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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

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Michigan

    Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change

    Skills you'll gain: Social Work, Community and Social Work, Social Justice, Social Sciences, Human Services, Advocacy, Cultural Sensitivity, Diversity Awareness, Research, Policty Analysis, Research, and Development, Systems Thinking, Ethical Standards And Conduct

    Build toward a degree

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    425 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Toronto

    The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness

    Skills you'll gain: Community Mental Health Services, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Health Disparities, Mental Health, Social Determinants Of Health, Socioeconomics, Culture, Cultural Diversity, Medical History Documentation, Family Support, Caregiving

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    577 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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, Social Determinants Of Health, Community and Social Work, Program Evaluation, Public Administration, Case Studies, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Research, Problem Solving

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    159 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    J

    Johns Hopkins University

    Psychological First Aid

    Skills you'll gain: Triage, Crisis Intervention, Active Listening, Rapport Building, Emergency Response, Trauma Care, Psychiatric Assessments, Interpersonal Communications, Personal Care, Mental Health, Stress Management, Patient Referral

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

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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, Systems Thinking, Sustainable Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Complex Problem Solving, Growth Mindedness, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Resilience

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

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    Y

    Yale University

    Introduction to Psychology

    Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Child Development, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Human Development, Human Learning, Social Sciences, Behavioral Health, Sociology, Neurology, Critical Thinking, Scientific Methods, Problem Solving

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    32K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of California, Santa Cruz

    Feminism and Social Justice

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

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    6.4K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    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, Assertiveness, Psychology, Cultural Diversity

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

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    W

    Wesleyan University

    Social Psychology

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

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    5.1K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Pennsylvania

    Social Norms, Social Change I

    Skills you'll gain: Sociology, Social Sciences, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Social Work, Public Policies, Cultural Diversity, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Data Collection, Research

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

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    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

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    M

    Microsoft

    Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel

    Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Productivity Software, Data Import/Export, Data Management

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3.1K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Social Work learners also search

social
social welfare
sociology
social psychology
social science research
social entrepreneurship
social sciences
social innovation
1234…477

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

  • Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change: University of Michigan
  • The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness: University of Toronto
  • Using Public Policy for Social Change: University of Michigan
  • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
  • Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation: University of Cape Town
  • Introduction to Psychology : Yale University
  • Feminism and Social Justice: University of California, Santa Cruz
  • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto
  • Social Psychology: Wesleyan University
  • Social Norms, Social Change I: University of Pennsylvania

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

Browse the social work courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.

  • Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change: University of Michigan
  • The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness: University of Toronto
  • Using Public Policy for Social Change: University of Michigan
  • Social Psychology:Wesleyan University
  • Social Norms, Social Change I: University of Pennsylvania
  • Psychological First Aid: Johns Hopkins University
  • Introduction to Psychology: Yale University
  • Feminism and Social Justice: University of California, Santa Cruz
  • The Science of Well-Being: Yale University
  • The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs: University of Toronto‎

Yes. You can start learning social work on Coursera for free in two ways:

  • Preview the first module of many social work courses at no cost. This includes video lessons, readings, graded assignments, and Coursera Coach (where available).
  • Start a 7-day free trial for Specializations or Coursera Plus. This gives you full access to all course content across eligible programs within the timeframe of your trial.

If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in social work, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade 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.‎

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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