Programme summary for MSc Applied Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology is a scientific study of optimal human functioning and flourishing. Many branches of Psychology focus on the ‘disease model’ and concentrate on treating individuals who are undergoing difficult situations. Positive psychology, on the other hand, focuses on factors that enable individuals and communities to thrive and build the best in life.
UEL is proud to offer the UK’s first postgraduate degree in Applied Positive Psychology, enabling students to become actively involved in this exciting new area and to shape its future development. Aimed at psychologists, business, health and education professionals, executive and life coaches, local government and charity workers and graduates from related disciplines.
Key Features | Career Prospects | Programme Structure | Tuition Fees | Teaching | Contact Details
About the programme
Positive psychology is the scientific study of optimal human functioning and flourishing. Instead of drawing on a ‘disease model’, it focuses on factors that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Areas of research and application include wellbeing and its determinants: positive emotions; resilience; creativity; optimism; character strengths; and positive institutions. Taught by the pioneers of positive psychology in Europe, the programme particularly emphasises skills development, including facilitation, intervention and research skills.
Programme structure
The MAPP programme is currently offered in two study modes: part-time and full-time. Students taking the full-time option will take all modules together.
The first year on map students take PYM708 Foundations of Positive Psychology, which provides a comprehensive introduction to the research, theory, application and intellectual position of positive psychology, as well as to explore the assessment of positive psychology constructs such as positive emotions, character strengths, well-being, etc.
The second year of MAPP is PYM710 Advanced Positive Psychology. This module is designed to build on the theoretical understanding of positive psychology that students will have gained from the first year. The word “advanced” is intended to signify two key processes: integrating and applying. So, firstly, students develop an appreciation for how all the different facets and dimensions of positive psychology fit together and connect. Secondly, there is a strong emphasis on applying these ideas and tools in the real world.
In addition to this, the students will undertake PYM709 Research Dissertation 1. The MAPP program is offering the student a comprehensive research experience. The first step of that experience is the module PYM709 which is the Research Proposal module. As part of that module the student is being allocated a supervisor with whom the student shapes research interests into a clear study they would like to run.
The following module, PYM711, is taking this process one step forward and allows you to actually run the study. As many students would like their dissertation to be impactful, the MAPP dissertation is written as a journal paper that students can submit to a relevant journal. During this journey of writing and experimenting the student is accompanied by a MAPP member of staff (a supervisor) who is helping to structure the study while being available to help with any question or challenges they face. The entire process allows students to learn how to run an academic study while focusing on a topic that is relevant and interesting for them.
Career opportunities
Graduates are likely to develop careers in organisational or business consultancies through their knowledge of tools for transforming business, institutions or practice. Business executives, human resource personnel and managers are likely to enhance their career prospects, whilst life coaching is another possible career pathway for graduates.
The MSc is valuable for qualified clinical psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses and doctors who intend to use positive psychology theory, research and applications in their clinical work. Qualified teachers can use positive psychology expertise to inform their teaching practice. Importantly, a number of graduates are likely to develop specialisation in positive psychology within a research career, and can use the programme as a stepping stone towards a doctorate.
Support
1. On the first day you will take part in a relevant and comprehensive Induction Programme to help you settle in.
2. Students are offered personal tutor support to address learning queries and discuss any issues affecting progress.
3. The programme operates a genuine open door policy, which means that members of staff, including module tutors, programme leader and dissertation supervisor are accessible to students and can be contacted through WebCT and email.
4. There are substantial learning, library and research resources accessible on and off campus, including positive psychology books and journals (e.g. Journal of Positive Psychology and Journal of Happiness Studies).
5. Lectures and seminars are accompanied by comprehensive lecture notes, handouts and on-line materials, accessible from your home or work place.
6. The campus provides computer and experimental labs.
7. You will receive training in appropriate research methods, enabling you to develop your research skills and apply these to positive psychology.
8. You will have a dedicated dissertation supervisor who is familiar with the topic area and is there to guide and support you during the specialist research stage.
9. Specialist support (e.g. financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is available from central University Services. The University also has disability and dyslexia advisors.
Admission
- An undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, sociology, health and social welfare, counselling, education studies, human resources, business or social enterprise studies or other related disciplines with a minimum 2.2 classification (or equivalent).
- A written application outlining academic and professional background, career objectives and reasons for choosing the MAPP Programme at UEL. Students whose academic background is outside of the above mentioned disciplines should explain how their professional or life experience has prepared them for studying positive psychology. The application should not be more than 2, 000 words in lengths.
- Two supporting references, one of which is preferably academic.
- In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes
- Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online Applied Positive Psychology (MSc)
View full specification Applied Positive Psychology (MSc)
Tuition Fees - 2013/14
Home/EU Fees
- Module fee: £1,400
- Full time fee: £8,400 per yr
International Fees
- Module fee: £1,900
- Full time fee: £11,400 per yr
Fees based on 30 credit modules (unless otherwise indicated) For further information regarding postgraduate fees please refer to www.uel.ac.uk/fees/
