Master of Applied Positive Psychology

Nadia Almheiri

When Nadia Almheiri (Master of Applied Positive Psychology ’21) discovered positive psychology, she had already made a career change to focus on well-being: an experienced human resources professional and government employee of the United Arab Emirates, Nadia decided to establish her own business offering emotional and social intelligence workshops for government employees and private companies such as banks, as well as occasional public workshops. “There were so many things I wanted to do for my well-being. I wanted to learn things, do things, go places.

Victoria Roebuck

“I was blown away by the idea that there was a science behind well-being,” says Victoria Roebuck (Master of Applied Positive Psychology ’20). As an early-career manager at a marketing analytics startup, Victoria was curious about human potential and how to coach people to grow and improve. Through Penn’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP), she gained insight into human flourishing (and a new career).

Martin Seligman offers catastrophizers ways to build resilience with a more optimistic mindset

In this Time Magazine article, Dr. Martin Seligman of the Penn LPS Master of Applied Positive Psychology program talks about catastrophizing­­—when one’s reaction to a negative event is the assumption that things will only get worse. His research demonstrates that this type of thinking impedes happiness and “is a major risk factor for post­traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”

Joseph Glaser-Reich

Not everyone gets the job of their dreams, but Joseph Glaser-Reich started planning and preparing in college for his career as a rescue swimmer. “It's one of those jobs where you don't really have to wake up in the morning and wonder whether what you're doing is making a difference or not,” he laughs. Survival technicians like Joe are trained to maintain and repair survival equipment, administer emergency medical assistance, and work with a tightly coordinated team of aviation specialists to carry out maritime rescues via helicopter.

Noof Mohammed Al Jenibi

“We have a huge responsibility,” says Noof Mohammed Al Jenibi (Master of Applied Positive Psychology ’18). “Now that we’ve had a chance to be a part of the positive psychology community at Penn, we have to give back by helping others and being generous with our knowledge.” During her time in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, Noof studied evidence-based research and practical applications with world-class theorists and practitioners. “Imagine reading your favorite books, then having the chance to meet the authors and listen to their perspective.

Learning through service: How MAPP students created a roadmap to resilience for public servants

During the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, students work in small groups to partner with organizations from around the world and put their positive psychology expertise to work. Each service learning project studies the organization's structure, mission, and goals and develops an actionable plan to make an immediate impact and advance the mission.

Fellowship and Scholarship Opportunities

The Christopher Peterson Memorial Fellowship

The Christopher Peterson Memorial Fellowship, created to honor the legacy of Peterson’s life and contribution to positive psychology, provides partial tuition support to one or more MAPP students annually. This fellowship is awarded to students who demonstrate service to others, academic merit, and financial need. 

To be considered for the fellowship, you must have completed the MAPP application by March 1 and must have the Christopher Peterson Memorial Fellowship application and financial forms submitted by March 15.

Nicole Pérez Cueter

Amidst the economic crisis in Venezuela in the 2010s, Nicole Pérez Cueter, a student in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program (MAPP), was early in her career at a multinational manufacturing company. While overseeing plant operators, Nicole witnessed how hardworking employees struggled to provide for their families during a time of nationwide instability. “That was one of the first experiences that ignited something in me that the purpose of a career was to do something for others,” she says.

Anton Ledesma

Anton Ledesma (Master of Applied Positive Psychology `21) first encountered positive psychology as an undergraduate studying abroad in Copenhagen—which, he notes, has continuously been listed as one of the happiest cities. The experience “changed the way I looked at life and the way I wanted to pursue my studies,” he recalls.

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