Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Positive Psychology is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field, including its theoretical foundations, research methods, and applications. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote optimal well-being and life satisfaction in individuals, communities, and organizations.

Program Description

The program focuses on the scientific study of positive psychology, including the development and effectiveness of interventions that seek to improve people's lives and enable them to thrive. Coursework emphasizes a theoretical, evidence-based, and experiential approach to key factors that contribute to psychological well-being and optimal functioning, such as gratitude, joy, love, optimism, inspiration, compassion, creativity, resilience, and mindfulness.

At a Glance

• College/School: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• Location: West Valley or Online
• STEM-OPT Extension Eligible: No

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.

Degree Requirements

• 30 credit hours, including the required capstone course (PSY 553)
• Required Core (3 credit hours): PSY 502 Professional Issues in Psychology (3)
• Research (6 credit hours):
  • PSY 500 Research Methods (3)
  • PSY 513 Fundamentals in Quantitative Methods (3)
• Concentration (12 credit hours):
  • PSY 550 Advanced Social Psychology (3) or PSY 577 Advanced Developmental Psychology (3)
  • PSY 565 Psychology of Mindfulness (3)
  • PSY 585 Advanced Positive Psychology (3)
  • PSY 586 Emotion (3)
• Electives (6 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (3 credit hours): PSY 553 Capstone in General Psychology (3)

Admission Requirements

• General University Admission Requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Additional Application Information:
  • An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
  • It is recommended that applicants have a background in psychology, sociology, business, education, or another closely related field.
  • Required coursework assumes a basic understanding of social science statistics and research methods.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone's situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Global Opportunities

Studying abroad is possible for graduate students, and it enables students in the psychology program to stand out in many career fields. Students are exposed to distinct differences in the human condition worldwide, are able to improve language and cross-cultural skills for effective communication, and are challenged to adapt under new social and cultural circumstances.

Career Opportunities

Graduates leave the program with an in-depth understanding of this growing field. They may pursue professional research careers in psychology, education, healthcare, or marketing. In addition, the positive psychology coursework benefits graduates working in supervisory or management positions, in training or teaching roles, or in any social services profession. Careers in which the positive psychology concentration is beneficial include:

• Equity and inclusion officer
• Individual life coach
• Positive coach in sports or organizations
• Positive psychology research assistant
• Social and community services manager Graduates can also find careers in the following industries:
• Business: sales and marketing manager, human resources manager, employee assistance program manager
• Community health and wellness professions: prevention specialist, youth development specialist, community health educator
• Education: high school psychology teacher, character strengths educator
• Government: health and wellness policy specialist, state department of public health or mental health program coordinator
• Social services: family interventionist, warm line worker, occupational analyst

Additional Information

The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of positive psychology, including its theoretical foundations, research methods, and applications. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote optimal well-being and life satisfaction in individuals, communities, and organizations.