Is Yale’s Science of Well-Being Course Really Worth Your Time? A Deep Dive into One of Coursera’s Most Popular Classes
If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “how to be happier” or chasing habits that never quite stick, then you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not the first. That’s part of what makes The Science of Well-Being, Yale University’s groundbreaking online course on happiness, so intriguing. But is it actually worth carving out time from your busy schedule to take it?
I went deep on the curriculum, reviews, and research to break it down for you.
Let’s find out if this course can actually make you happier.
What Is The Science of Well-Being?
The Science of Well-Being is a free online course offered by Yale University and hosted on Coursera. Taught by Professor Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist and psychologist, the course dives into the behavioral science behind why we’re often wrong about what will make us happy—and what we can actually do to change that.
The course explores:
- Common misconceptions about happiness
- The unintended mental habits that lower our well-being
- Practical, scientifically proven strategies for becoming happier
Over 4 million people have enrolled so far, making it one of the most enrolled online psychology courses of all time.
Inside the Course: What You’ll Learn
The course is divided into ten modules, which are designed to be completed over ten weeks (but you can go at your own pace).
Here’s a glimpse at what each module covers:
- Introduction to the course and Professor Santos’ background
- Busting myths about happiness (more money, better looks, and success don’t equal happy lives)
- Why our expectations around happiness are often unrealistic
- How to overcome mental biases and thinking errors
- Activities that actually increase well-being (backed by research)
- Putting happiness strategies into practice
- Deep dive into overcoming psychological biases
- Learning how to accept difficult emotions
- Habits that create lasting change
- Final challenges to test what you’ve learned
One unique element of the course is the addition of “rewirement” activities—simple, repeatable actions designed to rewire your habits and improve happiness over time.
Is It Based on Real Science?
Yes. Unlike wellness gurus dishing out feel-good mantras, this course is rooted in hard research. Santos integrates findings from positive psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience. Tools like the PERMA Profiler and Authentic Happiness Inventory are used so learners can actually measure their own well-being quantitatively.
Bonus: Everything is heavily cited and peer-reviewed. This isn’t just what “feels good”—it’s what works, according to published research.
Who Is This Course Best For?
The Science of Well-Being is perfect if you:
- Struggle with motivation or self-doubt
- Want to boost your overall mood or emotional health
- Are curious about psychology or neuroscience
- Like free, flexible online learning
- Are looking for beginner-friendly content that’s still backed by science
On the flip side, if you’ve already taken courses in positive psychology or read books like The Happiness Advantage or Grit, some content might feel familiar. That doesn’t make it less useful—it just might not be brand new.
Real Reviews from Real Learners
Here’s what actual students are saying:
“This course was really interesting! I loved it. The teacher was amazing and very engaging.” — Coursera learner
“Awesome course. Many people suffer from depression and this course is great to understand and shift your state of mind.” — Verified reviewer
But not everyone was 100% satisfied:
“I found some of the concepts repetitive if you’ve already read popular psychology books.”
“The course content is good, but it’s basically a collection of recorded lectures. Not much interactivity.”
So, if you’re someone who thrives on live discussions or personalized feedback, the self-paced video format might feel a bit static.
How Much Does It Cost?
There’s some great news here:
- The course is 100% free to audit. You get full access to video lessons and all materials.
- If you want a certificate, it’s $49—which may help beef up your resume or LinkedIn profile.
- It’s also included in Coursera Plus, Coursera’s subscription model that gives you unlimited access to thousands of courses for $399/year.
Given the value packed into the course, and the reputation of Yale University, this is a low-cost (or no-cost) investment with a potentially high return.
Comparing It to Other Courses
While The Science of Well-Being is one of the most well-known courses in its niche, it’s not the only player on the field.
Here are other popular options:
- Foundations of Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
- Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills, University of Pennsylvania
- The Path to Happiness, Harvard University
Each has its strengths. But what makes Yale’s course stand out is accessibility: the perfect mix of strong academic rigor and user-friendly content, available absolutely free to anyone around the world.
Drawbacks and Downsides
Nothing is perfect. Here are a few things to consider before clicking “enroll”:
- Content may feel introductory if you’re already deep into psychological research
- The Coursera platform has had some reported bugs
- Not a lot of real-time interaction or community engagement
That said, if you’re self-motivated and open to practicing rewirement habits, those issues are easy to overlook.
Final Thoughts: Should You Take This Course?
The short answer: Yes.
The Science of Well-Being is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of happiness is not selfish—it’s science. And now, thanks to online platforms like Coursera, it’s more accessible than ever.
Whether you’re looking for a mood boost, a deeper understanding of your mind, or a new way to build healthier habits, this course offers the clarity and tools you need to thrive.
With no cost to get started, why not at least give it a try?
Reference:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being
Tags: Yale online course, Science of Well-Being review, happiness psychology course, free positive psychology course, Coursera well-being course