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

  • UH Fountains and Farish Hall College of Education

    UH College of Education Welcomes Eight New Faculty in Fall 2024

    “I am thrilled to have this amazing group of scholars joining our COE community,” said Dean Cathy Horn. “The diversity of their strengths amplifies an already phenomenal faculty and enhances our ability to realize our mission to ensure everyone has access to strong public schools and healthy, thriving communities.”

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    Faculty, Students and Alumni to Share Research at APA Conference

    Scholars from the College will present their research findings on autism, stress and trauma, ADHD, and other important topics related to mental health and learning at the 2024 American Psychological Association Convention.

  • Woman with long brown hair in regalia standing in front of the UH administration building

    Top Spring Graduates Give Advice Amid Challenges

    Staying organized and creating a support system rank among the top tips for undergraduates. “Your major is something you must be passionate about because without that passion, there is no resilience, and when there is no resilience, there is no success,” said Leslie Zuleith Benavidez.

  • Nathan Grant Smith

    UH Professor Explores Impact of Stressors on the LGBTQ+ Community

    As discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community has increased, Professor Nathan Grant Smith earned a federal grant to evaluate the impact of stress, looking at biological data and mental health measures.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Short Takes

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

Two faculty members earned promotions in fall 2024: Toya Conston to clinical associate professor, and Blake Allan to professor.

Corissa Barrow, a counseling psychology doctoral student and therapist in Houston, earned a $25,000 grant to create a nonprofit to support mental health education and services inclusive of the Hispanic community.

Mahnoor Ahmad, a doctoral student in the school psychology program, was selected to present her research on religious affiliation and problematic alcohol use at the Southwestern Psychological Association’s 2024 Graduate Student Research Showcase.

Cindy Romero, program manager for the department, was elected to the UH Staff Council as an at-large representative.

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. Milena Keller-Margulis

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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