Positive Psychology Degree: Harnessing the Power of Happiness
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Positive Psychology Degree: Harnessing the Power of Happiness


June 9, 2023

If you could put a more powerful engine in your car, would you do it? What if you could turbocharge your career by acquiring new skills and knowledge that could help you help others?

A Black female mechanic works on the underside of a vehicle.
A PCOM MAPP degree can help turbocharge your career.

According to Dr. Scott Glassman, director of PCOM’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, you can with a MAPP degree.

“Earning a graduate degree in applied positive psychology at PCOM is like putting a more powerful engine in the car of your existing work role or career path,” Glassman said. “If you already feel an intrinsic drive to see the best in people, their strengths and potential, a MAPP degree path can help you turn that drive into actionable steps that reliably contribute to the well-being of individuals, groups, communities, nations, and global peace.”

What can I do with a degree in positive psychology?

There are a variety of industries and sectors where individuals with advanced training in positive psychology are seen as key contributors to success, service, and growth. The MAPP program offers the knowledge and skill base to become more effective in promoting human flourishing for individuals in the roles of:

  • life, health, or wellness coach
  • human resources professional
  • organizational wellness consultant
  • healthcare provider
  • caregiver
  • counselor
  • social worker
  • teacher
  • media consultant
  • writer
  • business owner
  • content creator
  • aspiring doctoral student in psychology.

“With our emphasis on program development from concept to implementation to evaluation, PCOM MAPP graduates can also guide community-based psychoeducational programs and workplace wellness initiatives that enhance well-being,” Glassman said.

The MAPP degree, he added, may also be a building block for helping those in leadership positions more effectively foster healthy organizations, inclusivity, motivation, high morale, and employee happiness.

Is a degree in positive psychology right for me?

According to Glassman, success in pursuing a graduate degree in positive psychology—and applying that degree effectively to your career path—depends upon the following qualities:

  • intellectual curiosity
  • openness
  • willingness to engage in self-reflection
  • compassion for self and others
  • ability to listen well
  • belief in people’s ability to change for the better
  • a commitment to wellness

“In PCOM’s MAPP program, we value strong writing and presentation skills, which we expect to develop during the many opportunities to practice during the program,” he added.

Students in the positive psychology degree program will also have the opportunity to gain real-world experience in implementing positive psychology approaches in a group setting under supervision through A Happier You—a 7-week multi-component program that teaches participants a systematic approach to reshaping their attentional tendencies toward the good in themselves and in their lives, using mindfulness as a core practice.

Through the Health Support Program, students also have a chance to practice using motivational interviewing to promote healthy lifestyle change in the areas of diet, exercise, and chronic illness management.

For those wanting to learn more about positive psychology before committing to a degree program, Glassman recommends taking an undergraduate course in positive psychology, reading books by prominent authors and researchers in the field, or listening to podcasts focused on the science of happiness. A positive psychology certificate program is another option, typically offering four courses in the field.

A master’s degree, however, is a much more comprehensive approach to establishing a foundation in positive psychology, Glassman said.

“Reaching out to an expert in the field of positive psychology to learn more about their activities, research interests, and current work can also help steer next steps,” he added.

Interested in pursuing a positive psychology degree?

As a graduate of PCOM’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, you will develop skills in helping individuals, families, communities and organizations flourish. Take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career that embraces wellness, life satisfaction and optimal functioning.

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