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.

Best Legal Courses & Certificates Online [2025]

Find the Best Legal Course for Your Goals

Status: Preview
Yale University
A Law Student's Toolkit
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Proceedings, Legal Research, Legal Writing, Policy Analysis, Case Studies, Learning Strategies, Economics
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Legal Research
Skills you'll gain: Legal Strategy, Legal Technology, Legal Research, Generative AI, Data Ethics, Responsible AI, ChatGPT, Legal Writing, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Predictive Modeling, Document Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Data Privacy, Ethics, and Responsible AI
Skills you'll gain: Information Privacy, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Responsible AI, Personally Identifiable Information, Legal Technology, Data Security, Data Ethics, Large Language Modeling, Cybersecurity, Business Ethics, Data Governance, Prompt Engineering, Cyber Attacks, Legal Risk, Data Loss Prevention, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Generative AI, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Analysis, Governance
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
88 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Lund University
AI & Law
Skills you'll gain: Legal Technology, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, Responsible AI, Legal Proceedings, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Labor Law, Governance, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Public Administration, Financial Market
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
713 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
University of Pennsylvania
An Introduction to American Law
Skills you'll gain: Civil Procedures, Civil Law, Commercial Laws, Lawsuits, Court Systems, Legal Proceedings, Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Case Law, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Case Studies, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Introduction to Generative AI in Legal
Skills you'll gain: Legal Technology, Responsible AI, Legal Strategy, Legal Research, Generative AI, Case Law, Predictive Analytics, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Artificial Intelligence, Legal Writing, Document Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Automation, Natural Language Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Preview
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
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
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
Status: Preview
IE Business School
Legal Tech & Startups
Skills you'll gain: Legal Technology, Law Practice Management Software, Growth Strategies, Technology Strategies, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Market Trend, Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Emerging Technologies
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
242 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
GenAI for Paralegals: Streamlining Legal Drafting
Skills you'll gain: Legal Technology, Legal Research, Responsible AI, Data Ethics, Generative AI, Workflow Management, Operational Efficiency, Prompt Engineering, Automation, Document Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Data Security, Verification And Validation, Quality Control
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Privacy Law and Data Protection
Skills you'll gain: Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Medical Privacy, Information Privacy, Personally Identifiable Information, Regulatory Compliance, Data Security, Data Management, Data Sharing, Incident Response, Governance, Risk Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
816 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
AI in Law: Research, Risk, and Legal Drafting
Skills you'll gain: Legal Technology, Legal Strategy, Legal Risk, Responsible AI, Data Ethics, Legal Research, Compliance Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Document Management, Generative AI, Litigation Support, Mediation, Anthropic Claude, Case Law, Litigation and Civil Justice, Contract Review, ChatGPT, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Artificial Intelligence, Risk Management
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
34 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months