What You'll Learn
Discover how mental, emotional, and physical health connect through the Positive Psychology and Well-Being Graduate Certificate. In this program, you’ll explore practical ways to manage stress, build resilience, and support healthy habits using proven, research-based strategies. You’ll gain tools you can use in your career — and in everyday life — to help others thrive and improve overall well-being.
Through this certificate program, you’ll:
- Learn how positive psychology and mindfulness influence nutrition, sleep, physical health, and happiness.
- Explore ways to support healthy behavior change through proven psychological approaches.
- Develop the ability to assess and improve mental and physical well-being using both theoretical knowledge and hands-on tools.
- Design and implement a personal or group well-being plan using evidence-based methods
Certificate Courses
To earn the Positive Psychology and Well-Being Graduate Certificate, you complete four courses from the following topic areas.
Mindfulness & Resilience (Choose 1 Course)
Explore the philosophy and science of mindfulness and resilience, including the impacts of mindfulness and resilience on physical and mental health improvement.
Example courses:
- PSYC 1038 Health: A Positive Psychology Approach
- IORP 1501 Lies, Fears, and Expectations: Mindful Work and Life
- RELI 1701 Mindfulness, Meaning, and Resilience
Behavior Change (Choose 1 Course)
Learn through research and practice in behavior change to promote health and positive behaviors in themselves and others.
Example courses:
- PSYC 1023 Habits and Habit Change
- MGMT 4520 The Science of Happiness and Well-Being
- NUTR 105 Nutrition for Health and Life
Electives (Choose 2 Courses)
Explore topics that support a healthy, positive lifestyle.
Example courses:
- PSYC 1609 The Neuroscience of Learning
- PSYC 1440 Sleep and Mental Health
- PHIL 155 Happiness
Searching and Registering for Courses
Available courses vary by term. You can browse options for fall, spring, or summer in the certificate course search within the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.
Career Outlook
As awareness of mental health and well-being grows, so does the need for professionals who can support others in meaningful ways. This certificate combines research-based knowledge with real-world skills you can use to address needs in areas like healthcare, corporate wellness, education, coaching, and counseling. Sample roles include:
- Health and Wellness Coach: Help people build healthier habits through behavior change strategies.
- Corporate Wellness or HR Specialist: Bring mindfulness practices into the workplace to boost well-being and performance.
- Mindfulness or Resilience Trainer: Lead sessions that help individuals and teams manage stress and build resilience.
- Community Health Worker: Support vulnerable groups using tools that promote mental and emotional strength.
- Lifestyle or Executive Coach: Guide clients toward personal and professional goals using proven well-being techniques.
- Social Services Program Coordinator: Apply strategies that strengthen well-being across community programs.
- Program Manager: Use positive psychology to enhance team culture and improve program outcomes.
Earning Your Certificate
Most of our certificates can be completed online and no formal application process is required to pursue a certificate.
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
Stack Your Certificate Into a Degree
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. In the short term, you can earn your Positive Psychology and Well-being Certificate. These four courses may count toward one of the following master’s degrees:
Stackable pathways offer an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2025–26 rate) | $3,440 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,760 |
FAQs
What can you do with a positive psychology certificate?
With a positive psychology certificate, you can increase your impact in an existing role or build expertise to make a career pivot to such roles as health and wellness coach, corporate wellness specialist, or community health worker. You can apply your skills to enhance workplace wellness programs, support mental health initiatives, and foster resilience and positive lifestyle changes in both individual and community settings.
Is positive psychology worth studying?
The graduate certificate provides a competitive edge by equipping you with the ability to integrate scientific insights with practical applications for meaningful contributions in a variety of fields. You’ll leave the program with an understanding of the evidence-based theory behind mindfulness and resilience, including the impacts on physical and mental health improvement. Additionally, you’ll learn how to implement research-based behavior change strategies to promote health and positive behaviors in yourself and others.
