Greetings and welcome to the Department of Educational Psychology. Our mission is to promote the development and application of scientific knowledge across educational contexts and communities. We offer degrees for students interested in practitioner- or research-focused careers. Our practitioner-oriented degrees provide training to become a licensed and practicing School Psychologist or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed to practice in the state of Texas. For students interested in other educational pathways, we also offer a master's degree in Applied Educational Psychology. For this degree, students are trained both in the foundations of the discipline while offering flexible pathways for students to pursue a variety of career and educational goals.
Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Contact

Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Educational Psychology Department Chair, Professor, Director, Urban Education Institute

Educational Psychology

sharon.nichols@utsa.edu

instructor having a discussion with a student

Why Study in Educational Psychology?

  • 100% job placement for School Psychology and our Behavior Analysis master's programs
  • Graduated 145 students in the last 10 years
  • School psychology program nominated as a finalist for 2020 Examples of Excelencia award
students in classroom

Programs

We offer a NASP accredited master's program in School Psychology, an ABAI-verified master's degree and certificate in Behavior Analysis, and a master's degree in Applied Educational Psychology. Our degrees prepare students for professional opportunities in research or to become a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Screenshots of the Behavior Buddy app interface.

February 24, 2026

‘A game changer’: AI app offers support to caregivers of children with autism

Published by UT San Antonio Today

Co-created by UT San Antonio faculty, The Behavior Buddy app delivers behavior analysis expertise directly to a caregiver's phone.

Students learn numbers using counting blocks.

February 6, 2026

Kindergarten readiness varies widely by income, new data shows. Cities are stepping in to help

Published by Kens 5

San Antonio offers a free preschool program for infants and toddlers, helping set them up for success in elementary school. Students who have completed Pre-K 4 SA have scored higher than the state average on third grade math and reading, according to the Urban Education Institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Janet Solis Rodriguez and Crystal Kalinec-Craig at the LonestaRP3 Teacher Workforce Strategy event.

January 13, 2026

Faculty members champion teacher workforce transformation in statewide initiative

Published by UT San Antonio COEHD

A pair of COEHD faculty members are contributing to statewide efforts to address educational workforce challenges through their selection to the LonestaRP3 Teacher Workforce Strategy Team.

Educational Psychology Faculty

Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Sharon Nichols, Ph.D.

Educational Psychology Department Chair, Professor, Director, Urban Education Institute, Educational Psychology

Felicia Castro-Villarreal, Ph.D.

Felicia Castro-Villarreal, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

John Davis, Ph.D.

John Davis, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success, Associate Professor, Educational Psychology

Mackenzie Hart, Ph.D.

Mackenzie Hart, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

Michael Karcher, Ph.D.

Michael Karcher, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Ashley Labay, Ph.D.

Ashley Labay, Ph.D.

Clinical Associate Professor, Educational Psychology

Russell Lang, Ph.D.

Russell Lang, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Han Bum Lee, Ph.D.

Han Bum Lee, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Research, Associate Director, Urban Education Institute, Educational Psychology

Hannah MacNaul, Ph.D.

Hannah MacNaul, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

Jordan Morgan

Jordan Morgan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice, Educational Psychology

Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

Leslie Neely, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Transdisciplinary Research Development, Professor, Director of Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute, Associate Director of Brain Health Consortium, Educational Psychology

Humberto Peña Jr.

Humberto Pena, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Educational Psychology

Jeremy Sullivan, Ph.D.

Jeremy Sullivan, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Ian Thacker, Ph.D.

Ian Thacker, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Educational Psychology

Victor Villarreal, Ph.D.

Victor Villarreal, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Have an inquiry about our program?

We appreciate your interest in the Department of Educational Psychology and extend our warmest welcome to you from the Department.