Positive Psychology
What makes life worth living? People have always been driven by the pursuit of happiness and hope for the future. While this may seem to be an idealistic notion at first, it has found its place in positive psychology.
For much of the 20th century, “What is wrong with people” has guided the thinking of many psychologists, dominating countless scientific studies and rooting the field in pathology. Founded over a decade ago by University of Pennsylvania professor Martin Seligman, positive psychology instead asks “what is right with people”. Human strengths, such as courage, future-mindedness, optimism, and interpersonal skills act as buffers against mental illness. Positive psychology, therefore, is devoted to understanding and learning how to build these positive qualities in order to improve people’s well-being and help to promote the “good life”.
On an individual level, positive psychology embraces the capacity for love, courage, interpersonal skills, aesthetic sensibility, perseverance, forgiveness, originality, spirituality, high talent, and wisdom. In our times such virtues are often looked at with scepticism. But before dismissing positive psychology as “soft” one needs to know that it is firmly rooted in hard science, and an evidence-based approach underpins the entire programme. Upon completion students will be able to design and judge a positive psychological research project and will have gained first-hand experience with various positive psychology intervention techniques.
Hands-on approach
As part of the programme, students participate in a series of handson workshops including a mindfulness meditation and learning about the latest mindfulness research, positive emotions techniques and self-compassion sessions. Students attend interactive lectures, work on specific real-life cases and give presentations. The final project is a paper on a topic chosen by the students. On the last day of the course, a student symposium is held where each student presents a review or research proposal to the rest of the group with a poster or an oral presentation.
Experience Europe during your study
Although the Positive Psychology programme focuses on academics first and foremost, experiencing Europe is about more than just studying. Therefore, the programme also includes a crystal sound bath provided by the professor and a Maastricht day, during which students will be shown around the city.
They will also have the opportunity to wander through the quaint streets of Maastricht by themselves and to immerse themselves in European culture and tradition during their time off.
Academic excellence with an international approach
The Positive Psychology programme is a unique experience, exploring one of the most contemporary branches of psychology today. As many universities do not yet offer positive psychology courses, this is a rare opportunity to broaden your academic knowledge and stand out to potential employers. Maastricht University is home to an internationally renowned Psychology and Neuroscience faculty and is a growing centre for psychology research.
“The programme delved into areas of psychology often unexplored, taking a journey into the world of positivity. The techniques I learnt empowered me to use my skills to help others, and myself, lead the best possible life.” Scout Wedding , Deakin University
Academics
Credits
Maastricht University uses the European-wide ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) to measure academic progress. The total workload for this January programme is 36 class hours, during which time students earn 7.5 ECTS credits. How ECTS credits transfer back depends on their home university or college. Generally a 5 - 6.5 ECTS course is the equivalent of a full semester course (3 American credit hours).
Programme structure
The programme is an intensive three-week course and an immersive learning experience.
Students are required to:
• Do a set of readings prior to coming to the Netherlands;
• Submit a final paper, which is due three weeks after the end of the programme.
The following is included in the programme:
• An introduction to get to know the university and the city of Maastricht. This introduction includes a tour of Maastricht and the surrounding area.
Practical information
Programme dates
January 2025 Sunday 5 - Saturday 25 January 2025
Tuition
The tuition fee for January 2025 is € 2,245* and includes:
• Registration at Maastricht University;
• Course materials;
• Introduction;
CES services (such as support from a wellbeing officer and
Housing
Most CES students stay at the International Student Guesthouse of Maastricht University, where they have the following options:
• Single or double room (shared bathroom facilities);
• Private kitchen or communal cooking facilities.
Housing costs for January 2025 range from € 624 to € 871*.
Visa & residence permit
• A temporary residence permit is not needed for stays shorter than 90 days;
• Some students will need a visa (MVV) to enter the Netherlands (costs are not included in the tuition fee). Detailed information can be found on embassy websites.
Insurance
Students need sufficient health care, liability and travel insurance for the duration of their stay. Most students are covered through their home university. Please refer to the CES website for more information.
Application requirements
Applicants are required to:
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0;
• Be in good academic standing.
CES programmes are competitive. Therefore, early application is recommended. More information about the programme and the online application form can be found on the CES website.
Application deadline
January 2025 Wednesday 16 October 2024
* For detailed and up-to-date tuition and housing fees, please check our website. Although this brochure was made with the utmost care, no rights can be derived from it.
Maastricht University
Center for European Studies
T: +31(0)43 388 5282, E: ces.info@maastrichtuniversity.nl
@CESMaastricht www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/ces