Positive Psychology refers to the scientific study of the strengths that allow communities and individuals to thrive. This field of psychology revolves around that people should lead fulfilling and meaningful lives by cultivating their strengths and enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.
As a positive psychologist, you strive to create a positive work and home environment. To become a Positive Psychologist, you’ll need to obtain a degree in the field of psychology and either pursue a tailored track towards positive psychology or obtain a certificate in positive psychology as a practitioner through continued education. Every year, thousands of aspiring psychologists enter this field. To achieve long-term career success and become a positive psychologist, you need to have a better understanding of the abilities and skills you need to thrive in this profession.
Psychologists can apply the principles of positive psychology in psychotherapy to treat pathology because positive psychology acknowledges the reality of suffering and mental illness. All such applications include assessment of strengths and resources as part of a clinical evaluation.
Positive Psychology Practitioner - School of Positive Transformation
For a special 10% off use coupon: MindMaster10
Where Can I Study Positive Psychology?
You need a variety of educational requirements before you can start serving as a positive psychologist. If you want to pursue a degree program in positive psychology, you should earn a bachelor’s degree in general psychology. (Here are some centers to study positive psychology.) However, a few universities and colleges are now offering a bachelor’s degree in positive psychology.
At the bachelor’s degree, students cover the following courses:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Social Psychology
- Research methods
- Organizational/ Industrial Psychology
- Counseling
Students can also choose an on-campus Positive Psychology Certificate program or an online course as an alternative to earning a bachelor’s degree. You can also enroll in a business school that offers a program in human resources or positive psychology. For enrolling some undergraduate certificate programs, you need a minimum of 12-credit hours of coursework, which revolves around applying positive psychology to human behavior. Make sure the course you are taking is accredited, or you will fail to qualify for a doctoral program.
Once you obtain an undergraduate degree, you will advance to receive your master’s degree. Generally, programs at the master’s level need you to take practicums, internships, or supervised training. You will also need to submit a dissertation or a written thesis to receive your master’s degree.
If you want to enter into occupations in this field or start a private practice, you must earn a doctoral degree. These programs can take anywhere between five and years. Once you receive your doctoral degree, you can opt for a positive psychology concentration within general psychology, education programs, or counseling.
If you want to study to become a positive psychologist, you can enroll into a college, an online program, or receive a certificate to begin your professional journey.
What Is A MAPP Degree?
Positive psychology is quickly becoming one of psychology’s most interesting fields. Positive psychology a different from historical, psychological approaches since it emphasizes on the empirical study of human flourishing. The focus of traditional psychology was always on improving the human condition by fixing and identifying the negative elements of life. However, positive psychology complements the approach by emphasizing on strengthening the positive aspects.
The University of Pennsylvania pioneered the master’s program in this extensive field. The founder of this discipline, Dr. Martin Seligman, created the MAPP or Master of Applied Positive Psychology to train and enlighten students. This program’s hybrid model enables students to study the theory and practice of positive psychology and comprise nine courses.
Today, numerous universities offer a MAPP program to students. Some of these include Claremont Graduate University, University of East London, University of Lisbon, and North-West University, South Africa.
Positive Psychology Practitioner - School of Positive Transformation
For a special 10% off use coupon: MindMaster10
What Is A Positive Psychology Practitioner?
A Positive Psychology Practitioner is a psychologist who is certified and specializes in administering psychology services through he discipline of positive psychology. In this role you’ll administer tests, offer patient services, and provide therapy, and in order to do so you’ll need to obtain a license or certification from the state where you want to practice. Positive psychologists serving as consultants also require a license in some states.
For obtaining a license in most states, you need to earn a doctoral degree and pass at least one examination. You must also complete a fixed number of supervised hours for practicing as a positive psychologist.
Work Experience Requirements
Professional positive psychologists undergo a strenuous internship process. Typically, students work under the supervision of a licensed clinical supervisor. Internships take place in private practices and school based clinics. Moreover, students may find internship opportunities in other state-run in-patient facilities.
Licensure Requirements
For becoming a licensed psychologist, you need a doctoral degree in psychology. Once you receive an undergraduate degree, you must specialize in theories of motivation, self-efficacy, personality, child development, and much more with a focus on spirituality.
While psychologist licensure requirements vary from state to state, generally, you need an APA accredited doctoral degree for a psychologist licensure. Moreover, all states require psychologists to work under a licensed psychologist for a specified number of supervised hours to obtain psychologist licensure.
Psychologists can receive board certification from The American Board of Professional Psychology. Typically, board certification requires that those applying must have post-doctoral experience.
Skills You Need for Becoming a Positive Psychologist
There are certain skills that help you become a better positive psychologist. If you are supportive, empathetic, persuasive, and charismatic, you have good chances of becoming a positive psychologist. Positive psychologists have a strong desire to explore human relationships and enhance their positive aspects.
However, apart from having an optimistic personality, you should also have good working knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic techniques to become a positive psychologist. You have to be patient, kind, and non-judgmental to offer the best services.
Since the field is expanding into many sectors, positive psychologists work in a wide range of fields. As a positive psychologist, you may need to travel from one location to another. In some cases, you will have to work on holidays and weekends. Some of the most common fields you can explore as a positive psychologist include:
- Colleges, schools, and universities
- Government agencies
- Research firms
- Counseling services
- Hospitals and healthcare services
- Mental health facilities
- Human resource departments
- Consulting firms
You can also start your own private practice as a life coach, writer, or motivational speaker to train corporate leaders. Some positive psychologists work as a consultant for the military.
Here are some of the ways you can contribute to your role as a positive psychologist.
School Counselor
You can become a school counselor to help students identify their strengths. Counsels play a crucial role in helping students excel in their academic careers by developing social and academic skills.
Human Resource Generalist
Specialists who are responsible for managing a company’s employees, handling disputes, hiring, and training new employees are human resource professionals. They also handle payroll and benefits. You can benefit from a positive psychology program to manage employees and increase the productivity of the workplace.
Life Coach
Positive psychologists often become life coaches and partner with their clients to train future leaders. Whether you are a musician, artist, business owner, or homemaker, you can use positive psychology to transform the lives of people around you.
Psychosomatic Medicine
Positive psychologists often become life coaches and partner with their clients to train future leaders. Whether you are a musician, artist, business owner, or homemaker, you can use positive psychology to transform the lives of people around you.
Health Psychology
Health psychologists work to understand how cultural, behavioral, and psychological factors play a role in physical health and healthcare. Principles of positive psychology help professionals explore the effects of optimism and positivity on improving physical and emotional health.
Final Thoughts
The principle behind positive psychology is to bring out the best in people. You can become a positive psychologist to cultivate and nurture this view for inducing positivity in people and building positive communities. Follow our guide to become a successful, positive psychologist.
