• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Political Science

    Political Science Courses

    Political science courses can help you learn how governments function, how policies are made, and how political systems shape societies around the world.

    Skip to search results

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *

    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *

    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Complete graduate-level learning without committing to a full degree program.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Find the Best Political Science Course for Your Goals

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      The University of Edinburgh

      Introduction to Philosophy

      Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Social Studies, Research, Science and Research, Psychology, Scientific Methods, Policy Analysis, Ethical Standards And Conduct

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New AI skills
      New AI skills
      G

      Google

      Google Cybersecurity

      Skills you'll gain: Threat Modeling, Network Security, Threat Management, Incident Response, Vulnerability Management, Computer Security Incident Management, Hardening, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Cyber Attacks, Cybersecurity, Network Protocols, Cloud Security, Vulnerability Assessments, Threat Detection, Bash (Scripting Language), Operating Systems, Security Controls, Debugging, Python Programming

      Build toward a degree

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      51K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Amsterdam

      Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences

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

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.7K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Introduction to Psychology

      Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Mental and Behavioral Health Specialties, Child Development, Mental Health, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Neurology, Biology, Scientific Methods

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      31K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Financial Markets

      Skills you'll gain: Investment Banking, Risk Management, Financial Market, Financial Regulation, Financial Services, Finance, Business Risk Management, Securities (Finance), Financial Policy, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Capital Markets, Behavioral Economics, Banking, Corporate Finance, Governance, Investments, Insurance, Underwriting, Derivatives, Market Dynamics

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      31K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Amsterdam

      Introduction to Communication Science

      Skills you'll gain: Culture, Interpersonal Communications, Media and Communications, Liberal Arts, Social Studies, Research, Ancient History, Anthropology, European History, Qualitative Research, Research Methodologies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.9K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Writing in the Sciences

      Skills you'll gain: Grant Writing, Peer Review, Technical Writing, Technical Communication, Writing, Scientific Methods, Journals, Editing, Research, Media and Communications, Ethical Standards And Conduct

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.4K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      The Science of Well-Being

      Skills you'll gain: Personal Development, Positive Behavior Support, Goal Setting, Resilience, Self-Awareness, Behavioral Economics, Adaptability, Mental Health, Productivity, Psychology, Social Skills, Mindfulness

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      39K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      N

      Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

      Introduction to Forensic Science

      Skills you'll gain: Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Scientific Methods, Chemistry, Investigation, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Laboratory Testing, Pathology, Microbiology

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      A Crash Course in Data Science

      Skills you'll gain: Data Science, Data Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Project Design, Performance Metric, Software Engineering, Machine Learning, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Inference

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      8.3K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Child Nutrition and Cooking

      Skills you'll gain: Nutrition Education, Cooking, Nutrition and Diet, Food and Beverage, Food Safety and Sanitation, Child Health, Working With Children, Community Health, Parent Communication

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      10K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • I

      IBM

      Applied Data Science

      Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Data Manipulation, Seaborn, Data Import/Export, Predictive Modeling, Web Scraping, Automation, Data Science, Python Programming

      Build toward a degree

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      58K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Searches related to political science

    chinese politics part 1 – china and political science
    1234…631

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular political science courses

    • Introduction to Philosophy: The University of Edinburgh
    • Google Cybersecurity: Google
    • Methods and Statistics in Social Sciences: University of Amsterdam
    • Introduction to Psychology : Yale University
    • Financial Markets: Yale University
    • Introduction to Communication Science: University of Amsterdam
    • Writing in the Sciences: Stanford University
    • The Science of Well-Being: Yale University
    • Introduction to Forensic Science: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
    • A Crash Course in Data Science: Johns Hopkins University

    Why Learn Political Science?

    Political science explores power, governance, public policy, and global affairs—examining how decisions are made and how they affect people’s lives. It combines critical thinking, research, and communication to understand political systems and social change. Learning political science can help you engage more deeply in civic life, pursue careers in law or policy, and analyze issues shaping the world today.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Political Science

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.

    Other topics to explore

    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Business
    1095 courses
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Health
    471 courses
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Technical Skills

    • ChatGPT
    • Coding
    • Computer Science
    • Cybersecurity
    • DevOps
    • Ethical Hacking
    • Generative AI
    • Java Programming
    • Python
    • Web Development

    Analytical Skills

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Big Data
    • Business Analysis
    • Data Analytics
    • Data Science
    • Financial Modeling
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft Power BI
    • SQL

    Business Skills

    • Accounting
    • Digital Marketing
    • E-commerce
    • Finance
    • Google
    • Graphic Design
    • IBM
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Social Media Marketing

    Career Resources

    • Essential IT Certifications
    • High-Income Skills to Learn
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • Career Development Resources
    • Career Aptitude Test
    • Share your Coursera Learning Story

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Manage Cookie Preferences
    Learn Anywhere
    Download on the App Store
    Get it on Google Play
    Logo of Certified B Corporation
    © 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Coursera Facebook
    • Coursera Linkedin
    • Coursera Twitter
    • Coursera YouTube
    • Coursera Instagram
    • Coursera TikTok