MS Applied Positive Psychology

The MS in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program trains students to become a powerful positive change force in communities, schools, clinics, businesses and leadership around the world. Students learn to leverage the knowledge, skills and attitudes of an outlook rooted in seeing the best in yourself and others. This program is designed to create thought leaders who rely on both science and heart to transform systems by creating “positive feedback loops.” The program is focused on creating a workforce of the future that is well-equipped with practical approaches to fostering compassion, kindness, love, and achievement on a regional, national and global scale. 

The fully online MAPP program provides foundational knowledge in the areas of positive psychology, clinical health psychology and health behavior change, with a primary emphasis on positive psychology. Upon completion of the program, students will have skills in motivational interviewing and mindfulness; be able to apply positive psychology interventions that include a focus on personal strengths, gratitude, kindness, purpose and love; have honed their scholarly writing skills and feel more confident in taking a large-scale research-informed project from concept to implementation to evaluation; and be prepared to think about positive change from a biopsychosocial perspective that includes insight into key motivational principles that are important to healthy lifestyles.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Term 1Hours
APP 501 Introduction to Positive Psychology 3
APP 506 Motivational Interviewing and Health Behavior Change 3
APP 511 Biopsychosocial Basis of Health and Wellness 3
APP 541 Practicum I in Happier You/Health Support 1
 Hours10
Term 2
APP 516 Research Methods and Evaluation in Positive Psychology 3
APP 521 Mindfulness, Positive Emotions, and Well-Being 3
APP 526 Positive Psychology Approaches Across the Lifespan 3
APP 546 Practicum II in Happier You/Health Support 1
 Hours10
Term 3
APP 531 Building Positive Institutions and Systems 3
APP 536 The Intersection of CBT and Positive Psychology 3
APP 556 Capstone: Positive Psychology and Healthcare 3
APP 551 Practicum III in Happier You/Health Support 1
 Hours10
 Total Hours30