The Master of Applied Positive Psychology course, MAPP, is of interest to a wide range of individuals of all ages who are looking to learn more about positive self-development as well as professionals working in the fields of coaching, education, healthcare, and therapy.
Whilst most degree courses teach the theory of the subject, positive psychology is different in that students are encouraged to explore topics by applying them to their daily lives. This provides them with a unique insight into what the theory looks like in practical terms when applied in the real world in their own personal circumstances. It could be called learning from the inside out.
Positive psychology is based upon evidence-based interventions which have been shown to work well for most of the people most of the time, and MAP students have ample opportunity to try them on for size. From the outset, they are able to develop new practical skills and knowledge that can improve their own lives at home, at work and in their relationships.
Positive psychology topics include the science of hope, resilience, happiness, well-being, mindset, flourishing, positive emotions, gratitude, and the journey of change, amongst others, and also includes applied research skills and positive psychology and practice.
More universities around the world are adding this degree course to their syllabus, although there are still only a handful of MAPP courses available. However, the provision of online learning makes the programme accessible to students worldwide. Applications can be accepted from people without a first degree if they have relevant work or life experience.
One of these universities, Buckinghamshire New University UK, introduced the MAPP programme in 2012. An Introduction to Positive Psychology online course run by Dr Piers Worth, who created the original course, and Lesley Lyle, one of the first MAPP graduates, allows individuals to gain an overview of the course, as well as entitling students to get a full 10% reduction off the total MAPP fees if they then enrol on the full course.
‘We Are The Positive Psychology People’
Podcast Version