What are the best legal courses on Coursera?

Popular options include An Introduction to American Law from the University of Pennsylvania , Corporate & Commercial Law from the University of Illinois , and American Contract Law from Yale University . These courses cover topics such as constitutional law, business contracts, legal systems, and international regulation.

Can I take free legal courses on Coursera?

Yes. You can start learning legal topics on Coursera for free in two ways: Preview the first module of many legal 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 legal topics, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a legal course on Coursera?

You’ll learn about legal reasoning, the structure of legal systems, contracts , corporate law, intellectual property , and rights under various legal frameworks. Some courses also explore legal writing, negotiation , and compliance in business or public policy settings.

Do I need a background in law or government to take a legal course?

Not at all. Many introductory courses are designed for general learners and professionals from other fields. If you’re looking for more advanced or specialized legal content, there are also options for learners with prior experience.

Can legal courses on Coursera support my career or further education?

Yes. Whether you're preparing for law school, working in a regulatory or compliance role, or simply interested in understanding legal systems, Coursera courses can help you build foundational knowledge and earn credentials that demonstrate your skills and interests.

Top Legal Courses - Learn Legal Online

Find the Best Legal Course for Your Goals

Status: Preview
Yale University
A Law Student's Toolkit
Skills you'll gain: Legal Proceedings, Policy Analysis, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Public Policies, Case Law, Civil Procedures, Economics, Learning Strategies, Behavioral Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Lund University
AI & Law
Skills you'll gain: Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Legal Risk, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, Electronic Discovery, Legal Proceedings, Labor Law, Legal Research, Automation, Data Ethics, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Public Administration, Natural Language Processing, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Predictive Modeling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
694 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Pennsylvania
An Introduction to American Law
Skills you'll gain: Civil Procedures, Lawsuits, Civil Law, Litigation and Civil Justice, Personal Injury Law, Court Systems, Legal Proceedings, Commercial Laws, Case Law, Legal Strategy, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Criminal Investigation and Forensics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Privacy Law and Data Protection
Skills you'll gain: Law, Regulation, and Compliance, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Medical Privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, Information Privacy, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Compliance Management, Data Security, Health Information Management, Regulatory Requirements, Data Management, Incident Response, Financial Regulations, Risk Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
799 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Legal Research
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Legal Research, Data Ethics, Legal Strategy, Research, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Modeling, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Automation, Data Analysis Software
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Corporate & Commercial Law I: Contracts & Employment Law
Skills you'll gain: Commercial Laws, Labor Law, Certified Public Accountant, Contract Review, Labor Relations, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Contract Management, Legal Risk
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Generative AI in Legal
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Legal Research, Client Services, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Legal Strategy, Automation, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Document Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Operational Efficiency, Forecasting, Information Privacy, Natural Language Processing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Yale University
American Contract Law I
Skills you'll gain: Commercial Laws, Contract Review, Case Law, Legal Research, Contract Management, Negotiation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
IE Business School
Legal Tech & Startups
Skills you'll gain: Resource Management, Growth Strategies, Law Practice Management Software, Innovation, Ideation, Entrepreneurship, Technology Strategies, Business Development, New Business Development, Emerging Technologies, Product Development
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
242 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Universidad Austral
Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
Skills you'll gain: Digital Transformation, Legal Research, Legal Strategy, Litigation and Civil Justice, Blockchain, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Electronic Discovery, Data Ethics, Emerging Technologies, Intellectual Property, Legal Proceedings, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Innovation, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Machine Learning, Virtual Environment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
74 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Maryland, College Park
Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Risk Management, Commercial Laws, Business Risk Management, Contract Review, Legal Research, Legal Risk, Contract Management, Contract Negotiation, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Finance, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Labor Law, Sales, Business Management, Human Resources, Legal Strategy, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Business Strategy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
254 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of London
Introduction to English Common Law
Skills you'll gain: Case Law, Court Systems, Arbitration, Mediation, Legal Proceedings, Civil Law, Appeals, European History, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months