Center Encourages People to Embrace Theory of Positive Thinking

Psychology has traditionally targeted mental illness, but Psychology professor Martin Seligman is trying to turn this focus to "mental wellness." Continue>

MAPP Grad Featured on NPR's "Talk of the Nation"

More and more Americans are putting their life's goals down on paper. On August 28, NPR's "Talk of the Nation" looked at this trend and featured Caroline Adams Miller, a member of the first class to graduate from Penn's Master of Applied Positive Psychology program. Listen>

Master of Applied Positive Psychology

We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2008. We are now accepting applications for Fall 2009. The deadline for receiving applications is March 1, 2009. To begin a new online application, click here. Please contact Aaron Boczkowski at (215) 746-0441 or at mapp-info@sas.upenn.edu with any questions.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for Fall 2009 is March 1, 2009.

All applications materials must be received in our office by the application deadline.

Application

All Applicants must submit the following:

• Completed application form
• Professional resume
• Application essay
• $70 application fee made payable to "Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania"
• Transcripts of all previous post-secondary work (transcripts required from each academic institution attended)
• GRE scores (if applicable)
• TOEFL scores (if applicable)
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty, supervisors or professional colleagues

Application Essays

Please submit an essay answering the following questions. Your essay, which should address each question thoroughly, should be no longer than four typed pages and should be submitted as a single document. 

1. How did your interest in Positive Psychology develop?  How familiar are you with the field?
2. What do you hope to learn in the MAPP program, and how do you expect to apply that knowledge in your professional career?
3. How will this affect your career?
4. How will this affect your profession?

Personal Statement – Academic Integrity

If you answer “yes” to the following question, please submit a statement of any facts that you believe bear on the significance of this circumstance. Include your statement as an addendum to the essay document. (This statement will be in addition to the limit of four typed pages for your essay.)

Academic Integrity question:
Have you ever been placed on probation, dismissed or suspended from any college or university for reasons pertaining to academic integrity?

Standardized Test Scores

Submit GRE scores if you have completed your bachelor’s degree within the last three years. GRE scores are recommended for others who do not yet have professional credentials. Use ETS code 2986 when requesting GRE scores.

Submit TOEFL scores if English is not your primary language. Use ETS code 2986 when requesting TOEFL scores.

Recommendation Letters

You must submit three letters of recommendation in support of your application. These should be from individuals with whom you have had a close professional or academic association and who know of your desire to study Positive Psychology at an advanced level. Recommenders may complete their letters online or submit hard copy letters of recommendation. To submit online recommendations, follow the instructions in the Recommendations section of the online application. If your recommendations will not be submitted online, please complete the CGS cover sheet for letters of recommendation, give it to your references, and have them complete and attach the form to their letter. You can download the form at www.sas.upenn.edu/CGS/downloads.