What are the best social work courses on Coursera?

Popular courses include Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change from the University of Michigan and Using Public Policy for Social Change from the University of Michigan . These courses explore topics such as counseling techniques, trauma-informed care, public policy, and advocacy.

Can I learn social work for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many social work–related courses offer a free audit option, giving you access to video lectures and reading materials at no cost. To earn a certificate or complete assessments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a social work course?

You’ll learn about human behavior, case management, ethics , mental health , community development, and working with diverse populations. Some courses also explore social welfare systems, cultural competency, and techniques for supporting individuals and families in crisis.

Do I need a background in psychology or sociology to take a social work course?

Not necessarily. Many courses are beginner-friendly and introduce key social work concepts from the ground up. More advanced options may be better suited for learners with some experience in social sciences or community service.

Can Coursera’s social work courses help with career goals?

Yes. While Coursera doesn’t offer a full degree in social work, its courses can help you explore the field, build practical skills, and prepare for further education or roles in social services, counseling , nonprofit work , and community outreach.

Top Social Work Courses - Learn Social Work Online

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Find the Best Social Work Course for Your Goals

Coursera Project Network
Flick Social for Beginners: Accelerating Social Media Output
Skills you'll gain: Social Media Campaigns, Social Media Management, Instagram, Social Media Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Keyword Research, Campaign Management, Scheduling, Target Market, User Accounts
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Universidad de los Andes
Desarrollo de Metaversos para todos
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Reality, Virtual Environment, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Animation and Game Design, Interaction Design, 3D Modeling, Cross Platform Development, Content Creation, Business Logic, Emerging Technologies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Démarrer avec Instagram pour les entreprises
Skills you'll gain: Instagram, Content Creation, Social Media Management, Social Media, Drive Engagement, Social Media Content, Social Media Marketing, Customer Engagement
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Dungeon Design Mastery and Advanced Unreal Engine Techniques
Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Virtual Environment, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), 3D Modeling, Computer Graphics, Interactive Design, Animations, Simulations, Design Elements And Principles, Performance Tuning
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Voxy
Beginner English: About You
Skills you'll gain: English Language, Verbal Communication Skills, Language Learning, Interpersonal Communications, Social Skills, Vocabulary, Professional Development, Communication, Personal Development, Grammar, Self-Awareness
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
3D Models with Adobe Photoshop: Design a Pickleball Paddle
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Modeling, Photo Editing, Graphic and Visual Design, Graphic Design, Creative Design, Digital Design, Color Theory, Computer Graphics
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Creating Impactful Data Visualizations with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Prompt Engineering, Interactive Data Visualization, Plotly, Data Visualization Software, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Data Integrity
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
What are GPTs and How can they work for my business?
Skills you'll gain: ChatGPT, Market Research, OpenAI, Business Process Automation, Financial Forecasting, Market Analysis, Innovation, Generative AI, Strategic Thinking, Supply Chain Management, Business Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Prompt Engineering, Strategic Decision-Making, Customer Support, Decision Making, Content Creation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Board Infinity
Cross Platform Mobile Development with React Native
Skills you'll gain: React Native, Mobile Development, Cross Platform Development, Development Environment, User Interface (UI), Performance Tuning, Apple Xcode, Android Studio, Application Programming Interface (API), Data Management, Data Storage, Javascript, Debugging
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Starweaver
Mastering Active Listening in the Global Workplace
Skills you'll gain: Active Listening, Non-Verbal Communication, Empathy, Rapport Building, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Sensitivity, Professional Development, Leadership, Collaboration, Teamwork, Conflict Management, Cultural Diversity, Communication
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Créer du contenu pour les réseaux sociaux avec Piktochart
Skills you'll gain: Instagram, Social Media Content, LinkedIn, Social Media, Facebook, Content Creation, User Accounts
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Packt
Agile Scrum Master Certification Exam Prep (CSM)
Skills you'll gain: Team Building, Agile Project Management, Sprint Planning, Backlogs, Team Management, Agile Methodology, Sprint Retrospectives, Project Risk Management, Meeting Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement, Continuous Improvement Process
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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social work practice: advocating social justice and change

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular social work courses

Flick Social for Beginners: Accelerating Social Media Output: Coursera Project Network
Desarrollo de Metaversos para todos: Universidad de los Andes
Démarrer avec Instagram pour les entreprises: Coursera Project Network
Dungeon Design Mastery and Advanced Unreal Engine Techniques: Packt
Beginner English: About You: Voxy
3D Models with Adobe Photoshop: Design a Pickleball Paddle: Coursera Project Network
Creating Impactful Data Visualizations with Generative AI: Coursera Instructor Network
What are GPTs and How can they work for my business?: Coursera Instructor Network
Cross Platform Mobile Development with React Native: Board Infinity
Mastering Active Listening in the Global Workplace: Starweaver

Social Work Courses