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

Coursera Project Network

Introduction to JavaScript

Skills you'll gain: Javascript, User Interface (UI), Web Development, Web Development Tools, Scripting, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Status: Free Trial

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Gameplay en videojuegos

Skills you'll gain: Video Game Development, Game Design, Unity Engine, Animation and Game Design, User Interface (UI), Usability, Computer Graphics, Multimedia, C# (Programming Language), Scripting

Universidade de São Paulo

Off the Clock: The Many Faces of Time

Skills you'll gain: Timelines, Cultural Diversity, Anthropology, Liberal Arts, Psychology, Environmental Science, Physics, Biology

Status: Free Trial

Google Cloud

Architecting with Google Kubernetes Engine: Foundations en Español

Skills you'll gain: Kubernetes, Containerization, Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Services, Application Deployment, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Management, Docker (Software), Cloud Computing, YAML

Status: New

Status: Free Trial

Edureka

Applied Data Analytics

Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Matplotlib, Data Visualization Software, Web Scraping, Probability Distribution, Predictive Modeling, Seaborn, Statistical Visualization, SQL, Plotly, Interactive Data Visualization, Statistical Inference, Pandas (Python Package), Database Management, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Databases

Status: Free Trial

Dartmouth College

Question Reality: Cosmos

Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, General Science and Research, Physics, Physical Science, Experimentation, Ancient History, Vibrations, Mechanics, World History, European History, Deductive Reasoning, Applied Mathematics

Status: Free Trial

Arizona State University

Zn and Ni Based Batteries

Skills you'll gain: Chemistry, Electrical Systems, Chemical Engineering, Energy and Utilities, Electronics, Manufacturing Processes, Environmental Science

Status: Free Trial

Scrimba

Open-source AI Models

Skills you'll gain: Open Source Technology, JavaScript Frameworks, Generative AI, Application Frameworks, Data Ethics, Web Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing

Coursera Project Network

Typescript in React: Get started

Skills you'll gain: TypeScript, Javascript, React.js, Debugging, Integrated Development Environments, Web Development Tools

Yonsei University

Disaster Risk Management and Korean Policies

Skills you'll gain: Disaster Recovery, Mitigation, Public Safety and National Security, Risk Management Framework, Emergency Response, Policty Analysis, Research, and Development, Geospatial Information and Technology, Policy Development, Public Policies, Environmental Policy, Geographic Information Systems, Systems Thinking, Governance

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

Status: Free Trial

Duke University

Cloud Data Engineering

Skills you'll gain: Cloud-Native Computing, Software Engineering, Distributed Computing, Cloud Storage, Extract, Transform, Load, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Serverless Computing, Cloud Technologies, Data Pipelines, Amazon Web Services, Command-Line Interface, Data Processing, Continuous Integration, Python Programming, Data Governance, Rust (Programming Language), Unix Commands

Political Science Courses

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