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

Find the Best Political Science Course for Your Goals

Status: Free Trial
ISAE-SUPAERO
Flight mechanics - Lift and trajectory
Skills you'll gain: Risk Control, Vibrations, Safety Assurance, Mechanics, Engineering Analysis, Simulations, Mathematical Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
64 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Clean and analyze social media usage data with Python
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Matplotlib, Marketing Analytics, Web Scraping, Social Media Marketing, Python Programming, Social Media, Pandas (Python Package), Text Mining, Trend Analysis, Data Analysis, Data Wrangling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Jupyter
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Software Testing for Developers
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Cucumber (Software), Postman API Platform, Software Testing, Behavior-Driven Development, Test Tools, Selenium (Software), Test Driven Development (TDD), Unit Testing, Acceptance Testing, Performance Testing, Functional Testing, Test Automation, Usability Testing, Application Programming Interface (API), User Interface (UI), Test Case, API Design
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Mastering Data Analysis with Pandas: Learning Path Part 3
Skills you'll gain: Pandas (Python Package), Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Integration, Python Programming, Data Transformation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
MedCerts
Pharmacy Law, Emergency Preparedness, and Biopharmaceutics
Skills you'll gain: Medical Privacy, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceuticals, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Healthcare Ethics, Medication Dispensation, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Infectious Diseases, Health Information Management, Emergency Response, Public Health, Regulatory Compliance
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Project Network
Python for Data Visualization: Matplotlib & Seaborn
Skills you'll gain: Matplotlib, Histogram, Plot (Graphics), Data Visualization, Seaborn, Scatter Plots, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Visualization, Graphing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
67 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Glasgow
Data mining of Clinical Databases - CDSS 1
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, ICD Coding (ICD-9/ICD-10), Clinical Data Management, Data Mining, Descriptive Analytics, Database Design, Electronic Medical Record, Precision Medicine, Patient Flow, Predictive Analytics, Data Ethics, Biostatistics, SQL, Interoperability, Machine Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Beer Quality: Foam
Skills you'll gain: Laboratory Testing, Chemistry, Product Testing, Process Control, Manufacturing Processes, Microbiology, Physics
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
27 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Using Rapid Prototyping in the Engineering Design Process
Skills you'll gain: Engineering Design Process, Engineering Drawings, Prototyping, Drafting and Engineering Design, Mechanical Drawings, Computer-Aided Design, Technical Drawing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
LearnQuest
Test-Driven Development
Skills you'll gain: Continuous Delivery, Test Driven Development (TDD), Unit Testing, Continuous Deployment, Continuous Integration, CI/CD, Agile Methodology, Test Automation, Code Review, Maintainability, Software Development, Mockups, Software Development Methodologies, Test Case, Development Testing, Software Testing, Integration Testing, Debugging, Python Programming, Version Control
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Build Your First React Website (Part II)
Skills you'll gain: React.js, JavaScript Frameworks, UI Components, User Interface (UI)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
56 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Java Basic Structures: Arrays, Strings, and Files
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Java Programming, Java, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), File Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks