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New degrees of happiness - BSc (Hons) Psychology for Personal and Professional Development launched at UEL

Thursday 6 July 2006

If England’s dismal performance in the World Cup has left you down in the dumps, you might just benefit from a course in positive psychology.

Starting in September, the University of East London (UEL) has launched a unique new degree programme focusing on the role of positive psychology in achieving career and personal goals.

The BSc (Hons) Psychology for Personal and Professional Development degree at UEL's highly rated School of Psychology in Stratford aims to give students a better understanding of key issues in personal and professional lives.

The 'godfather' of the contemporary positive psychology movement is Martin Seligman, who as president of the American Psychological Association called for psychologists to study happy people as well as those with depression and other mental health problems. In recent years, Harvard University has launched a popular undergraduate programme in Positive Psychology.

The new UEL programme explores a range of interpersonal and workplace contexts through positive psychology. The degree is aimed at professinoals seeking a deeper understanding of workplace issues and behaviour, and offers progression to BPS accredited and masters programmes.

Students will explore the real-life issues and challenges that we face daily both in our personal lives and at work, such as interpersonal skills, leadership, conflict resolution, ethical issues, mentoring and coaching.

Dr Rachel George, who leads the new programme, said: “Happiness in work and life can be learned, and this new degree aims to study the psychology of our everyday lives with a view to becoming more effective at managing them.

“While the traditional approach of psychology has been to deal with people's problems, focusing on negatives, this innovative new degree explores ways in which people can move beyond a base line of "normality" and progress into the positive - achieving their professional goals and personal happiness."

UEL also offers evening short courses in Psychology, starting in September. For details of all Psychology programmes at UEL, contact 020 8223 4700.

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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