Recently we’ve received many questions from people interested in pursuing a PhD in positive psychology—often after completing a MAPP program or other courses in positive psychology—and are looking for universities or programs that explicitly offer graduate study in this field.
To provide a clear response, we consulted three sources:
- Members of our positive psychology Facebook community
- Researchers and students currently undertaking PhDs in positive psychology
- Experts including Dr. Martin Seligman, Lisa Sansom, and Louis Alloro
Combining their input, we’ve summarized practical options, definitions, and guidance to help you decide whether a PhD in positive psychology is the right path and how to pursue it effectively.
Doctoral Programs in Positive Psychology
Option 1: Claremont Graduate University (CGU)
The Quality of Life Research Center at Claremont Graduate University offers doctoral opportunities that align closely with positive psychology. Their PhD streams include work in Positive Developmental Psychology and Positive Organizational Psychology. For more detailed information, consult the university’s center webpage or contact the program administrators directly.
Option 2: University of East London (UEL)
The University of East London offers PhD and MPhil options in psychology where students can pursue research topics related to positive psychology. While the degree title may be a general psychology PhD, the research focus can be in areas such as wellbeing, resilience, or mindfulness. Prospective applicants should contact UEL’s psychology department to discuss available supervisory expertise and specific entry requirements.
Option 3: Supervision-Based PhD in Your Chosen Field
Many experienced academics emphasize that at the PhD level the most important factor is your supervisor, not the exact program name. Lisa Sansom notes that many PhD students of prominent positive psychology researchers may receive degrees titled simply “psychology” while studying positive psychology topics under a specialist supervisor. Martin Seligman has similarly observed that students typically specialize in positive psychology by working closely with a researcher in that area rather than by enrolling in a degree specifically labeled “positive psychology.”
If you already know which branch of positive psychology interests you—subjective wellbeing, mindfulness, resilience, positive psychotherapy, or an adjacent area—identify active researchers in that field and approach them about supervised PhD opportunities. Targeting the right supervisor will help you shape a research project that contributes meaningfully to the field.
In short: a PhD supervisor who specializes in positive psychology is often the best route to pursuing doctoral research in the field, even at institutions that do not have a degree explicitly titled “Positive Psychology.”
What is a PhD?
A PhD is a research degree in which the candidate plans, conducts, and documents original research under the guidance of an experienced supervisor. Unlike taught degrees (BSc, MSc, BA, MA), doctoral study is driven by independent research and critical inquiry. A completed PhD typically results in a thesis of publishable quality that represents a novel scientific contribution to its discipline.
Doctoral theses in many universities are substantial projects—often the equivalent of tens of thousands of words—and the research normally results in publications in peer-reviewed journals.
What Does a PhD in Psychology Look Like?
Full-time PhD programs in psychology typically take around three years, though part-time study can extend to five or six years. At the doctoral level, positive psychology is usually integrated within broader psychology departments: candidates study specific topics within the wider framework of psychological science. You do not necessarily need a program explicitly labeled “positive psychology” to carry out high-quality research in the field.
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The Positive Psychology Toolkit is a practitioner resource with hundreds of science-based exercises, activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments designed by experts. It is regularly updated and can be a helpful resource for researchers, educators, and practitioners working in positive psychology and positive education.
Know Your Outcome
Before committing to a PhD, reflect carefully on your research topic and long-term goals. Doctoral study is a multi-year commitment, so choose a subject you are genuinely passionate about. Ask yourself: “Do I want to spend several years researching this topic?” Consider how the PhD will support your career aims—whether in academia, applied research, clinical practice, policy, or organizational consulting—and make a realistic plan for how you will achieve those outcomes.
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Curated, science-based exercises can support teaching, research piloting, and intervention design in positive education and wellbeing work.
Choosing a University
Select a university that fits your academic and personal needs. Investigate their research culture, laboratory facilities, ethics support, library resources, and accommodation options if you plan to relocate. Equally important is getting to know potential supervisors: review their publications, research methods, grant history, and student supervision record. Reach out by email or arrange a meeting to discuss your proposed topic and confirm their willingness to supervise your project before applying.
How to Get Funding or a Scholarship
Funding is a major consideration for many PhD candidates. Options include self-funding, university studentships, national research grants, and scholarships awarded by research councils or charitable bodies. Studentships and grants often fund a specific topic or project, so you may need to search for advertised doctoral projects that match your interests. Check eligibility criteria and the level of support provided—stipend, tuition fees, research costs—before accepting any offer.
When applying for funded positions, tailor your research proposal to the funder’s priorities and demonstrate how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate to carry out the work.
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Practical, evidence-based exercises can strengthen intervention design, pilot studies, and teaching strategies for positive education and wellbeing research.
Further Resources
To find advertised studentships and PhD vacancies, explore established postgraduate job and PhD listing services and university postgraduate pages. University research offices and departmental administrators can also provide information about available funding, application deadlines, and program requirements.
Final Advice
Finding the right PhD position in positive psychology is largely about matching your research interests with an experienced supervisor and a supportive research environment. Investigate programs thoroughly, prepare a strong research proposal, and communicate clearly with potential supervisors about expectations and resources. With careful planning and informed choices, a PhD can be a rewarding way to contribute to the science and practice of positive psychology.
We wish you every success in your search for a PhD position in positive psychology. If you have specific questions about supervisors, programs, or funding, feel free to reach out and we’ll do our best to help.
All the best!