One of the most distinctive features of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree is our innovative hybrid program delivery model. The format includes intensive on-site classes at the University of Pennsylvania about one weekend each month, followed by interactive distance learning modules over the intervening weeks.
During the on-site sessions, you’ll build close and enduring connections with your professors and classmates. Between these on-site experiences, you and your classmates will continue learning together, using our robust distance learning platform. The platform includes a variety of tools that allow for both highly social and independent learning experiences, such as virtual meeting space, online blogs, recorded lectures, and a rich content library.
Each month you will resume in-person class hours to compare notes with your fellow students and continue face-to-face learning. During the weekend sessions, students are encouraged to bring their experiences back to the classroom for discussion. It is this repeated interaction between theory and practice, with each informing the other, that leads to the best learning and the most effective application.
Please note that the on-site events are critical to your learning experiences in the program, and it is not possible to complete the Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree solely via distance learning.
Program schedule (2021-2022)
| FALL 2021 SCHEDULE OF ON-SITE CLASS HOURS | |
|---|---|
| September 1-5, 2021 | Immersion Week |
| October 1-3, 2021 | On-site 2 |
| October 22-24, 2021 | On-site 3 |
| November 12-14, 2021 | On-site 4 |
| December 3-5, 2021 | On-site 5 |
| SPRING 2022 SCHEDULE OF ON-SITE CLASS HOURS | |
|---|---|
| January 14-16, 2022 | On-site 1 |
| February 11-13, 2022 | On-site 2 |
| March 4-6, 2022 | On-site 3 |
| March 25-27, 2022 | On-site 4 |
| April 22-24, 2022 | On-site 5 |
| May 15-16, 2022 | Graduation |
Program schedule (2022-2023)
| FALL 2022 SCHEDULE OF ON-SITE CLASS HOURS | |
|---|---|
| September 7-11, 2022 | Immersion Week |
| October 7-9, 2022 | On-site 2 |
| October 28-30, 2022 | On-site 3 |
| November 18-20, 2022 | On-site 4 |
| December 9-11, 2022 | On-site 5 |
| SPRING 2023 SCHEDULE OF ON-SITE CLASS HOURS | |
|---|---|
| January 13-15, 2023 | On-site 1 |
| February 10-12, 2023 | On-site 2 |
| March 3-5, 2023 | On-site 3 |
| March 24-26, 2023 | On-site 4 |
| April 21-23, 2023 | On-site 5 |
| May 14-15, 2023 | Graduation |
Housing in Philadelphia
Master of Applied Positive Psychology students make their own arrangements for accommodations during the program’s on-site weekends. We realize that everyone has different lodging requirements and so we leave the choice to you. Several hotels in the vicinity of the University of Pennsylvania campus and in Center City Philadelphia offer discounts for Penn students, and most Applied Positive Psychology students stay in one of them.
International students relocating to Philadelphia are eligible for on-campus housing at Sansom Place.
If you are interested in relocating to Philadelphia long-term, learn more about off-campus housing.
Graduation
Each year, Master of Applied Positive Psychology students are invited to come to campus and participate in the graduation ceremony in May. You will participate after the spring semester of study, prior to your final summer semester in the program.
