Master of Arts
in Happiness Studies
The science of wellbeing
By Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
Next Cohort Starts: August 28, 2023
Total Tuition: $17,700
FREE LIVE WEBINAR
Unlocking Leadership
A Journey to Purpose, Inner Peace and Healing
Join Dr Tal Ben-Shahar and Dr Raj Sisodia, author of the best-selling book "Conscious Capitalism" and examine how to become an effective leader through fostering inner harmony, and navigating a path towards purpose, inner peace and healing.
Thursday | February 15th | 4 PM New York, USA time
Become the leader that the world needs right now
This fully online accredited MA degree in Happiness Studies focuses on educating leaders who are committed to the cultivation of wellbeing in themselves and others, to the fulfillment of society’s potential for both happiness and goodness. Regardless of your area of interest and action—be it in business, education, psychotherapy, coaching, health or law—the rigorous ideas and evidence-based interventions that are part of the MA in Happiness Studies will help you bring out the best in your family, colleagues, clients, students and yourself.
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This degree is offered in partnership with Centenary University. Centenary University has a 150-year tradition of providing high quality liberal arts and professional studies while helping students gain the skills and connections they need to prosper in today's world.
Fully Accredited
(Middle States Commission on Higher Education - Feb 17, 2022)
Syllabus
GHS 509
3 Credits - 8 weeks
Foundations of Happiness Studies
This short and intensive course provides students with a technical foundation as well as a psychological foundation for the entire program. In terms of the technical foundation, students will learn to navigate through the syllabus, understand the ins-and-outs of the Learning Management System (LMS) and become familiar with the building blocks of each course. In terms of the psychological foundation, students will learn a set of particular tools and techniques, as well as some general approaches, that will accompany them and help them grow throughout the program. The two-week course includes a fair amount of preparation that primarily includes reading texts, experimenting with various practices, and watching online lectures.
GHS 530 & GHS 531
6 Credits - 16 weeks
Facilitating Happiness
Facilitating Happiness focuses primarily on tools and techniques that can help individuals and groups increase levels of wellbeing. The course introduces the topic of change, followed by twelve lectures, each delving into a particular technique or set of techniques. Each of the lectures introduces the science behind a particular technique and then provides concrete steps that you can take to make a meaningful difference in your life and the life of others. To gain a deeper grasp of the material, beyond understanding the theory, it is essential that you experiment with, and apply, the tools and techniques in your life.
GHS 560
3 Credits - 8 weeks
Wholebeing Coaching
This course introduces participants to evidence-based coaching techniques that fall into a number of coaching approaches, including Positive Psychology Coaching, Appreciative Coaching, Acceptance and Commitment Coaching, and more. Throughout the course students will experiment with the different methodologies and ultimately formulate their own coaching approach—one that they can apply to helping themselves and others reach higher levels of wholebeing.
GHS 510
3 Credits - 8 weeks
Integrative Leaders on Happiness
This course explores seven disciplines—Economics, Business, History, Religion, Education, Biology and Music—through the lens of fourteen influential thinkers. The work of each of the thinkers is integrative, in that it brings together theory and practice, different aspects of their chosen discipline, as well as different elements of SPIRE. They have shaped and continue to shape their discipline, while contributing both breadth and depth to our understanding of wholebeing.
GHS 540
3 Credits - 8 weeks
Philosophy & Happiness
This course explores how philosophy, considered the mother of all disciplines, informs the study of happiness. Each week, students delve into a seminal philosophical text and with the help of complementary material explore its relevance for personal and societal wellbeing. The texts that students read each week are roughly associated with one of the twelve principles; however, given the interconnectedness of all things, each text sheds light on the different elements of happiness, on wholebeing.
GHS 570
3 Credits - 8 weeks
Happiness in Literature & Film
Stories, throughout history and in every civilization, have moved individuals and nations—inspired real and meaningful change. Each week throughout the course students watch a film and then closely read a poem and a short story—all relating to one of the twelve wholebeing principles. The course explores ways that can help individuals and groups better understand, pursue and attain happiness.
GHS 520 & GHS 521
6 Credits - 16 weeks
Introduction to Happiness Studies
The course explores happiness through the lens of wholeperson wellbeing (wholebeing). Drawing on psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, economics, theology, literature and other disciplines, this survey course focuses on each of the five dimensions of wellbeing: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional (SPIRE). The course is both theoretical, providing an overview of the twelve principles that define wholebeing, as well as practical, providing tools and techniques for helping individuals and groups pursue and attain higher levels of wellbeing.
GHS 550
3 Credits - 8 weeks
A SPIRE Retreat
In this course students get to apply as well as deepen their understanding of much of what they’ve learned in previous courses. The focus will be on bringing together reflection and action (ReflAction) for the purpose of personal and collective transformation—for students to help themselves become happier, as well as for students to learn how to help others do the same.Students will spendan average of 80 minutes each day engaged in individual as well as group activities that cultivate the SPIRE elements, including but not limited to the following: Meditation, Goalsetting,Yoga, Physical exercise, Breathwork, Different forms of journaling, Reminders.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Bachelor's degree in any subject
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Entry term:
Summer 1 2024
Career Path
Researcher · Consultant · Coach · Policy Analyst · Educator
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In education, incorporating happiness into the curriculum or using happiness-based teaching methods can improve student engagement, motivation, and academic performance.
In business, the principles of happiness studies can enhance an organization’s competitive advantage by creating a positive work culture that highlights employee wellbeing. This has been shown to increase productivity, creativity, job satisfaction, and to reduce absenteeism and turnover.
In the social services, happiness interventions and trainings can be useful tools to help individuals overcome mental health challenges and to improve their overall wellbeing.
A Chief Happiness Officer focuses on creating and maintaining a positive and fulfilling work environment for employees. This may include developing and implementing programs and initiatives to promote wellbeing, such as stress management workshops, employee recognition programs, and work-life balance initiatives.
Dear Potential Student,
I am the director of the MA in Happiness Studies at Centenary University and the Happiness Studies Academy. I extend a heartfelt welcome to you as you consider joining our program and becoming the leader the world needs right now.
In a rapidly changing world, where challenges and uncertainties abound, it is crucial that we cultivate a deep understanding of happiness and wellbeing. Through our program, we will explore the transformative power of happiness, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a world where individuals thrive and communities flourish.
Our collective objective is to merge a solid theoretical foundation with practical knowledge to foster the skills necessary to co-create a better, happier world.
I am excited about the prospect of embarking on this journey together. The MA in Happiness Studies promises to be an intellectually stimulating and transformative experience. Join us on this incredible journey of personal growth, positive change, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
Yours sincerely,
Tal Ben-Shahar
Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard University's history: Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership.
He co-founded the Happiness Studies Academy and is the creator and instructor of the MA in Happiness Studies. His books have been translated into over 30 languages and have appeared on best-seller lists around the world. Tal is a certified yoga instructor whose work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, ancient wisdom and modern technology, science and art.