A positive psychology degree explores the scientific study of wellbeing & human flourishing.
Programs typically cover topics such as resilience, strengths & mindfulness, providing practical strategies for personal & professional development.
Graduates can pursue careers in various fields including education, counseling & organizational development, where promoting positive change is a key focus.
The science supporting positive psychology has sparked a huge increase in degree programs.
It makes sense: When we understand the “why” of positive human functioning, we can apply that knowledge to our own lives and unlock our true potential.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
Today, there are more positive psychology courses, degrees, conferences, and associations than ever before. Below is a list of several options for pursuing a positive psychology degree.
Do you know of a degree program that is not listed below? If so, let us know in the comments section!
Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our five positive psychology tools for free. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.
We kick off this article with seven Masters Degree options spread out over the globe.
1. University of Pennsylvania, United States
The University of Pennsylvania offered the first Master of Applied Positive Psychology. As the first institution to offer a master’s degree in the field, it is known as one of the birthplaces of positive psychology.
Students in this program get the opportunity to study with one of the legendary founders of the field, Dr. Martin Seligman. Additionally, the impressive faculty roster includes positive psychology powerhouses James Pawelski, Angela Duckworth and Karen Reivich, among others.
This program is a good option for those who are not in the UPenn neighborhood and are not able to relocate; there are 3–4 required on-site visits to the university, but the rest of the program does not require being on campus. During the on-site visits, students and faculty meet for intensive weekends of learning and networking.
Who can apply?
There are no positive psychology prerequisites for admission to this program, as it is designed for people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
To increase the chances for admission, it is recommended that applicants express their objectives for attending the program and offer a background that would enrich the course itself.
New cohorts are accepted into the program twice per year in the spring and fall. Check UPenn’s MAPP website for more details.
At the master’s level, this university offers a Masters in Positive Organizational Psychology and Evaluation, Positive Developmental Psychology and Evaluation, and Positive Health Psychology.
All of the programs bring a strong focus to the importance of understanding positive developmental processes and prevention, promotion, and optimization.
One of Claremont’s biggest draws is the presence of the Quality of Life Research Center, which was founded in 1999 by positive psychology’s other “founding father,” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and his protege Jeanne Nakamura. To this day, the program teaches themes related to creativity, engagement, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility.
3. Indiana Wesleyan University, United States (online)
Offered entirely online, Indiana Wesleyan University’s MA in psychology degree program includes specializations in life coaching and positive psychology or industrial and organizational psychology with a focus on positive psychological approaches.
The university’s MA in psychology is fully online and features courses in topics such as lifespan development, psychopathology, theories of personality development, life coaching, leadership and motivation, and more.
This degree is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete, and students who complete the program will be prepared for professional opportunities in fields such as life coaching, government, nonprofits, and ministry.
It’s important to note that this degree is not intended to provide qualification to practice as a licensed professional counselor.
Prospective students must have at least a baccalaureate degree from any accredited college or university, but it need not be in psychology nor any particular field. Students should also have an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher.
4. Life University, United States
Life University offers a Master of Science in positive psychology (MSPP) with two tracks: general positive psychology and coaching psychology. Both programs approach the curriculum from a strengths-based perspective, focusing on flourishing and positive functioning.
The university’s MSPP program is accredited by the International Coaching Federation and prepares graduates for careers in organizational development, human resources, education, and counseling, among others.
Students in this program are expected to attend regular video conference meetings and quarterly weekend residencies.
Admission requirements for Life University’s graduate programs include at least a bachelor’s degree (or Doctor of Chiropractic, relevant for other programs) from a regionally accredited institution.
Online M.S. Positive Psychology - Life University
5. University of East London, England
The University of East London (UEL) was also a pioneer in launching graduate positive psychology education and currently offers a Master of Science (MSc) in applied positive psychology.
This program is offered both on-campus and via distance learning, with the option to complete it full time (over 12 months) or part time (over 36 months). Specialization options include ‘Positive Psychology,’ ‘Coaching Psychology’ or ‘Positive Organisations & Leadership.’
UEL’s flexibility makes this program ideal for applicants with jobs or other commitments. The program also offers cutting-edge theory and research on topics related to wellbeing and long-term change.
Who can apply?
Anyone with a minimum 2.1 honors degree (roughly the equivalent of a bachelor’s with at least a 3.2 GPA in the United States) can apply, preferably with a background in social sciences. A 2.2 degree (lower GPA equivalent) may be accepted with supplemental work experience.
Check out UEL’s website to learn more about this program.
6. Buckinghamshire New University, England
Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) also offers an MSc in applied positive psychology.
This degree is offered in a part-time format with the option of supplementing the usual two-year timeline with a third year, making it an excellent choice for those who are currently employed.
The MSc degree requires students to undertake a dissertation project, but BNU also offers a postgraduate certificate or diploma that does not require completion of a dissertation.
If you are interested in topics around human resources, organizational development, psychotherapy, counseling or teaching, this program has much to offer.
This program offers students the chance to design their own projects and choose the topics they are most interested in.
Graduates from this program have researched methods to improve client wellbeing, resilience, and organizational psychology, among other topics.
Who can apply?
This course is open to people from different backgrounds and life experiences. A degree in psychology isn’t required, but a 2.1 degree is recommended.
BNU’s MSc program prioritizes critical reflection, the development of skill sets, and strength-based models of student assets and interests.
7. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), United States
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is entirely online and is intended to give students the tools they need to effect change in a variety of contexts, including clinics, schools, businesses, and community organizations.
This one-year program, which runs from September to August, blends real-world application with flexible online learning. PCOM’s multi-component positive psychology program, A Happier You, gives students practical experience. As they progress through the roles of co-facilitator, facilitator, and participant, they hone their presentation, group facilitation, and coaching abilities.
Training in mindfulness, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, and program evaluation are all part of the curriculum. Graduates are equipped to use tools from evidence-based positive psychology to support resilience and flourishing in a variety of populations.
Who can apply?
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, education, social work or nursing from a regionally accredited institution. PCOM considers Bachelor’s degrees in other specialty areas on a case-by-case basis.
The Potchefstroom campus of South Africa’s North-West University (NWU) offers a Master of Applied Positive Psychology.
It’s a specialized degree in positive psychology, and will not grant the graduate registration with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa or give them the qualifications to provide clinical care.
This program consists of contact sessions on campus in the first year, followed by a year of research and a “mini-dissertation” project.
Students acquire a thorough knowledge and deep understanding of positive psychology in terms of theory, research and intellectual background. If students develop a passion for positive psychology, they can shift into a more advanced degree at NWU—a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences with Positive Psychology.
Check their website to learn more about these degrees.
Who can apply?
Applicants must hold an honors degree or equivalent in psychology or a related field with an overall 65% grade. They must provide a CV and two supporting references, and existing work experience in the psychology field is also recommended.
9. University of Melbourne, Australia
The University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Applied Positive Psychology at their Parkville campus. Students can choose between two enrollment options: one year full time or two years part time.
For each subject, instruction is given in four 3-hour on-campus intensives on Fridays and Saturdays, with online options also available, making it a good choice for people juggling work and other responsibilities.
Subjects include Wellbeing Design, Delivery and Evaluation; Positive Psychology and Organisations; and Systems Informed Approaches to Change. At the end of the program, students will have a strong understanding of how to successfully apply the principles and insights of positive psychology.
A bachelor honours degree or equivalent in a cognate area
A three-year undergraduate qualification in a directly related discipline and at least two years of documented relevant work experience
A three-year undergraduate qualification and at least 50 credit points, or equivalent, of graduate study in a cognate area
10. Central Queensland University, Australia (online)
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at CQUniversity aims to equip students with the tools to support wellbeing and positive change.
Topics of study include the fundamentals of positive psychology, coaching psychology, positive education, asset-based community development, and more.
The program is offered entirely online, with an expected duration of two years if taken full time or four years if part time. Graduates of this program can expect to be prepared for careers in coaching, training, counseling, or others.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for enrollment in this program, prospective students must have a completed Australian Qualifications Framework equivalent bachelor’s degree (or higher equivalent). Students not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, or the United States also have to meet the university’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
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Certificates in Positive Psychology
If you don’t wish to pursue formal graduate studies in positive psychology, you might want to consider the following training programs that offer a certificate in positive psychology.
This is a great option for busy people who need to combine the flexibility of online learning paired with on-campus presence and resources.
1. Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology – The Flourishing Center, United States (online)
The New York-based Flourishing Center offers a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) which is fully accredited by the ICF.
This nine-month course is composed of six modules on positivity, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement, and vitality (PERMA-V™).
The training is highly structured and includes pre-recorded lectures, two live Zoom classes per week, mentorship, peer-based learning labs, and more—all designed to support you in applying what you learn.
This program is open to anyone who is interested in positive psychology, but they note that they have three main types of students:
Professionals who intend to apply what they learn to their organization,
Entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to apply it to their independent work, and
Those interested in personal development and growth.
You can find more information on this program and the other programs the Flourishing Center offers on their website.
2. Certificate in Wholebeing Positive Psychology – Wholebeing Institute, United States (online)
Experience a whole-person approach to positive psychology and optimal wellbeing in the Wholebeing Institute’s nine-month online Certificate in Wholebeing Positive Psychology course.
Students in this program apply the whole-person approach in areas of leadership, counseling, coaching, parenting, or teaching. This method helps to:
Bring about lasting change in individuals and organizations
Create healthy personal and professional relationships
Build positive emotions as well as resilience to deal with painful emotions
Develop self-regard and optimism
There are nine modules to this course, all of which are offered online.
Students are exposed to many voices and perspectives within a consistent and cohesive learning experience, with weekly video lectures with lead faculty and guest lecturers, as well as content from featured experts.
Whether you want to improve your home life, better your workplace, grow personally or professionally, or start a new career, the Certificate in Wholebeing Positive Psychology offers you in-depth study, world-class faculty, and transformative experiences.
3. Positive Psychology Certification – Efficient Coach, United States (online)
Using tools supported by science from the field of positive psychology, Efficient Coach provides a flexible, fully online Positive Psychology Certification to assist students in beginning or improving their coaching practice.
This self-paced course is available anywhere in the world and is particularly well-suited for aspiring teachers, coaches, and helping professionals who want to have a significant influence. Students can work through ten modules covering topics like communication, self-esteem, motivation, and mindfulness with immediate lifetime access to audio and PDF materials.
The program includes monthly live classes, a private student forum, and a “Launch Your Business” starter pack. It is also accredited by five international organizations.
4. Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology – University of Missouri, United States (online)
The 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology program at the University of Missouri is intended for professionals working in organizational consulting, psychology, counseling, or education.
The program examines fulfillment, purpose, and wellbeing on a personal and societal level by fusing modern science with ageless wisdom. In order to help people and organizations flourish, students learn how to apply positive psychology concepts to real problems.
Most students can finish the program in less than two years thanks to its flexible, semester-based structure, which is entirely online and does not require on-campus visits.
To enroll you must have a bachelor’s degree, at least a 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours of instruction, and a familiarity with the English language.
5. Certificate in Building Positive Workplace Cultures – Dalhousie University, Canada (blended/online)
The Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development at Dalhousie University in Canada offers a Certificate in Building Positive Workplace Cultures, focused on the foundations of positive psychology and how to apply them practically in the workplace.
This program is offered in a blended online format, and participants will learn the theories and principles of positive psychology, techniques to improve and support optimal functioning across multiple life areas, and specific details about how to design programs and interventions to cultivate positive workplaces.
The certificate includes four courses, meant to be taken consecutively:
Foundations of Positive Psychology
Application of Positive Psychology Principles for Self-Awareness
Application of Positive Psychology Principles to Influence Others
Adaptation of Positive Psychology Principles in Organizations and Teams
6. Positive Psychology Practitioner Certificate – School of Positive Transformation, United States (online)
The School of Positive Transformation offers a Positive Psychology Practitioner Certificate that can be perfect for anyone seeking to apply positive psychology for their clients.
The program is suitable for coaches, teachers, therapists, human resources professionals, social workers, and anyone else working to help people.
The certificate consists of approximately 150 study hours and 39 sessions. No previous experience is required to apply, and the course material is suitable for all levels of experience and education.
For more information about the certificate, please visit the program’s website.
7. Positive Psychology Certificates at Laurier
Wilfrid Laurier University offers two online certificates specifically pertaining to positive psychology.
These comprehensive certificates are 23 and 16 weeks respectively. With positive reviews, graduates will be armed with the knowledge to build flourishing environments, while supporting mental health in workplaces.
The Certificate in Positive Education applies positive psychology in education to help ensure student success. It is, however, not a stand-alone course but is offered in conjunction with the Certificate in Positive Psychology.
Positive Psychology MOOCs
If a certificate is still a bit too much of a commitment for you, you might want to try a massive online open course (MOOC). There are lots of great options out there right now.
1. EdX – Science of Happiness
EdX offers The Science of Happiness, the first MOOC to teach positive psychology. It’s a free eight-week course, created by the University of California Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center (pros in positive psychology).
This course revolves around the idea that “happiness is inextricably linked to having strong social connections and contributing to something bigger than yourself—the greater good.”
Positive psychology experts Dacher Keltner and Emiliana Simon-Thomas lead students through practical strategies to nurture their own happiness, and also invite students to explore how happiness changes along the way. They promise that students will learn:
What happiness really means and why it matters to you.
How to increase your own happiness and foster happiness in others.
Why social connections, kindness, and community are key to happiness.
Which mental habits are most conducive to happiness and how mindfulness can help.
Guest experts like Barbara Fredrickson, Paul Ekman, Sonja Lyubomirsky, and Jon Kabat-Zinn join to discuss themes like empathy, mindfulness, and gratitude.
This course only requires four to five hours per week and can be undertaken at your own pace, with students being given 11 weeks to complete about eight weeks’ worth of material. Although it is a free course, if you wish to be provided with a certificate proving your completion of the course, you can purchase it once done.
2. Coursera – Positive Psychology by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson
Created by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this course is taught by leading positive psychology researcher and author Dr. Barbara Fredrickson.
This course teaches students about the most salient and valuable research findings in positive psychology and offers practical applications that students can apply in their own lives and the lives of others, through coaching, mentoring, parenting, teaching, or simply boosting their own personal relationships.
Students in this course will learn about positive emotions, gratitude, positivity resonance, loving-kindness meditation, mindscapes, outcomes of positivity and other positive psychology topics.
This free course takes about 11 hours to complete, and Fredrickson suggests dedicating two to four hours per week to it. It’s available in English, Spanish, and in a simplified Chinese version. New courses start all the time; check out the Coursera page on this course to see when the next class is offered.
3. Coursera – Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization by Dr. Martin Seligman
This course is an offering by renowned positive psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman. This course gives positive psychology enthusiasts a chance to learn from not only the field’s founder, but also a few of the other most prolific researchers in positive psychology, including James Pawelski, Angela Duckworth, Claire Robertson-Kraft, and Karen Reivich.
Topics covered include the foundations of the field, applications and interventions based on positive psychology, research methods, and positive topics like grit, resilience, and character.
It is 100% online, offers flexibility to suit your needs, and is suitable for beginners and those who are new to positive psychology in general. The course runs over about two months and requires about 10 hours per week. At the end, the learner has an opportunity to complete a special project in positive psychology, giving the course a hands-on element that others may lack.
You can find more information about this course on its Coursera page.
4. Coursera – The Science of Well-Being by Laurie Santos
Offered by Yale University and taught by Yale professor and “The Happiness Lab” podcast host Laurie Santos, this course asks students to engage in a series of hands-on personal exercises designed to increase their own happiness and build productive habits.
Course topics include misconceptions about happiness, how to overcome biases, finding what really makes us happy, and how to put these strategies into real-life practice, among others.
With flexible deadlines and an entirely online offering, this course can be a great option for those looking to learn more about positive psychology while juggling a career or other studies. The course is expected to take approximately 18 hours to complete.
17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners
Expand your arsenal and impact with these 17 Positive Psychology Exercises [PDF], scientifically designed to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.
Every addition to true knowledge, is an addition to human power.
Horace Mann
We hope this list provides you with the basics of your positive psychology education options, but we’d love to know what other positive psychology resources would be useful for you.
Have you pursued a degree in positive psychology? Are there additional programs you have been curious about or recommend?
Leave us a comment below.
And for even more program options, check out our second dedicated article on positive psychology training—featuring over 20 additional programs, many of which are low-cost and available online.
Positive psychology is the scientific study of strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It focuses on enhancing wellbeing and optimal functioning.
What are the benefits of earning a positive psychology degree?
A positive psychology degree equips you with evidence-based tools to promote wellbeing, resilience, and personal growth, applicable in various professional settings.
What career opportunities are available with a positive psychology degree?
Graduates can pursue roles in counseling, coaching, education, human resources, and organizational development, focusing on enhancing wellbeing and performance.
About the author
Courtney Ackerman, MA, is a mental health policy researcher for the State of California and a freelance author and consultant. Her areas of expertise include mental and behavioral health policy, violence prevention, and survey research.
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What our readers think
Lulu
on October 10, 2025 at 01:38
It would be awesome if you would take in the Tilburg (NL) Master of Positive Psychology on that list ;))
Hi!
Thank you so much for the information. Very useful and helpful!
I have strong interest in positive psychology and hope to go further and deeper but I don’t have a bachelor degree, only university diploma. I am based in China and would love to have a degree based professional learning opportunity.
Could you please share if there are any university/college/institutions that can accept students like my background? Thank you very much!
The science supporting positive psychology has sparked a huge increase in degree programs.
What our readers think
It would be awesome if you would take in the Tilburg (NL) Master of Positive Psychology on that list ;))
Hi!
Thank you so much for the information. Very useful and helpful!
I have strong interest in positive psychology and hope to go further and deeper but I don’t have a bachelor degree, only university diploma. I am based in China and would love to have a degree based professional learning opportunity.
Could you please share if there are any university/college/institutions that can accept students like my background? Thank you very much!