We CU Innovating at Centenary University!
Master of Arts in Happiness Studies
Explore evidence-based approaches to well-being in education, organizations, and communities.
Centenary University’s Master of Arts in Happiness Studies is designed to prepare students to advance into supervisory and management positions in any career field. We conveniently offer an online-only option for this 30-credit program.
Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. After graduating from Harvard with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, Tal taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history: Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. He then taught Happiness Studies at Columbia University. A prolific writer, Tal’s books have appeared on best-sellers lists around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages.
Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting and mindfulness. He is the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, as well as the creator and instructor of the Certificate in Happiness Studies and the Happier School programs. Click here to see testimonials.
If you are ready to lead, we are ready to show you how.
Ready to apply?
A fit for your career
Centenary’s Happiness Studies students come from a variety of fields, including:
- Human Resources
- Educators and Administrators
- Private-sector Leadership and Managers
- Non-profit Leadership and Managers
No GRE or GMAT
At Centenary, we are looking for students who are strong leaders and communicators — not test-takers.
We don’t require GRE or GMAT scores for admission. To apply for our program, you will need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5
Your Future
Academic Advancement:
Next steps include Coaching certification, organizational psychology, counseling, leadership/OD, public health, education, or doctoral research depending on career goal.
Career Pathways:
Wellness Consultant, Happiness Coach, Organizational Development Specialist
Industry Outlook:
Niche field with growing interest in corporate wellness and mental health promotion, workplace well-being strategy, resilience training, and mental-health program integration across corporate, healthcare, and education sectors. Roles often embedded inside HR, leadership development, or consulting functions rather than standalone job titles
Regional employers include
Corporate learning and development teams; healthcare wellness programs; higher education offices; nonprofits; HR/OD consulting firms; RWJBarnabas Health; Hackensack Meridian Health; Rutgers; Prudential Financial; ADP.
Salary Outlook:
$60,000 – $110,000
Getting Started
For New Jersey entry-level roles aligned to Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, a reasonable starting range is approximately $55,000–$75,000, depending on role, licensure/certification, employer type, and prior experience.
Early Career and Progression
Approx. $85,000 midpoint at about five years, with higher earnings in specialized, licensed, technical, supervisory, or high-demand settings.
Approx. $110,000 average or attainable mid-career benchmark around ten years, especially for advanced credentials, management responsibility, or specialized practice.
*Salary and Outlook Data