Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning Specialization

Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning Specialization

Critical Thinking And Decision Making.

Build Reasoning, Evidence Evaluation, And Ethical Decision-Making Skills

Instructor: Pearson

Included with Learn more

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8 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

8 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply critical thinking principles to analyze complex problems, evaluate evidence, and construct well-reasoned arguments.
Assess the impact of personal bias and context on your judgment and develop ethical critical thinking habits for effective decision-making.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

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Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from Pearson

Specialization - 8 course series

This Specialization helps students strengthen their critical thinking skills by exploring how reasoning, context, clarity, and evidence support informed decision making. Students will learn to assess arguments, evaluate claims and sources, recognize the influence of personal bias, and use logical reasoning to analyze complex problems. By the end of the Specialization, students will be prepared to create well-reasoned arguments and apply ethical decision-making skills in academic, professional, and real-world situations.

Applied Learning Project

This Specialization incorporates a range of interactive learning activities and assignments that actively engage learners throughout the experience. These elements are intended to promote consistent participation while providing meaningful opportunities to apply, practice, and refine essential concepts and skills.

Critical Thinking and Decision Skills

Course 1, 2 hours

What you'll learn

Apply fundamental critical thinking principles to evaluate the strength and validity of arguments.
Assess your critical thinking skills and habits of mind using a holistic rubric to identify areas for improvement.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills, Habits, and Abilities

Course 2, 3 hours

What you'll learn

Apply the critical thinking process to analyze, evaluate, and construct well-reasoned written arguments.
Assess the ethical integrity and factual accuracy of claims using verification and ethical analysis.

Importance of Context, Clarity, and Purpose

Course 3, 2 hours

What you'll learn

Analyze arguments to identify issues of vagueness, ambiguity, and lack of clarity.
Apply specific strategies to construct clear, precise, and unambiguous messages in your writing.

Skills to Analyze

Course 4, 2 hours

What you'll learn

Analyze arguments by mapping the relationship between claims, reasons, and conclusions to evaluate their structure.
Apply argument mapping to construct sound reasoning and articulate strategic counterarguments.

Evaluating Sources and Claims

Course 5, 3 hours

What you'll learn

Evaluate the credibility of sources and the plausibility of claims by identifying manipulative communication techniques.
Apply tests of truthfulness, logical strength, and relevance to analyze arguments and identify common reasoning fallacies.

Assessing Arguments

Course 6, 2 hours

What you'll learn

Analyze arguments to identify common logical fallacies, including faulty generalizations and flawed declarative statements.
Evaluate the weight of evidence in an argument by distinguishing between coincidence, correlation, and causation.

The Impact of One’s Self

Course 7, 2 hours

What you'll learn

Evaluate how cognitive processes like dominance structuring and System 2 thinking influence decision-making.
Apply the principles of comparative reasoning to analyze arguments and distinguish between different types of inferences.

Empirical Reasoning and Final Argument

Course 8, 3 hours

What you'll learn

Evaluate decisions and arguments using the principles of self-corrective empirical reasoning.
Analyze how grammar and logical operators impact the validity of statements when constructing an argument.

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Pearson

152 Courses179 learners

Offered by

Pearson

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Frequently asked questions

This introductory specialization is designed for learners at all levels and does not require any prior background knowledge.

Yes, it is recommended that learners complete the courses in sequence, as each course is designed to build upon the knowledge and skills developed in the previous one. This structured progression ensures a deeper and more cohesive understanding of key concepts throughout the specialization.

Completing the Specialization may qualify you to earn university credit, depending on the institution’s credit policies and requirements. Learners are encouraged to check with their college or university to confirm whether the Specialization is eligible for credit transfer, prior learning assessment, or other credit-bearing opportunities.

Upon completing this Specialization, students will be able to apply critical thinking strategies to evaluate information, assess arguments, and make informed decisions. Students will also be prepared to recognize bias, interpret evidence, analyze complex problems, and create well-reasoned arguments in academic, professional, and real-world contexts.