With life coaching growing in popularity, more professionals are pursuing formal education to set themselves apart in this competitive field. For those interested in combining evidence-based practices with a life coaching career, the Master in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at PCOM offers a unique opportunity.
Life coaching incorporates principles of positive psychology to help individuals achieve personal and professional goals. PCOM’s MAPP program provides students with a strong foundation in these principles, helping them understand how to foster well-being, resilience, and human flourishing—core components of successful life coaching.
“Life coaches with a MAPP degree are more likely to take a systematic, evidence-based approach to finding a ‘best fit’ of life enhancement practices for diverse individuals and groups,” explained Scott Glassman, PsyD, associate professor and director of PCOM’s Master in Applied Positive Psychology program. “Knowing the theories and research behind positive psychology makes life coaches more effective in activating these important pathways for personal growth.”
The MAPP program’s emphasis on evidence-based practices ensures that students graduate with a solid understanding of what works in coaching.
“They can guide others more effectively by using needs assessments, targeting specific skill sets, and assessing well-being outcomes with validated measures,” Glassman said.
This evidence-driven approach establishes credibility as a coach and provides clients with reliable, effective guidance.
“Life coaches are sometimes sought out when people feel stuck in their careers or relationships,” Glassman added. “Positive psychology practices and principles can facilitate good decision-making that helps these individuals get unstuck and find new momentum. This process often includes becoming more self-aware to identify and overcome cognitive or behavioral hurdles.”
Students in PCOM’s positive psychology program explore topics relevant to life coaching, including:
Exposure to these skills and concepts in the MAPP program can give graduates an advantage as they enter the workforce, positioning them as life enhancement guides with supervised experience in fostering healthy change.
In PCOM’s MAPP program, students gain hands-on experience through a practicum in “A Happier You”. This practical component allows students to apply positive psychology principles and exercises in real-world scenarios, which is crucial for aspiring life coaches.
“Training in ‘A Happier You’ increases the options that life coaches have when they want to bring a ‘fuller spectrum’ of happiness-building habits to their clients,” Glassman said. “It expands the available menu of options as clients work to integrate these practices into their daily lives.”
The program also teaches students to critically evaluate research outcomes in positive psychology and apply this knowledge to catalyze change in various settings. This is valuable knowledge for life coaches who need to stay updated on the latest research and best practices in their field.
“Life coaches with PCOM's MAPP degree can teach clients how to live more mindfully, which includes savoring the good and limiting knee-jerk responses to stressful events,” Glassman said. “It's also helpful for life coaches to know specific exercises that promote gratitude, kindness, meaning, enjoyment, lightness, sense of accomplishment, flow states, and strengths-finding.”
It's important to note that while the MAPP program provides a strong foundation for life coaching, additional specialized coursework or certification may be required to become a certified life coach, depending on the specific certification body's requirements. Certification is an important step for those looking to build a professional coaching career, as it demonstrates a commitment to ethical practice and professional standards.
Graduates of PCOM’s MAPP program find themselves well-positioned to pursue certification as a life coach. Life coaches may establish their own coaching practices, while others work with organizations to implement corporate coaching programs aimed at improving employee well-being and performance. Whether coaching individuals or groups, the skills gained in the program can be applied in a range of professional settings.
Michelle Savoie, Authentic Happiness Coach with Savoie Coaching, was introduced to the concept of positive psychology during a life coaching certification program. Savoie enrolled in PCOM’s MAPP program to help enhance her life coaching skills. The program, she said, helped deepen her knowledge of psychology and how people function.
“It has helped me to gain a better understanding of myself and my clients,” she explained. The program also gave her the tools she needed to help her clients understand themselves better as well, she added.
For those passionate about helping others and promoting personal growth, the MAPP program provides the necessary expertise to make a real difference. The combination of positive psychology research and practical coaching tools sets graduates apart in the life coaching field, giving students the knowledge, credentials, and confidence to succeed.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a fulfilling career in life coaching, learn how PCOM’s MAPP program provides a strong foundation for those looking to enter this expanding profession.
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