You Can Get A Master's Degree In Happiness At This NJ University

NEW JERSEY — A small liberal arts university in New Jersey is now offering the world's first master's degree program in Happiness Studies — a discipline focusing on "human flourishing."

Over 130 students have applied for the program at Centenary University in Hackettstown in the two weeks since the new degree was announced. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a renowned teacher and the co-founder of the online Happiness Studies Academy, has spearheaded the new 18-month program.

Five years ago, Ben-Shahar said he asked himself the following question:

"How is it that there is a field of study in psychology, philosophy, history, biology [and] geography, and there is no field of study for happiness?"

The new 30-credit Happiness Studies degree integrates psychology with disciplines like philosophy, neuroscience, film, literature and biology, according to Ben-Shahar.

"This master's degree is about educating leaders who will bring happiness to life," Ben-Shahar said.

Topics within the program include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting and mindfulness, according the university's website. This program will also be offered in fully-virtual format.

Students will learn about different techniques, such as meditation, goal setting, yoga, physical exercise, breathwork and different forms of journaling as part of the program.

Ben-Shahar said the program is aimed at helping leaders in the fields of education, business, medicine and law apply these concepts to their work.

Before coming to Centenary University, Ben-Shahar taught a course on positive psychology at Harvard University that attracted more than 800 students in 2006. He also graduated from Harvard with BA in Philosophy and Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior.

University President Bruce Murphy announced the new program at the World Happiness Summit in Miami, Florida on March 18, according to NJ.com. The crowd cheered and students immediately started filling out applications out of excitement.

Centenary University currently has 1,100 undergraduate students enrolled, as well as 830 graduate students. According to NJ.com, the university has experienced a decrease in enrollment from 2014 to 2020, and school officials are hoping that the new program will attract more applicants.

The hope is for 100 students to begin the program in October.

A brochure for the program, as well as the courses offered under the Happiness Studies program can be found on the university's website.