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
Scrimba
Build AI Apps with LangChain.js
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Application Development, Application Performance Management, Generative AI, Scalability, User Interface (UI), Databases, Maintainability, Data Storage
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
ETL Processing on Google Cloud Using Dataflow and BigQuery
Skills you'll gain: Data Pipelines, Extract, Transform, Load, Dataflow, Data Processing, Scripting, Google Cloud Platform, Big Data, Scripting Languages
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Project · Less Than 2 Hours
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
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Electrical Properties and Semiconductors
Skills you'll gain: Semiconductors, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Components, Electrical Engineering, Electronics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
37 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Computing Project
Skills you'll gain: Cloud Applications, Cloud Computing, Cloud Platforms, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Services, Cloud Infrastructure, Distributed Computing, General Networking
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
39 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
University of Glasgow
Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Industry
Skills you'll gain: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology, Healthcare Ethics, Clinical Trials, Clinical Research, Regulatory Affairs, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Regulatory Compliance, Medical Science and Research, Emerging Technologies, Precision Medicine, Biology, AI Personalization
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Healthy Aging and the Future of Cannabis Research
Skills you'll gain: Gerontology, Public Health, Health Policy, Preventative Care, Medical Science and Research, Health Care, Epidemiology, Geriatrics, Research, General Science and Research, Pharmacology, Clinical Research, Risk Analysis, Chronic Diseases, Data Collection, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
94 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Building React and ASP.NET MVC 5 Applications
Skills you'll gain: ASP.NET, Restful API, .NET Framework, React.js, Data Integration, Responsive Web Design, C# (Programming Language), Secure Coding, Web Applications, Application Programming Interface (API), Front-End Web Development, JavaScript Frameworks, UI Components, Web Services, Javascript, JSON, Server Side, Object-Relational Mapping, Application Frameworks, Back-End Web Development
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Universidade de São Paulo
Biologia do Sono e Saúde Humana
Skills you'll gain: Mental Health, Psychiatry, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Health Care, Pulmonology, Human Development, Human Learning, Biology, Neurology, Cultural Diversity
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
EIT Digital
Approximation Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Graph Theory, Computational Thinking, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science, Linear Algebra
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
33 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
The History of Rocket Science
Skills you'll gain: Manufacturing and Production, World History, International Relations, Business Modeling, Political Sciences, Timelines, Engineering Design Process
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
19 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Michigan State University
Game Design and Development 4: 3D Platformer
Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, C# (Programming Language), Animation and Game Design, Conceptual Design, Microsoft Visual Studio, Computer Programming, Social Studies, Ideation, Socioeconomics, Business Ethics, Peer Review
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

Build AI Apps with LangChain.js: Scrimba
ETL Processing on Google Cloud Using Dataflow and BigQuery: Google Cloud
Java Object Basics: Functions, Recursion, and Objects: Codio
Electrical Properties and Semiconductors: Arizona State University
Cloud Computing Project: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to the Pharmaceutical Industry: University of Glasgow
Healthy Aging and the Future of Cannabis Research: University of Colorado Boulder
Building React and ASP.NET MVC 5 Applications: Board Infinity
Biologia do Sono e Saúde Humana: Universidade de São Paulo
Approximation Algorithms: EIT Digital

Political Science Courses