Applied Positive Psychology
Graduate Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology
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Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
LG026 |
Graduate Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology |
2 Attendance pattern
3 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean available places will be offered to qualified applicants, according to the following admissions criteria.
(3)
Relevant work experience may include counselling, experience in organisational learning and development, management experience, employment in applied psychology settings, professional coaching or other areas directly related to coaching.
4 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the table for Applied Positive Psychology postgraduate courses.
Course overview
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the factors that enable individuals, organisations and communities to flourish and thrive. There is considerable interest worldwide in positive psychology and its application in work, professional and personal settings. This degree program teaches history and development of positive psychology, an understanding of the key theoretical constructs of positive psychology, the core research methods used in positive psychology, and the application of positive psychology principles in a wide range of settings.
Course outcomes
The aim of the program is to equip graduates with the skills, knowledge and ability to be effective change agents in the area of applied positive psychology. Topics covered in the program include goals, meaning and self-concordance; subjective and psychological well-being; the languishing vs. flourishing dichotomy; positive psychology in organisations, broaden and build theory; the psychology of peak performance; resilience flow, mental toughness, and the philosophy and psychology of happiness. There is emphasis on both theoretical understating and applied skills, and students will be expected to engage in experiential learning, to participate in group discussion and to relate the taught material to their own personal life experience.
Units of study table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Core Units |
|||
| PSYC4727 Positive Organisational Coaching |
6 | P PSYC4721, PSYC4722 |
Int July |
| PSYC4730 Applied Positive Psychology |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Elective Units |
|||
| Students must complete 12 credit points from the following: | |||
| PSYC4721 Theories & Techniques of Coaching Psych |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| PSYC4731 Psychology of Peak Performance |
6 | Semester 2 Summer Main |
|
| PHIL7840 Philosophy and the Science of Happiness |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Unit of study descriptions 2013
PSYC4721 Theories & Techniques of Coaching Psych
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week. Assessment: In-semester assessment(s) (80%), Exam (20%)
This unit details the core theories and techniques of coaching psychology and evidence-based coaching, and the use of coaching as an applied positive psychology. Theories and techniques will be evaluated by reference to empirical research and conceptual analysis. An integrated goal-focused approach to coaching draws on a broad base of established Behavioural Science. Within this framework, primary attention will be paid to cognitive-behavioural and solution-focused theories and techniques of behaviour change and self-regulation, and their application to coaching clients. Each weekly seminar has a lecture component and an experiential learning component. The experiential learning component requires students to evaluate each week's topic in relation to their own personal life experience and to participate in group discussion and coaching practice.
PSYC4727 Positive Organisational Coaching
Credit points: 6 Session: Int July Classes: Five day-long seminars (Block Teaching). Prerequisites: PSYC4721, PSYC4722 Assessment: In-semester assessment(s) 80%, Exam 20%
How can psychology help create 'healthy' workplaces? Executive and management coaching have emerged as important factors in the enhancement of performance, engagement and well-being in the workplace, This unit examines key issues in contemporary executive and workplace coaching and equips students with the knowledge and skills to provide world-class executive and management coaching, The emphasis is on critical evaluation of theory and application to practice, Although primarily focused on positive psychology, solution-focused and cognitive- behavioural approaches to coaching in organisations, the application of psychodynamic (eg Kilburg) and systems (eg O'Neil) approaches to the enhancement of performance and well-being are also considered. The unit covers issues in senior executive coaching, coaching middle management, establishing manager-as-coach programs, and the use of positive psychology in the workplace.
PSYC4730 Applied Positive Psychology
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Five day-long seminars (Block Teaching). Assessment: In-semester assessment(s) 80%, Exam 20%
This unit of study teaches the application of positive psychology to coaching in work and personal life contexts. We consider the core principles of positive psychology and how these can be applied in coaching interventions. Topics covered in this unit include; coaching as an applied positive psychology; goals, meaning and well-being; subjective and psychological well-being: happiness; gratitude; the languishing vs. flourishing dichotomy; broaden and build theory; self-concordance; well-being in the workplace; career coaching through the life span; and the use of positive psychology in health coaching. There is emphasis on both theoretical understanding and personal practice. The experiential learning component requires students to evaluate each week's topic in relation to their own personal life experience and to participate in group discussion and coaching practice.
PSYC4731 Psychology of Peak Performance
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2,Summer Main Classes: Five day-long seminars (Block Teaching). Assessment: In-semester assessment(s) 80%, Exam 20%
The Psychology of Peak Performance draws on theories and models of sport, performance and positive psychology and applies these to use in executive, workplace and personal coaching practice. Topics covered include flow, mental toughness, mental readiness, concentration enhancement strategies and techniques, rehearsal and debrief strategies, thriving under pressure, self-coaching, overcoming setbacks, performance protocols, focusing, and surviving success. In addition the unit covers issues related to high performing teams and groups. Issues of work/life balance are also addressed, particularly in relation to the management of optimal energy levels (avoiding burnout). There is emphasis on both theoretical understanding and personal practice. The experiential learning component requires students to evaluate each week's topic in relation to their own personal life experience and to participate in group discussion and coaching practice.
Textbooks
No set text book: A reading pack can be obtained from the University Copy Centre
PHIL7840 Philosophy and the Science of Happiness
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Caroline West Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x1500wd short essay (25%) and 1x3500wd long essay (75%)
This unit deals with the philosophy and psychology of happiness and wellbeing. It covers classical and contemporary philosophical work on the nature of happiness. It discusses the kind of goal happiness or wellbeing is - is it something that we want only insofar as we desire it, or is there some rational requirement to make a richer conception of wellbeing the goal of life? The unit will also engage with aspects of positive psychology.