Learn about Summer 2025 Pre-College opportunities at the UMass Amherst. Our residential and online pre-college programs are designed to give you a preview of the UMass student experience, including college-level academics and being part of a learning community of high school students from all across the U.S. and the world. Our programs feature faculty-led courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and the #1 campus dining in the U.S., as ranked by the Princeton Review. Find out more!
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The Psychology of Wellbeing is an academically rigorous two-week program designed to immerse high school students in the science of happiness and emotional health.
In Week 1, students will explore the foundational principles of positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety, learning from cutting-edge research in these areas. Through dynamic lectures, students will delve into the groundbreaking work of renowned psychologists such as Martin Seligman, Brené Brown, and Amy Edmondson. They will critically examine the concepts of vulnerability, emotional awareness, and resilience, and engage in a literature review that links these ideas to current research. In the afternoons, students will apply these academic insights through hands-on activities, including StrengthsFinder assessments, discussions on core values, and goal-setting exercises, all rooted in psychological theory and research.
In Week 2, students will build on this foundation by investigating the practical application of wellbeing strategies, focusing on emotional resilience, change management, and stress management techniques. Mornings will explore how these concepts can be applied in everyday life through academic research, while afternoons will feature experiential learning, including a community service project and a visit to a wellbeing center. Students will engage with the psychology of habit formation, learning how to create lasting changes for long-term wellbeing.
By the end of the program, students will develop a personalized action plan based on the research they've studied, equipping them with the knowledge and strategies to continue growing their emotional and mental health beyond the course.
Materials needed: You will not need laptops for this course; instead, bring a journal for personal reflections, goal-setting, and documenting your progress throughout the two weeks.
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This course is offered at the UMass Mt. Ida campus with commuter and residential options available.
Dates: June 29 - July 12, 2025
Two-Week Residential Intensives: $3,907 residential / $2,262 commuter
*Program fees listed above include tuition, room & board.
*All programs require submission of $45 application fee.
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