Based on the world record nomination from the Americas Records Institute (AMRI)and Decision No. WK/USA.INDIA/1424/2026/No.879, World Records Union (WorldKings) officially declared Centenary University as the world’s first university to award a Master of Arts in happiness studies.

Since 2022, Centenary University, with 1,100 undergraduates and 830 graduate students, would be the home of the world’s first master’s program in Happiness Studies. In the 12 days since the announcement, 86 people have applied for the 18-month, $17,700 program.

Happiness studies extend beyond the field of positive psychology, the discipline focusing on human flourishing. The predominantly online curriculum will incorporate psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, economics, theology, literature, music, and other disciplines and explore spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional well-being.

Students will examine techniques including meditation, goal setting, yoga, physical exercise, breathwork, and different forms of journaling, according to the master’s program brochure.

Internationally renowned expert and author Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, will direct the program. Dr. Ben-Shahar achieved national recognition two decades ago when he taught one of Harvard University’s most popular classes, on happiness. Since then, he has also taught at Columbia University, written several best-selling books on the subject, and has appeared on major media as a happiness studies expert, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, CNN, the BBC, and Today on NBC.

According to nj.com; en.wikipedia.org