Course Curriculum
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~ BAILEY LI ~
I am a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur in the college admission counseling business. I enrolled in the Science of Happiness (Proficiency Tier) in January 2021. I was drawn in by the simplicity and logic of the course, which provided me with a clear, big picture of happiness. What I need is a better understanding of happiness so I can strive toward it in the right direction. That’s what sets the course apart from the others. Before taking the course, I was immersed in a wide variety of happiness research and knowledge. The course enabled me to build up a systemic structure.
~ UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT ~ (motion passed 3/21/2022)
This House…welcomes the collaboration between the service and the Pursuit of Happiness project, based in New York, an initiative of a group of psychologists and educators dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge about happiness and depression prevention, with the volunteers being the first students from a university in Scotland to undertake training (the Science of Happiness Course) by the project.
~ JO BECKER ~
"I love The Science of Happiness: Theory and Practice! The Mini-Course is an excellent introduction to the topic with well written, easy to follow content on an easy to use electronic format. I appreciated the background data on depression (and more!) as much as I enjoyed learning about the pioneers of happiness psychology. The current recommendations for a happy life are thoughtful, as is the suggestion to concoct one’s own particular “happiness soup.” Thank you for such a user-friendly, info-packed introductory course that’s effortless to access online any time, anywhere!"
Your Journey Through the Course
Stage One: Introduction
The first stage introduces the scientific pioneers who founded the science of happiness, the three components of well-being, the so-called "habits of happy people," and the methodology used to uncover their secrets.
Stage Two: "Habits of Happy People"
The second stage of the course comprises 7 modules focused on a wide range of life skills that impact our mood, including close relationships, acts of kindness, physical wellbeing, flow, strengths, positive emotions and the discovery of meaning.
Stage Three: Practical Exercises
Each of the eight modules in stage three focuses on practical exercises and reflections providing a hands-on grasp of the theoretical content.
PLUS: Certificate of Completion
Students who complete the course will receive a signed "Certificate of Proficiency" verifying familiarity with the contents.
Pursuit-of-Happiness.org is a volunteer driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of well-being and depression prevention.
Recent scientific studies show that specific life skills can prevent depression, enhance well-being, and even slow down neurodegeneration. Pursuit-of-Happiness offers courses on the new and rapidly unfolding Science of Happiness based on scientific research.
The Team
Narration & Production:
Mark K. Setton, D.Phil., Oxon.
Research Team:
Paul Desan, PhD, Harvard
Anthony Arciero, PhD, George Mason
Saira Qureshi; MA, LMHC
Miguel Toribio-Mateas, PhD, Middlesex
Video Editing:
Fahim Nirob
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Proficiency Certificate Course take to complete?
As long as you like. Each of the videos lasts from 5-10 minutes. The Course is completely self-paced. The practical exercises are optional though we strongly recommend you try out as many as you can. Along with "Prisha's (very funny) Tips," they provide valuable guidance on how to bridge theory and practice.
What's so special about this course?
Firstly, instead of following a particular school of thought, we follow the Science of Happiness as it unfolds. For example, this year, major systematic reviews indicate that:
- Regular, mixed physical exercise generates large quantities of the brain growth hormone BDNF, which protects against both depression and neurodegeneration.
- Walking through rural or urban forested areas, for only 15 mins, alleviates both depression and anxiety
Secondly, our material is drawn from the natural sciences (it covers topics such as "food and mood," sleeping habits, exercise, etc) as well as modern psychology, including Positive Psychology.
How can I benefit from this course?
- 76% of students who practice only one of the "habits of happy people" described in the course, report feeling happier.
- About 50% of our students take the Proficiency Course to improve their personal wellbeing and find relief from depression.
- About 25% of our students are mental health professionals, including counselors, psychologists, nurses, and life coaches, seeking online training on wellbeing and depression prevention.
- The provision of curricula and courses on mental health in schools is a top priority. About 25% of our students are K-12 and university educators.