THE LEARNING PATH / SEVEN LEVELS OF DATING WELL
Start a Newbie.
Become a Master.
Twenty-one small courses. Seven earned distinctions. A much better answer to “so, what are you looking for?”
Prices are in USD. Level I is free after campus sign-in. Review enrollment and gift options below.
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21 courses · Newbie level free
Self-Presentation
The Profile, Honestly
Six photos, one bio and the radical idea of looking like yourself. Your fourth picture does not need to be a fish.
Free · Start learning →Communication
The Opening Line
'Hey' is a greeting, not a personality. Write a first message that someone actually wants to answer.
Free · Start learning →Connection & Chemistry
Emotional Baggage, Carry-On Only
Everyone brings a suitcase. The goal is carry-on size, not the whole moving truck with your ex's hoodie in it.
Free · Start learning →Logistics & Safety
The First Date, Planned by an Adult
'Let's hang out sometime' is not a plan. Choose a place, a time and a way out, like someone who has done this before.
Included in the full curriculum →Self-Presentation
Dressed for the Date
Your favorite T-shirt from 2009 has done enough. Dress like you made an effort, not like you lost a bet.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Safety First, Chemistry Second
Meeting a near-stranger from the internet is normal now. Doing it sensibly is still an advanced skill.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Conversation, Not Interrogation
Asking twenty questions in a row is a job interview. Make it a conversation someone actually enjoys.
Included in the full curriculum →Self-Presentation
Talking About Yourself, in Moderation
Somewhere between a closed book and a three-hour autobiography is a person worth a second date.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
The Bill, the Goodbye and the Follow-Up
The date ends in a moment of mild panic about money, hugs and texting. Let's make it one of mild competence.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Texting Between Dates
The three-day rule is dead. So is the 47-message morning. Find the rhythm between ghost and golden retriever.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
The Second Date Glow-Up
The first date broke the ice. The second is a chance to do something together and discover what feels good to you both.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Rejection, with Dignity (Both Directions)
Everyone gets turned down and everyone turns someone down. Let's do both without ghosting, sulking or a 900-word essay.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
Chemistry, with Consent
Sparks are great. Checking the other person also wants sparks is greater. For grown-ups; nothing explicit; no persuasion tricks.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Romance Without the Script
Always make the first move, always pay, never show feelings, read minds. Who wrote this script? Let's edit it.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Red Flags, Green Flags and Beige Flags
Some warnings deserve a door. Some quirks deserve a laugh. Learn which is which before you name the cat together.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
"So… What Are We?"
The most feared five words in dating. A calm, useful guide to the talk that turns 'seeing someone' into 'together'.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
Meet the Friends, Then the Family
The group chat has already reviewed your photos. Now meet them in person, then the family, and survive the family photo album.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Money, Dating and Who Pays for What
Romance runs on feelings. Dinner runs on money. Talk about it before one of you is quietly paying for everything.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
The Big Conversations, Before the Big Commitments
Children, cities, careers and cats. Discuss them before you've both bought the same sofa.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Your First Real Disagreement
A disagreement can happen in a real relationship. Learn to handle ordinary friction with care, and recognize when safety matters more than a better argument.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
Master of Modern Romance
The final practicum: bring it all together, keep being curious, and choose the next chapter that fits you.
Included in the full curriculum →No courses in this particular field.
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LEVEL 01 / Show up. Start small.
Newbie
Getting ready to date: profiles, first messages, and emotional readiness.
Start here · all three courses free · 3 coursesSelf-Presentation
The Profile, Honestly
Six photos, one bio and the radical idea of looking like yourself. Your fourth picture does not need to be a fish.
Free · Start learning →Communication
The Opening Line
'Hey' is a greeting, not a personality. Write a first message that someone actually wants to answer.
Free · Start learning →Connection & Chemistry
Emotional Baggage, Carry-On Only
Everyone brings a suitcase. The goal is carry-on size, not the whole moving truck with your ex's hoodie in it.
Free · Start learning →LEVEL 02 / Own the whole plan.
Apprentice
The first date: planning, dressing, and getting home safely.
Unlock after completing Newbie · 3 coursesLogistics & Safety
The First Date, Planned by an Adult
'Let's hang out sometime' is not a plan. Choose a place, a time and a way out, like someone who has done this before.
Included in the full curriculum →Self-Presentation
Dressed for the Date
Your favorite T-shirt from 2009 has done enough. Dress like you made an effort, not like you lost a bet.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Safety First, Chemistry Second
Meeting a near-stranger from the internet is normal now. Doing it sensibly is still an advanced skill.
Included in the full curriculum →LEVEL 03 / Listen. Understand. Act.
Practitioner
On the date: conversation, curiosity, and the goodbye.
Unlock after completing Apprentice · 3 coursesCommunication
Conversation, Not Interrogation
Asking twenty questions in a row is a job interview. Make it a conversation someone actually enjoys.
Included in the full curriculum →Self-Presentation
Talking About Yourself, in Moderation
Somewhere between a closed book and a three-hour autobiography is a person worth a second date.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
The Bill, the Goodbye and the Follow-Up
The date ends in a moment of mild panic about money, hugs and texting. Let's make it one of mild competence.
Included in the full curriculum →LEVEL 04 / Make room for us.
Specialist
Between dates: texting, second dates, and rejection.
Unlock after completing Practitioner · 3 coursesCommunication
Texting Between Dates
The three-day rule is dead. So is the 47-message morning. Find the rhythm between ghost and golden retriever.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
The Second Date Glow-Up
The first date broke the ice. The second is a chance to do something together and discover what feels good to you both.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Rejection, with Dignity (Both Directions)
Everyone gets turned down and everyone turns someone down. Let's do both without ghosting, sulking or a 900-word essay.
Included in the full curriculum →LEVEL 05 / Care without conditions.
Expert
Chemistry, consent, old scripts, and the flags in between.
Unlock after completing Specialist · 3 coursesConnection & Chemistry
Chemistry, with Consent
Sparks are great. Checking the other person also wants sparks is greater. For grown-ups; nothing explicit; no persuasion tricks.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Romance Without the Script
Always make the first move, always pay, never show feelings, read minds. Who wrote this script? Let's edit it.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Red Flags, Green Flags and Beige Flags
Some warnings deserve a door. Some quirks deserve a laugh. Learn which is which before you name the cat together.
Included in the full curriculum →LEVEL 06 / Become a 'we'.
Distinguished Fellow
Defining the relationship, meeting your people, and money.
Unlock after completing Expert · 3 coursesCommunication
"So… What Are We?"
The most feared five words in dating. A calm, useful guide to the talk that turns 'seeing someone' into 'together'.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
Meet the Friends, Then the Family
The group chat has already reviewed your photos. Now meet them in person, then the family, and survive the family photo album.
Included in the full curriculum →Logistics & Safety
Money, Dating and Who Pays for What
Romance runs on feelings. Dinner runs on money. Talk about it before one of you is quietly paying for everything.
Included in the full curriculum →LEVEL 07 / A practice. Not a finish line.
Master
Big conversations, considerate disagreements, and everyday connection.
Unlock after completing Distinguished Fellow · 3 coursesCommunication
The Big Conversations, Before the Big Commitments
Children, cities, careers and cats. Discuss them before you've both bought the same sofa.
Included in the full curriculum →Communication
Your First Real Disagreement
A disagreement can happen in a real relationship. Learn to handle ordinary friction with care, and recognize when safety matters more than a better argument.
Included in the full curriculum →Connection & Chemistry
Master of Modern Romance
The final practicum: bring it all together, keep being curious, and choose the next chapter that fits you.
Included in the full curriculum →Ready for the full curriculum?
Newbie: free. All three courses, exams and retakes. Pass all three to earn your Newbie diploma and DC badge.
All 21 courses: US$5.99. The full Dating, with Honors. program includes both optional editions, course certificates and seven level diplomas.
Small lessons. Earned distinctions.
- Five lessons and a five-question exam in each course.
- Four correct answers to pass; retakes are included.
- Pass all three courses to complete a level and progress.
- For His & Her courses, either edition counts. Taking both earns an extra certificate.
YOUR COURSES. YOUR READING LIST.
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Add The Field Guide for Dating in PDF + EPUB. Courses + book: US$12.99, saving US$2.99.
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For adults 18+. Education and entertainment, not therapy. Certificates, diplomas and badges are novelty awards, not accredited qualifications.
Useful dating advice. A little campus perspective.
Read our gift ideas for single friends, compare a dating book with an online course, or try a few first-date conversation starters.
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