What are the best social work courses on Coursera?

Popular courses include Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change from the University of Michigan and Using Public Policy for Social Change from the University of Michigan . These courses explore topics such as counseling techniques, trauma-informed care, public policy, and advocacy.

Can I learn social work for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many social work–related courses offer a free audit option, giving you access to video lectures and reading materials at no cost. To earn a certificate or complete assessments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a social work course?

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.

Do I need a background in psychology or sociology to take a social work course?

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.

Can Coursera’s social work courses help with career goals?

Yes. While Coursera doesn’t offer a full degree in social work, its courses can help you explore the field, build practical skills, and prepare for further education or roles in social services, counseling , nonprofit work , and community outreach.

Top Social Work Courses - Learn Social Work Online

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Find the Best Social Work Course for Your Goals

Coursera
Creating Engaging Content for Facebook
Skills you'll gain: Facebook, Social Media Content, Content Creation, Social Media Management, Social Media, Content Performance Analysis, Social Media Strategy, Content Strategy, Drive Engagement, Video Production, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Storytelling, Community Development, Workflow Management, Target Audience, Live Streaming
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
SAP
Business Process Modeling and Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Business Process Modeling, Performance Measurement, Process Analysis, Process Mapping, Gap Analysis, Business Process Improvement, SAP Applications, Dashboard, Data Visualization, Root Cause Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, ChatGPT
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Tracking and Reporting
Skills you'll gain: Performance Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Change Management, Performance Measurement, Recruitment, Process Improvement, Business Metrics, Talent Acquisition, Benchmarking, Recruitment Strategies, Continuous Improvement Process
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Work with Gemini Models in BigQuery - 日本語版
Skills you'll gain: Customer Relationship Management, Google Cloud Platform, Generative AI, Big Data, Predictive Modeling, Prompt Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), SQL, Data Analysis
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Work with Gemini Models in BigQuery - 简体中文
Skills you'll gain: Applied Machine Learning, Big Data, Business Intelligence, Generative AI, Customer Relationship Management, Predictive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), SQL, Prompt Engineering, Data Analysis, Python Programming
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
HEC Paris
Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship University Certificate
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Business Strategy, Social Media Strategy, Supplier Relationship Management, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Social Media Marketing, Project Controls, Stakeholder Engagement, Social Media, Product Development, Decision Making, Content Marketing, Process Analysis, Strategic Thinking, Strategic Decision-Making, Business Operations, Business Planning, Lean Methodologies, Innovation
University Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Microsoft
JavaScript Data and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Ajax, Node.JS, React.js, JSON, Javascript, Application Development, Application Programming Interface (API), Web Applications
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera
Content Creation for TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Fractal Analytics
How to Build a Diffusion Model - An Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Image Analysis, Tensorflow, Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Performance Tuning, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Microsoft
Microsoft R Programming for Everyone
Skills you'll gain:
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
LLM Engineering with RAG: Optimizing AI Solutions
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Large Language Modeling, OpenAI, Scalability, Generative AI, Data Integration, Artificial Intelligence, Performance Tuning, Application Development, Application Programming Interface (API)
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Skills you'll gain: Vulnerability Assessments, Operations Management, Data Storytelling, Business Strategy, Design Thinking, Competitive Intelligence, Survey Creation, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Social Justice, Descriptive Statistics, Environment, Business Ethics, Capital Budgeting, Multimedia, Market Opportunities, Marketing Planning, International Relations, Artificial Intelligence, Policy Development, Political Sciences
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years