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.

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Find the Best Political Science Course for Your Goals

Status: New
Google Cloud
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Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Data Transformation, Google Analytics, Google Cloud Platform, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Big Data, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Lakes, Data Processing, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, SQL, Data Storage, Data Sharing, Data Storage Technologies, Exploratory Data Analysis
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Google Cloud
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Google Cloud
Gemini for end-to-end SDLC - 한국어
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Google Cloud Platform, Development Testing, Application Lifecycle Management, Web Applications, CI/CD, Application Development, Cloud Development, Software Development, Test Case, Generative AI, Query Languages, Debugging, Data Access
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
R Programming Essentials with Microsoft Tools
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, GitHub, Git (Version Control System), Data Manipulation, Software Documentation, R Programming, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Visual Studio, Program Development, Data Import/Export, Statistical Analysis, Development Environment, Integrated Development Environments, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Programming, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Debugging, Data Structures
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Google Cloud
Gemini for end-to-end SDLC - 繁體中文
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Web Applications, Development Testing, Application Development, Web Development, Generative AI, Software Development Life Cycle, Software Development Tools, Application Lifecycle Management, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence
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Google Cloud
Pengantar Analisis Data di Google Cloud
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Visualization Software, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Analytics, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, SQL, Exploratory Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Cloud Storage, Data Warehousing
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Google Cloud
Boost Productivity with Gemini in BigQuery - 繁體中文
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Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Gemini in Google Drive - 简体中文
Skills you'll gain: Google Workspace, Document Management, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering, File Management
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Google Cloud
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Skills you'll gain: Data Security, Security Strategy, Security Management, Information Assurance, Threat Modeling, Security Controls, Infrastructure Security, Security Requirements Analysis, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Threat Detection, Machine Learning
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Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Data Manipulation and Cleaning in R
Skills you'll gain: Data Manipulation, Data Cleansing, Data Wrangling, Data Quality, Tidyverse (R Package), Data Transformation, R Programming, Text Mining, Generative AI, Data Integrity, Data Pipelines
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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Google Cloud
Google Cloud 기반 데이터 분석 입문
Skills you'll gain: Looker (Software), Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Analytics, Big Data, Business Analytics, Google Cloud Platform, Data Visualization Software, Data Transformation, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Data Warehousing, Data Storage, SQL
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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Google Cloud
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Skills you'll gain: Security Strategy, Threat Modeling, Threat Management, Security Requirements Analysis, Information Assurance, Cybersecurity, Security Controls, Data Security, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
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