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

Universidad de los Andes

Introducción al análisis de sistemas de control con MATLAB

Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Matlab, Systems Analysis, Simulations, Systems Design, Differential Equations, Applied Mathematics, Linear Algebra

Status: Free Trial

LearnQuest

Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) and the Jakarta Persistence API (JPA)

Skills you'll gain: Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Object-Relational Mapping, Application Servers, Middleware, Application Deployment, Enterprise Architecture, Server Side, Transaction Processing, Business Logic

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

Build an Automated Landing page using AI from Wix ADI

Skills you'll gain: Email Marketing, Lead Generation, Marketing Automation, Social Media Marketing, Copywriting, Automation, Web Design and Development

University of California San Diego

Algal Blooms and Proliferations

Skills you'll gain: Water Resources, Pollution Prevention, Food Safety and Sanitation, Environmental Issue, Laboratory Testing, Environmental Monitoring, Public Health, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology

Johns Hopkins University

Generative AI and Symbolic Reasoning

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Large Language Modeling, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Prompt Engineering, Natural Language Processing

Status: Free Trial

Codio

Java Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects

Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Documentation, Java, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Computational Thinking

Status: New

Packt

Building Autonomous AI Agents with LangGraph

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI Agents, Agentic systems, OpenAI, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Query Languages, User Interface (UI), Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, Software Architecture, UI Components, Natural Language Processing, Python Programming, Human Machine Interfaces, Application Frameworks, Automation, Development Environment

Status: Free Trial

Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Disaster Risk

Skills you'll gain: Failure Analysis, Risk Analysis, Risk Modeling, Risk Management, Project Risk Management, Analysis, Disaster Recovery, Systems Analysis, Vulnerability Assessments, Simulation and Simulation Software, Qualitative Research

EIT Digital

Approximation Algorithms

Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Graph Theory, Computational Thinking, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science, Linear Algebra

Status: Free

Coursera Project Network

Deep Learning with PyTorch : Object Localization

Skills you'll gain: PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Image Analysis, Computer Vision, Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning

Status: Free Trial

Edureka

Power BI for Data Science and Analytics

Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Business Intelligence, Data Modeling, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Dashboard, Data Storytelling, Text Mining, Data Science, Performance Metric, Data Cleansing, Image Analysis, Data Transformation, Data Manipulation, Natural Language Processing

Status: New

Whizlabs

Exam Prep DP-600: Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer

Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Microsoft Azure, Data Lakes, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Azure Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Modeling, Data Governance, Data Warehousing, Data Analysis, Analytics, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Import/Export, Data Integration, Real Time Data, Data Transformation, Data Management, Data Architecture, Data Pipelines, SQL

Political Science Courses

Filter by

Subject
Required

Language
Required

Learning Product
Required

Level
Required

Duration
Required

Skills
Required

Subtitles
Required

Educator
Required

Find the Best Political Science Course for Your Goals

Introducción al análisis de sistemas de control con MATLAB

Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) and the Jakarta Persistence API (JPA)