Below is a carefully curated, continually updated guide to online and in-person positive psychology training worldwide. It lists courses, certificates, master’s and doctoral pathways, workshops, podcasts and MOOCs designed for professionals, educators, coaches and anyone wishing to learn applied positive psychology.
This resource highlights widely known programs such as the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) and many accredited and practitioner-focused offerings. Use these listings to compare program formats, durations, and intended audiences so you can choose the best learning path for your needs.
If you’re looking for practical, evidence-based tools to integrate into coaching, therapy, education, or organizational work, these courses include exercises on strengths, values, resilience, relationships, meaning, and wellbeing.
Courses
- Online Learning
- North America
- South & Latin America
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia
- Africa
- Audio and more
- MOOCs
- Ph.D. possibilities
- MAPP Programs
Online Learning
Online courses provide flexible, self-paced options and access to expert instructors worldwide. Below are prominent online and blended programs that teach applied, science-based positive psychology methods you can use in clinical practice, coaching, education and workplace wellbeing.
Mindfulness X©
Mindfulness X© is an 8-session, fully scripted mindfulness training template for practitioners who want to add evidence-based mindfulness to therapy, coaching or teaching. The package includes session plans and materials ready for clinical and coaching settings and is widely used by therapists, coaches and HR professionals.
More details: Mindfulness X Course.
Emotional Intelligence Masterclass©
This science-based masterclass covers six pillars of emotional intelligence and trains professionals to teach and apply emotional skills to improve wellbeing, relationships and performance.
More details: Emotional Intelligence Masterclass.
Realizing Resilience Masterclass©
A six-module course teaching resilience theory and practical strategies for improving mental health, subjective wellbeing and workplace performance.
More details: Realizing Resilience Masterclass©.
Meaning & Valued Living©
Designed for therapists, counselors and coaches, this program focuses on helping clients discover values and purpose to increase meaning and reduce isolation, burnout and depression.
More details: Meaning & Valued Living Masterclass©.
Positive Relationships Masterclass©
A six-module professional development package teaching evidence-based practices for building and sustaining positive relationships in personal and organizational settings.
More details: Positive Relationships Masterclass©.
The Science of Self-Acceptance
This course introduces science-based techniques to help clients develop a stable sense of self-worth and self-compassion, independent of external approval or success.
More details: The Science of Self-Acceptance Masterclass©.
The Flourishing Center (Online Track)
The Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) is a practitioner-focused program built around PERMA-V (Positivity, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement, Vitality). The online track runs about nine months and provides materials for training and practice.
- Format: Online
- Duration: 9 months (online)
- Cost range: $5,995–$6,495
VIA Institute on Character
The VIA Institute offers courses centered on the VIA Classification of Character Strengths, including strengths at work, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP), strengths interventions, and relationship-focused modules. These programs are research-informed and practical for clinicians and educators.
Positive Psychology Practitioner Certificate (PPPC)
The PPPC gathers leading voices in the field to deliver an applied online certificate with live and recorded sessions. Instructors cover strengths, positive emotions, education, compassion, relationships and coaching. The course awards a professional certificate upon completion.
The Wholebeing Institute
A concise five-week online course introducing core positive psychology practices—gratitude, emotional acceptance, and habit formation—delivered in short, flexible sessions and designed for busy professionals.
RMIT University — Happiness and Positive Psychology
RMIT’s online course covers core concepts such as wellbeing, flow, character strengths, learned optimism, resilience and mindfulness, and shows how to apply the PERMA model in practice.
The Science of Happiness (Greater Good, free)
Offered by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, this free, self-paced course presents research-based strategies for living a happier, more meaningful life. Verified certificates and CE credits are available for a fee.
Counseling & Coaching in Existential Wellbeing (KU Leuven, edX)
An online edX course exploring values, authenticity, belonging, and meaning in life—designed for coaches and counselors interested in existential approaches to wellbeing. Audit for free; certificate available for a fee.
University of Missouri — Graduate Certificate and Master’s Options
University of Missouri offers an online Master’s in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership and a 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology emphasizing applied interventions for individuals, teams and organizations.
UCLA Extension — Happiness: Theory, Research and Application
UCLA Extension’s online course surveys happiness research and measurement, strengths and virtues, positive emotions, relationships and resilience through lectures, readings and applied exercises.
Profit from the Positive Certificate Program
A leadership and engagement certificate for coaches, managers and consultants. The program supplies editable training materials for in-house or client use and is run in short, intensive online modules.
The Pursuit of Happiness: The Science of Happiness (certificate)
A self-paced 15-module online certificate that covers strengths, physical wellbeing and flow with multimedia lessons and proficiency certification upon completion.
Zur Institute — Aging and Positive Psychology
An online course focused on wellbeing and happiness in older adults; counts for continuing education credits and explores positive approaches to aging.
School of Coaching Mastery — Positive Psychology Tools for Coaches
A 12-week practical course teaching coaching tools grounded in positive psychology for professional coaches seeking applied skills and client-ready techniques.
Salt Lake Community College — Intro to Positive Psychology
An accessible 30-hour introduction to core positive psychology concepts and interventions suitable for educators and community practitioners.
International and University Pathways
Many universities and institutes around the world offer graduate certificates, diplomas, masters and practitioner programs in positive psychology and applied wellbeing—from CQUniversity (Australia) and Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) to Colorado State, University of Pennsylvania (MAPP), Claremont Graduate University, LIFE University and others. Program duration, entry requirements and costs vary—consult each provider for current details.
North America
The Flourishing Center (USA, Canada & Online)
The Flourishing Center runs in-person and online CAPP programs across multiple North American cities. The curriculum is structured around PERMA-V and includes trainer-ready materials, continued education and facilitator training.
LIFE University (USA)
LIFE University offers an M.S. in Positive Psychology with tracks in Coaching Psychology and General Positive Psychology, combining online coursework with periodic in-person residencies and contemplative training.
University of Pennsylvania — Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP)
Penn’s MAPP is a one-year, low-residency master’s focused on applying positive psychology principles professionally and academically. It is an established route to advanced study and professional specialization.
Claremont Graduate University (USA)
Claremont offers MAPP specializations and Ph.D. tracks in positive developmental and organizational psychology, with a long history of quality-of-life research and graduate training.
School of Coaching Mastery (ICF-accredited)
An accredited Certified Positive Psychology Coach® program with multiple levels, business development support, and flexible completion times to suit new and experienced coaches.
Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada)
Laurier provides online certificates in Positive Psychology and Positive Education that combine validated measures, interventions and capstone projects to support workplace and educational practice.
The Graduate Institute (Connecticut, USA)
A certificate in Positive Psychology, Emotional Wellbeing & Happiness with a focus on applying evidence-based practices to create healthier individuals and organizations.
South & Latin America
International Applied Positive Psychology (IAPP) — Celappa (Chile)
Celappa offers a postgraduate diploma in applied positive psychology for graduates in social sciences, education or health. The program combines classroom modules, research and applied work in Spanish.
Brazilian Institute of Positive Psychology (BRIPP)
BRIPP delivers education, coaching and leadership development informed by positive psychology across Brazil, with in-person and online options.
Instituto de Bienestar Integral & Wholebeing Institute (Mexico)
A one-year bilingual certificate program combining online modules and two onsite immersions in Mexico, adapted for Spanish-speaking students and featuring international faculty.
Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)
Practical, science-based exercises to help practitioners and educators introduce strengths, gratitude and resilience activities. Download the PDF from the course provider listed on the course page.
Europe
Europe hosts a wide range of short courses, master’s degrees and executive programs in positive psychology and positive leadership. Notable providers include Birkbeck, City University London, University of East London, Bucks New University, Anglia Ruskin (I-MAPP), Maastricht University, Universiteit Twente, IE Business School, University of Bolton, and specialist consultancies such as Positran and Positive Psychology Training (UK).
Highlighted programs
- Positive Psychology Masterclasses and Foundations (UK) — practitioner workshops and online webinars focused on PERMA and applied interventions.
- Anglia Ruskin I-MAPP (Cambridge & Paris) — blended modular learning with international residencies.
- IE Executive Master in Positive Leadership (Madrid) — executive-level study of positive leadership, teams and organizational transformation.
- Universiteit Twente & Maastricht — summer schools and full master’s specializations in positive clinical and organizational psychology.
Asia
Asia offers growing positive psychology training, including Hong Kong Shue Yan University, HKU School of Professional & Continuing Education, the School of Positive Psychology in Singapore, and practitioner certificates and diplomas tailored for educators, HR professionals and coaches across the region.
Australia
Australian offerings include Langley Group Institute’s Diploma of Positive Psychology & Wellbeing, master’s and professional certificates at the University of Melbourne and University of Sydney, and short applied courses at Positive Difference and other providers.
Africa
North-West University (Potchefstroom, South Africa) offers a Master of Positive Psychology (MAPP) focused on cross-contextual applications and research in wellbeing and resilience.
Audio and More
International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA)
IPPA maintains directories of university programs and faculty working in positive psychology—useful for exploring research-led options and academic contacts.
The Happiness Training Plan
A short audio program presenting 12 practical strategies from positive psychology to build daily happiness habits. The content is designed for quick, repeatable practice.
Happier – Positive Psychology App
Mobile apps such as Happier help build gratitude and wellbeing habits using short daily prompts and gratitude journaling exercises.
MOOCs
Massive Open Online Courses are an excellent way to begin learning core concepts in positive psychology. Popular MOOCs include:
- The Science of Happiness (UC Berkeley / Greater Good) — research-based lessons on social connection and meaningful living, free to audit with certificate options.
- Positive Psychology (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via Coursera) — a six-week course covering positive emotions, love, resilience and flourishing.
- Foundations of Positive Psychology (Penn Positive Psychology Center) — a foundational MOOC from leaders in the field; check the center for launch dates.
Summary
Whether you want a short workshop, a professional certificate, a full master’s program (MAPP) or self-paced MOOCs, there are numerous evidence-based options to learn applied positive psychology. These courses teach theory, research methods and—importantly—practical interventions you can implement with clients, students, teams or in your personal life to enhance wellbeing, resilience and flourishing.
Contribute
If you know of additional courses, trainings, webinars, audio programs or MOOCs not listed here, please share details on the course pages or with the program providers so this directory can stay current and useful.
For further reading on doctoral opportunities and MAPP programs, see the noted academic program pages that collect updated information on advanced study in positive psychology.