What are the best GIS courses on Coursera?

Top courses include Fundamentals of GIS from the University of California, Davis , and GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis from the University of Toronto . These programs cover the basics of GIS, spatial data analysis, and real-world applications in fields like urban planning and environmental management.

Can I learn GIS for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many GIS courses offer a free audit option, which allows learners to access video lessons and reading materials at no cost. To complete assignments or earn a certificate, you’ll need to upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a GIS course?

You’ll learn how to collect and analyze spatial data, create maps using GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS, and apply GIS skills to solve real-world problems. Topics may include cartography , spatial databases, and remote sensing.

Do I need a technical background to start learning GIS?

Not necessarily. Many beginner-level GIS courses on Coursera assume no prior experience and walk you through foundational concepts. If you’re already familiar with data analysis or mapping, more advanced courses can help you deepen your skills.

Can Coursera’s GIS courses help me in my career?

Yes. GIS skills are in demand across industries like urban planning , environmental science , logistics , and public health . Coursera’s GIS courses can help you build job-ready skills, create a professional portfolio, and earn certificates that show your expertise.

Top Gis Courses - Learn Gis Online

Status: Free Trial

Rice University

Introduction to Archaeology : Archaeology as Science

Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Research, Laboratory Research, Ancient History, General Science and Research, Investigation, Culture, Geographic Information Systems, Environment, Spatial Analysis, Data Collection, Geospatial Information and Technology

Status: Free Trial

University of Michigan

Exploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot

Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Statistical Visualization, R Programming, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Scatter Plots, Graphic and Visual Design, Histogram, Tidyverse (R Package), Public Administration, Trend Analysis, Policy Analysis

Status: Free Trial

University of Michigan

Fundamentals of Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R

Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Surveys, Tidyverse (R Package), Data Analysis, Demography, Public Administration, Public Policies, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation

Status: Free Trial

University of Pennsylvania

Global Trends for Business and Society

Skills you'll gain: Demography, Market Trend, Trend Analysis, International Relations, Socioeconomics, Social Sciences, Systems Thinking, Cultural Diversity, Financial Systems, World History, Economics, Business Economics, Governance

Northeastern University

Healthcare Information Design and Visualizations

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Data Presentation, Interactive Data Visualization, Infographics, Tableau Software, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Ethics, Trend Analysis, Peer Review

Status: Free Trial

University of Colorado Boulder

Resampling, Selection and Splines

Skills you'll gain: Data Science, R Programming, Statistical Machine Learning, Advanced Analytics, Dimensionality Reduction, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Sampling (Statistics), Regression Analysis, Statistical Inference

Status: Free Trial

Johns Hopkins University

Visualizing Data in the Tidyverse

Skills you'll gain: Ggplot2, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Storytelling, Scatter Plots, Tidyverse (R Package), R Programming, Histogram, Animations, Data Manipulation

Status: Free Trial

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Exploring and Producing Data for Business Decision Making

Skills you'll gain: Descriptive Statistics, Sampling (Statistics), Probability Distribution, Business Analytics, Statistics, Microsoft Excel, Analytics, Statistical Inference, Data Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Histogram, Data Collection, Data Presentation, Graphing

EIT Digital

Geometric Algorithms

Skills you'll gain: Geometry, Algorithms, Computer Graphics, Data Structures, Graph Theory, Spatial Data Analysis, Computational Thinking, Geographic Information Systems, Theoretical Computer Science, Spatial Analysis

Ball State University

Introduction to Data Science

Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Collection, Probability & Statistics, Statistics, Data Visualization Software, R Programming, Data Science, Sampling (Statistics), Probability, Simulations, Data Wrangling, Analytical Skills, Data Analysis, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, General Mathematics, Statistical Analysis, Information Privacy, Regression Analysis, Arithmetic, Data Structures

Ball State University

Data Visualization

Skills you'll gain: Rmarkdown, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Ggplot2, Interactive Data Visualization, Statistical Visualization, Visualization (Computer Graphics), R Programming, Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Histogram, Scatter Plots, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation

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Find the Best GIS Course for Your Goals

Introduction to Archaeology : Archaeology as Science

Exploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot