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 study legal topics for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many legal courses offer a free audit option, which allows learners to access video lectures 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 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.

Best Legal Courses & Certificates Online [2025]

Find the Best Legal Course for Your Goals

Yale University
A Law Student's Toolkit
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Case Law, Civil Procedures, Policy Analysis, Learning Strategies, Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
An Introduction to American Law
Skills you'll gain: Civil Procedures, Civil Law, Personal Injury Law, Commercial Laws, Lawsuits, Court Systems, Legal Proceedings, Plaintiff, Legal Research, Case Law, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Legal Pleadings, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Corporate & Commercial Law I: Contracts & Employment Law
Skills you'll gain: Certified Public Accountant, Labor Law, Commercial Laws, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Bankruptcies, Organizational Structure, Business, Legal Writing, Contract Management, Sales
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of London
Introduction to English Common Law
Skills you'll gain: Court Systems, Case Law, Legal Research, Legal Proceedings, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Civil Law, Political Sciences, European History, Governance, International Relations
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Lund University
AI & Law
Skills you'll gain: Legal Risk, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Artificial Intelligence, Intellectual Property, Legal Proceedings, Data Ethics, Labor Law, Legal Research, Innovation, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Public Administration, Healthcare Industry Knowledge
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
676 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Legal Research
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Legal Risk, Litigation Support, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Predictive Modeling, Ethical Standards And Conduct
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Yale University
American Contract Law I
Skills you'll gain: Case Law, Legal Writing, Commercial Laws, Legal Research, Contract Review, Civil Law, Contract Compliance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Privacy Law and Data Protection
Skills you'll gain: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Information Privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, Regulatory Compliance, Data Security, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Incident Response, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
789 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
IE Business School
Legal Tech & Startups
Skills you'll gain: Growth Strategies, Technology Strategies, Market Trend, Entrepreneurship, New Business Development, Emerging Technologies, Digital Transformation, Interviewing Skills
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
241 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Universidad Austral
Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
Skills you'll gain: Blockchain, Legal Research, Legal Proceedings, Digital Transformation, Litigation Support, Court Systems, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Innovation, Virtual Environment
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
73 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Generative AI in Legal
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Generative AI, Legal Risk, Case Law, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Legal Proceedings, Artificial Intelligence, Legal Writing, Document Management, ChatGPT, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Automation, Natural Language Processing, Client Services
5
Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
OpenAI GPTs: Creating Your Own Custom AI Assistants
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, AI Personalization, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Personalized Service, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Prompt Engineering, Expense Management, Productivity Software, Travel Arrangements, Innovation, Scenario Testing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
419 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks