciences, and Ritu Sampige, a biomedical sciences senior in the UH Honors College, published research in the journal Appetite about responsive feeding practices for parents. They found that parents’ attentiveness at mealtime to certain cues might prevent emotional overeating among children.

  • Teacher with children at desk

    HDFS Name Change Marks New Era in Program

    Naming the major Human Development and Family Sciences, instead of Family Studies, better reflects that the “research and teaching we are doing is evidence-based,” Associate Professor Leslie Frankel said.

  • Minneapolis, MN

    Faculty, Students to Present at APA Conference

    Dozens of UH College of Education members will share their research on stress, working poverty, autism spectrum disorder, mindfulness and other timely topics at the 2022 American Psychological Association conference from Aug. 4-6. See a list of our APA award winners and their presentations.

  • Kerry Chavez

    Ph.D. Student Earns Psychology Research Recognition

    Kerry Chávez’s study on how social support affects the relationship between childhood trauma and marijuana use among African American young adults earned her an honorable mention from the Association for Psychological Science. “It is a recognition that we are headed in the right direction … in reducing health inequities,” Chávez said.

  • Chakema Carmack

    Health Professor Works to Reduce HIV, STIs

    Associate Professor Chakema Carmack received a grant of more than $580,000 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Her plans include creating an educational podcast to help reduce infection rates in African American and Hispanic communities in Houston.

  • Larry Chan

    Top Graduates Ready to Transform Education

    Thirteen top graduates share their goals and advice on how to earn 4.0 GPAs. “Do not be afraid to ask questions, seek help when needed, stay focused, be positive and believe in yourself,” said Larry Chan, who is graduating with a B.S. in teaching and learning.

  • Elias Loria

    School Psychology Student Leads with Empathy

    An immigrant from Costa Rica, Ph.D. student Elías Loría once struggled to assimilate to a new culture. He’s now using his voice to advocate for social justice as president of UH’s Graduate and Professional Student Association.

  • Jorge Gonzalez

    Study: Latino Students in Rural Communities Left Behind Amid COVID-19

    Professor Jorge Gonzalez found that one third of the Latino families surveyed in south central Texas did not have access to the internet and over half lacked digital devices. “Our findings are really important because it exposes a digital divide,” he said.

Short Takes

A sampling of faculty, staff, student and alumni happenings:

Blake Allan, an associate professor in the counseling psychology doctoral program, has been elected to fellow status in the American Psychological Association’s Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17).

Kelly Lee, who earned a Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 2016 and an M.Ed. in counseling in 2013, will serve as president-elect for the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs. Lee is currently a clinical associate professor and training director at the Texas A&M University School of Education and Human Development.

Allison Master, an assistant professor in the measurement, quantitative methods and learning sciences program, has been named communications coordinator for the American Educational Research Association’s Teaching Educational Psychology special interest group.

Ty Robinson, a counseling psychology doctoral student, was selected for the American Psychological Association’s 2023-24 Minority Fellowship Program. He was also awarded APA’s 2023 Dalmas A. Taylor Memorial Summer Minority Policy Fellowship. 

 

Research

Our faculty members’ research programs have received funding from federal and state organizations such as the Institute of Education Sciences, National Institute on Drug Abuse and Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas. It is our mission to advance scientific knowledge, effect real-world change and enhance the quality and length of life in all segments of society. Our department is uniquely positioned to have a measurable impact on the elimination of global disparities in health and education.

Learning, Instruction, & Student Success

Innovative Measurement & Research Methods

Development of Risk & Resilience

Behavioral Health & Health Disparities

Multiculturalism & Social Justice

Program and Research Videos

The following is a collection of brief video overviews of some of our most recent research findings. If you would like to learn more about our research, please visit our degree program pages.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Farish Hall

Contact Us

Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences at the University of Houston

Department Chair: Dr. Nathan Grant Smith

UH College of Education
Stephen Power Farish Hall
3657 Cullen Blvd., Room 491
Houston, TX 77204-5023

Department: 713-743-7397

Undergraduate Student Success Team: coeug@uh.edu or 713-743-5000
Graduate Student Success Team: coegrad@central.uh.edu or 713-743-7676
General: coecomm@uh.edu or 713-743-5010

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