Applied Positive Psychology
Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program must have completed a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, education, social work or nursing from a regionally accredited institution. Bachelor's degrees in other specialty areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
GPA requirement
MAPP program applicants must have a 3.0 GPA (B average) or better.
Coursework requirements
In order to ensure that program courses are taught at the highest possible level, applicants without a major or minor in psychology must have completed, prior to admission, at a bachelor's level or above, the following courses:
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Introduction to Psychology
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Research/Statistics
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Any intermediate/advanced psychology course*
*Courses in related fields such as public health, wellness, and health behavior change may also fulfill this prerequisite.
Information for international students
PCOM fully online courses are not open to applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
In accordance with the March 2020 guidance, new or Initial F and M students who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020, will not be able to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant student for the 2023-24 academic year if their course of study is 100 percent online. Consistent with this guidance, PCOM cannot issue a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for a student in new or Initial status who is outside of the United States for courses operating fully online.
Please Note: Due to international regulations, and restrictions by the State of California, foreign national/international candidates and California residents are not eligible to enroll in PCOM online programs.
Application Process
When is the deadline to apply?
This academic program operates on a rolling admissions basis. The application closes on Friday, August 15, 2025 but an early application is highly recommended. Classes for the program begin in the fall term (early September).
How to apply
Prospective students may submit their application through PCOM's online application management system. Additional details, including application availability and instructions, are available on our admissions website.
Next steps
Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted via email with a confirmation of its receipt including reminders of the appropriate steps to complete the application process.
Note that there is no institutional application fee to PCOM.
Where do I send my college transcripts?
Official college transcripts from all colleges/universities/schools attended must be sent directly to:
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Office of Admissions
4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
We will accept electronic transcripts via mail from Parchment Services and National Student Clearinghouse to admissions@pcom.edu.
Where do I send my letters of recommendation?
Letters of Recommendation can be submitted through PCOM's application portal or sent directly to PCOM Admissions in PDF format to recommend@pcom.edu.
Additional application requirements
Your application will be processed and assessed by the Faculty Committee on Admissions only after the receipt of:
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Three letters of recommendation (one letter from a faculty member strongly recommended)
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A general autobiographical statement explaining your interest in this academic program as it relates to your personal, academic, and/or career goals (in 500 words or less) should be uploaded to your PCOM application portal.
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Writing sample (preferably graded) demonstrating APA style. Minimum 5 pages double spaced addressing a topic in psychology.
What happens after I apply to the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program?
This program utilizes a rolling admissions policy, so applications will be considered throughout the year as they are received. Students will be accepted into the program until a desirable class size is reached. Classes begin in the fall term (early September).
The Admissions Committee screens applications, invites some applicants for an interview and writing sample, evaluates the applicants, and selects new students. Following the completion of the admission process, each applicant will be notified of the Admission's Committee decision in writing, including any conditions that must be satisfied prior to or following enrollment.
Since we are a fully online program, interviews are conducted online throughout the year.
As an applicant to PCOM's Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, you are responsible for ensuring that all admissions materials are completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.