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

    Critical Thinking Courses Online

    Master critical thinking skills for analyzing and evaluating information. Learn to make reasoned decisions and solve complex problems.

    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 your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.

    Level
    Required
     *

    Duration
    Required
     *

    Skills
    Required
     *

    Subtitles
    Required
     *

    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Critical Thinking Course Catalog

    • U

      University of Minnesota

      Preparing to Manage Human Resources

      Skills you'll gain: Human Resource Strategy, Human Resources, Human Capital, Compensation Management, People Management, Employee Performance Management, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Labor Law, Employee Engagement

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

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of California, Santa Cruz

      C, Go, and C++: A Comprehensive Introduction to Programming

      Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Go (Programming Language), Debugging, C (Programming Language), Data Structures, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design Patterns, Object Oriented Design, Code Review, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Unit Testing, Algorithms, Command-Line Interface, Program Development, Integrated Development Environments, Software Testing, Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Graph Theory

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.4K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Moral Foundations of Politics

      Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Policy Analysis, Social Justice, Social Sciences, European History, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Governance, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Socioeconomics, Economics

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • I

      IBM

      Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks

      Skills you'll gain: Malware Protection, Identity and Access Management, Incident Response, Cybersecurity, Computer Security Incident Management, Network Security, Threat Management, Threat Detection, Cyber Attacks, Authentications, Distributed Denial-Of-Service (DDoS) Attacks, Security Awareness, Security Controls, Infrastructure Security, Authorization (Computing), Multi-Factor Authentication

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      16K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of California, Santa Cruz

      Coding for Everyone: C and C++

      Skills you'll gain: C++ (Programming Language), Debugging, C (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Software Design Patterns, Code Review, Data Structures, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Command-Line Interface, Programming Principles, Program Development, Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Integrated Development Environments, Graph Theory, Artificial Intelligence, Software Technical Review, File Systems, Game Design

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.4K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • I

      IBM

      People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success

      Skills you'll gain: Active Listening, Problem Solving, Collaboration, Presentations, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Interpersonal Communications, Teamwork, Conflict Management, Creative Problem-Solving, Constructive Feedback, Creative Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, Virtual Teams, Social Skills, Professional Development, Public Speaking, Persuasive Communication, Client Services, Ability To Meet Deadlines, Verbal Communication Skills

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • L

      Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

      Competitive Strategy and Organization Design

      Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Customer Retention, Business Research, Business Strategy, Organizational Structure, Organizational Strategy, Peer Review, Game Theory, Strategic Thinking, Competitive Analysis, Strategic Partnership, Product Strategy, Report Writing, Business Consulting, Growth Strategies, Organizational Effectiveness, Strategic Decision-Making, Management Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Compliance Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.7K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Virginia

      Design Thinking: Insights to Inspiration

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Innovation, User Research, Design Research, Human Centered Design, Project Scoping, User Experience Design, Project Planning, Growth Mindedness, User Feedback, Qualitative Research, Customer Insights, Empathy

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      113 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • S

      Stanford University

      Algorithms

      Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Bioinformatics, Theoretical Computer Science, Network Model, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Analysis, Programming Principles, Probability & Statistics, Network Routing, Probability, Operations Research, Design Strategies

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.9K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Minnesota

      Information​ ​Systems

      Skills you'll gain: Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Systems Analysis, Systems Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Cybersecurity, Business Requirements, Business Systems, Cloud Computing, Cloud Services, IT Management, Change Management, Information Technology, Organizational Change, Technology Strategies, Process Flow Diagrams, System Implementation, User Requirements Documents, Data Modeling, Enterprise Architecture, Portfolio Management

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • T

      The University of Sydney

      Academic Skills for University Success

      Skills you'll gain: Critical Thinking, Creative Problem-Solving, Problem Solving, Editing, Research, Creative Thinking, Public Speaking, Proofreading, Deductive Reasoning, Brainstorming, Information Management, Analytical Skills, Cognitive flexibility, Ethical Standards And Conduct, English Language, Writing, Verbal Communication Skills, Higher Education, Digital Communications, Communication

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.5K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • D

      DeepLearning.AI

      Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

      Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Computer Vision, Image Analysis, Keras (Neural Network Library), Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      20K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    Critical Thinking learners also search

    Social
    Psychology
    Sociology
    Social Sciences
    Social Psychology
    Learning
    Human Psychology
    Social Skills
    1…101112…229

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular critical thinking courses

    • Preparing to Manage Human Resources: University of Minnesota
    • C, Go, and C++: A Comprehensive Introduction to Programming: University of California, Santa Cruz
    • Moral Foundations of Politics : Yale University
    • Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks: IBM
    • Coding for Everyone: C and C++: University of California, Santa Cruz
    • People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success: IBM
    • Competitive Strategy and Organization Design: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
    • Design Thinking: Insights to Inspiration : University of Virginia
    • Algorithms: Stanford University
    • Information​ ​Systems: University of Minnesota

    Frequently Asked Questions about Critical Thinking

    Whether for academic improvement, career advancement, or personal decision making, understanding your goal will guide your learning of critical thinking. Regular practice in analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, and making logical conclusions is crucial. Join online forums or local discussion groups for critical thinking exercises. Work on real projects like writing analytical essays or debating. Coursera’s Critical Thinking Skills for University Success by The University of Sydney offers valuable techniques to develop your critical thinking skills.‎

    Critical thinking courses cover a variety of topics essential for developing the ability to analyze and evaluate information effectively. These include the basics of logical reasoning, argument analysis, and cognitive biases. Learners will explore topics such as problem-solving strategies, decision-making processes, and the evaluation of evidence. Advanced courses might cover areas like advanced logic, ethical reasoning, and the application of critical thinking in specific fields such as business, law, or science. Practical exercises and case studies help learners apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, enhancing their ability to think critically and make informed decisions.‎

    Choosing the right critical thinking course depends on your current skill level and career aspirations. Beginners should look for courses that cover the basics of logical reasoning, argument analysis, and introductory problem-solving techniques. Those with some experience might benefit from intermediate courses focusing on advanced problem-solving strategies, decision-making processes, and the evaluation of complex arguments. Advanced learners or professionals seeking specialized knowledge might consider courses on advanced logic, ethical reasoning, or preparing for roles that require high levels of analytical thinking. Reviewing course content, instructor expertise, and learner feedback can help ensure the course aligns with your goals.‎

    A certificate in critical thinking can open up various career opportunities in diverse fields such as business, education, healthcare, and law. Common roles include business analyst, educator, healthcare administrator, and legal analyst. These positions involve analyzing information, making strategic decisions, solving complex problems, and evaluating evidence to support conclusions. With the increasing emphasis on analytical and decision-making skills in many professions, earning a certificate in critical thinking can significantly enhance your career prospects and opportunities for advancement in various industries.‎

    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