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  2. Social Science

Social Science Courses for Beginners

Beginner social science courses can help you learn research methods, data analysis, and foundational theories in sociology, psychology, and political science. You can build skills in critical thinking, understanding human behavior, and analyzing social structures. Many courses introduce tools such as surveys, statistical software, and qualitative analysis techniques, allowing you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and gain insights into societal trends and issues.

Popular Beginner Social Science Courses and Certifications


  • U

    University of California, Davis

    Computational Social Science

    Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Social Network Analysis, Data Wrangling, Natural Language Processing, Web Scraping, Data Cleansing, Social Sciences, Data Ethics, Databases, Artificial Intelligence, Research, Social Media Analytics, Simulations, Big Data, Applied Machine Learning, Data Preprocessing, Social Studies, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Machine Learning

    4.6 stars, 1.3K reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.6 (1.3K) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    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, Research, Descriptive Statistics, Research Methodologies, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Research Design, Statistical Software, Statistics, Data Manipulation, Statistical Reporting, Data Analysis Software, International Relations, Data Visualization, Statistical Inference

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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

    Pearson

    Introduction to Sociology

    Skills you'll gain: Sociology, Culture, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Gerontology, Community Organizing, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Cultural Diversity, Demography, Research, Research Methodologies, Socioeconomics, Social Impact, Social Studies, Economics, Education and Training, Media and Communications, Environmental Issue, Psychology, Trend Analysis

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
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  • C

    Council on Foreign Relations

    Global Affairs Explained

    Skills you'll gain: International Relations, Diplomacy, World History, Political Sciences, Public Policies, Policy Analysis, Public Health, Governance, Social Sciences, Economics, Environmental Policy, Information Technology, Climate Change Mitigation, Emerging Technologies, Influencing, Decision Making, Strategic Thinking, Artificial Intelligence

    4.4 stars, 18 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.4 (18) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
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  • U

    University of California, Davis

    Computational Social Science Methods

    Skills you'll gain: Social Network Analysis, Social Sciences, Social Studies, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Simulations

    4.7 stars, 357 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.7 (357) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • 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, Community and Social Work, Health Policy, Advocacy, Culture Transformation, Social Impact, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Community Outreach, Policy Analysis, Sustainable Business, Leadership Studies, Strategic Leadership, Systems Thinking, Cultural Diversity

    4.8 stars, 970 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

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

    Category: New
    New
    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • T

    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 2

    Skills you'll gain: Research Design, Research Methodologies, Science and Research, Social Sciences, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Institutional Review Board (IRB), Survey Creation, Statistical Analysis, Data Collection, Higher Education, Correlation Analysis, Sample Size Determination, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Academic Advising, Probability & Statistics, Regression Analysis, Informed Consent

    4.7 stars, 20 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

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

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • D

    Duke University

    Climate Science for Everyone

    Skills you'll gain: Climate Change Mitigation, Environmental Issue, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Pollution Prevention

    4.9 stars, 30 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.9 (30) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • T

    The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

    Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1

    Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Research Design, Research, Research Methodologies

    4.7 stars, 52 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 3 Months

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

    Category: Preview
    Preview
  • U

    University of California, Davis

    Digital Technology and Social Change

    Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Innovation, Responsible AI, Digital Communications, Machine Learning, digital literacy, Digital Analysis, Blockchain, Process Development, AI literacy, Social Impact, Technology Strategies, Data Storage, Artificial Intelligence, Media and Communications, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Artificial Neural Networks, Emerging Technologies, Social Media, Generative AI

    4.6 stars, 41 reviews, Beginner, Specialization, 3 - 6 Months

    ★ 4.6 (41) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
  • D

    Dartmouth College

    Environmental Science

    Skills you'll gain: Environment, Environmental Issue, Environmental Science, Systems Thinking

    4.7 stars, 360 reviews, Beginner, Course, 1 - 4 Weeks

    ★ 4.7 (360) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Status: Free trial
    Free trial
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Best free Social Science courses

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

  1. 1
    Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 2
    The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(20)Free
  2. 2
    Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1
    The Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyBeginner1 - 3 Months4.7(52)Free

Best Social Science courses from University of California, Davis

Top-rated Social Science courses offered by University of California, Davis on Coursera.

  1. 1
    Computational Social Science
    University of California, DavisBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(1,310)University of California, Davis
  2. 2
    Computational Social Science Methods
    University of California, DavisBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.7(357)University of California, Davis
  3. 3
    Digital Technology and Social Change
    University of California, DavisBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(41)University of California, Davis

Best Social Science certificate programs

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

  1. 1
    Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences
    University of AmsterdamBeginner3 - 6 Months4.6(7,986)Specialization
  2. 2
    Introduction to Sociology
    PearsonBeginner1 - 3 Months4.5(4)Specialization
  3. 3
    Global Affairs Explained
    Council on Foreign RelationsBeginner3 - 6 Months4.4(18)Specialization

Best Social Science courses for beginners

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

  1. 1
    Statistical Analysis in Political Science with SPSS
    Sage PublicationsBeginner1 - 4 WeeksNo prerequisites
  2. 2
    Social Impact & Public Policy
    University of MichiganBeginner3 - 6 Months4.8(970)No prerequisites
  3. 3
    Climate Science for Everyone
    Duke UniversityBeginner1 - 4 Weeks4.9(30)No prerequisites

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