a professor teaching young adults in classroom.

Department of Psychology and Special Education

Exploring Minds, Transforming Futures

Gain the skills to lead others toward success as a psychologist, counselor or educator.

The Department of Psychology and Special Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs that facilitate the professional, personal and ethical development of our students to achieve their full potential as psychologists, counselors and educators. We are committed to promoting a community environment that encourages open and critical thinking.

Professor in the computer lab with students sitting down in front of the screens.

Explore Our Programs

Psychology (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in psychology explores human behavior and cognition. This major trains students for a variety of careers such as government and non-profit organizations. Students are prepared to pursue graduate study in psychology and for careers in psychology-related fields.

Recommended Course Sequence.

Education (BA/BS) Special Education

A graduate with special education certification should possess the following competencies: knowledge of disabling conditions; knowledge of professional roles, strategies for promoting learning and development; and techniques to promote achievement in English language arts, reading and math.

Clinical Psychology (MS)

The Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology enables students to think more deeply about the human mind. Students gain knowledge in multiple topics, including developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and statistical analysis.

Experimental Psychology (PHD)

The doctoral program in experimental psychology offers an interdisciplinary perspective on education. In this program, you will interact with a variety of sub-disciplines and grow your confidence in statistics and writing for publication.

Psychology (MS)

The Master’s of Science in Psychology (General emphasis only) enables students to think more deeply about the human mind. Students gain knowledge in multiple topics, including developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and statistical analysis.

Specialist in School Psychology (SSP)

Special Education (MED/MS)

Educational Diagnostician Professional Certification

Special Education (MED) with Educational Diagnostician Certification

This program includes specific training in diagnosis and intervention strategies for individuals with special needs.

Welcome from the Department Head

Welcome to the Department of Psychology and Special Education at East Texas A&M. We offer a solid foundation in the clinical and educational experience with personalized attention from our faculty members.

Our department explores human behavior in varied populations to help prepare you for any situation you encounter. We help you to learn that every individual is unique and that we support and promote individuality in therapy, in an educational setting or in counseling.

Maria Carlson, Ph.D.

Department Head and Professor

News Spotlights

Robert E. Howard Scholars Gather as East Texas A&M Takes Helm of The Dark Man Journal

June 23, 2026

East Texas A&M launched a new era of The Dark Man journal with an international conference celebrating Robert E. Howard’s literary legacy.

ETAMU Becomes New Home of Robert E. Howard Journal, Announces June 20 Conference

June 8, 2026

East Texas A&M becomes the new home of The Dark Man—a journal dedicated to Robert E. Howard, the father of modern sword-and-sorcery fiction—and launches its next chapter with a free public conference.

Graduating Senior Balances Football, Research and Leadership in Psychology

April 27, 2026

ETAMU senior Jason Otah reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped his path from student-athlete to aspiring mental health professional.

Brown Bag Speaker Series

Please join us for our series of monthly presentations on a range of professional development topics.

All presentations will meet via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

Kindly direct all inquiries to Dr. Curt Carlson.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Speaker: Dr. Curt Carlson, Professor of Experimental Psychology
Topic: Eyewitness Identification: The State of the Field and Best Practices for Police
Meeting Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
In this talk he uses for continuing education for attorneys and police, Dr. Carlson will present a broad overview of what scientific research has discovered about eyewitness identification, and the resulting best practices recommendations for police. Specifically, he will cover the essential findings regarding how eyewitness memory is affected by: (a) aspects of the crime (e.g., distance, lighting, cross-race effect, weapon focus effect) and (b) police interactions with the eyewitness, including the identification procedure (e.g., showups, lineups). Based on this research, there are currently nine core recommendations from the scientific field of eyewitness identification to police, which will all be covered. He will include information about what eyewitness evidence is actually probative of suspect guilt versus innocence. Lastly, if time permits he will cover some research on how juries interpret eyewitness evidence.

Friday, October 2, 2026

Speaker: Dr. Matt Schloneger (Assistant Prof. of Music) and Dr. Will Whitham (Assistant Prof. of Experimental Psychology)
Topic: TBD
Meeting Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.