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

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Find the Best GIS Course for Your Goals

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
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
43 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Stanford University
Probabilistic Graphical Models 3: Learning
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Network, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, Markov Model, Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Network Analysis, Probability Distribution, Statistical Methods, Probability & Statistics, Algorithms
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
303 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Advanced Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Image Analysis, PyTorch (Machine Learning Library), Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Tensorflow, Keras (Neural Network Library), Google Cloud Platform, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Applied Machine Learning, Jupyter, Matplotlib, NumPy
Advanced · Course · 3 - 6 Months
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
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
11 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
919 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Healthcare Information Design and Visualizations
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Data Presentation, Interactive Data Visualization, Tableau Software, Infographics, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Ethics, Trend Analysis, Peer Review
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Washington
Communicating Data Science Results
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Statistical Visualization, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Data Governance, Big Data, Technical Communication, Cloud Computing, Amazon Web Services, Information Privacy, Ethical Standards And Conduct
3.4
Rating, 3.4 out of 5 stars
142 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
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
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
20 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular gis courses

Fundamentals of Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R: University of Michigan
Probabilistic Graphical Models 3: Learning: Stanford University
Advanced Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): Packt
Exploratory Data Analysis for the Public Sector with ggplot: University of Michigan
Global Trends for Business and Society: University of Pennsylvania
Healthcare Information Design and Visualizations: Northeastern University
Communicating Data Science Results: University of Washington
Visualizing Data in the Tidyverse: Johns Hopkins University
Exploring and Producing Data for Business Decision Making: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Introduction to Data Science: Ball State University

GIS Courses