What are the best GIS courses online?

Browse the GIS courses below—popular starting points on Coursera. Fundamentals of GIS: University of California, Davis Introduction to GIS Mapping: University of Toronto GIS: Geographic Information Systems for Sustainability: University of Michigan GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality: University of California, Davis GIS Mastery: Spatial Data, Remote Sensing, Decision Support: Coursera Instructor Network Mastering Geospatial Analysis with QGIS: L&T EduTech Geospatial Analysis with ArcGIS: University of California, Davis

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.

Best GIS Courses & Certificates Online [2025]

Find the best GIS course for your goals

Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Fundamentals of GIS
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, GIS Software, Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Analysis, Data Sharing, Geospatial Mapping, Metadata Management, Data Analysis, Data Mapping, Data Quality, Data Visualization, File Management
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, GIS Software, Spatial Analysis, Data Storytelling, Spatial Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Data Presentation, Geospatial Mapping, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Public Health, Land Management, Geospatial Information and Technology, Heat Maps, Data Sharing, Epidemiology, Community Health, Metadata Management, Data Visualization Software, Data Quality, Network Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.4K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Toronto
GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, Spatial Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, GIS Software, Data Mapping, Geospatial Information and Technology, Data Visualization, Metadata Management, Query Languages, Global Positioning Systems, Quantitative Research, Data Compilation, Typography, Data Manipulation, Data Storytelling, Data Modeling, Design Elements And Principles, Image Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Toronto
Introduction to GIS Mapping
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, Spatial Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Analysis, Geospatial Mapping, Data Mapping, Global Positioning Systems, Data Capture
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
GIS: Geographic Information Systems for Sustainability
Skills you'll gain: Sustainable Development, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Sustainability Reporting, Spatial Data Analysis, Sustainable Business, Spatial Analysis, Data Storytelling, Environmental Monitoring, Data Visualization, Stakeholder Engagement, Trend Analysis, Decision Making
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI: Introduction and Applications
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Responsible AI, Machine Learning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Preview
Coursera Instructor Network
GIS Mastery: Spatial Data, Remote Sensing, Decision Support
Skills you'll gain: Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Information and Technology, Geospatial Mapping, Spatial Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Global Positioning Systems, Data Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Geospatial Analysis with ArcGIS
Skills you'll gain: ArcGIS, Data Storytelling, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Geographic Information Systems, Spatial Analysis, Geospatial Mapping, Heat Maps, Data Visualization Software, Network Analysis, Data Manipulation
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
111 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
Skills you'll gain: Spatial Analysis, ArcGIS, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Data Quality, Data Mapping, Data Modeling, Data Management, Data Storage, Data Sharing, Data Manipulation, Relational Databases, Query Languages, Analytics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
L&T EduTech
Geospatial Techniques for Engineers
Skills you'll gain: Geospatial Information and Technology, Spatial Analysis, GIS Software, Spatial Data Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Mapping, Construction Engineering, Database Management, Construction, Construction Management, ArcGIS, Global Positioning Systems, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Decision Support Systems, Building Information Modeling, As-Built Drawings, Survey Creation, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Data Manipulation, Network Analysis
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Advanced · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Geographical Information Systems - Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Geographic Information Systems, GIS Software, Spatial Data Analysis, NoSQL, Data Modeling, Database Design, Databases, Data Storage Technologies, SQL, Data Storage, Data Capture, Query Languages, Relational Databases
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
96 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Case Western Reserve University
Practical Geospatial Geostatistical Modeling
Skills you'll gain: Exploratory Data Analysis, Spatial Data Analysis, Spatial Analysis, Geospatial Information and Technology, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Modeling, R Programming, Geographic Information Systems, Statistical Analysis, R (Software), Probability & Statistics, Ggplot2, Oil and Gas, Data Analysis, Simulations, Statistical Methods, Rmarkdown, Data Cleansing, Box Plots, Plot (Graphics)
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months