If you have a background in programming and data you may not have such a hard time picking up the spatial component of data. If you have no data/CS/programming background then QGIS/ArcGIS \~ may be a steep learning curve. In any case, the first course in both of the Coursera specialisation's don't seem to need any pre-reqs.
https://www.coursera.org/learn/gis?specialization=gis
https://www.coursera.org/learn/introduction-gis-mapping
Since both are a 4-5 course specialisation I would assume it would start slow and pick up pace and end with some sort of project. Personally I haven't done them so can't comment on their approach but from what I could gather both are really basic and start from the fundamentals. Depending on what your after you could decide between the QGIS book/ online mooc.