Introduction to Python Programming

Take Introduction to Python Programming online at your own pace

In this course, you will learn the basics of computer programming.

Introduction to Python Programming course stats

• 14345 students successfully completed
• 71 partners accept credit transfer.
• 3.0 semester credits
• Recommended for credit to the ACE® and DEAC college and university networks.

Assignments & grading

This is a pass/fail course. You must complete 11 Challenges (formative assessments), 3 Milestones (summative assessments), and 1 Touchstone (project-based assessment) with an overall score of 70% or better.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, you'll be able to:

• Demonstrate the use of basic data types, conditional statements, and functions in programming.
• Use advanced data structures, iteration and complex functions in programs.
• Write classes with attributes and methods while using external modules and files for added functionality.
• Produce an original program from a planned algorithm to a coded, tested, and commented final project.

FAQ

• How many courses can I take with the free trial? Access the course content through the first Challenge of any of Sophia’s 80+ courses.
• How do I confirm transfer credit with my school? Check Sophia’s list of partner schools to see if your school is on the list. If not, contact your registrar to learn about your school’s transfer credit policy and if Sophia coursework can be submitted for transfer.
• Can I take courses for credit if I’m not enrolled at a school? Sophia course completions do not expire and will be available to submit for transfer when you’re ready. At that time, check with your school’s registrar for their credit transfer policies.
• What happens to the coursework I’ve already completed once I become a Sophia member? If you’ve completed the first Challenge during your free trial, you can pick up right where you left off after you become a Sophia member.
• What happens to my coursework if I cancel my Sophia membership? Don’t worry. Your completed courses won’t disappear if you cancel your membership. Those courses will be there for you when you’re ready to submit for transfer.
• Will my HR benefits cover the cost of Sophia? If you have an education benefit through your employer, it may cover your subscription to Sophia. Check with your benefits administrator to find out if you qualify.

Student Reviews

Rating: 4.77/5
8613 Student Reviews
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• by Sarah H. on July 17, 2026: "It was good, but super dry most of the time and can be difficult for absolute beginners to grasp easily. That's the nature of coding though, I suppose :) overall, great job!"
• by Tamiko C. on July 17, 2026: "The instructions were very easy to follow for the course, and it is helpful having the open book to refer back to for answering the questions. I love the options that Sophia Learning offers. I was able to complete my course at my own pace and passed it! Super excited, I don't have to overspend on a course that was offered to me for pennies on the dollar. As a college student, that is so beneficial. I'm very happy I was introduced to Sophia Learning."
• by Allan M. on July 15, 2026: "Great course and easy to learn, my only gripe was the IDE share link. It doesn't really specify what they want in the course work."
• by Cedrena F. on July 11, 2026: "Great, informative course! Thank you."
• by Tomer P. on July 08, 2026: "The class was great. A fee minor bugs in using onlineGDB but other than that and theory heavy it was a good class."
• by Troy L. on July 01, 2026: "Learned a lot about Object Oriented Programming."
• by Wagnara Bautista P. on July 01, 2026: "Very good and easy to follow."
• by David C. on June 30, 2026: "Good course."
• by Nathan V. on June 23, 2026: "Amazing course! I have zero background with coding languages and was able to learn Python and make my first ever program!"
• by David C. on June 22, 2026: "The content had a lot of odd examples in the form of code snippets that were almost designed to stump you, instead of testing on specific material."