What are the best political science courses on Coursera?

Top options include Political Economy of Institutions and Development from Universiteit Leiden , Moral Foundations of Politics from Yale University , and Understanding Political Concepts from the Università di Napoli Federico II . These courses explore political theory, governance , global politics, and public institutions.

Can I study political science for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many political science courses offer a free audit option, which allows you to access video lectures and readings at no cost. To complete assignments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a political science course?

You’ll learn how governments function, how political systems are structured, and how public policy is created and implemented. Topics may also include political ideologies, international relations , comparative politics, and the role of institutions and citizens in shaping political outcomes.

Do I need a background in history or law to take a political science course?

No prior background is required for most introductory courses . Many are designed for general learners and start with foundational concepts. More advanced or specialized courses may build on prior knowledge in law , economics , or history .

Can Coursera’s political science courses help with academic or career goals?

Yes. These courses are valuable for learners preparing for university study, professionals in public service, educators, or anyone interested in policy , governance , or international affairs. Earning a certificate can support applications for academic programs or enhance your understanding of current global issues.

Top Political Science Courses - Learn Political Science Online

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

Semantic Segmentation with Amazon Sagemaker

Skills you'll gain: AWS SageMaker, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Image Analysis, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Amazon S3, Applied Machine Learning, Application Deployment, Machine Learning Algorithms, Data Processing, Computer Vision

Status: New

Status: Free Trial

Microsoft

Blazor for Front-End Development

Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Copilot, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, UI Components, Performance Tuning, Front-End Web Development, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, Server Side, Data Validation, Debugging

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Network Principles in Practice: Linux Networking

Skills you'll gain: Network Troubleshooting, Linux, Kubernetes, Network Architecture, Network Administration, Computer Networking, Docker (Software), TCP/IP, Network Routers, Software-Defined Networking, Network Routing, Containerization, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Model, Virtualization, Firewall, Network Protocols

Universidad de Palermo

Object-Oriented Programming with Java

Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Software Design, Software Design Patterns, Programming Principles

Jordan University of Science and Technology

Object Oriented Development using C#

Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, C# (Programming Language), Data Structures, Software Development, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Debugging, Development Testing, Query Languages

Status: Free Trial

Interactive Brokers

ESG Investing: Financial Decisions in Flux

Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Corporate Sustainability, Investment Management, Financial Market, Investments, Financial Data, Market Trend, Market Analysis, Business Ethics, Regulatory Compliance, Environmental Issue, Capital Markets, Risk Analysis, Governance, Financial Services, Fixed Asset, Financial Analysis, Data Collection, Equities, Due Diligence

Coursera Project Network

ChatGPT 4o for Beginners: Create Social Media Content

Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Content Creation, Workflow Management, Generative AI, Operational Efficiency, Quality Improvement, Social Media Content, Brainstorming, Artificial Intelligence

Coursera Project Network

Create a Supermarket app using Java OOP

Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Java, Java Programming, Software Design, Software Testing, Application Development

MongoDB Inc.

MongoDB Aggregation Framework

Skills you'll gain: Data Transformation, MongoDB, Data Manipulation, Data Processing, Data Integration, NoSQL, Data Migration, Database Systems, Data Analysis, Query Languages, Unstructured Data, Data Structures, Network Analysis, Machine Learning

Coursera Instructor Network

Algorithmic Solutions: Design, Problem Solving, Reporting

Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Technical Communication, Pseudocode, Computational Thinking, Solution Design, Programming Principles, Software Design, Theoretical Computer Science, Data Structures, Problem Management, Computer Science

University of Colorado Boulder

Be Your Best Creative Self

Skills you'll gain: Brainstorming, Creativity, Personal Development, Professional Development, Branding, Self-Awareness, Collaboration, Constructive Feedback, Empowerment, Reliability, Productivity, Communication

Status: Free Trial

University of Michigan

Learning Experience Design: Development and Evaluation

Skills you'll gain: Multimedia, Instructional Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Educational Materials, Learning Management Systems, Professional Development, Quality Assurance, Communication, Emerging Technologies

Political Science Courses

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