What is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is an area of psychology that's dedicated to studying and developing positive emotions, desirable experiences, and character strengths. While other areas of psychology may focus on solving mental health problems, this field focuses on identifying positive mental health traits. A positive psychologist might ask, ""Why is this person satisfied with life?"" rather than ""What is ailing this person and how can we correct it?"" Psychologist Martin Seligman is known as a major contributor to the field of positive psychology. He theorized that there are five elements to a good life: positive emotion, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA). Together, these elements can provide a sense of satisfaction that goes beyond momentary happiness.

Why is it important to learn about positive psychology?

In your personal life, knowledge of positive psychology practices can improve your sense of well-being. You can apply the field's findings to subjects such as gratitude, humor, purpose, and flow to increase positive experiences. You can also pass those lessons on to other people to better their lives.

What career opportunities can arise from learning about positive psychology?

Learning about this field can help you pursue a career as a positive psychologist. You'll use your skills to counsel individuals and guide them down a path of mental wellness. The job may involve working with students in a school's counseling office, patients in a healthcare facility, or employees in a business' human resources department. Another potential career path involves starting a private practice as a life coach who works one-on-one with clients. Positive psychologists also conduct ongoing research into subjects like flow and emotional intelligence.

How will online courses help me learn about positive psychology?

Online courses can give you an in-depth understanding of positive psychology through video lectures, reading assignments, and exercises. Lessons will guide you through practical skills such as routinely practicing gratitude, finding purpose, and using mindfulness meditation to stay present. You'll also learn the skills to pass these lessons on to others.

What are the benefits of taking an online Positive Psychology course?

Online Positive Psychology courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Positive Psychology skills. Choose from a wide range of Positive Psychology courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Positive Psychology courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Positive Psychology, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Positive Psychology Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Positive Psychology Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Foundations of Positive Psychology
Skills you'll gain: Resilience, Goal Setting, Emotional Intelligence, Positivity, Smart Goals, Optimism, Research Methodologies, Overcoming Obstacles, Research Design, Empathy, Productivity, Positive Behavior Support, Cognitive flexibility, Relationship Building, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Qualitative Research, Research, Empowerment, Psychology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
8.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
Skills you'll gain: Optimism, Personal Development, Resilience, Positive Behavior Support, Psychology, Working With Children, Education and Training, Research, Visionary, Human Development, Creativity
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
6.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Skillshare
Self-Care Essentials: Embrace & Nurture the Real You
Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Positivity, Self-Awareness, Personal Development, Goal Setting, Resilience, Mindfulness, Empowerment, Persistence, Self-Motivation, Action Oriented, Courage, Visionary, Creative Thinking, Creativity, Digital Design, Overcoming Obstacles, Graphical Tools, Color Theory, Storytelling
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Positive Psychology
Skills you'll gain: Positivity, Optimism, Resilience, Compassion, Personal Development, Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability, Relationship Building, Creativity, Mindfulness, Community Health
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills
Skills you'll gain: Resilience, Positivity, Optimism, Cognitive flexibility, Relationship Building, Self-Awareness, Adaptability, Stress Management, Mindfulness, Communication
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions
Skills you'll gain: Goal Setting, Emotional Intelligence, Smart Goals, Personal Development, Positivity, Overcoming Obstacles, Empathy, Productivity, Positive Behavior Support, Optimism, Self-Awareness, Self-Motivation, Growth Mindedness, Cognitive flexibility, Psychology, Creativity, Curiosity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Preview
The University of Sydney
Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
Skills you'll gain: Mental Health, Stress Management, Mindfulness, Psychiatry, Positivity, Optimism, Resilience, Behavioral Health, Mental Health Therapies, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Mental and Behavioral Health, Creativity, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Substance Abuse, Empowerment, Relationship Building, Exercise Therapy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Yale University
The Science of Well-Being
Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Health And Wellness Coaching, Behavioral Health, Positive Behavior Support, Goal Setting, Resilience, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychology, Social Skills, Mindfulness
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
40K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being
Skills you'll gain: Research, Empowerment, Research Methodologies, Personal Development, Science and Research, Research Design, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Psychology, Self-Awareness, Psychological Evaluations, Program Evaluation, Creativity, Curiosity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
884 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Yale University
Introduction to Psychology
Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Child Development, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Human Development, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Neurology, Critical Thinking, Scientific Methods, Problem Solving
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
32K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Google
Google Project Management
Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Project Scoping, Project Closure, Project Management, Project Planning, Agile Project Management, Continuous Improvement Process, Project Controls, Backlogs, Milestones (Project Management), Project Risk Management, Stakeholder Analysis, Quality Assessment, Team Management, Agile Methodology, Change Management, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
136K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Mindfulness and Well-being
Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Stress Management, Resilience, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Compassion, Personal Attributes, Positivity, Empathy, Mental Health, Mental Concentration, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Behavioral Health, Cognitive flexibility, Sustainable Development, Social Justice, Persistence
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months