Question 1

Is the Certificate in Happiness Studies an ICF Level 1 or Level 2 program?

Accepted Answer

No. The CiHS earns 40 ICF Recertification CCE credits, which apply toward credential renewal for existing ACC, PCC, and MCC holders. It is not an ICF Level 1 or Level 2 program and does not provide a pathway to an initial ICF credential. Coaches seeking their first ICF credential should complete an ICF Level 1-accredited training program instead.

Question 2

Who teaches the Certificate in Happiness Studies?

Accepted Answer

The entire program is taught by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, every lecture and every live webinar, across all 12 months. Ben-Shahar holds a PhD from Harvard, taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard's history, and has authored books translated into more than 30 languages. The program provides direct access to his thinking and synthesis, not a faculty interpretation of his work.

Question 3

What is the SPIRE model?

Accepted Answer

SPIRE stands for Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional wellbeing, the five interconnected dimensions Dr. Ben-Shahar synthesized from the happiness science research base. The CiHS curriculum teaches each dimension individually and maps their interaction at four levels: individual, interpersonal, organizational, and national. For coaches, SPIRE provides a practical framework for client conversations about wellbeing that covers more ground than any single-domain tool.

Question 4

How much does the Certificate in Happiness Studies cost?

Accepted Answer

The program costs $3,900 USD. Periodic discounts are available; check happinessstudies.academy for current pricing and any active discount codes before enrolling.

Question 5

In what languages is the Certificate in Happiness Studies available?

Accepted Answer

The program is available in eight languages: English, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese, and Portuguese. Participants from more than 90 countries have completed it, and the multilingual delivery creates a genuinely international cohort across all language tracks.

Question 6

Is there live interaction with Dr. Ben-Shahar or is the program self-paced?

Accepted Answer

Both. Core content is delivered through pre-recorded lectures released weekly, approximately four 15-minute segments per week. Live webinars with Dr. Ben-Shahar are scheduled throughout both courses for direct engagement, questions, and discussion. All recorded content comes with lifetime access after enrollment.

Question 7

How much time per week does the Certificate in Happiness Studies require?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 3 to 4 hours per week across 12 months. This includes around one hour of pre-recorded lectures, a live webinar, and optional guided meditations, visualization exercises, and journaling. It is structured for working professionals and is not a full-time commitment.

Question 8

What do I receive upon completing the Certificate in Happiness Studies?

Accepted Answer

Graduates receive a Certificate in Happiness Studies from the Happiness Studies Academy and 40 ICF Recertification CCE credits. The credits apply toward the 40 hours required for three-year renewal of ICF credentials (ACC, PCC, MCC).

Question 9

What does a Certificate in Happiness Studies tell me about a coach who holds it?

Accepted Answer

It tells you the coach has completed a 12-month academic program in the science of happiness, taught by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar and organized around the SPIRE model covering Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional wellbeing. They have studied the evidence base on human flourishing across five domains and learned how to apply those frameworks in coaching and facilitation contexts. The certificate earns 40 ICF CCE recertification credits, meaning it is continuing education rather than initial coach training. A coach with this credential may be well-suited for clients whose goals involve wellbeing, life satisfaction, meaning, or balance. Because it is not a core coaching certification, ask also about their foundational coach training and any ICF, AC, or EMCC credentials they hold separately.

Question 10

What should I ask a CiHS-trained coach before hiring them?

Accepted Answer

Because the Certificate in Happiness Studies is continuing education rather than a core coaching certification, start by asking about their foundational coaching training and any professional credentials they hold, such as an ICF ACC, PCC, AC membership, or similar. Then ask how they apply the SPIRE model in practice: can they describe a specific way they have used it with clients, or is it primarily a conceptual lens? Ask what they typically help clients work toward, to gauge whether their specialty aligns with your goals. If your goals centre on wellbeing, purpose, life satisfaction, or balance, a coach with this credential alongside solid core training may be a strong fit. If your goals are primarily performance or career-focused, confirm they have experience in that territory too.

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