Positive Psychology is one of the fastest growing and most exciting disciplines within Psychology today.

Its approaches have now been widely adopted by the NHS and favoured as an approach by the CQC and the Care Act (see here). The applications go beyond mental illness towards mental flourishing within business, life, education, health, and relationships.

Positive Psychology transcends the emphasis on mental illness and puts the focus on optimal wellbeing and flourishing. It is one of the most holistic scientific approaches to physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Its research includes mastery of fear, courage, resilience, authenticity, hope, and much more.

New research continues to evolve in the inter-disciplinary fields of Positive Education, Positive Health, Positive Neuroscience, and Positive Sport. As an applied science, it has much value to offer to individuals, as well as to families, communities, schools, workplaces, and even national governance.

Take your Positive Psychology Practice to a new level with an advanced diploma in applied research!

As a graduate from our Level 7 Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology Research,  you will understand how the practice of Positive Psychology can drive research forwards. If you are not already, you will become a Fellow Member of the Positive Psychology Guild and entitled to join the PPG Register of Practitioners, which sets professional standards for the practice of Positive Psychology today.

PPG has a strong relationship with Bucks New university which runs one of the Positive Psychology Courses at Masters degree level in the UK.

The Level 7 Diploma will prepare you to engage in a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) MSc degree course. Should you wish to progress to a MAPP following certification, PPG will provide an academic reference on your behalf. Acceptance will be subject to the usual University checks.

1. Course Overview

Successful completion of this course will certify you as a Positive Psychology Researcher.

This diploma is designed to support the professional development of Positive Psychology Practitioners and others working in similar fields who wish to gain a meaningful and credible qualification in applied research.

You will embark on an independent research project with 1:1 and group supervision in a topic related to Positive Psychology in Practice. Ideally, your inspiration for this project will have emerged from professional practice and insight.

During your course, you may submit your research insights as white papers and following completion, as journal articles for publication by the Positive Psychology Centre. For more information on submissions, please click here.

For further details on the course content, please read on or contact us at: training@ppnetwork.org

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Researcher Profiles

This course is designed for independent learners who are comfortable with self-directed learning. 

You will be expected to take the lead in formulating ideas for your initial research proposal. Our research supervisors will support you in developing these and work with you 1:1 and in groups as you complete your research study.

The course attracts students with qualifications in Positive Psychology who are committed to furthering insights and best practices on the application of Positive Psychology in various domains ranging from counseling and psychotherapy to coaching and advocacy.

To learn more about our researchers, please click here.

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Our Course Supervisors

This course is facilitated by people who are passionate about Positive Psychology.

Our Primary Supervisors are qualified to or engaged in PhD research studies while our Secondary Supervisors are qualified to Masters degree level research in Positive Psychology and related fields and preparing for PhD or Level 8 research projects.

They also have the added insight of running the Positive Psychology Centre, which aims to further research, theory, and practice on topics related to Positive Education, Positive Organisations, and Positive Health through publications and CPD training events.

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Course Delivery & Timeline

This course is delivered online by the Positive Psychology Academy.

The Academy is a virtual learning environment where you will access your course materials and engage in a virtual research group facilitated by your supervisors. You will attend 1:1 supervision calls and group supervision calls via Zoom with your supervisors.

You will complete your research proposal and project within 12-18 months and will be given a further 6 months to present your findings for assessment.

Entry Criteria

This is a level 7-ranked qualification.

Level 7 is equivalent to a Masters degree in the UK.

To apply, you must hold a Level 5 qualification or above in Positive Psychology, or the equivalent (e.g. relevant work experience and professional training), and be willing to engage in Level 7 research studies in an independent manner.

You must have experience in developing academic literature reviews and reflective logs, ideally in Positive Psychology subjects. These skills are essential to completing this course and they will not be taught on this course.

If you would like to complete this certificate but do not have an academic background in Positive Psychology, you may be asked to complete part or all of our Level 5 Certificate in Positive Psychology Fundamentals or the equivalent.

For more information or to apply, please contact us at: training@ppnetwork.org

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2. Course Outline

Level 7 Certificate Applied Positive Psychology Research

This course is delivered in 2 parts. Module 1 introduces you through a variety of research methods while Module 2 is where you develop and conduct your independent research study project.

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Module 1 – Applied Research Methods

Module 1 covers research methods and skills.

You will be introduced to various research approaches through online guided learning materials. Some of these may be familiar to you while others may be new. The materials are designed to spark ideas for how you will formulate your research question and proposal.

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Module 1 Units

• Unit 1: Fieldwork Research Methods & Ethics
• Unit 2: Practitioner Case Study Research & Ethics
• Unit 3: Qualitative Research Methods & Ethics
• Unit 4: Qualitative Research Methods & Ethics
• Unit 5: Project Preparation (Research Design & Proposal)

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This module takes on average 1-3 months to complete, depending on your pace. 

You will complete and submit a research proposal for ethical approval prior to entering Module 2.

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Module 2 – Independent Research Project

Module 2 is the implementation and analysis of your research project.

This part of your course is independent research with supervision. You will conduct, evaluate, and report on your research study with regular supervision sessions over an agreed period (e.g. 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months) depending on your research design.

On conclusion of your research study, you will present your findings in writing and through an academic poster presentation. A variety of written formats for assessment are offered, including: (1) Formal academic dissertation – 10,000-15,000 words; (2) Conference presentation and paper – 5,000-7,000 words; (3) Journal article – 5,000-7,000 words; (4) Organisational report – 5,000-7,000 words; (5) eBook – 30,000 words.

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3. Certification

This certificate is accredited by the Positive Psychology Guild (PPG).

PPG is a Not for Profit Organisation and a government registered learning provider with a UK Provider Reference Number: 10067939.

On successful completion of your diploma, you will receive a certificate stating that you hold a Level 7 Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology Research. You may refer to yourself as a Positive Psychology Researcher (PPGCert).

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CPD Training Events

As an Academy member or graduate, you will be invited to CPD training events run by the Positive Psychology Centre.

Recorded events include Positive Education and Positive Leadership & Engagement. Upcoming live events include Positive Health and Positive Organisations.

For information and bookings on upcoming events, please contact us at: events@ppnetwork.org

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4. Next Steps

Entry to this course is flexible.

You may apply at any time of the year and be offered a place subject to the availability of supervisors for your research area.

Please outline your research area of interest in your application form.

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Application Form

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THIS COURSE

For further information, please contact: training@ppnetwork.org

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Course Fees

The certificate qualification fee is £2850 (May 2022+ fees). This includes:

• Access to the Positive Psychology Academy
• Access to guided learning materials
• 1:1 and group supervision calls
• Research project assessment
• Certification on successful completion of the course

Payment options include:

• Single payment during enrolment with a £500 discount (£2350)
• PPG Payment Plan with a deposit of £1250 and 16 x monthly instalments of £100 (Option 1)
• PPG Payment Plan with a deposit of £1250 and 8 x monthly instalments of £200 (Option 2)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Positive Psychology Guild?

The Positive Psychology Guild is a limited company with not-for-profit status and a UK government registered learning provider. It trains, certifies, and insures Positive Psychology Practitioners, and accredits Positive Psychology courses and qualifications. For further information, please click here.

How many hours of studying a week should I expect?

You will be expected to set aside the time you need to complete your research proposal and project. As a guide, we recommend allowing for 5-10 hours of research each week. It is also common for researchers to complete their work in waves, meaning that there may be months where you are working intensely on your project and months where you may not.

How long will it take me to complete this course and certify?

The course is designed to be completed within 6-12 months. You will be given 24 months to complete your research project and formally submit and present your findings.

Can you explain the assignments – what is expected of me?

You will be expected to write a research project proposal and following ethical approval, implement, evaluate, report on, and present your research findings in an academic format.

Will this course prepare me for a MAPP degree or PhD?

This course is set at Level 7. A Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) is equivalent to Level 7.

The course will prepare you to progress onto a MAPP degree. If you already hold a Masters degree qualification, it may be possible to apply for a PhD.

Please check university course entry criteria before applying so as each university will have their own entry requirements.

If you wish to apply for a MAPP degree or PhD after your course, you may request an academic reference and set of transcripts from PPG to support your application. Please keep in mind that universities have a separate and independent admissions process.