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

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Find the Best Political Science Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Introduction to JavaScript Programming
Skills you'll gain: Debugging, Data Validation, Javascript, Data Structures, Scripting, Program Development, Programming Principles, Web Development Tools, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Development Environment, Maintainability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Master of Science in Engineering Management
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of London
International Foundation Programme for Computer Science (IFP)
Skills you'll gain:
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Certificado en Introducción a la Ciencia de Datos
Skills you'll gain: Predictive Analytics, Unsupervised Learning, Data Cleansing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Science, Descriptive Analytics, Supervised Learning, Regression Analysis, Scientific Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Processing, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Pandas (Python Package), Data Visualization Software, Statistical Machine Learning, Data Manipulation, Statistical Visualization, Machine Learning
Credit offered
Mastertrack · 6 - 12 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft SQL Server
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft R Programming for Everyone
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Google Cloud
Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - 繁體中文
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Continuous Monitoring, MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning Methods, Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Quality, Automation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Relational Database Design and Advanced Querying
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Course
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Magíster en Ciencia de Datos
Skills you'll gain: Revenue Management, Data Ethics, Customer Analysis, Descriptive Analytics, FinTech, Database Design, People Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Biostatistics, Predictive Analytics, Statistical Reporting, Unsupervised Learning, Digital Transformation, Deep Learning, Risk Analysis, Bayesian Statistics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Cloud Security, Network Model, Data Visualization
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Web Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Applications, Javascript, Web Development, Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Event-Driven Programming, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Data Validation, Data Storage
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
JavaScript Data and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Application Programming Interface (API), JSON, Restful API, Web Applications, Software Testing, Performance Tuning, Unit Testing, Debugging, Maintainability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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, Microsoft Copilot
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular political science courses

Introduction to JavaScript Programming: Microsoft
Master of Science in Engineering Management: Northeastern University
International Foundation Programme for Computer Science (IFP): University of London
Certificado en Introducción a la Ciencia de Datos: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Microsoft SQL Server: Microsoft
Microsoft R Programming for Everyone: Microsoft
Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) with Vertex AI: Model Evaluation - 繁體中文: Google Cloud
Relational Database Design and Advanced Querying: Microsoft
Magíster en Ciencia de Datos: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Web Development Fundamentals: Microsoft

Political Science Courses