Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization

Positive Psychology: Well-being for life. Master strategies and tools that enable individuals and organizations to thrive

About This Specialization

The University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman welcome you to Foundations of Positive Psychology. Our five-course specialization provides you with the key theories and research in the field of positive psychology as well as opportunities for application. Course topics include • Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science with Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman • Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions with Dr. James Pawelski • Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods with Dr. Angela Duckworth & Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft • Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills with Dr. Karen Reivich • Positive Psychology Specialization Project with Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman

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5 courses

Follow the suggested order or choose your own.

Projects

Designed to help you practice and apply the skills you learn.

Certificates

Highlight your new skills on your resume or LinkedIn.

Projects Overview

Learners design and justify small-scale positive interventions to enhance specific aspects of their personal wellbeing based on the skills acquired in each course of the specialization. Personal reflections are implemented provide learners with the skills to impact their personal and professional lives.

After completing all five courses, learners earn a certificate signed by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, Dr. James Pawelski, Dr. Angela Duckworth, Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft and Dr. Karen Reivich.

Courses

Beginner Specialization.: No prior experience required.

COURSE 1
Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
Commitment
4 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week
Subtitles
English, Spanish, German
About the Course
Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman—renowned worldwide as the “father of Positive Psychology”—has led visionary leaps in the scientific research, empirical data and personal understandings of human flourishing. This course explores the past, present an
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 2
Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions
Commitment
Four weeks of study, 4-6 hours a week
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Positive interventions are one of the building blocks for the application of positive psychology in our day-to-day lives. In this course taught by Dr. James Pawelski, we explore positive interventions through theory, research and practice. We
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 3
Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods
Commitment
Four weeks of study, 5-7 hours a week.
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Learners discover how apply to research methods to their study of Positive Psychology. In this course, we study with Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft. Through an exploration their work "True Grit" and interviews with researc
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 4
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills
Commitment
Four weeks of study, 2-5 hours a week.
Subtitles
English
About the Course
Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agi
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.
COURSE 5
Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being
Commitment
4 weeks of study, 2-5 hours per week.
Subtitles
English, Japanese
About the Course
You are encouraged to take the first four courses of the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization before starting this course and completing the Specialization Project. This course, taught by Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman brings all the key
You can choose to take this course only. Learn more.

Creators

The University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) has been one of the world’s great homes for the study of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It is the intellectual epicenter of the renowned research-intensive university.
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D.
Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology & Director, Positive Psychology Center
James Pawelski, Ph.D.
Director of Education and Senior Scholar
Claire Robertson-Kraft, Ph.D.
Director, ImpactED
Angela Duckworth, Ph.D.
Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology
Karen Reivich, Ph.D.
Director of Resilience Training Services