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Course Report

[2024] 100+ Psychology Courses You Can Take for Free

Hand-picked courses to explore the science of the mind — from mental wellbeing to criminal psychology.

Living a happy life. Achieving a state of “flow”. Removing triggers for mindless eating. Guarding against confirmation bias. Nudging behaviors through thoughtful design. These concepts, and many others like them, have entered the public awareness, backed by research in psychology.

As a field, psychology continues to progress rapidly, aided by advances in neuroscience and its relevance in numerous other fields, such as law, design, and economics — psychologist Daniel Kahneman even won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work on human biases.

What’s remarkable is that, while research in psychology has been active for a long time, the general public seems to have developed a renewed interest for the subject, most notably regarding the importance of mental health.

Whatever the reason behind this renewed interest, there are now more online resources to learn about psychology than ever. Take a look at the courses below and get your psychology on!

Subjects

For your convenience, we’ve broken down the list into different subjects. Click on a subject to jump to the corresponding section:

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Intro to Psychology Online Courses

What is a Mind?
University of Cape Town via FutureLearn
Explore the most pertinent scientific and philosophical concepts for understanding our own minds with this free online course
★★★★★ (289 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology
University of Toronto via Coursera
This course will highlight the most interesting experiments within the field of psychology, discussing the implications of those studies for our understanding of the human mind and human behavior. We will explore the brain and some of the cognitive abilities it supports like memory, learning, attention, perception and consciousness.
★★★★★ (27 ratings)

Intro to Psychology
San Jose State University via Udacity
Go on a journey through psychological concepts and principles to enable you to gain a more in-depth understanding of human thought and behavior.
★★★★★ (26 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology
Yale University via Coursera
What are people most afraid of? What do our dreams mean? Are we natural-born racists? What makes us happy? What are the causes and cures of mental illness? This course tries to answer these questions and many others, providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific study of thought and behavior.
★★★★★ (16 ratings)

Basic Psychology in Tamil
via YouTube
Basic Psychology in Tamil contains basic psychology videos in Tamil language. It contains psychological theories explained with examples.
★★★★★ (11 ratings)

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
NPTEL via YouTube
The present course is an attempt to discuss and understand the basic cognitive processes that guide human behavior. The knowledge from the course will be useful in tackling everyday problems and attaining optimal solutions. Additionally, we can use knowledge about human cognitive systems in designing sophisticated Artificial Intelligence.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Psychology by CrashCourse
CrashCourse via YouTube
Crash Course creates free, high-quality educational videos used by teachers and learners of all kinds. In 40 episodes, Hank Green will teach you psychology!
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology (Fall 2011)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare
This course is a survey of the scientific study of human nature, including how the mind works, and how the brain supports the mind
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Introduction to Psychology | 心理学概论
Tsinghua University via edX
Explore psychological research to understand basic theories and methods of scientific psychology with a strong focus on positive psychology. 本课程以心理学的经典理论和最新实证研究为蓝本,以积极心理学的视角,概览式地介绍科学心理学的基本理论、基本方法、研究领域和研究热点
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Introduction to Psychology
NPTEL via YouTube
This introductory psychology course will cover the major psychological constructs and principles, primarily focusing on the perceptual processes, learning, memory, emotions, genetic and environmental determinants of behavior and personality.
★★★☆☆ (1 rating)

Introduction to Psychology Part 1
Wesleyan University via Kadenze
In this course, you will learn about the foundations of human behavior.

Introduction to Psychology Part 2
Wesleyan University via Kadenze
We cover learning, mental health, our social world and more. This course is an instance of creative education. Psychology courses typically use lectures and tutorials to focus on key concepts, the history of psychology and the scientific methods used in psychological research. This course takes a different approach.

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science
University of York via FutureLearn
Learn how to use cognitive psychology experiments to explore the internal workings of the mind with this online psychology course.

Fundamentals of Psychology
Doane University via edX
A basic introduction of psychology and the processes and methods used within the field. This course is eligible for Audit and Verified Certificate only.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Online Courses

Psychology of Personal Growth
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via edX
Learn to understand personal growth from a comparative perspective.
★★★★★ (70 ratings)

The Science of Happiness
University of California, Berkeley via edX
The first MOOC to teach positive psychology. Learn science-based principles and practices for a happy, meaningful life.
★★★★★ (35 ratings)

The Science of Well-Being
Yale University via Coursera
“The Science of Well-Being” taught by Professor Laurie Santos overviews what psychological science says about happiness. The purpose of the course is to not only learn what psychological research says about what makes us happy but also to put those strategies into practice.
★★★★★ (29 ratings)

Positive Psychology
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via Coursera
This course discusses research findings in the field of positive psychology, conducted by Barbara Fredrickson and her colleagues. It also features practical applications of this science that you can put to use immediately to help you live a full and meaningful life.
★★★★☆ (28 ratings)

Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
The University of Sydney via Coursera
In this course, we will explore different aspects of good mental health as well as provide an overview of the major kinds of mental disorders, their causes, treatments and how to seek help and support.
★★★★★ (22 ratings)

Psychology and Mental Health: Beyond Nature and Nurture
University of Liverpool via FutureLearn
Learn how a psychological understanding of our emotions and behaviour gives us new ways to improve mental health and well-being.
★★★★☆ (13 ratings)

Psychology of Popularity
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via Coursera
The level of popularity you experienced in childhood and adolescence is still affecting you today in ways that you may not even realize. Learn about how psychologists study popularity and how these same concepts can be used in adulthood to be more successful at work, become better parents, and have a happier life.
★★★★☆ (10 ratings)

Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
Positive interventions are one of the building blocks for the application of positive psychology in our day-to-day lives. In this course taught by Dr. James Pawelski, we explore positive interventions through theory, research and practice.
★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
Learn how to incorporate resilience interventions into your personal and professional life with Dr. Karen Reivich. In this course, you are exposed to the foundational research in resilience, including protective factors such as mental agility and optimism.
★★★★☆ (7 ratings)

Introduction to Self-Determination Theory: An approach to motivation, development and wellness
University of Rochester via Coursera
Self-determination theory (SDT) is an empirically based theory of motivation and psychological development that is especially focused on the basic psychological needs that promote high quality motivation and wellness, and how they are supported in social contexts.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman—renowned worldwide as the “father of Positive Psychology”—has led visionary leaps in the scientific research, empirical data and personal understandings of human flourishing. This course explores the past, present and future of positive psychology as a journey through the key scientific leaps led by Dr. Seligman.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods
University of Pennsylvania via Coursera
Learners discover how apply to research methods to their study of Positive Psychology. In this course, we study with Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

The Psychology of Emotions: An Introduction to Embodied Cognition
University of Cambridge via edX
This fascinating introduction to the cognitive psychology of emotions explores how, when we see others’ emotions, not only the mind, but also the body is engaged in the recognition. You will explore how to measure our ability to understand the feelings of others.

Introduction to Health Psychology
University of Padova via FutureLearn
Learn about the importance of psychology in healthcare, how it can improve policymaking and patient outcomes.

Positive Psychology
American Psychological Association via edX
In this course you will learn about positive psychology, the scientific study of how psychological states, such as happiness, and character strengths, such as optimism and gratitude, contribute to well-being. You will learn about research on ways you can thrive and flourish personally and professionally.

Clinical Psychology Online Courses

Young People and Mental Health
University of Cambridge via FutureLearn
What are the most common mental health problems, what can you do about them and how do you improve your mental health?
★★★★★ (78 ratings)

Psychological First Aid
Johns Hopkins University via Coursera
Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition.
★★★★☆ (50 ratings)

The Mind is Flat: The Shocking Shallowness of Human Psychology
The University of Warwick via FutureLearn
Make better personal and professional decisions, considering the psychological dimension to choices, with this free online course.

Understanding Anxiety, Depression and CBT
University of Reading via FutureLearn
Improve your understanding of depression and anxiety and find out more about an effective and evidence-based treatment: CBT
★★★★☆ (4 ratings)

Major Depression in the Population: A Public Health Approach
Johns Hopkins University via Coursera
Public Mental Health is the application of the principles of medicine and social science to promote mental health of the population. This course illustrates the principles of public health applied to depressive disorder, including principles of epidemiology, transcultural psychiatry, health services research, and prevention.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Introduction to Clinical Psychology
University of Queensland via edX
Learn about the principles underlying psychological therapy and the features and treatment of common mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
Wesleyan University via Coursera
This course presents an overview of the major domains of abnormal psychology.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

History of Mental Illness
Wesleyan University via Coursera
Our lexicon of mental illness is immense: there currently are hundreds of classified disorders and an extensive assortment of medications and therapies. This course explores the history of this productive science its discoveries, classifications, and treatments of psychiatric distress.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Abnormal Psychology
Doane University via edX
A study of abnormal human behaviors within the diversity of human behavior. This course is eligible for Audit and Verified Certificate only.

Social & Behavioral Psychology Online Courses

Social Psychology
Wesleyan University via Coursera
This course offers a brief introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being.
★★★★★ (88 ratings)

The Psychology of Criminal Justice
University of Queensland via edX
Learn how behavioural science can improve our criminal justice system.
★★★★★ (16 ratings)

Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics
University of Minnesota via Coursera
Behavioral genetic methodologies from twin and adoption studies through DNA analysis will be described and applied to address longstanding questions about the origins of individual differences in behavioral traits.
★★★★★ (11 ratings)

Introduction to Social Psychology
University of Queensland via edX
Learn why people think and behave the way they do in social settings.
★★★★★ (5 ratings)

Social Psychology
via YouTube
★★★★★ (4 ratings)

Human Behaviour
Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati via YouTube
★★★★★ (1 rating)

The Psychology of Thrill Seekers
Emory University via Coursera
Sensation seeking is a trait we all have and includes the search for complex and new experiences. Thrill Seekers, people with high-sensation seeking personalities, crave exotic and intense experiences even when physical or social risks are involved.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Learning Through Cognitive Psychology
American Psychological Association via edX
Many people report engaging in study habits that are not very effective or very efficient. How do we know what strategies are best?

Social Psychology: Employee and Customer Behaviour
via FutureLearn
Explore the ways you can better understand your employees and customers and use social psychology to motivate desired behaviours.

Living psychology: animal minds
The Open University via OpenLearn
Does your pet cat or dog experience emotions the same way you do? Can non-human animals solve complex problems? To what extent do other species have minds that are like human minds? This free …

Developmental Psychology Online Courses

Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms
Relay Graduate School of Education via Coursera
Positive psychology meets K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology and shows how great teachers apply those lessons to maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Through lectures, discussions, interviews and footage of great educators in action, you’ll learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.
★★★★★ (22 ratings)

Understanding Memory: Explaining the Psychology of Memory through Movies
Wesleyan University via Coursera
Welcome to Understanding Memory. Someone once said that memory is fascinating because sometimes we forget what we want to remember, sometimes we remember what we want to forget, and sometimes we remember events that never happened or never happened the way we remember them
★★★★☆ (10 ratings)

Introduction to child psychology
The Open University via OpenLearn
Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development, and studying these changes is endlessly stimulating. In this free course, Introduction to child psychology, you will be introduced to the …
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Introduction to Developmental Psychology
University of Queensland via edX
Learn how we develop over our lifetime, including our ability to think, communicate, and form social attachments.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Identifying and Responding to Developmental Delay in Young Children
Stanford University via edX
This course will provide the knowledge and tools for the primary care clinician to identify children at risk for developmental delays, and to refer them for appropriate therapeutic and diagnostic services.

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology
University of Cambridge via edX
This course is an introduction to human cognition and how it is explored. You will explore how Psychology was born as a separate discipline and how we began to study the nervous system in terms of functions, abilities and traits linking brain, mind, behavior and relationship with the environment.

Qualitative Research in Psychology
American Psychological Association via edX
In this course you will learn about the foundations of qualitative inquiry—and how it differs from quantitative research. You will gain practice in common qualitative traditions—like phenomenology and ethnography—and some of the methods they use, such as interviewing.

Introduction to psychology of personality
University of Naples Federico II via edX
Study the main themes and methodological aspects of personality psychology, and focus on the role of the cognitive processes involved in the construction of personality

Developmental Psychology: A Journey of Growth Within Relationships
Campus – the Israeli National Project for Digital Learning via edX
To what extent are we truly aware of the decisive influence of our relationships with our parents in early childhood, upon the entire course of our adult lives? Here’s an opportunity to ‘open your eyes’ to what every person should know.

Consumer Psychology Online Courses

Sports Psychology
Athlete 365 via Independent
When you look back on moments during which you’ve performed at your best, you might describe your state of mind as being ‘in the zone’. It’s in this zone that performing will have felt easy and automatic to you. As Amira explains in this course, every athlete is different, and every athlete responds to setbacks in their own unique way. It’s about experimenting and finding what works for you.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Customer Value in Pricing Strategy
University of Virginia via Coursera
The traditional approach to pricing based on costs works to pay the bills, but it leaves revenue on the table. You can, in fact, price your products in a way that increases sales–if you know what your customers are willing to pay and can leverage psychology to create better deal and discount plans.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Music Psychology: Why Does “Bohemian Rhapsody” Feel so Good?
Griffith University via FutureLearn
Explore music psychology and find out why music can make us feel, by analysing Queen’s famous song, “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

Buyer Behaviour and Analysis
Curtin University via edX
Learn how to analyse and apply consumer and buyer behaviour fundamentals to develop an effective marketing campaign.

Global Impact: Cultural Psychology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign via Coursera
Globalization has brought dramatic changes to the marketplace. A proliferation of global brands brings diverse cultures to a consumer population that is also growing culturally diverse. This course enables students to understand how globalization changes consumers at a psychological level, and provides tools for imbuing brands with cultural meanings.

Consumer Psychology in the Financial Industry
State Bank of India via edX
Financial Marketing Psychology is about comprehending the nuances of human behaviour and howhumans behave to marketing stimuli, nudges and situations.

Avatar Psychology for Designers
Michigan State University via Coursera
This course covers the latest and greatest psychological research on avatars and is relevant to current and future designers of any medium that includes user self-representations (e.g., video games, virtual worlds, robots, automobiles, social media, etc.).

Cognitive Psychology: Employee and Customer Behaviour
via FutureLearn
Delve into behaviour change and the tactics you can use to attract, understand, and influence your customers.

Trends in e-Psychology
KU Leuven University via edX
Learn about e-based promotion of physical, mental and social health, focusing on e-cigarettes, e-mental health applications and e-mediation as case-examples.

Bobby Brady Profile Image

Bobby Brady

Bobby has successfully utilized MOOCs in his professional career twice, transitioning from the service industry to IT support and then again to Development. He now works full time as an edtech consultant and contractor helping students from all over the world learn React and JavaScript.

Comments 2

  1. Kampechara Puriparinya

    The very useful courses, MOOCs for online learning
    in modern Psychological Sciences of outstanding universities worldwide.

    Thanks you !
    Kampechara Puriparinya
    Bangkok, Thailand.

    Reply
  2. V

    Thank you for the well written article and all the links! I love that the author’s name is Bobby Brady.

    Reply

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