Department of Psychological and Behavioral Health Sciences

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The Departmentof Psychological and Behavioral Health Sciences (PBHS) is committed to educating and preparing undergraduate and graduate students for careers that promote the mental, physical and psychosocial health and well-being of individuals, families and communities. Because of changing lifestyle and environmental factors that result in an increased prevalence of disease and disability, there is a growing need to discover, develop and disseminate evidence-based prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programs for physical and mental impairments. Through research, teaching and service, the faculty of PBHS programs are dedicated to meeting this growing societal need. Moreover, PBHS faculty members are committed to the academic preparation and professional mentorship of students who will become the community and family health leaders of future generations.

At the graduate level, PBHS offers the PsyD in Health Service Psychology (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology), Master of Science, Master of Arts, and specialty degrees.

Graduate Degrees

Behavior Analysis, M.A. 

Professional Psychology Plans 

• Clinical Psychology M.A. 
• Family Therapy, M.A.
• ​School Psychology S.S.P. 
• Health Service Psychology (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology), PsyD 

As noted in the “Accreditations” section above, many of these programs are accredited by their various national councils. Students graduating from these programs may sit for their appropriate licensing exams.

Professional Psychology Plans

The graduate programs in Professional Psychology provide a breadth of background in academic theory along with specific course work and specialized training in one of four areas: (1) Clinical Psychology, (2) Family Therapy, (3) School Psychology and (4) Health Service Psychology. Clinical Psychology and Family Therapy lead to the Master of Arts degree in the respective discipline and School Psychology leads to the Specialist in School Psychology degree (SSP). Health Service Psychology culminates in a Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD). While completing a Professional Psychology program does not automatically qualify graduates for any specific license or clinical credential, many of our graduates meet the academic requirements for licensure in Texas as Licensed Psychological Associates (LPA), Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and a number of other professional credentials. Many graduates of the Health Service Psychology program will become Licensed Psychologists. For further information about certification and licensure, contact the director for the respective program.

Applying for Admission to Professional Psychology Programs

Applicants may apply to only one professional program (Master’s /Specialist) during any admissions period. Application fees for each program are described on the program page. The program application fee is in addition to the fee for university admission. 

Policies and procedures for applying to each program can be found on the webpages for the program. In general, for these programs, applications are taken only once a year, and each program has specific deadlines. Further, there are separate application fees for each program. The program application fee is in addition to the fee for university admission.

Admission into a Professional Psychology program is competitive and admission will be offered only to the most qualified applicants. 

Applications to the program must be submitted online through ApplyTexas.org or UHCL Graduate Application Portal. All application materials must be submitted online, including transcripts, curriculum vitae, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed. In addition to completing the program application described here, applicants are advised that they must complete a university Application for Admission and submit it and all required fees and documents to the university Admissions Office before beginning the program.

Application deadlines for the master’s and specialist programs is Jan. 25. The application deadline for the PsyD program is Dec.15. Applicants must ensure that their applications for UHCL admission and supporting documents are all received by the university Office of Admissions and the Professional Psychology program of choice.

Applicants should note that admission to graduate status at the university is not equivalent to admission to one of the Professional Psychology programs. In some cases, applicants may be contacted by the advising office; any such communication refers only to acceptance into graduate status at the university based on the application for university admission described above. This should not be confused with acceptance into one of the Professional Psychology programs. Applicants are not admitted into a Professional Psychology program until they receive formal notice from the Professional Psychology program director that they have been accepted. Applicants should direct any questions regarding the status of their applications to the program director of the respective program. Each program’s admissions committee will notify applicants of admission decisions by late spring. If students are not accepted into a Professional Psychology program, they may apply for admission to a non-clinical master’s program. Information regarding these programs is available through the HSH Office of Academic Advising. Applicants to a non-clinical master’s program should be aware of the information in the section entitled “Restricted Courses.”

Review of Program

Continuation in a Professional Psychology program requires satisfactory academic performance and the acquisition of appropriate clinical and professional skills and personal attributes. Students admitted to these programs will be evaluated annually for academic progress and appropriate professional behavior and development. An unsatisfactory evaluation may lead to probation or, in extreme cases, termination from the program. The policies and procedures for each program provide further information regarding these matters and may be obtained from the director of each program.

Grade Requirements

Only courses in which a grade of B- or better is earned may be applied toward any Professional Psychology program requirement. Grades of C+ or below are not acceptable.

Restricted Courses

Applicants should note that the following courses are restricted to students formally admitted to one of the Professional Psychology programs. Restricted courses may not be taken by graduate students in the General Psychology program or transitional students who have not yet been admitted into a Professional Psychology program. In addition to the courses below, all 7000- and 8000-level PSYC courses are restricted to students in the PsyD program.

• PSYC 5111 
• PSYC 5136 
• PSYC 5138 
• PSYC 5231 
• PSYC 5236 
• PSYC 5239 
• PSYC 5731 
• PSYC 5734 
• PSYC 5738 
• PSYC 6032 
• PSYC 6033 
• PSYC 6034 
• PSYC 6038 
• PSYC 6039 
• PSYC 6111 
• PSYC 6121 
• PSYC 6132 
• PSYC 6133 
• PSYC 6137 
• PSYC 6139 
• PSYC 6230 
• PSYC 6231 
• PSYC 6233 
• PSYC 6234 
• PSYC 6236 
• PSYC 6332 
• PSYC 6531 
• PSYC 6534 
• PSYC 6636 
• PSYC 6666 

Programs

• Health Service Psychology (Clinical Psychology/School Psychology), Psy.D.

• Behavior Analysis, M.A.
• Clinical Psychology M.A.
• Family Therapy, M.A.
• School Psychology (Specialist in School Psychology)

• Dual Doctor of Chiropractic/M.S.

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