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  2. Political Science

Political Science Courses

Political Science courses can help you learn about government structures, political theories, international relations, and public policy analysis. You can build skills in critical thinking, data interpretation, and effective communication, that support analyzing political systems and crafting informed arguments. Many courses introduce tools like statistical software for analyzing political data, simulation models for understanding electoral processes, and case study methods to evaluate policy impacts.

Popular Political Science Courses and Certifications


  • Y

    Yale University

    Moral Foundations of Politics

    Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Social Justice, Social Studies, Public Policies, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Governance, Sociology, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Liberal Arts, Socioeconomics, Economics

    4.9 stars, 6.1K reviews, Mixed, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.9 (6.1K) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • U

    University of London

    Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World

    Skills you'll gain: Diplomacy, International Relations, Emergency Response, Crisis Intervention, Sustainable Development, Political Sciences, Public Policies, Social Justice, Public Safety and National Security, Governance, Advocacy, Policy Analysis, World History

    4.7 stars, 1.9K reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (1.9K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • U

    Utrecht University

    Inequality and Democracy

    Skills you'll gain: Lobbying, Social Justice, Political Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Socioeconomics, Tax Laws, Civil Law, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy Analysis, Public Affairs, Liberal Arts, Public Policies, Governance, International Finance

    4.7 stars, 77 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (77) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: Free
    Free
  • U

    Università di Napoli Federico II

    Understanding Political Concepts

    Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Critical Thinking, Case Studies, Research, Social Sciences, Governance, Sociology, Interactive Learning, Public Administration, Research Methodologies

    4.8 stars, 31 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.8 (31) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: Preview
    Preview
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  • U

    University of Michigan

    Social Impact & Public Policy

    Skills you'll gain: Policy Analysis, Research, and Development, Community Organizing, Policy Development, Social Justice, Social Work, Public Policies, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Systems, Community Development, Community and Social Work, Political Sciences, Health Policy, Advocacy, Social Impact, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Policy Analysis, Sustainable Business, Strategic Leadership, Systems Thinking, Cultural Diversity

    4.8 stars, 969 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.8 (969) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • What brings you to Coursera today?

  • J

    Johns Hopkins University

    The Mathematics of Democracy, Politics and Manipulation

    Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Social Studies, Social Justice, Public Affairs, Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling, Social Sciences, Public Policies, Game Theory, Demography, Mathematical Modeling, Governance, Decision Intelligence, Combinatorics, General Mathematics, Diversity Awareness, Applied Mathematics

    4.7 stars, 28 reviews, Mixed, Course, 1 - 3 Months

    ★ 4.7 (28) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • S

    Sage Publications

    Advanced Statistical Reporting for Political Science

    Skills you'll gain: Statistical Reporting, Regression Analysis, Research Reports, Report Writing, Statistical Inference, SPSS, Data Presentation, Quantitative Research, Statistical Methods, Statistical Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Software, Statistical Modeling, Logistic Regression, Political Sciences, Research, Research Methodologies, SPSS (Software), Data Visualization, International Relations

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • P

    Pearson

    Introduction to Sociology

    Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Sociology, Culture, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Gerontology, Community Organizing, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Cultural Diversity, Demography, Research, Research Methodologies, Socioeconomics, Cultural Responsiveness, Qualitative Research, International Relations, Social Impact, Diversity Awareness, Cultural Sensitivity

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • P

    Pearson

    The Economy and Politics

    Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Socioeconomics, Economics, Public Policies, Sociology, World History, Public Safety and National Security, Policy Analysis, Economic Development, Systems Thinking, Organizational Structure

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    University of Amsterdam

    Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences

    Skills you'll gain: Qualitative Research, Scientific Methods, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Research, Science and Research, Research Design, Sampling (Statistics), Research Reports, Interviewing Skills, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Research Methodologies, Probability & Statistics, Social Sciences, Statistical Methods, Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference, Statistics, R Programming

    4.6 stars, 8K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.6 (8K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Trending right now
    Trending right now
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • S

    Sage Publications

    Statistical Analysis in Political Science with SPSS

    Skills you'll gain: SPSS, SPSS (Software), Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Data Entry, Data Literacy, Research, Descriptive Statistics, Research Methodologies, Data Analysis, Science and Research, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Research Design, Statistical Software, Statistics, Quantitative Research, International Relations, Data Visualization, Statistical Inference

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • U

    Università di Napoli Federico II

    Global Politics

    Skills you'll gain: International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Studies, Social Sciences, Diplomacy, World History, Governance, Environmental Issue, Cultural Diversity, Research Methodologies, Public Safety and National Security, Economics, Security Strategy, Conflict Management

    4.4 stars, 63 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.4 (63) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Category: Preview
    Preview
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Best free Political Science courses

High-quality free Political Science courses you can start today.

  1. 1
    Moral Foundations of Politics
    Yale UniversityMixed1 - 3 Months4.9(6,117)Free
  2. 2
    Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World
    University of LondonBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(1,924)Free
  3. 3
    Inequality and Democracy
    Utrecht UniversityBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(77)Free

Best Political Science courses from Università di Napoli Federico II

Top-rated Political Science courses offered by Università di Napoli Federico II on Coursera.

  1. 1
    Understanding Political Concepts
    Università di Napoli Federico IIBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.8(31)Università di Napoli Federico II
  2. 2
    Global Politics
    Università di Napoli Federico IIBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.4(63)Università di Napoli Federico II

Best Political Science certificate programs

Earn a certificate in Political Science from top universities and companies.

  1. 1
    Social Impact & Public Policy
    University of MichiganBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(969)Specialization
  2. 2
    Introduction to Sociology
    PearsonBeginner1 - 3 Months4.3(3)Specialization
  3. 3
    Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
    University of AmsterdamBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(7,984)Specialization

Best Political Science courses for beginners

Top-rated beginner-friendly Political Science courses with no prerequisites.

  1. 1
    Advanced Statistical Reporting for Political Science
    Sage PublicationsBeginner1 - 4 WeeksNo prerequisites
  2. 2
    The Economy and Politics
    PearsonBeginner1 - 4 WeeksNo prerequisites
  3. 3
    Statistical Analysis in Political Science with SPSS
    Sage PublicationsBeginner1 - 4 WeeksNo prerequisites

Frequently Asked Questions about Political Science

Political science is the study of governments, political systems, public policy, power, and how people make collective decisions. It often examines topics such as democracy, diplomacy, law, institutions, political behavior, and international relations. Courses like Moral Foundations of Politics from Yale University and Understanding Political Concepts from Università di Napoli Federico II can help you build a foundation in major ideas and frameworks. On Coursera, you can explore political science through courses that connect theory with real-world questions about governance, inequality, diplomacy, and social impact.‎

Political science is used in roles related to public policy, government, diplomacy, research, advocacy, journalism, law, nonprofit work, and international organizations. The subject helps learners analyze institutions, evaluate policy choices, understand political behavior, and communicate complex social issues clearly. Courses such as Social Impact & Public Policy from the University of Michigan and Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World from the University of London and SOAS University of London connect political science concepts to policy and global affairs. Coursera courses can help you build knowledge that supports civic, analytical, and public-facing career paths.‎

Before studying political science, it helps to have basic reading, writing, critical thinking, and communication skills. You do not need an advanced background to begin, but being comfortable comparing arguments, interpreting evidence, and writing clear explanations will make political concepts easier to understand. Learners interested in research may also benefit from basic statistics, which connects well with Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam. Coursera offers both conceptual and methods-focused courses, so you can start with political ideas and add research skills as you progress.‎

Skills that complement political science include data analysis, research methods, statistics, writing, public speaking, economics, history, philosophy, and international relations. These skills can help you evaluate evidence, understand institutions, compare political systems, and explain policy issues to different audiences. The Mathematics of Democracy, Politics and Manipulation from Johns Hopkins University adds a quantitative perspective, while Inequality and Democracy from Utrecht University connects political analysis with social and economic questions. Coursera’s political science selection can help you combine theory, policy, and analytical tools in a practical learning path.‎

A good way to start learning political science is to begin with core concepts, then move into focused areas like democracy, diplomacy, public policy, or political methods. Introductory courses can help you understand terms such as power, legitimacy, institutions, representation, and governance before you take on more specialized topics. Understanding Political Concepts is a useful starting point, while Moral Foundations of Politics introduces major questions about political values and authority. On Coursera, you can choose courses based on whether you want a broad overview, a policy focus, or a deeper look at global politics.‎

Yes. You can start learning political science on Coursera for free in two ways:

  1. Preview the first module of many political science courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera AI (where available).
  2. Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in political science, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎

Good beginner political science courses are usually those that explain key concepts clearly and do not assume much prior knowledge. Options on this page include Understanding Political Concepts from Università di Napoli Federico II, Moral Foundations of Politics from Yale University, and Global Diplomacy: the United Nations in the World from the University of London and SOAS University of London. These courses can help you build vocabulary, compare political ideas, and connect theory to current institutions and global issues. Coursera’s course listings make it easier to compare topics, difficulty levels, and university providers before enrolling.‎

Political science courses typically cover government, democracy, political theory, public policy, international relations, diplomacy, political behavior, inequality, and research methods. Some courses focus on ideas and institutions, while others examine specific regions, mathematical models, or applied policy questions. For example, Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science explores politics through a regional lens, while Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences supports evidence-based research skills. On Coursera, you can find political science courses that range from broad introductions to specialized topics, helping you choose the next step that matches your interests.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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