For students in the University of Pennsylvania Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, the MAPP capstone is the project or thesis that symbolizes the peak of accomplishment within the program. However, it represents so much more than the culmination of an academic year of blood, sweat, and tears (mostly tears of joy… this is MAPP after all). The capstone also reveals the array of unique passions that compelled each student to explore and research a new nook and cranny of the field of positive psychology. (It’s decided: MAPPsters = Positive Pioneers.)

The ink is barely dry on the 48 MAPP.15 (C’ 20) bodies of work, so when asked about their experiences in a recent “Capstone Tell-All” survey, most of my classmates were still lucid enough to answer. I received a range of responses and reactions, and fortunately most of them weren’t death threats.

So what do the survey results indicate? 

It appears as though the capstone experience was a positive MAPP rite of passage for most — and in more than just a post-traumatic growth kind of way. For some, their capstone represented their life’s work, and for others (okay, just one person) it was more like their week’s work. For a vast majority, the experience was highly valuable (most are using their research — or plan to — in an applied way that will make the father of positive psychology and MAPP Professor Marty Seligman proud), and for others the capstone journey and destination bordered on life-changing. 

Check out the insights below from the survey (where the level of statistical rigor will surely make Angela Duckworth — MAPP stats professor and Grit guru — beam with pride, too.)

While almost 20% of the MAPP class were lasered in on their topic from Day One of class, a majority let the spirit move them (one way or another) to land on their capstone area of study. “The idea came to me (inspired by a lecture) and I couldn't stop thinking about it,” was one student’s experience, and when in doubt, some went with their heart instead of their head: “When my career-centric topics didn't feel quite right, I went with a passion topic. Little did I know it would have great implications on my career and non-career pursuits!”

The good news is that after deciding on their area of study, and rolling up their sleeves to do the hard work on Google Scholar, most felt like their finished product was something to be proud of. What are the MAPP.15ers doing with their capstones? Let’s find out.

Many graduates have been putting their research to use already. Tamara Myles and Wes Adams have turned their capstone on meaningful work into several workshops, have drafted a book, and continue to research their original findings through ongoing (IRB approved!) quantitative studies. MAPP seems to have a magical way of inspiring authors… Shondrea McCargo is also writing a book on her topic (the restoration of wounded relationships), and Victoria Roebuck is working on a picture book about using storytelling to reframe difficult events and grow.

Other members of the MAPP.15 class found their work to be valuable. Kristin Elinkowski and Madison Romney have written an article, spoken on a podcast, and are cooking up several projects to support their topic of maintaining and strengthening friendships in adulthood. (Thankfully, they remain good friends; even APA formatting couldn’t break up their relationship.) Caitlin Satterfield shares that “entering working motherhood was a disruptive experience for me. I often felt at odds with my situation; I had strong connections and support at home and at work and at times felt like I didn't belong. I wanted to understand that lack of belonging in hopes to help other working mothers overcome it.” She plans to coach working mothers in this area. Speaking of coaching… CJ Pippen witnessed the power of compassionate action between strangers while in the hospitality industry and is now coaching individuals and delivering workshops for teams on the power of compassion. 

Many are letting the dust of the experience settle in, tuning into where and how to apply what they have learned, when the time is right. Some are even relinquishing the self-imposed pressure to “do something” with their capstone and are basking in the glow of just knowing what they now know.

What were the Capstone Topics? 

The MAPP.15 capstone topics were as diverse as the people who wrote them — covering the gamut of PERMA — ranging from wounded relationships to storytelling to athletics to art therapy (and beyond). Want more personal details about who wrote what? The list below includes MAPPster and capstone names, and this Google Sheet includes the scoop on inspiration + application for each respective capstone:

Haley Barrows: Beyond-the-Athlete: The Role of Beyond-the-Self Purpose in Athlete Stress Appraisal

Travis Bohn: Adapting Well: Using Positive Psychology to Prepare Students to Study Internationally

Iris Cai: The Protagonist-Using AI & Storytelling to Make Value-Based Career Decisions

Liz Corcoran: An Appreciative Approach to Managerial Coaching: Words Matter When Increasing Employee Engagement

Roger DeWitt: ADHD, Willpower, and Interest: A Positive Approach

Mike Donegan: Positive Psychology and Children Experiencing Family Restructuring.

Erica Elam: Yes And: Exploring and Heightening the Positive Psychology in Improvisation

Kristin Elinkowski: Making Time for Friends: A Scientific How-To Guide for Maintaining and Strengthening Friendship in Adulthood

Karen Fetzer: The Call of the Wild: The Transformative Nature of Nature

Michelle Florin: PACER: A Psychological Well-being Framework and Design Process for Running Programs and Race Organizers

Sarah Francois-Poncet: When Words Matter Most: Positive Psychology Perspectives on Condolence Letters

Masa Gong: Missing Link: Marrying Applied Positive Psychology and Diversity Training

Sophia Heiser: The Art of Flourishing: Integrating Positive Psychology with Art Therapy to Promote Growth from Trauma

Robin Johnson: The Great Plan of Happiness: The Intersections of the Restored Gospel of Christ and Positive Psychology

Darlene Marshall: The Upward Spiral of Self-Development and Well-Being: An Examination of Upward Spirals and Vantage Resources & Their Contribution to Sustained Self-Development, Well-being, and Lifestyle Transformation

Amanda Masters: Micromoments Matter: Finding Agency and Connection Through a Micromoments Mindset

Shondrea McCargo: How to H.E.A.L: A Positive Reconciliation Intervention Strategy for Restoring Wounded Relationships

Liza McDevitt: More Than Just An Athlete - Character Strengths to Increase Well-being During Athletic Retirement

Tamara Myles: The Ten Principles of Highly Meaningful Work: A Qualitative Study of Leading Organizations

Seth Norman: A Measure of All Minds: A Classification of the Artificial Intelligence Strengths and Virtues & the Creation of the THETIS Dimensions of Cybernetic Wellbeing

Thomas Payne: Leadership After COVID-19 [Spoiler: There is Something Beyond Recovery and Resilience for Individuals and Organizations]

CJ Pippen: Everyday Heroes: Making a Case for Compassionate Behavior Toward Strangers

Lisa Richardson: Peloton as a Facilitator of Hope: Pathways to Initiate and Sustain Behaviors that Enhance Well-being

Victoria Roebuck: Using Storytelling to Reframe Difficult Events and Grow: How Positive Psychology Can Help Change the Story You're Telling Yourself

Madison Romney: A Research-based How-to Guide for Maintaining and Strengthening Friendships in Adulthood

Caitlin J. Satterfield: The What, Why, and How for Working Mothers

Lauren Schrimmer: Illuminating the Path to One Another: Fostering Connection and Combating Loneliness

Beth Sheeler: Guerrilla Altruism: Maximizing Acts of Kindness for Well-Being

Tessa van der Willigen: Technology, Autonomy, and Well-Being: A Conceptual Framework

Jodi Wellman: Memento Mori: Reflecting on Mortality to Inspire Vitality and Meaning in Life

Felix Yerace: Positive Psychology and Being a Good Teammate: How Justice Character Strengths lead to Authentic, Courageous, and Exemplary Followership, Positive Institutions, Flourishing, and Heroic Upstanders for Positive Citizenship and Stewardship for the Common Good

Check out the official MAPP capstone repository for the full versions of many of these capstones, along with capstones from previous years. It’s a wealth of information, and don’t say you haven’t been warned about the intellectual rabbit hole you’ll find yourself in. If you would like to learn more, information on the authors, as well as their contact information, can be found on the MAPP Alumni Directory. 

About the author: 

Jodi Wellman is a speaker, coach, and facilitator who tinkers with the lively topic of mortality to inspire people to live life like they mean it... helping people make the most of their lives while they're still lucky to be above ground. She's torn about where to place her "Memento Mori" tattoo. She also hopes that one day “capstones” are referred to as “MAPPstones.” You can find Jodi at www.fourthousandmondays.com and reach her directly at jodi@fourthousandmondays.com.