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

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Systèmes d’Information Géographique - Partie 2

Skills you'll gain: GIS Software, Spatial Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Spatial Data Analysis, Augmented Reality, Data Mapping, Color Theory, Data Processing, Database Management

Status: Free Trial

L&T EduTech

Planning of Metro Rail Systems

Skills you'll gain: Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Systems, Transportation Operations, Building Information Modeling, Construction Management, Structural Engineering, Architectural Design, Quality Assurance, Emerging Technologies, Safety and Security

Status: Free Trial

University of London

Responsive Website Development and Design Capstone

Skills you'll gain: User Experience Design, Wireframing, Persona (User Experience), Ideation, Technical Communication, Prototyping, Web Development, User Research, Software Development Life Cycle, Usability Testing, Web Design, Application Development, Responsive Web Design, Version Control, Brainstorming, Application Programming Interface (API)

Status: Free Trial

LearnQuest

The Java Language

Skills you'll gain: Java Programming, Java, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Computer Programming, Object Oriented Design, Development Environment

Status: Free Trial

University of California, Davis

Predictive Models for Toxic Chemical Releases

Skills you'll gain: Chemical Engineering, Hazard Communication (HazCom), Safety Assurance, Process Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Pollution Prevention, Environmental Engineering, Engineering Calculations, Risk Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics

Nanjing University

走进天文学

Skills you'll gain: General Science and Research, Physical Science, Research, Research Methodologies, Physics, Scientific Methods, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Chemistry, Laboratory Equipment

Duke University

ART of the MOOC: Arte Público y Pedagogía

Skills you'll gain: Community Development, Student Engagement, Social Justice, Community Organizing, Social Sciences, Art History, Public Policies, Pedagogy, Liberal Arts, Interactive Learning, Media and Communications, Advocacy, Cultural Diversity, Performing Arts, Culture, Creativity, Political Sciences

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Linux Embedded System Topics and Projects

Skills you'll gain: Agile Methodology, Scrum (Software Development), Software Testing, Embedded Systems, Software Development Methodologies, Docker (Software), Git (Version Control System), Containerization, System Programming, Linux, C++ (Programming Language), Internet Of Things, IBM WebSphere MQ, File Systems

Yale University

The Worldview of Thomas Berry: The Flourishing of the Earth Community

Skills you'll gain: Environmental Science, Environment, Environment and Resource Management, Social Studies, Liberal Arts, Cultural Diversity, Systems Thinking, World History, Storytelling, Education and Training

Microsoft

Developing with GitHub Copilot and VS Code

Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Copilot, Integrated Development Environments, Microsoft Visual Studio, Software Development Tools, Application Development, Artificial Intelligence, Web Development Tools, GitHub, Debugging, HTML and CSS

Status: Free Trial

National Taiwan University

工程圖學 3D CAD

Skills you'll gain: SketchUp (3D Modeling Software), 3D Modeling, Computer-Aided Design, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Computer Graphics, Graphical Tools, Architectural Design

Coursera Project Network

Cervical Cancer Risk Prediction Using Machine Learning

Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Predictive Modeling, Matplotlib, Data Import/Export, Pandas (Python Package), Applied Machine Learning, Data Visualization Software, NumPy, Data Manipulation, Machine Learning

Political Science Courses

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