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

Test your Angular web application using Jasmine and Karma

Skills you'll gain: Angular, Web Development Tools, Unit Testing, Software Testing, UI Components, Web Applications, User Interface (UI)

Status: Free Trial

Google Cloud

Gemini for Application Developers

Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Cloud Development, Google Cloud Platform, Software Development Tools, Application Development, Integrated Development Environments, Prompt Engineering, Cloud Services, Code Review

Status: Free Trial

Vanderbilt University

Microservice Architectures

Skills you'll gain: Microservices, Application Deployment, Software Architecture, Scalability, Service Oriented Architecture, Java Programming, Distributed Computing, Load Balancing, Continuous Deployment, Software Design, Maintainability, Dependency Analysis, Interoperability

Universidades Anáhuac

Introducción a la Robótica e Industria 4.0

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Robotic Process Automation, Automation, Internet Of Things, Emerging Technologies, Business Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Data Analysis Software, Cybersecurity, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Data Collection, Real Time Data, Programming Principles, Data-Driven Decision-Making

Coursera Project Network

Learn Object-Oriented Programming with PHP

Skills you'll gain: PHP (Scripting Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Object Oriented Design, Software Design Patterns, Maintainability

Status: Free Trial

SkillUp EdTech

Practice Exam for Tableau Certified Data Analyst

Skills you'll gain: Tableau Software, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Dashboard, Business Intelligence, Interactive Data Visualization

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Search Engines for Web and Enterprise Data

Skills you'll gain: Web Analytics and SEO, AI Personalization, Semantic Web, Algorithms, Query Languages, Network Analysis, Text Mining, Information Architecture, Performance Testing, Natural Language Processing, User Research, Data Structures, Business Modeling, Graph Theory, Applied Machine Learning

Status: Free Trial

Google Cloud

Hybrid Cloud Modernizing Applications with Anthos

Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, Serverless Computing, Kubernetes, Application Deployment, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Continuous Deployment, Cloud Applications, Microservices, Continuous Integration, Google Cloud Platform, Containerization, Event-Driven Programming, Scalability

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Anatomy & Physiology: Fluids, Transport, and Defense

Skills you'll gain: Cardiology, Anatomy, Patient Evaluation, Pathology, Biology, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Infectious Diseases

EIT Digital

Advanced Recommender Systems

Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Feature Engineering, Dimensionality Reduction, Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Supervised Learning, Predictive Modeling, Algorithms, Performance Tuning, Data Analysis

Status: Free Trial

Università di Napoli Federico II

Python: Istruzioni per l’uso

Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Python Programming, Computer Programming, Scripting Languages, Scripting, Programming Principles, Data Management, Functional Design, Debugging, Database Management, Data Structures, File Management, Databases

Coursera Project Network

Scikit-Learn to Solve Regression Machine Learning Problems

Skills you'll gain: Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Predictive Modeling, Regression Analysis, Machine Learning Algorithms, Applied Machine Learning, Python Programming, Machine Learning, Random Forest Algorithm

Political Science Courses

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