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The Applied Experimental Psychology Ph.D. program is designed to prepare you to solve complex real-world problems by utilizing knowledge of scientific theory and the skills involved in conducting high-quality research. The program will develop professionals who can tackle important issues facing the Huntsville business and government community, the state of Alabama, and the nation.

Students can take advantage of the unique hybrid and online curriculum to meet their degree goals.

Select from two concentrations for your doctoral program:

• Human Factors
• Psychology & Law

Have questions? Schedule an appointment.

Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld

Associate professor

Morton Hall 206E
256.824.2318

nathan.tenhundfeld@uah.edu

Every year we like to showcase some of the exciting work our students complete in their Foundations & Introductory level classes. Their professors selected these works to display some of the fantastic work our students do right from the beginning! See student pieces ranging from printmaking, sculpture, animation, painting, drawing, and more, in an exhibition meant to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication our foundation students have been demonstrating this fall semester.

Foundation Show Examples:

UAH BFA Photography major Aubrie Pope exhibits her images of her struggles with depression. Her show, entitled Introspection, describes the process of how she deals with a sometimes debilitating “darkness”. Aubrie’s courageous work brings us closer to what some of us have recently witnessed through the pandemic. From large-scale digital prints to small Polaroids, she describes her personal process in three categories- Anguish, Distortion and Sanctuary. Aubrie finds her resolve in “The way to escape the darkness is to find your center, your comfort.”

Full Artist Statement by Aubrie:

I have struggled with depression for most of my life. It’s something that I haven’t always been aware of, but I have always felt the effects. Recently I have found myself struggling more than I ever have before. I feel like my days run together, I can’t find the motivation to do anything, and I feel numb to everyone around me. I’ve found myself at rock bottom before I could even recognize what was happening.

Sometimes I struggle with finding the right words to communicate what is happening inside my head, but I realize that it is easier for me to share through my art. I found inspiration for this collection from the photographer Nan Goldin. Her work is used as a sort of diary of her life, her friends, and her struggles. When I look at her work I can see the world through her eyes. With these images, I wanted to show my thoughts through my eyes. I use myself as the subject to show my darkness.

This exhibition is separated into three different categories to explain my journey through depression. The first being Anguish. This is the aforementioned numbness and darkness that one feels when struggling at the height of depression. The long image represents the feeling like there is no start or finish. You feel trapped in the depths of sadness.

Once you shake the numbness, you can start a return to normalcy. You can recognize the people and things around you, but your brain can’t fully comprehend the role that they play in your life. I titled this section Distortion. These images were taken on film but were sprayed with vinegar then burned to create the effect seen. This to me reads as the times when you know in your head that maybe your friends and family are there for you, but your heart is telling you that you are a burden, that they don’t care what you are going through. This isn’t the case. It’s just a misinterpretation due to depression.

The important thing to remember is that there is ALWAYS a bright spot. It’s so easy to forget when you are struggling. I found it important to mention this because when discussing this mental illness, it’s often overlooked. The way to escape the darkness is to find your center, your comfort. I find my comfort in nature, and also with my family and friends. No matter how misunderstood you feel, knowing that you are never alone and that you have people that are there to help carry the burden is the greatest comfort of all. That is why I titled this section Sanctuary. Knowing where you are the safest and can escape is the best way I have found to combat my darkest moments.

Photos from the Exhibit: 

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Philosophy would like to congratulate Mark Washington (‘21 Philosophy) for his acceptance and scholarship into The University of Alabama School of Law. 

Washington will be graduating this Fall with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. He also minored in Chemistry and completed the Pre-Law Certificate. Washington received his acceptance and scholarship through the Alabama Scholars Admissions Program.  Based on his LSAT and GPA, Washington was offered an annual scholarship of $23,000. 

When asked about this time at UAH, Mark says, 

“As I graduate this semester, I am super thankful for UAH and the professors that have helped me along the way. It was in my introduction to philosophy class that I settled on philosophy as a major and was nudged by my professor to consider law as a career. The classes that I would highlight as being formative in my preparation for law school as well as being incredibly interesting would be modern philosophy with Dr. John Harfouch, American philosophy with Dr. Deborah Heikes, and my research seminar with Dr. Andrew Cling. Dr. Harfouch was especially helpful and encouraging in my law school application process and acquiring my pre-law certificate. I know my degree will have me well prepared to take on the challenge of my 1L year.”

As Washington approaches year one of law school, he already has ideas of what type of law he would like to pursue and his ultimate goal. 

“I’m interested in a few different types of law, and I’m trying to keep my options open early in my law school journey per the advice of one lawyer I spoke to. My parents have been foster parents for 14+ years, so family law and child welfare interest me. Criminal, health, and civil rights law all interest me as well, so I am not sure where I will end up. My ultimate goal is to one day be sitting on the other side of the bench as a judge.” 

We look forward to seeing Washington’s progression in law school.  Congratulations. 

For questions about the Department of Philosophy or our Pre-Law Certificate program, please contact our college at dean-ahs@uah.edu. 

UAH has announced that alumna Gerry Schaffer (B.A. Art History ’81) and her husband Virgil Schaffer have made a gift of $25,000 to fund the Gerry and Virgil Schaffer Endowed Scholarship.

Jacob Winton with fellow CAHS Ambassadors and Dr. Christine Sears, Department Chair

Photo Credit Jacob Winton

Welcome to the Department of History at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. We asked Jacob Winton, History major and CAHS Ambassador, a few questions about what it’s like to be a history major at UAH.

What is your favorite class that you have taken so far at UAH?

During my time at UAH, I have had the great opportunity to take several history classes that I have loved. However, my favorite would have to be Dr. Molly Johnson’s “Nazi Germany and the Holocaust” class (HY 485). Growing up, I always loved studying World War II every year in class, but it always seemed like the same material over and over again. I was excited to dive deeper into this era when I signed up for this class, and I was fascinated by learning more about Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. It is undoubtedly a heavy subject matter, but Dr. Johnson makes the course extremely interesting and engaging.

What do you want to do with History?

My goal is to be an Interpretive Ranger for the National Park Service. Part of this job means that I will be giving tours, hosting programs, greeting guests, and doing many other activities for a national park. My dream job would be to work at Gettysburg National Military Park.

What is your favorite historical period to study?

The two periods that I have enjoyed studying the most have been the Civil War and World War II. I also enjoyed learning about both of these throughout middle and high school, and my enjoyment of studying them grew even more. I have been able to study the Civil War in a few of my American history classes. Taking Dr. Johnson’s “Nazi Germany and the Holocaust” class helped put a new view on the typical studies of World War II that I had done in the past. It was fascinating and harrowing to learn more about the Nazis and Germany during the war.

How do you handle the workload required for the major? 

The thing that helps me keep organized the most is my planner. Honestly, freshman year, I did not think that I would need one and that I would be able to handle keeping up the due dates on my own. I quickly realized that I could not keep up. The other thing that works best for me is prioritizing the assignments I think will take the most time. I try to balance these assignments with ones that I can finish quickly; so that I am not focused on one project too long, and then I am too tired to do the other one afterward. The biggest thing is finding what works for you and helps you the most, especially once you get into 300 and 400 level history classes.

What opportunities have you been able to participate in with the history department? 

Last fall, I was able to participate in an archaeological dig on campus. We were attempting to find the blacksmith shop that was a part of the Avalon plantation, on which UAH was built. The dig was a unique opportunity that I did not expect to participate in before I came to UAH. Another great opportunity that I have had is developing relationships with the professors here by taking their classes and being an ambassador to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. My relationships with professors and representing the college have presented me with valuable experiences that I would not trade for anything.

An archaeological dig on campus

Photo Credit Jacob Winton

 Do you have more questions about History? Contact us at history@uah.edu or connect with our Ambassadors at cahs@uah.edu.

Jacob Winton

MAJOR: HISTORY AND WRITING

HOMETOWN: HARTSELLE, AL

Photo Credit Jennifer Clifton

When not inside the classroom, you will find Ashley Jordan on the stage with the Huntsville Ballet. Jordan began dancing at the age of four and has attended numerous prestigious ballet programs, including Pacific Northwest Ballet and Ballet Chicago.  Ashley joined Huntsville Ballet’s professional company in 2018. Since then, she has performed roles choreographed by Phillip Otto, such as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Christine in The Phantom of the Ballet, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.

As a student in the Department of Kinesiology and the Department of English, she hopes to utilize her degree to further a professional career in the ballet industry. 

“I’m hoping I can use my Kinesiology background to understand dancers and their specific physical needs better. I’d love to use Kinesiology to help dancers better avoid injury, prolong their careers, and just generally use what we know about the body to make great art. I think the more we can learn about the body, the more we have the ability to produce great art that moves people as well as dancers who can survive the physical blows of such a difficult profession. As for the English, I’d like to have the skill set to help with the business and writing side of running a business. In general, I want to know how to use language to the best of my ability, especially in a professional setting.”

Both departments and colleges look forward to seeing Jordan back on stage this winter as she continues as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.

Alumna Angela Curry (B.A., Political Science, 2000) has been selected as the 2021 Alumni of Achievement award winner for the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at UAH.