Certificate Overview
The Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate equips you to analyze the psychological forces driving human thought, emotion, and action. In four online courses, you’ll explore neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and developmental psychology, and the evidence-based frameworks that connect psychological theory to real-world behavior.
Designed for professionals and learners seeking to apply psychological insights in clinical, educational, business, or social settings, this fully online certificate develops the analytical foundation to interpret human behavior across contexts. You’ll learn from faculty with expertise across various psychological disciplines.
97%
Of certificate earners would recommend the program
88%
Reported being prepared for their next careers steps
Skills You'll Gain
Through the Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate, you’ll learn to:
- Analyze human behavior using psychological theories related to motivation, emotion, personality, and cognitive bias. You’ll build the conceptual foundation to interpret why people think, feel, and act as they do.
- Apply psychological concepts and evidence-based frameworks to clinical, educational, business, and social contexts — connecting theory to practice across a range of professional settings.
- Evaluate interpersonal and intrapersonal thought processes and their influence on behavior, decision-making, and relational dynamics across individual and group contexts.
- Interpret evidence-based approaches to understanding and treating psychological conditions — examining how clinical psychology informs diagnosis, intervention, and mental health practice.
- Examine emerging research in areas such as resilience, creativity, and mental health to stay current with developments shaping psychological science and its applications.
Career Outcomes
Topics in Human Behavior certificate earners are employed at organizations like:
- Action for Boston Community Development
- California Department of Healthcare Services
- NY Peace Institute
- New York Times
- Momentum Education
They hold roles such as:
- Social and Human Services Assistant
- General Manager
- Postsecondary Teacher
- Counselor
- Social Worker
Courses
The Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate includes four online courses:
- Foundations in Human Behavior
- 3 elective courses
Prerequisite Knowledge
Prior introductory coursework in psychology is assumed. If you do not have this background, we recommend you start with PSYC 15 Introduction to Psychology. This course will not apply to the certificate, but it will prepare you for success in your certificate courses.
Upcoming Term: Fall 2026
Enroll in your first certificate course this fall — no application required.
Pre-registration opens July 6. Registration opens July 20 at 9 a.m. ET.
Featured Faculty
Beth Frates, MD
Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School
Nancy Hebben, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School
Adam Smith, Ph.D.
Global Business Psychologist, Global Talent Management, TJX Companies
Bobbi Wegner, PsyD
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Groops
Stackable Certificates and Degrees
Stackable credentials allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements.
If you pursue a master’s degree in one of the following two fields, you can earn this graduate certificate along the way by completing courses that fulfill both certificate and degree requirements:
Of certificate earners, 76% stacked certificate courses toward a degree.
This approach allows you to deepen your understanding of human behavior while making measurable progress toward your graduate degree.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
To have access to such amazing professors and thought-provoking course content has truly been a gift.
Topics in Human Behavior Graduate Certificate
Tuition
Support and Resources
Access to career resources, including webinars, advising, and career fairs
Weekly virtual office hours with the student advising team
Affiliate membership in the Harvard Extension Alumni Association
Earning Your Certificate
If you take two courses per semester, you can complete your certificate in 8 months. If you prefer a more flexible pace, you have up to three years to finish.
There is no formal application required. You simply register for each course.
To meet the requirements for the certificate:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete all courses within three years of starting your first eligible certificate course.
Courses taken before the 2019–20 academic year do not apply toward this certificate.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
FAQs
Is this certificate a pathway to a Ph.D. program?
No. This certificate is not intended to prepare you for admission to a Ph.D. program. Instead, it provides a foundation in the subject area for learners interested in expanding their knowledge or applying it in professional contexts.
