What good is a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology?

A follow-up to this post can be found here:

http://daveshearon.typepad.com/daveshearon/2008/12/what-good-is-a-masters-in-applied-positive-psychology-part-2.html

Miriam, in a comment, has asked:

Feb. 2006, What are you doing (employment) with your Master of Applied Positive Psy? I am a teacher in Alaska and am very interested in the OTHER job possibilities for this Masters .
I'm 56 and want a change. How has your journey been and where are you in your quest for education?

Short answer:  I don't know yet.

Longer answer:  The MAPP degree is recognition of both study and practice in understanding and applying the findings of positive psychology in the business or professional venues.  I've been assessing what I think I will come out of this program with, and the answers include:

• A broad and correct (straight from the minds of some of the best in the field) grasp of what is happening in positive psychology research and implementation today
• A basic understanding of the current state of social science research and the ability to continue to read new studies as they come out, place them in context, get a sense of what each means, and integrate that knowledge in my own framework
• Experience with applied positive psychology in both individual and organizational settings
• Relationships I'll be able to call on both with the leading researchers who have taught in the program and with my classmates (a pretty formidable group!)
• A credential that will at least be recognized (and likely thought well of) by many that I have not yet met in the field of positive psychology when I meet them or need to contact them in the future
• A chance of being called in when my particular experience and knowledge makes me a good fit for some situation that the instructors in these courses may come across
• Sufficient knowledge and skills to start to apply positive psychology immediately in my fields

Over the longer term, I think the meaning and value of a MAPP will depend on what those of us in this class, and those who complete the program over the next few years, do with it.  As we contribute solid work in our fields, the MAPP program will receive credit and the value of the degree will go up.

But, you should understand it is not a credential for any sort of licensure and, at least so far, I haven't seen employers lining up with job descriptions listing "MAPP" as a requirement!  Those who participate in this program get a wonderful chance to get in on building the ground floor of something really important both individually and to organizations and communities.  But, since you're helping design and build from the ground up, you just can't walk in, push a button, and ride the elevator up a few floors!  It'll take creativity, imagination, vitality, and a certain amount of risk-taking to translate the opportunity represented by the MAPP program into real changes in your life.  But, I think I can say with confidence that you, personally, are far likelier to be in a position to exercise those qualities as a result of your experience in the program. 

Good luck to any who are thinking about this program, and don't hesitate to contact me!

Comments

[Dave Shearon]

Hi, Elizabeth!

How has it changed me? I'm happier. I know it and my scores on various instruments confirm it. That may sound trivial, but, given what I now know about happiness and its correlates, it's not trivial to me. Plus I understand happines to be significantly constructed of engagement and meaning, as well as enjoyment, and those things matter.

Also, I know my strengths, both character (VIA at authentichappiness.org) and action (Strengthsfinder 2.0) better. Plus, I have a feel for how my particular versions of those strengths are unique and fit with my other qualities to make me uniquely suited to certain tasks and performances. Had I known some of this when I was just out of law school, I think I'd have taken some different approaches to find a place to use both the law degree and the MAPP.

If the content of Positive Psychology resonates with you and you want to put it to work along with your law degree, I think you'll find the MAPP program itself extremely meaningful, the relationships wonderful, and the opportunities unique, interesting, and satisfying.

Good luck!

[Elizabeth]

Hello.

I just stumbled upon your website in researching the MAPP program.

As a recent law school graduate, I am interested in your thoughts on this program's impact on your legal work. How has it changed you?