Science shows that happier people are more productive at work, take less sick days, are more engaged in learning, have better relationships and even live longer.
How do we achieve this?
The field of Positive Psychology is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, cultivate what is best within themselves both personally and professionally.
As an applied science, it goes beyond theory, providing us with tools and assessments that allow us to elevate the wellbeing of ourselves and others, maximise human capital in organisations and our clients and live fulfilling lives.
Specialist Diploma in Positive Psychology & Wellbeing
Elevate wellbeing in yourself and others
How we can adopt a strengths-based approach to live a fulfilling and purposeful life
Reflecting on the steps we can take in order for us to be within the emotion quadrants we feel most comfortable within
An international distance-learning programme, students of different nationalities will embark on a carefully curated learning journey together united by their shared interest in cultivating wellbeing and empowering communities.
Developed by Masters of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) graduates with a strong track record of applying positive psychology techniques across various industries and domains, you will:
Business leaders
Human resource professionals
Coaches & Trainers
Lifelong learners
Educators
Mental health practitioners & Counsellors
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An immersive learning experience
We've adopted Emory's University Social Emotional, and Ethical (SEE) learning model for your fullest engagement.
Your learning journey involves a diverse range of curated experiential activities and learning avenues to better connect and contextualise theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
Grow your confidence thorough our hands-on approach to learning Positive Psychology.
1-on-1 coaching sessions with our highly experienced trainers will ensure your objectives and goals for this course will be achieved. T
he highly interactive learning will happen in a cultivated safe co-learning space for optimal experiential learning across different cultures and platforms.
Students will get to choose from one of these specialisms:
Learn research-based and practical techniques to elevate wellbeing and bring out the best in themselves and others within an organisational context.
Topics include Positive Mindful Leadership, Positive Teams & Systems, Appreciative Inquiry, and Psychological Capital.
In the wake of a global health pandemic, there has been a shift in how people view themselves and their lives. Many want to rethink how they want to show up in their lives, in their connections and in better understanding of how what they do matters.
Topics covered include Mindful Self-Compassion & Empathy, Strengths Development, Psychological Capital for Self, and Positive Interpersonal Relationships.
The Strengths Coaching and Development specialism offers participants an opportunity to understand the benefits of a strengths approach in individuals, teams and organisations.
Learners will be enrolled in an online course with an external provider where they will learn to use a validated strengths assessment tool.
Throughout the module, the students will learn to use the tool for individual and team coaching and gain a deeper understanding of how the tool can assist in embedding the strengths approach within an organisational culture.
Building wellbeing is a lifelong learning journey, one that starts from a young age.
The Positive Education specialism offers participants access to research-based and practical positive psychology-based techniques to support young people in developing their own sense of wellbeing.
Topics covered include Positive Youth Development, Positive Education and an exploration of a Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning model.
Specialist Diploma in Positive Psychology & Wellbeing consists of three stages: pre-course introduction, positive psychology foundation & specialism.
Pre-course introduction:
Positive psychology foundation and specialism:
The course can be completed in 6 months.
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MAPP
Programme Leader,
Positive Psychology Practitioner/
Coach
Tara Schofield lives, loves and teaches the art and science of positive psychology and wellbeing. She brings the latest research to life in ways that support individuals and organisations to thrive.
Her professional background spreads almost 20 years in Training and Development, Human Resources Management as a Lecturer.
She is currently working as a Lecturer and Program Developer with the School of Positive Psychology (Singapore) as well as a Wellbeing trainer within
an Australian hospital.
Tara partners with MNC’s, schools, universities, private colleges, government departments, mental health consumers and the public to build wellbeing, resilience and strengths.
Tara is a passionate advocate for mental health and compassionate care. She has shared positive psychology with thousands of people around the
world, and delivers workshops and presentations on a diverse range of topics including positive psychology, youth wellbeing, resilience, positive
education, positive relationships, emotional intelligence, strengths, wellbeing at work, meaning and purpose.
Tara co-founded and manages the Positive International Educators (PIE) Network and builds community wellbeing using grassroots local projects.
She believes it is the blend of positive actions, thoughts and habits that help to build a life of positive wellbeing.
When not spreading positive psychology, Tara loves her time with her family and beagle Mason, the beach, the Geelong Cats AFL team and coffee.
MAPP
Programme Leader,
Positive Psychology Practitioner/
Coach
Facilitating wellbeing through better awareness, relationships, engagement and meaning is Jana’s passion.
Jana’s extensive travel, including having lived in multiple countries, facilitated in the development of her cultural sensitivity, resilience and empathy- psychological capacities that support her passion and work.
Her multidisciplinary background in
organisational and intercultural communication, positive psychology, coaching and mindfulness has fashioned her expertise in developing and delivering evidence based, culturally applicable programmes in numerous organisational contexts.
Since 2012, Jana has trained companies
and organisations like GIC, Singtel, Future Electronics, Singapore Prison Services, LinkedIn,
and Facebook.
She has also worked in corporate team building since 2001. As a positive psychology practitioner she is an advocate of a strengths-based
approach in guiding individuals, teams and organisations to develop positive behaviours that cultivate resilient and flourishing organisations.
Jana earned her Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology at the Anglia Ruskin University (UK) with a focus on Positive Organisational Behaviour, specifically Psychological Capital (Hope, Efficacy, Resilience,
Optimism).
She holds a postgraduate diploma
in Positive Organisational Psychology and Leadership by The School of Positive Psychology in Singapore, where she is currently the director of academic and training development.
Jana shares about the fundamentals of positive psychology and its strengths-based approach
Hear from Tara why resilience is important in sustaining a meaningful and fulfilled life
“We see ourselves as custodians of our world, seeking to create a better world for our future generation.”
Founder, The School of Positive Psychology
The School of Positive Psychology is the pioneer education and training facility in Singapore and Asia, established to promote the art, the science and practice of positive psychology.
Our mission is to ‘POSITIFY’ people and organisations through the growth of positive psychology in Asia, leading to optimal levels of wellbeing and human functioning.
Apart from providing education and credentialing, we promote research, training, and positive psychology dissemination.
Led by internationally renowned experts
Our team of lecturers include Dr. Ilona Boniwell who founded the European Network of Positive Psychology as well as the first Masters of Science in Applied Positive Psychology programme in Europe, and Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener, best-selling author, speaker and trainer widely respected as the founder of positive psychology coaching in the world.
Dr. Ilona Boniwell
Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener
Why Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener believes strongly in the science of courage at work
Dr. Ilona Boniwell discusses positive psychology in organisations - an important topic given we spend an average 90,000 hours at work!
Empowering communities since 2007
An ongoing goal of positive psychology's goal is to propel 51% of the world's population towards a state of flourishing by 2050.
We regularly host regular live and virtual workshops, conduct trainings, talks, and have even began a podcast Getting Naked with Happiness to promote wellbeing practices across Asia.
My team of change agents and I promoting wellbeing practices.
How it all started
Fifteen years ago I was touring the Institute of Mental Health (of Singapore) on a site when I came across heavy construction works.
Curious, I asked the accompanying director what they were building.
Little did I know her answer would shape the next decades of my life...
It turned out they were building more wards to house an additional 10,000 patients after the WHO predicted that by 2010, the main issue our world was going to face would not be cancer, but mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
On one hand, I was glad that more emphasis was being placed on mental health.
But on the other, the thought of my family, friends, loved ones, and community being at risk of these crippling issues hit me hard.
It made me think - what could I do to help the people around me?
Like many others, my first thought was to seek traditional psychology schools for answers.
But delving deeper, I learned that while traditional psychology was able to help people treat mental health problems, it was more reactive in nature than I had liked it to be.
Therapy only begins when mental issues arise, and if you’ve had any experience with one, you’d know by then the issue has worsened, and it often takes numerous sessions of therapy for a client to get back on his or her feet.
That’s when I came across positive psychology (or the science of wellbeing) which adopts a more proactive stance instead.
Think of traditional psychology and positive psychology as a doctor versus a nutritionist.
The former does extremely important work and saves many lives – no doubt.
But if you examine many health issues, you’d realise that much of it could have been prevented if only individuals had led healthier lives with the help of proper lifestyle habits.
And that’s exactly what practitioners of positive psychology champion – we constantly strive to increase wellbeing levels and shape resilient characters in others.
There weren't any formal educational institutions that taught positive psychology back then.
And so in 2007, I founded The School of Positive Psychology with the goal of bringing cutting-edge wellbeing practices to workplaces, schools, and communities.
My vision is an Asia (and world) where teachers and parents paid as much – or more – focus on our children’s wellbeing as they did with their academics.
One where you and I can work in organizations that genuinely care about their employees, advance forward as one - toward a common goal of bettering our societies.
Where we live in tight-knit homes where both parents and children can express themselves freely and foster deep relationships with one another.
Some may think I'm a little too idealistic.
But as Tal Ben-Shahar, one of the leaders in positive psychology, once said – “To be realistic is to be idealistic.”
And that’s why I'm always searching for like-minded individuals who seek to make the world a more positive place.
It doesn’t matter where you work or what you work as.
Teachers. Coaches. Trainers. Leaders. Entrepreneurs. Counsellors. Consultants.
As long as you are someone who shares our vision, my team and I would love for you to join our community of change agents.
See you around, change agent.
Stephen Lew
Founder
The School of Positive Psychology
Our team of awesome change agents seeking to promote wellbeing practices
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When I think about The School of Positive Psychology (TSPP), I think about the year I set aside to complete my Graduate Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology (GDAPP).
It was much more than I imagined – I ended up completing the GDAPP as well as a Positive Psychology Coaching Programme and deepened my understanding and application of Positive Psychology. At work, I’ve infused Positive Psychology concepts into many Emergenetics-based programmes and implemented several internal culture initiatives to benefit my team. At home, my roles as husband and father have been greatly influenced by all that I’ve learnt as well.
What I really treasure though, are the moments of insight about myself, making critical decisions as to how I would live my life as well as moments of positive conversations with classmates, faculty and staff of TSPP. Special mention goes to Mervin Lee, my consultant-turned-classmate-turned friend who has started, and continues to journey on with me.
- Colin Yeow, Deputy CEO
The Graduate Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology programme at TSPP introduced me to positive psychology-based works like Appreciative inquiry and Martin Seilgman's positive psychology concepts.
I learned about how it could be used to impact the clients and organisations I work with in my leadership coaching and development practice.
My work involves partnering client organisations in developing the skills and mindset of their leaders to be able to drive change, deliver results and develop teams. I do this through designing and facilitating learning and development interventions tailored to organisational needs.
With my clients, I was able to apply positive psychology-based concepts like Appreciative Inquiry, Growth Mindsets and add on new tools I was exposed to, such as Solutions-Focused coaching, and Resilience.
Working as a coach changed after taking lessons at TSPP, as I developed my own growth mindset towards coaching. I also encourage my coaches and clients to embrace growth and to get out of their comfort zone, as they problem-solve and develop themselves in their leadership journeys.
- Edwin Sim, Leadership Coach
Attending the course at TSPP changed my life–it changed the way I view things, the way I manage life, and even changed the mood and attitude I choose to have.
The classes were small, so students were close-knit. Everyone was very encouraging and looked at each other’s strengths – the things that we often overlook ourselves.
After undergoing lessons at TSPP, I find myself being a very different person from many I know in the working world. I slowly became able to spot out people’s strengths wherever I go.
I am able to look at the positive side of things, discover the meaning of doing the work I do, and really look at the little details of what makes life and work meaningful.
I'm also more capable of looking at others’ and own wellbeing. I prioritise the wellbeing of people I work with while thriving to work hard to meet goals instead of just running endlessly on the treadmill to meet expectations.
To apply what I learnt in class to the workplace, I used my strengths to tackle difficulties, practiced and expressed gratitude to people I work with, which changed the entire mood and vibe at work.
My experience of working as an educator changed after taking lessons at TSPP, and I became much happier.
I was able to see what drives people, and could alter the way I work with them. Since I was able to know what makes people happy, it's easier to communicate and connect with them, and they would also make sense out ofmy perspectives. Thus, they were more willing to try my suggestions.
Positive Psychology can help you become happier and more aware of things around you. And when you are happier, evreything you say and do just speaks and breathes joy.
Being an educator in Singapore can be a very mentally and physically stressful job. Having knowledge of positive psychology, and being a happier person overall has brought my job as an educator to a whole new level.
Having positive psychology knowledge taught me to be more aware and mindful, knowing when to prioritise self-care, and ways to use effective strategies to help myself cope with the stress that I sometimes face at work.
Now, I bounce back quickly from setbacks, and I’m also able to stay more focused on challenges ahead and I no longer get bogged down by work stress for too long. Learning about positive psychology definitely benefitted me.
- Caroline Lim. Early Years Educator
The programmes I took at TSPP are Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology, and Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology for Coaching.
As an aspirational person and passionate about education, I wanted to learn more about how I could coach and equip my clients and friends to be more positive in their mindset. That led me to ask Dionne more about her course and speak to Patricia.
I learnt SO MUCH at TSPP! I enjoyed learning about Resilience and Flourishing (MartinSeligman). I enjoyed learning from the educators who shared their knowledge.
The papers that we had to sit for and projects we worked on could get stressful but, I learnt a lot through research and retained a lot of knowledge from these endeavors. It has helped me become a better person in my approach towards life’s problems.
I also made many changes in my life since attending classes at TSPP. The circle of friends and family I have around me now are more aligned with my new-found self. I made really solid and mature friendships from classes at TSPP too.
At work now, I find it easier to communicate with my clients and ask them questions to help them understand their pain points. I am able to lead them into finding solutions that work for themselves when we unpack some of their core beliefs. We also work on reframing some of their negative thoughts by asking them to find evidence of their past successes when facing a challenge.
Applying what I learnt in class with my clients starts with building an understanding of them and what they want to achieve by talking with me. From there, I begin to curate the most relevant knowledge that can help them, and suggest material to read to support their journey. Sometimes, there are even exercises that I learnt from TSPP that I ask clients and friends to use.
After taking lessons at TSPP, I am a more confident business owner. Especially in my approach of doing business, I am now fearless. I communicate with honesty, vulnerability and a stronger CAN-DO attitude. Clients enjoy my positive approach to issues that they face and will look for me when they need an emotional uplift.
As a boss, the leadership of self is more important than leadership over others. So, self-awareness is one of the keys to being a good leader when it comes to people management, creating and retaining a culture in the team of your vision. As a visionary is required to stay resilient to steer the ship forward, good leaders will have their staff, team, partners come to you for help and you must be ready to listen well, communicate clearly and help them to flourish as you have done before.
- Stacey Nonis, Business Owner
I came across The School of Positive Psychology in the papers and decided to drop by and check out what they offer as I am interested in this field of study.
I took fancy in the Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology course and it didn't take me long for me to apply as a student.
After a year into this course, I took up the Advanced Diploma in Applied Positive Psychology. Business psychology and positive personality traits are the 2 most interesting modules in the course and it is very beneficial for me as a person and for whatever I might be doing it the future.
Most of the psychologists (Lecturers) are fun and interesting, which makes the class fun and lively all the time. I enjoyed the class participations and discussions very much and my time spent here at The School of Positive Psychology.
- Eve Tang
The opportunity given to be studying in The School of Positive Psychology has given me a tremendous start to want to pursue a career in Psychotherapy.
The lecturers and the staff of Positive Psychology has always been motivating and encouraging and the classrooms are designed such as to promote fun and happiness and interaction for students and I really like it!
It’s interesting.
It also always never fails to make me look forward to meeting my friends back in school, even though most of us are from different walks of life and it has also changed me to be more outspoken, positive in my daily life as well as to believe in myself that I am able to excel in what I’m good at.
The learning journey, the friends I’ve got to meet, the lecturers and staff who make studying so much more fun and interesting, basically my whole journey with The School of Positive Psychology was indeed memorable and priceless to me.
- Christina
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An ongoing goal of positive psychology is to propel 51% of the world’s population into a state of flourishing by 2050.
It's ambitious - and that's we need you.
If you're interested to learn the science of wellbeing with us, we'd like to invite you to a course preview.
Most definitely.
The School of Positive Psychology is a Singapore-based higher education institute, under the private education sector.
Aside from that, our students are eligible to register as members of the IPPA and we have international branches in Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong and Australia.
We understand that students may have to miss classes due to work or personal commitments.
As long as you meet 80% attendance, you will be awarded the Specialist Diploma in Positive Psychology & Wellbeing.
While we accept students from across the globe, our learning material will revolve around the Asian context.
Lessons will also take place in the evenings (GMT +8) which clash with your day-to-day commitments if you live outside Asia.
We believe interaction with your lecturers and other students is a key ingredient to absorbing the science of positive psychology.
That's why apart from 5 hours of self-paced lessons in the pre-course introduction, the rest of our course will take place in real-time.