LIFE IN THE CLASSROOM
Becoming a Staple :
M . S . Positive Psychology at Life University
“ The first class I took , ‘ Psychology of Forgiveness ’ with Brendan Ozawa-de Silva , changed my life . I ’ ve never been in a class that taught something like forgiveness . Every week after class I couldn ’ t wait to share with my family what I learned in class .”
Life University ’ s Master of Science in Positive Psychology program changed the mindset of program alumna Markisha Dixon-Sallie from “ not sweating the small stuff ” to learning to be more thankful and living life with purpose .
Many other alumni and current students of this young program at LIFE share similar sentiments as Dixon-Sallie does , crediting the coursework and faculty with opening up horizons not once thought of before beginning their pursuit of this unique degree .
When LIFE started the M . S . Positive Psychology degree program in the fall of 2014 , it was intended to give prospective students a wide range of options in their pursuit of a career in the field of psychology , an interrelated field or an advanced degree . Currently , its two tracks — Coaching and General — offer those options , along with a convenient approach to obtaining the degree , as both tracks are available almost exclusively online ( Coaching Track contains a residency program ).
“ We have to be much more responsive to students ’ needs , and how we engage them is certainly different than it is with traditional , on-ground courses ,” explains Dr . Mickey Parsons , Academic Coordinator for the M . S . Positive Psychology degree . “ In addition to having online discussions and interactive forums with video options , we also have video conference options for many of the Positive Psychology courses so that students can literally log in and meet with professors from time to time for that face-to-face content . We try to provide everything an online student needs to be successful while in the program .”
WHAT IS POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY ?
Positive Psychology focuses on the study of flourishing and positive human functioning and includes key areas such as happiness , life satisfaction , meaning in life , gratitude , compassion and forgiveness . In 1998 , Martin Seligman made the case for psychologists to investigate what made a happy life rather than an unhappy one . Since then , we have seen an explosion of research in the study of what people need to do to experience happiness and successfully navigate life ’ s challenges .
Organizations are realizing how positive psychology can bring exceptional workplace performance ; educators are successfully applying it to increase creativity , critical thinking skills , positivity in students and to reduce ADHD and bullying ; governments are measuring and promoting wellbeing as part of economic policy ; and individuals and families are learning to cultivate a flourishing environment .
OPTIONS ABOUND
Our M . S . Positive Psychology program offers you two innovative paths through which to achieve your professional goals . Depending on your areas of interest , you can choose to specialize in :
General Track The General Track is a 3-quarter program with a mission to prepare students to be competent , ethical practitioners of Positive Psychology . Students will develop skills
in evaluation assessment and a variety of coaching modalities . They will be able to apply knowledge from various frameworks and interventions ( e . g ., theoretical , empirical , experiential and vitalistic models ) to a wide variety of human experiences . This program emphasizes learning , which focuses on the uniqueness of each individual and the influences of culture and ethnicity when providing services to people from diverse backgrounds . This track provides a systematic approach that helps students progress in their ability to apply Positive Psychology in multiple contexts .
Coaching Psychology Track The Coaching Psychology Track is a 3-quarter program designed around an integrated approach to Positive Psychology that draws from the richness of ancient traditions , yet is based on modern scientific research methods and best practices . Graduates of this program will have the key theoretical understandings and core skills necessary to work as a professional coach in a wide range of settings . They will be equipped to work in the scientistpractitioner or scholar-practitioner models and can expect to find employment as human performance consultants , personal or workplace coaches in industry , in the human resources field or in private practice .
The Life University Coaching Psychology program is
a Center for Credentialing & Education ( CCE ) and an Approved Board Certified Coach ( BCC ) training provider . The Coaching Psychology program is currently pursuing accreditation through the International Coaching Federation ( ICF ) to become an Accredited Coach Training Program ( ACTP ).
For more information about the Master of Science in Positive Psychology degree program or any of Life University ’ s degree offerings , please visit www . LIFE . edu .
Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2019
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