• 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

    • U

      University of London

      Citizenship and the Rule of Law

      Skills you'll gain: Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Court Systems, Business Ethics, Social Justice, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Legal Proceedings, Case Law, International Relations, Legal Research, Political Sciences, Governance

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      514 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • S

      Stanford University

      Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

      Skills you'll gain: Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Mathematics and Mathematical Modeling, Calculus, Deductive Reasoning, Logical Reasoning

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      D

      DeepLearning.AI

      Natural Language Processing with Classification and Vector Spaces

      Skills you'll gain: Natural Language Processing, Supervised Learning, Dimensionality Reduction, Feature Engineering, Machine Learning Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, Tensorflow, Linear Algebra, Probability & Statistics

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

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • G

      Georgia Institute of Technology

      Introduction to Electronics

      Skills you'll gain: Electronic Components, Semiconductors, Electronics, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronics Engineering, Engineering Analysis, Schematic Diagrams

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.5K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of California San Diego

      Interaction Design

      Skills you'll gain: Design Research, Interaction Design, User Experience Design, Statistical Analysis, Usability, Ideation, User Research, Graphic and Visual Design, User Interface (UI) Design, Experimentation, Prototyping, Human Centered Design, A/B Testing, Usability Testing, User Centered Design, Mockups, Human Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Collaborative Software, Telecommuting

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      S

      Stanford University

      Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms

      Skills you'll gain: Algorithms, Graph Theory, Data Structures, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Analysis, Programming Principles, Probability & Statistics, Probability

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.3K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • M

      McMaster University

      Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential

      Skills you'll gain: Lifelong Learning, Willingness To Learn, Learning Strategies, Growth Mindedness, Mentorship, Adaptability, Professional Development, Personal Development, Productivity, Open Mindset, Resilience, Stress Management, Overcoming Obstacles, Curiosity, Cognitive flexibility

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      13K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • T

      The University of Sydney

      Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health

      Skills you'll gain: Mental Health, Stress Management, Community Mental Health Services, Mindfulness, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Psychiatry, Positivity, Rehabilitation, Resilience, Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Therapies, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Mental and Behavioral Health, Creativity, Self-Awareness, Occupational Therapy, Empowerment, Physical Therapy

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.8K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Arizona

      Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space

      Skills you'll gain: Physical Science, Physics, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Ancient History, Chemistry, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Scientific Visualization, Research, Simulations

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Introduction to Software Engineering

      Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Software Design, Scrum (Software Development), Software Engineering, Agile Methodology, Software Development Methodologies, Unified Modeling Language, Programming Principles, Application Development, Web Development, Python Programming

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.3K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      É

      École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

      Functional Programming in Scala

      Skills you'll gain: Scala Programming, Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, User Interface (UI), Distributed Computing, Programming Principles, Big Data, Software Design, Data Structures, Software Design Patterns, Functional Design, Data Manipulation, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Interactive Data Visualization, Computer Programming, Data Processing, Real Time Data, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Performance Tuning, Algorithms

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      11K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      L

      LearnQuest

      Foundations of Computer Science

      Skills you'll gain: Visual Basic (Programming Language), Database Management, System Software, Databases, Relational Databases, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Network Security, Computer Hardware, SQL, Computer Science, Computer Networking, Computer Programming, Network Protocols, Programming Principles, Software Development, Automation, Analysis, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      111 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Searches related to political science

    chinese politics part 1 – china and political science
    1…262728…637

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

    • Citizenship and the Rule of Law: University of London
    • Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Stanford University
    • Natural Language Processing with Classification and Vector Spaces: DeepLearning.AI
    • Introduction to Electronics: Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Interaction Design: University of California San Diego
    • Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms: Stanford University
    • Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential: McMaster University
    • Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health : The University of Sydney
    • Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space: University of Arizona
    • Introduction to Software Engineering: IBM

    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