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

4.8

stars

6,312 ratings

Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. +4 more instructors

53,968 already enrolled

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Foundations of Positive Psychology SpecializationUniversity of Pennsylvania

What you will learn

Master strategies and tools that enable individuals and organizations to thrive.
Discover key theories and research in the field of positive psychology as well as opportunities for application.
Apply key concepts from Positive Psychology to your personal and professional life.
Understand the scientific foundations of Positive Psychology

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

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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

Applied Learning Project

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.

Learner Career Outcomes

41%

Started a new career after completing this specialization.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 5 months to complete

Suggested pace of 4 hours/week

English

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Learner Career Outcomes

41%

Started a new career after completing this specialization.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 5 months to complete

Suggested pace of 4 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 5 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science

4.9

stars

5,355 ratings

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 and future of positive psychology as a journey through the key scientific leaps led by Dr. Seligman and his colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania's Positive Psychology Center and Master of Applied Positive Psychology program.

Course2

Course 2

Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions

4.8

stars

1,909 ratings

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 provide learners the basic tools for using and measuring positive psychology in professional or personal contexts. Suggested prerequisite: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science.

Course3

Course 3

Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods

4.4

stars

1,056 ratings

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 researchers and practitioners, you develop a research hypothesis and learn how to understand the difference between internal and external validity. You also begin to understand and apply the strengths and weaknesses associated with different types of measurements and evaluation designs. You then interpret the results in an empirical study. Suggested prerequisites: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science and Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions.

Course4

Course 4

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills

4.9

stars

1,908 ratings

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 agility and optimism. Several types of resilience interventions are explored including cognitive strategies; strategies to manage anxiety and increase positive emotions such as gratitude; and a critical relationship enhancement skill. Throughout the course, you will hear examples of individuals using resilience skills in their personal and professional lives. Suggested prerequisites: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science, Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions and Positive Psychology: Character, Grit & Research Methods.

Instructors

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
How often will Sessions of individual courses be offered?
Sessions for each course will start every two weeks on a Monday. Enrollment closes five days after a Session starts.
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
Each course in this specialization is four modules/weeks long and can be completed at your own pace once the Coursera session begins.
Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions: 4-6 hours/module
Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods: 4-6 hours per module
Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills: 5-7 hours per module
Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being: 2-5 hours per module
What background knowledge is necessary?
No specific background knowledge is needed in order to complete the courses in the Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
The courses in this specialization can be taken in any order. However, the course Positive Psychology Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Well-being is intended to be a culminating capstone experience and should be taken last. Why? Because your growing knowledge and experience throughout the other courses is what matters most, and will deliver the greatest benefit from this special project-based course.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
The University of Pennsylvania does not offer credit for any of the non-credit courses on Coursera.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Describe the past, present, and future of the science of positive psychology
Use intervention strategies to improve well-being
Read critically as a consumer of the research literature in positive psychology

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization

What you will learn

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project