Ryan M. Niemiec, PsyD, is the author or co-author of nine books, an award-winning psychologist and a widely traveled international speaker. Ryan is the creator of MBSP and has led hundreds of mindfulness groups over the last two decades. As education director of the global nonprofit, VIA Institute on Character, he's a leading voice in the education, research, and practice of character strengths. He lives with his family, which includes three young and zestful children, near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Courses
Wondering how character strengths can play a role in your journey? Whether you are searching for greater happiness or trying to get ahead professionally, our courses help you activate your strengths and provide you with a framework for reaching your goals. Our experts have crafted engaging, informative online courses to help you apply the science of character strengths to your life and work.
Courses for You
On Demand Course
Start with Strengths: Your Path to a Fulfilling Life
Apply science-based practices to activate your strengths, boost happiness and improve well-being.
Bundle
Start with Strengths + Total 24 Report Package
Purchase the Total 24 Report and the Start with Strengths Course together and receive over 15% off.
New
On Demand Course
Positive Relationships Mini-Course
Explore this asynchronous mini-course emphasizing strengths-based strategies to create stronger, more meaningful relationships.
On Demand Course
Mindfulness and Strengths in Daily Life + Mindfulness Report
Learn how to authentically engage with your strengths in everyday experiences.
On Demand Course
Positive Relationships Extended Course
Explore strengths-based strategies to create stronger, more meaningful relationships.
On Demand Course
Navigating Transitions
Discover how to rely on your character strengths to guide you through life changes.
Live Course
Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP)
Learn research-based skills to increase self-awareness, improve relationships and manage problems.
New
Course
Workplaces at Their Best for Individuals - Learning Path
This learning path is the first step to becoming certified as a VIA Strengths-based Workplace Professional. Get every workplace development course for individuals on-demand and work toward your journey to cultivate a strengths-based culture.
New
On Demand Course
Work Relationships at Their Best
This course equips learners with the tools to build authentic, psychologically safe relationships and implement radically candid communication, essential for professional satisfaction and success.
New
On Demand Course
You at Your Best at Work
This introductory course provides essential insights, tools, and resources that act as step-by-step guidance towards a strengths-based approach. Learn to build a culture that enhances employee engagement, performance, and wellbeing.
New
On Demand Course
Teams at Their Best at Work
This course empowers teams to utilize and explore resources, tools, and practices that foster effective collaboration. They will have the opportunity to explore strengths-based practices and activities as a team.
New
On Demand Course
Leaders at Their Best at Work
This course helps current and aspiring leaders discover their authentic strengths-based leadership style and equips them with the tools and strategies for exemplary leadership, enhancing individual well-being and organizational performance.
New
On Demand Course
Change at Its Best at Work
This course will support using your character strengths to navigate and manage change effectively in the workplace.
Courses for Leading Others
Live Course
Become Certified in Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice
For coaches, therapists, counselors, educators, and community leaders who want to bring MBSP to others.
On Demand Course
Character Strengths Interventions: Learning to Unleash What's Best In You and Your Clients
We are partnering with MentorCoach LLC, the leading Positive Psychology coach training school, to present this 8-week unique learning experience.
Are you a professional? You too can use these courses to elevate your work with clients, students or employees.
Learn More
Who These Courses Are For
Whether you're focused on personal growth or professional development, our courses are designed to meet you where you are.
They’re a great fit for:
Individuals looking to better understand and use their character strengths
Coaches, educators, and mental health professionals supporting others
Managers and leaders who are building stronger, strengths-based teams
Anyone navigating life transitions with a desire for lasting tools and insight
How It Works
We’ve made it simple to start learning:
Flexible formats - Choose from self-paced or live courses
Expert-developed - Content created by leaders in psychology and strengths research
Real-life application - Practical tools you can use right away at home or work
Access anytime - Learn at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you need
VIA Course Leaders
Dr. Donna Mayerson
Dr. Donna Mayerson, advisor for the VIA Institute, was Co-Founder of Hummingbird Coaching Services, LLC and Chief Coaching Officer. She was responsible for developing Hummingbird's training model and for maintaining its integrity. She was also Co-Founder of VIA Institute on Character, which has played an important role in helping to establish a new discipline in the field of psychology - positive psychology. In addition to her role as advisor for VIA, she is the director of clinical services with the Ohio Innocence Project providing an array of services and supports to the lawyers, staff, students, and freed clients. She also works through a charitable family foundation with nonprofits in the Cincinnati area.
Who Should Take VIA Character Strengths Courses?
Our character strengths certification and training programs are built for real-life application, no matter where you are in your journey.
These courses are ideal for:
Individuals exploring strengths-based personal development
Coaches, therapists, and educators looking to integrate VIA Character Strengths into their work
Managers and team leaders who want to build strengths-based organizations
Anyone experiencing life transitions and seeking evidence-based tools for growth and character assessment
What Our Learners Say About VIA Strengths Training
Lisa S., MBA, Executive & Leadership Coach
Canada
"This course was a worthwhile investment of my time. It offered a deeper understanding of the foundations of character strengths and their application to real-life client situations. Excellent! I began applying the learnings immediately."
Aml M.
Egypt
"I discovered myself more, gained a deeper understanding of my strengths and positive qualities, and became more focused on my personal growth."
Ashley S.
Kentucky
"This gave me deeper insight into my mental and emotional well-being and helped me gain tools to better understand myself and others."
Ruth Pearce, Keynote Speaker & Coach
North Carolina
"As a long-time user of character strengths and VIA research, I’m seeing a remarkable transformation in how these tools and the supporting science are being made available to practitioners."
- Who are VIA character strength courses designed for?
VIA character strengths courses and certifications are designed for individuals and professionals who want to apply character strengths in meaningful, practical ways. Our courses support personal growth, workplace development, leadership, coaching, education, and organizational change.
Whether you are exploring your own strengths or guiding others through strengths-based work, there is a course designed to meet you where you are.
Today, VIA courses support professionals in over 150 countries who are integrating character strengths into coaching, leadership, education, and organizational culture.
- How do I know which course is right for me?
Our courses range from beginner to advanced levels. Some focus on personal development, while others prepare you to integrate strengths into coaching, consulting, education, or organizational settings.
If you are new to character strengths, we recommend starting with foundational learning like Start with Strengths. If you are already applying strengths in your work, you may be drawn to our certification-level programs. Even our certification courses are designed to be approachable and supportive for beginners, providing clear structure and guidance from the start.
- Do I need prior experience to enroll?
No prior experience is required. There are no prerequisites for any of our courses or certifications.
Our programs are designed to meet you where you are, whether you are brand new to character strengths or already integrating strengths into your work. Each course provides the guidance and structure needed to support your learning at every stage.
- Are VIA character strengths courses research-based?
Yes. All VIA courses are grounded in over 25 years of research on character strengths and positive psychology. The VIA Institute on Character has been advancing the science of character strengths for more than two decades, with over 1,000 peer-reviewed studies supporting the VIA Classification of Character Strengths.
Our programs are built on this global body of research exploring well-being, resilience, performance, and flourishing.
We are committed to translating science into practical tools that can be applied in real-world settings.
- How do VIA courses connect to the VIA Survey?
The VIA Survey is often the starting point for strengths development. It measures your unique profile of character strengths: positive, morally valued personality traits that influence how we think, feel, and behave.
Many of our courses deepen your understanding of your survey results and teach you how to apply character strengths intentionally in daily life and professional settings.
Whether you are exploring your own profile or supporting others in interpreting theirs, our courses provide structured, research-backed guidance for putting strengths into action.
- Can VIA courses be used with teams, schools, clients, or organizations?
Yes. Many of our courses are designed specifically for application in workplaces, schools, coaching relationships, healthcare settings, and community organizations.
Participants learn how to integrate character strengths into team development, leadership practices, culture-building, goal setting, and well-being initiatives.
- What character strengths certification programs does VIA offer?
A VIA character strengths certification is an advanced training program that prepares professionals to confidently apply and teach character strengths in structured, research-backed ways.
VIA currently offers two certification pathways: 1. Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) Certification This certification prepares participants to teach an 8-week evidence-based program that integrates mindfulness and character strengths. Graduates are equipped to guide individuals and groups in cultivating self-awareness, well-being, and strengths-based living.
2. Workplaces at Their Best (WATB) Certification This certification prepares consultants, coaches, and organizational leaders to implement strengths-based strategies within teams and workplaces. Participants learn how to apply character strengths to leadership development, culture-building, engagement, and performance.
Both certifications are grounded in the VIA Classification of Character Strengths and are designed to move beyond awareness into skilled application. Participants leave with practical tools, structured frameworks, and the credibility to bring strengths-based development into professional settings.
- How are VIA courses different from other strengths-based programs?
VIA courses are built on the original, research-backed VIA Classification of Character Strengths, the global standard in strengths science.
Unlike talent-based assessments or personality frameworks, the VIA Classification identifies 24 universal character strengths shared across cultures and supported by global research, strengths that contribute to well-being, meaning, performance, and positive relationships across contexts.
Our approach integrates science, practical application, and personal reflection to help individuals and organizations move from awareness to sustained behavior change.
- Do you offer bulk or team discounts?
Yes. We offer discounted pricing for teams and organizations enrolling multiple participants. Please contact us at info@viacharacter.org to learn more about group pricing options.
- How are courses delivered?
Our course offerings include a mix of:
- Self-paced, on-demand programs
- Live online courses
- Scheduled cohort-based learning experiences
- In-person trainings (select offerings)
Delivery format, time commitment, and access duration vary by course.