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    • Social Work

    Social Work Courses

    Social work courses can help you learn how to support individuals and communities through advocacy, counseling, and social services in a variety of settings.

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    Find the Best Social Work Course for Your Goals

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change

      Skills you'll gain: Social Work, Community and Social Work, Social Justice, Advocacy, Cultural Sensitivity, Diversity Awareness, Research, Systems Thinking, Human Development, Policy Development, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Interpersonal Communications

      Build toward a degree

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      409 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Using Public Policy for Social Change

      Skills you'll gain: Policy Analysis, Policy Development, Social Justice, Advocacy, Public Policies, Political Sciences, Health Policy, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Community and Social Work, Program Evaluation, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Research

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      133 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Cape Town

      Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation

      Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Innovation, Creative Thinking, Community Development, Resourcefulness, Social Justice, Systems Thinking, Diversity and Inclusion, Complex Problem Solving, Growth Mindedness, Empathy, Resilience

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Toronto

      The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs

      Skills you'll gain: Relationship Building, Social Skills, Active Listening, Interpersonal Communications, Communication, Empathy, Self-Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Needs Assessment, Cultural Diversity

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Social Norms, Social Change I

      Skills you'll gain: Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Cultural Diversity, Policy Analysis, Surveys, Program Evaluation, Research

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.1K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • 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
      U

      University of California, Santa Cruz

      Feminism and Social Justice

      Skills you'll gain: Social Justice, Advocacy, Community Organizing, Sociology, Social Sciences, Jury Trial, World History, Labor Law

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.3K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      W

      Wesleyan University

      Social Psychology

      Skills you'll gain: Social Sciences, Psychology, Persuasive Communication, Behavior Management, Conflict Management, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Diversity, Research, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Experimentation

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

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of California, Irvine

      Academic English: Writing

      Skills you'll gain: Grammar, Peer Review, Writing, Research, Proofreading, Editing, Writing and Editing, English Language, Vocabulary, Style Guides

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      23K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Graphic Design

      Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Visual Design, Logo Design, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Color Theory, Adobe InDesign, Photo Editing, Photography, Style Guides, Branding, Peer Review, Art History, Design, Aesthetics, Design Strategies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      21K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • I

      IBM

      IBM Cybersecurity Analyst

      Skills you'll gain: Cyber Threat Hunting, Incident Response, IT Service Management, Identity and Access Management, Cloud Computing, Information Technology Infrastructure Library, Endpoint Security, Malware Protection, Penetration Testing, Linux, Computer Security Incident Management, Database Management, Network Security, Networking Hardware, TCP/IP, Cybersecurity, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Interviewing Skills, Cyber Security Assessment

      Build toward a degree

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      26K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

      Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos (PAP)

      Skills you'll gain: Crisis Intervention, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Working With Children, Psychology, Stress Management, Patient Education And Counseling, Interpersonal Communications, Cultural Sensitivity

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      11K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Searches related to social work

    social work practice: advocating social justice and change
    community and social work
    visualizing women's work: using art media for social justice
    1234…261

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular social work courses

    • Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change: University of Michigan
    • Using Public Policy for Social Change: University of Michigan
    • Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation: University of Cape Town
    • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto
    • Social Norms, Social Change I: University of Pennsylvania
    • Introduction to Psychology : Yale University
    • Feminism and Social Justice: University of California, Santa Cruz
    • Social Psychology: Wesleyan University
    • Academic English: Writing: University of California, Irvine
    • Graphic Design: California Institute of the Arts

    Why Learn Social Work?

    Social work is a practice-based profession focused on supporting individuals, families, and communities through challenges like poverty, mental health, and social inequality. It blends advocacy, communication, and problem-solving to promote well-being and social justice. Learning social work can prepare you to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, education, policy, and human services.

    Skills you can learn in Leadership And Management

    Leadership (53)
    Project Management (30)
    Plan (25)
    Planning (24)
    Modeling (17)
    Analytics (16)
    Human Resources (16)
    Decision-making (15)
    Change Management (14)
    Innovation (14)
    Negotiation (14)
    Human Resource Management (13)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Social Work

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.‎

    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.

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