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Online Bachelor’s Specialization in Positive Psychology & Consciousness Awakening the Inner Self

Become a catalyst for positive change

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Explore the principles of positive psychology and the nature of consciousness, and how they can be integrated to enhance wellbeing
Learn about the science of finding meaning and purpose in life, building strong relationships, and coping with challenges in a healthy way
Graduate with a BA and the credentials needed for most graduate programs in Positive Psychology
Study online for maximum flexibility

Federal grants and loans typically cover all or most costs for US students

Explore the program

Become a catalyst for positive change

Next entry:
Aug 2025Apply
Now > Request
Info >

Explore the principles of positive psychology and the nature of consciousness, and how they can be integrated to enhance wellbeing
Learn about the science of finding meaning and purpose in life, building strong relationships, and coping with challenges in a healthy way
Graduate with a BA and the credentials needed for most graduate programs in Positive Psychology
Study online for maximum flexibility

Federal grants and loans typically cover all or most costs for US students

Explore the program

Discover the science of happiness

Throughout this program, you’ll explore what makes life fulfilling and meaningful. Learn about the latest scientific research on happiness, wellbeing, and higher states of consciousness, and discover how to easily live this knowledge and share it with others. Understanding the role of positive emotions, meaningful relationships, and the experience of transcending will give you valuable insights into what it takes to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Explore the intersection of mind & body

How alert and rested are you? How expanded is your vision? Can you focus on a problem without getting lost in it? Just as your thoughts and emotions affect your physical health, your physical health affects your ability to think clearly. As a student in this program, you’ll explore how to optimize physical and mental health through the development of consciousness.

Get started by contacting Theresa

Theresa Fross, admissions counselor Theresa Fross is this program’s admissions counselor for US students. Theresa will provide you with all the details of becoming a student, including connecting you with the program director or faculty.

Contact Theresa >

International applicants may connect with us through our international inquiry form.

Next entry: Aug 2025Apply to MIU >Next entry: Aug 2025Apply to MIU >

Develop essential life skills

The study of positive psychology and consciousness is not just an academic pursuit; it’s a practical one as well. In this program, you’ll develop skills that will serve you in all areas of your life. You’ll learn effective communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. You’ll also develop leadership skills and learn how to create working environments where everyone feels empowered to participate and collaborate transparently. With these skills, you will be well-prepared for any field you choose.

Online and easy for transfer students

If you transfer in 60 or more credits, your degree can be completed in as little as four semesters. Transfer students can inquire with their admissions counselor to learn the exact number of credits needed to graduate.

This online program allows for maximum flexibility – live and learn wherever suits you best! Earn your degree full- or part-time, whatever works best for you.

Transcendental Meditation & Consciousness-Based Education

Self-knowledge through practice of the Transcendental Meditation^® technique is at the heart of the Positive Psychology & Consciousness specialization and the Consciousness-Based^SM education system at MIU.

Evidence-based benefits of Transcendental Meditation practice include clearer thinking, greater happiness, reduced stress, improved health, and increased self-actualization.

Degree requirements

To graduate with a Specialization in Positive Psychology & Consciousness, students must complete:

required courses for the Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences or any other bachelor’s degree program you choose
32 additional credits of Positive Psychology & Consciousness courses

Courses for this specialization may include

MVS 203 Positive Psychology and Consciousness

Positive psychology encompasses the study of positive experiences, positive character strengths, and positive relationships. Positive outer growth and behavior is based on experiencing our inner universal nature at the source of thought. This course explores how the technologies that are part of consciousness-based education support growth in the development of higher states of consciousness.

MVS 204 What Is Wisdom?

Explore how wisdom, which is often associated with inner guidance or insight, is distinct from knowledge, defined as the acquisition of facts and information. This course includes a scientific investigation of the traits and qualities of wisdom, how wisdom grows in our own lives through regular contact with pure consciousness during our Transcendental Meditation practice, and how developing wisdom can enhance the quality of our lives.

MVS 205 Craft Your Life

This course provides a simple framework to help you step back and create space to explore your purpose in clear, focused, and tangible ways. You will learn an easy way to implement the technique to act on your purpose and to find people and places to share and manifest your sense of purpose.

MVS 241 Models of Human Development

We explore models of human development across the lifespan that explain the transformations of your sense of self through the lifespan. This course allows you to locate your life experience in perspectives on social, mental and ego development and the experience of higher states of consciousness.

MVS 300 Science of Being and Art of Living

Science of Being and Art of Living was Maharishi’s first book, published in 1963. In this course, both through reading and through studying Maharishi’s videos, students investigate the main themes of the book — Being, the essential constituent of creation; how to contact and how to live Being; how to live one’s full potential, in thought, speech, action, and relationships; and God realization.

More courses

MVS 302 Dharma: Insights from Maharishi’s Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita

What action in life is best for your personal development – your “dharma”? How does this relate to family, social, and global responsibilities? How do we make the right decisions for ourselves and others and act in a way that is enjoyable, not stressful and exhausting? This course studies timeless questions and dilemmas such as these, using Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s translation of and commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita as a guide.

MVS 305 Relationships and Parenting

Relationships and Parenting gives you a framework based on brain development from neuroscience and body type in AyurVeda to understand why people respond the way they do. The tools based on this model are designed to help you identify and nurture the growth of the inner genus of your children. They can also be applied to understand and manage business relations.

MVS 308 Research Design and Methodology

This course reviews contemporary methods of research design and methodology and issues from the philosophy of science, in light of fifty years of research on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs. These precise, systematic, and effective programs for developing human consciousness open new frontiers of researching mental potential, brain functioning, health, behavior, education, and social relationships. This course develops your ability to evaluate and explain research design and methodology — skills that can be transferred to a wide range of applications.

MVS 349 Psychological Safety in the Workplace

This course is designed to help students understand the concept of psychological safety, identify interpersonal risk-taking behaviors, and manage the psychological safety culture. Students will learn how to create an environment where everyone feels empowered and is transparent, embodying the values of trust and collaboration in team performance. By the end of this course, students will reflect on their experiences in the four stages of psychological safety.

Cost & Aid for bachelor’s degree, 2025-26

US Online Students

US Online Undergraduate

This estimate is based on one year for a typical online Federal Pell Grant recipient (represents 90% of our online undergraduates). File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then contact our financial aid office for questions on other variables.

Annual Cost and Typical Financial Aid
Tuition and fees	$18,190
Grants and scholarship (typical)	-$11,700
Net cost per year	$6,490
Federal student loan	-$6,490
Your payment	$0

The cost of housing and meals during your residency will depend on the type of housing and time of year. Part time online enrollment is available. Tuition is $600 per credit with normal load of 9-11 credits. Federal student loans are available and the federal Pell Grant is proportional to the credit load.

Additional Financial Aid Information

Scholarships and Grants

The grants and scholarship described above consist of the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Education Grant, and institutional scholarship based on (1) full-time enrollment and (2) financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Employer Waiver Program

Many companies offer tuition assistance programs to their employees. If you’re currently employed, we encourage you to check on this. If they offer assistance, please contact MIU’s Financial Aid office.

Federal Student Loans

Federal Student Loans have limits based on lifetime usage, annual limits, and limited to the educational costs for each semester. Here are the annual maximum limits:

$5,500 per year for first-year dependent
$6,500 per year for second-year dependent
$7,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year dependent
$9,500 per year for first-year independent
$10,500 per year for second-year independent
$12,500 per year for third, fourth, fifth-year independent

Federal Student Loan Repayment

Federal Student Loan Repayment is postponed as long as you are enrolled at least half-time each semester. If your enrollment drops below half-time, you have a six-month grace period before repayment begins. There are also postponements for low income and unemployment, as well as repayment based on income and Public Service Forgiveness.

Education Tax Incentives

There are a variety of money-saving tax benefits to assist in reducing the cost of education expenses. More about education tax benefits.

Veterans

Veterans should contact the VA for information on Veterans Education Benefits. Veterans eligible for BAH monthly benefits: The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part-time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. Our Veterans Certifying Official is our Director of Financial Aid.

Loan Repayment Options

Standard

Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).

Extended

Payments may be fixed or graduated and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years.

Graduated

Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).

Income-Based

Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.

Income Contingent

Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years.

Income Sensitive

Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years.

Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at finaid@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.

International Online Students

International Online Undergraduate

Typically, online enrollment is two courses at a time (17 credits) or one course at a time (9-11 credits), per semester (two semesters per year).

Tuition and Fees per Semester
Full-time (12 or more credits)	$9,095
Fewer than 12 credits	$600 per credit

Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date.

FAQ

How does positive psychology relate to consciousness?

How we behave is based on how we perceive the world. How we perceive the world is based on the quality of our consciousness. If we are tired and stressed, we tend to perceive the world as a threat and cannot respond positively to others. By deepening the inner experience of who we are, we can be more stable inside, more accurately perceive the world, and respond in the most helpful way in all situations.

How is positive psychology different from ordinary psychology?

Psychology as a field of study developed from the investigation of the functions of the brain, neurological system, cognition, and behavior, and their role in the causation and mitigation of psychopathology and mental illness. This is often referred to as the disease model.The branch of psychology termed positive psychology was championed by Martin Seligman in 1998, when he served as President of the American Psychological Society. The explicit goal was to further investigate human potential to counter the dominance of psychopathology and establish a science of human flourishing.

How many hours per week should I expect to spend on this program?

You should plan to spend 12-14 hours per week for a 4-credit eight-week course. If you are taking 2 courses during an eight-week period, you should plan to spend 24-28 hours per week reading, creating assignments and discussion forum posts, and studying course materials. The time it takes to complete an online course successfully depends on your willingness to stick to a regular schedule and learn to study effectively, more than on any other factor.

How do you make the online learning experience effective and fulfilling?

We accomplish this by using an online learning platform that students find highly engaging. The program also features an extensive collaboration between students and one-on-one interaction between our faculty and each student

What is the difference between a major and a specialization?

An undergraduate major is a primary field of study during your undergraduate years. This major defines the actual degree and specifies core courses, electives, and the foundational knowledge that you will acquire. An academic specialization is a more concentrated area of courses which you can choose in addition (32 additional credits) to your major field, which may be in the same disciplinary area or something different.