The University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the online education platform Coursera, launched a specialization certificate program, “Foundations of Positive Psychology.”

The five-course series offers theories and research in the field of positive psychology, as well as opportunities for application. Martin Seligman, founding director of Penn’s Positive Psychology Center, along with colleagues from the center and from Fels Institute of Government, will lead the quintet.

“Positive psychology teaches learners that human beings can have more happiness now than they do, more engagement at work and with the people they love, more meaning in their lives and more positive accomplishment,” Seligman said.

Unlike single Coursera courses, specializations offer participants the opportunity to explore a new subject as well as earn a certificate. The online courses for “Foundations of Positive Psychology” include:

• “Positive Psychology: Martin E.P. Seligman’s Visionary Science,” taught by Martin Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and director, Positive Psychology Center
• “Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions,” taught by James Pawelski, director of education and senior scholar, Positive Psychology Center
• “Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods,” with Angela Duckworth, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology and scientific director, The Character Lab, as well as Claire Robertson-Kraft, director of Fels’ ImpactED
• “Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills,” taught by Karen Reivich, director of resilience and positive psychology training programs, Positive Psychology Center
• “Positive Psychology Specialization Project,” with Seligman

“This specialization is relevant to anyone seeking greater wellbeing at work or in his or her personal life,” said Jackie Candido, senior director of program design & delivery for Arts & Sciences Online Learning. “It features traditional Coursera quizzes as well as peer reviews and a dedicated teaching assistant who is involved with learners throughout the program.”

The first three courses are now available on Coursera. “Resilience Skills” will become available in April 2017 and “Positive Psychology Specialization Project” will become available in May 2017. To learn more, please visit the Foundations of Positive Psychology page on Coursera.

“Foundations of Positive Psychology” is a collaborative effort across multiple divisions of the School of Arts & Sciences including the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, the Positive Psychology Center and Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, Arts & Sciences Online Learning and Arts & Sciences Professional and Organizational Development.