One of the most popular online courses ever made, and deservedly so. Laurie Santos walks through what psychology research actually says about happiness, then gives you practices to apply. It is a personal-development course, not a career one, so take it for yourself rather than your CV.
Good for: Anyone who wants evidence-based habits for a happier, more balanced life.
Less suitable if: You want a career or technical skill, or you dislike reflection and journalling exercises.
Realistic time: About 19 hours over roughly three to four weeks, since some exercises run daily.
About this course
The Science of Well-Being is Yale's most popular course ever — it was taken by nearly a quarter of Yale's student body when offered on campus. Laurie Santos covers the psychology research on happiness: what the science says actually makes people happy (spoiler: not what most people think), the cognitive biases that cause us to misjudge what will make us happy, and the evidence-based practices that produce sustained improvement in well-being — gratitude, social connection, meditation, exercise, and sleep.
What you'll learn
Understand what psychological research says actually drives well-being
Recognize cognitive biases that cause systematic mispredictions about happiness
Apply evidence-based practices: gratitude, social connection, and mindfulness
Build habits that produce sustained well-being improvement
Understand the relationship between productivity, focus, and sustainable well-being
This course includes
19h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
You can take the full course for free on Coursera — the 'Full Course, No Certificate' option gives you every lesson and assessment. The certificate needs a paid Coursera subscription, and financial aid is available if you cannot afford it.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for The Science of Well-Being
Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
The certificate is issued through Coursera in partnership with Yale. It is a personal-development credential rather than a professional qualification, so its value is the learning itself more than the certificate.
Instructor
LS
Laurie Santos
Coursera instructor
4.6M+ learners3 courses4.9 instructor rating
Taught by Laurie Santos, Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology at Yale, whose research focuses on comparative psychology and the science of happiness.
Yes. Coursera's 'Full Course, No Certificate' option gives you all the lessons and assessments for free. Only the certificate costs money, and financial aid is available.
For most people, yes. It is grounded in research and the practices are simple to apply. It is about your own life, not your career.
It can, if you do the exercises rather than just watch. Learners often say they start applying the habits within the first couple of weeks.
About 19 hours, but spread over three to four weeks because some practices are daily.
Yes. Almost every lesson references psychology research, and it became Yale's most popular course in its history.
Yes, there is a separate 'Science of Well-Being for Teens'. This one is the original, aimed at adults.