The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) Global is proud to announce the availability of its online short course, Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness, designed to give anyone, regardless of academic background, practical, evidence-based tools to build a more fulfilling life.

The course is available now and runs in three quarterly intakes throughout 2026, with the next class beginning 1 July. It is entirely self-paced, requires 50 hours of study, and is priced at R3,700 (or R925 x 4 via PayFlex).

Enrol today at global.sacap.edu.za .
Why Happiness Is Worth Studying
Happiness is not merely a pleasant feeling. It is measurable, teachable, and consequential. Research has shown that positive emotional content is significantly related to longevity, with individuals expressing more positive emotions living, on average, 10 years longer than those expressing fewer positive emotions.. This is not a self-help claim; it comes from decades of peer-reviewed research.
Cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal research demonstrates that positive emotions are associated with numerous benefits related to health, work, family, and economic status. Positive psychology, the discipline underpinning this course, takes that evidence seriously and turns it into practical, learnable skills.
Positive psychology helps to foster happiness and emotional wellness by helping people capitalise on their strengths, heighten their gratitude and awareness, connect to others, and develop the wisdom needed to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
What the Course Covers
Developed by a team of psychology experts at SACAP Global, the course covers six core areas grounded in current research:
Introduction to positive psychology grounds learners in the neuroscience and cultural history of happiness, providing a strong conceptual foundation. From there, the course moves into core theories, exploring how frameworks like Seligman's PERMA model can be applied in real life.
A dedicated module on character strengths and virtues helps learners identify and leverage their personal strengths to build resilience and engagement. The course then addresses positive emotions and well-being, teaching evidence-based strategies such as gratitude journaling and acts of kindness.
Research shows that writing about one's gratitude for others for as little as 10 minutes a day for four weeks is associated with higher life satisfaction, greater inspiration for change, and increased feelings of connection in relationships.
These are the kinds of accessible, science-backed practices the course equips learners with.
The course also covers mindfulness and resilience: skills that researchers at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital have linked to measurable changes in areas of the brain associated with fear and related emotions.
The final module encourages learners to explore meaning and purpose, and to develop a personalised well-being plan they can carry forward into their daily lives.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for everyone. There are no academic entry requirements. Anyone aged 18 or older can enrol. Whether you are a working professional looking to manage stress more effectively, a caregiver wanting to support others, or simply someone curious about what the science says about living well, this course is structured to meet you where you are.
From 74 studies involving 10,000 participants and spanning 24 years of research, positive psychology interventions showed a higher proportion of significant effects on psychological well-being and physical health outcomes. The tools you will learn in this course are not theoretical abstractions, they are techniques with a documented track record.
Learner Jaydine Middleditch, who completed the course, described it as "a truly transformative journey" that deepened her understanding of well-being and resilience, and helped her cultivate "a more intentional, purpose-driven approach to daily life."
Flexible, Accessible Learning
The course is delivered entirely online and on demand, meaning learners can move through the material at a time and pace that suits their schedule. Upon completion, learners receive a digital certificate of completion issued by SACAP Global: an institution with a well-established reputation in applied psychology education in South Africa.
SACAP Global: Discover Science of Happiness
If you have ever wondered what genuine, lasting happiness looks like and how to build more of it, this course offers a rigorous, research-backed answer.