Social work courses can help you learn case management, community outreach strategies, crisis intervention techniques, and the principles of social justice. You can build skills in effective communication with clients, conducting needs assessments, and developing intervention plans tailored to diverse populations. Many courses introduce tools like assessment frameworks, data analysis software, and client management systems, that support tracking progress and evaluating the impact of social work initiatives.

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Social Work, Community and Social Work, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Human Services, Advocacy, Cultural Sensitivity, Diversity Awareness, Research, Policty Analysis, Research, and Development, Systems Thinking, Ethical Standards And Conduct
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Toronto
Skills you'll gain: Community Mental Health Services, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Health Disparities, Mental Health, Social Determinants Of Health, Socioeconomics, Culture, Cultural Diversity, Medical History Documentation, Family Support, Caregiving
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Child Development, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Human Development, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Neurology, Critical Thinking, Scientific Methods, Problem Solving
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

American Psychological Association
Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental and Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Trauma Care, Mental Health, Psychiatric Assessments, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Health, Psychological Evaluations, Pharmacology, Diagnostic Tests, Neurology, Cultural Diversity, Patient Treatment, Epidemiology, Patient Evaluation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Policy Analysis, Policy Development, Social Justice, Advocacy, Public Policies, Political Sciences, Health Policy, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Determinants Of Health, Program Evaluation, Community and Social Work, Public Administration, Case Studies, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Research, Problem Solving
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Johns Hopkins University
Skills you'll gain: Triage, Crisis Intervention, Active Listening, Rapport Building, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Psychiatric Assessments, Interpersonal Communications, Personal Care, Mental Health, Stress Management, Patient Referral
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Wesleyan University
Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Psychology, Persuasive Communication, Sociology, Behavior Management, Conflict Management, Interpersonal Communications, Research, Diversity Awareness, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Experimentation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Work, Public Policies, Cultural Diversity, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Data Collection, Research
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California, Santa Cruz
Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Advocacy, Sociology, Social Sciences, Jury Trial, Case Studies, World History, Labor Law
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Toronto
Skills you'll gain: Relationship Building, Social Skills, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Needs Assessment, Assertiveness, Psychology, Cultural Diversity
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Grammar, Peer Review, Editing, Writing, Proofreading, Organizational Skills, Research, Report Writing, Research Methodologies, Critical Thinking, English Language, Writing and Editing, Style Guides
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Yale University
Skills you'll gain: Growth Mindedness, Health And Wellness Coaching, Behavioral Health, Positive Behavior Support, Goal Setting, Resilience, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychology, Social Skills, Mindfulness
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Browse the social work courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
Yes. You can start learning social work on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in social work, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
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.‎
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.‎