Businesses and organizations across the public and private sectors are increasingly reliant on data analysts, which has led to an increase in their employment rate. Those seeking entry-level positions or hoping to advance their careers in the rapidly expanding fields of big data and data science can choose from a variety of data analytics certificates to help them do so.
Through a data analytics college certificate program, you will learn about data mining, machine learning, statistical analysis, and data visualization in great detail. This article outlines what a data analytics certificate program is, how it differs from a professional certification, and which universities and colleges provide the top certificate programs in data analytics.
What Is a Data Analytics Certificate College Program?
A data analytics certificate college program is a short, non-degree program offered by colleges and universities to provide proficiency in the data analytics field. Certificate programs are often used as a stepping stone to entry-level jobs or corresponding degree programs.
Many schools allow credits from a data analytics certificate program to be transferred to a degree program. The certificate also works well as a stand-alone education in that it can open graduates to more job opportunities and career growth.
What’s the Difference Between a College Data Analytics Certificate and Professional Certification in Data Analytics?
A college data analytics certificate provides you with basic foundational courses and skills in data analytics, but it does not prove that you have the ability to put those skills to use in a practical way in the field.
This is where professional certification comes in. To become certified in data analytics, you will need to pass a test issued by a third-party administrator to prove that you meet the standard for applied knowledge and skills in the field.
Data Analytics College Certificate vs Data Analytics Certification: Key Differences
| Data Analytics Certificate | Data Analytics Certification |
|---|---|
| Offered by colleges and universities | Offered by independent organizations |
| Normally requires 15-30 credits of coursework | Most certifications do not require coursework |
| Often does not require an exam | Requires an exam |
| Provides knowledge and skills | Proves competency and ability |
How Long Does It Take To Get a Data Analytics Certificate at College?
It takes six months to a year to get a data analytics certificate, depending on whether you are a full-time or part-time student. Most undergraduate certificate programs consist of 15 to 18 credit hours of coursework, which requires a full semester or two to complete.
Best Data Analytics Certificate Undergraduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate University | Undergraduate Certificate in Data Analytics | $660/unit |
| Grand Valley State University | Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Data Analytics |
$500/credit |
| Husson University | Undergraduate Certificate in Data Analytics | $398/credit |
| Kansas State University | Data Analytics Undergraduate Certificate | $375/credit |
| Northeastern University | Undergraduate Certificate in Analytics | $541/credit |
| UNT Online – University of North Texas | Data Analytics Undergraduate Certificate |
$330/credit |
| University of Pittsburgh | Certificate Program in Business Analytics | $888/credit (in state); $1,601/credit (out of state) |
| University of Richmond | Certificate of Applied Studies in Data Analytics | $550/semester hour |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Business Analytics Undergraduate Certificate |
$312/credit (in state); $499/credit (out of state) |
| Wilmington University | Undergraduate Certificate in Data Analytics | $399/credit |
Best Undergraduate Data Analytics Certificate Programs: Explained
There are many universities and colleges in the US offering undergraduate certificates in data analytics. Some of the factors we used in deciding which schools to include on our list were program cost, duration, and format. You can find all of this information and more on each program below.
Data Analytics College Certificate Program vs Data Analytics Associate Degree
Data analytics college certificates are short programs of study that you can take at a college or university on their own or as part of a college degree. To get the certificate, students are required to complete a set of courses that provide basic knowledge relating to data analytics.
A data analytics associate degree is a two-year undergraduate program in the data analytics field. An Associate Degree in Data Analytics will prepare you for an entry-level data analysis job or a relevant bachelor’s degree program. Here are a few factors that differentiate these two programs.
- Program length. A data analytics associate degree is normally a two-year program while a certificate program is shorter, ranging from about six months to one year.
- Career scope. A professional with a data analytics associate degree can launch a career in the fields relating to data science, big data, data mining, data analytics, and many more. Certificate holders have fewer career options in the data science field.
- Cost. A data analytics college certificate is a relatively less expensive option as compared with an Associate Degree in Data Analytics.
- Niche. Degree programs are more comprehensive and their curriculum includes courses in diverse areas of study, while certificates can be very niche specific.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Associate Degrees
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Is an Undergraduate Data Analytics Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an undergraduate data analytics certificate is worth it because it is a cost-effective way to learn how to manipulate numbers and statistics via data mining and visualization. The duration of the program is also shorter than a degree program and you are still able to get an entry-level job in the data industry after graduation.
Best Data Analytics Certificate Graduate Programs
| School | Program Name | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics | $889/credit (in state); $1,769/credit (out of state) |
| Iowa State University | Business Analytics Graduate Certificate | $2,156/course |
| Kansas State University | Data Analytics Graduate Certificate | $511/credit |
| Oregon State University | Data Analytics Graduate Certificate | $560/credit |
| Pennsylvania State University | Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics | $1,046/credit |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics | $925/credit |
Best Graduate Data Analytics Certificate Programs Explained
Students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Data Analytics might get a data analytics job in a high-paying entry-level position. But in order to be eligible for the top positions and upskill themselves, a more specialized education is required. Here are some schools that provide the best graduate data analytics certificate programs in the country.
Data Analytics Graduate Certificate Program vs Data Analytics Master’s Degree
With a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics, you will discover cutting-edge approaches to working with data. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to work with top organizations that are constantly innovating and experimenting with new approaches to data analysis.
Completing a graduate certificate program gives you an advantage over your peers, without having to pursue a degree beyond your bachelor’s degree. You’ll have more clout in your field without the additional costs of time and money involved in obtaining a degree. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key differences between these two programs.
- Career scope. A master’s degree provides a broader education, which will result in more job opportunities than a graduate certificate provides. However, a graduate certificate can help you land a niche job faster.
- Career advancement. Both programs will allow you to advance in your career. However, because a certificate requires less of a time commitment, it can provide a quicker path to advancement.
- Cost. Because a certificate program is generally shorter than a degree program and requires fewer credits, it usually costs less.
- Curriculum. Unlike a graduate certificate, a master’s degree emphasizes more in-depth research. Holders of a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics could thus be more inclined to think outside the box when solving problems using data visualization or comprehension.
- Expertise. With a graduate certificate in data analytics, you do have more training and knowledge in the field than bachelor’s degree holders do, but those with a master’s degree will have an edge in expertise due to their more involved programs.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Best Master’s Degrees
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Is a Graduate Data Analytics Certificate Worth It?
Yes, a graduate data analytics certificate is worth it because it enhances your professional and technical skills and knowledge. With a graduate certificate in data analytics, you have a significantly better chance of getting a job than someone with only a bachelor’s degree does. Plus, obtaining a certificate is more affordable and requires less time commitment than other advanced education options do.
Data Analytics Certificate Program Coursework
Students will learn the basics of data analytics in a certificate program. This typically includes courses in industry-standard technology and methods, including data science’s theoretical underpinnings and query language. The following are common courses in a data analytics certificate program.
Data Visualization
This course gives an overview of the essential principles of data visualization in business and data science contexts. Data visualizations of various kinds of data, such as time series or multidimensional data, are produced using interactive charts, geospatial data, infographics, and dashboards.
Data Mining
Rules-based reasoning, decision tree algorithms, clustering, and association rule mining are some of the techniques covered in this course. Students learn to use sophisticated data-mining techniques and machine learning models for successful pattern classification and insight discovery in massive datasets. Students learn how to use data analysis software to examine, analyze, and document the methodology and findings of case studies.
Introduction to Data Analytics
Statistical inference, analytics problem framing, predictive analytics, and simple data visualizations are the primary focus of this course. Students learn the methods, procedures, and requirements for using data science to solve real-world problems and meet business needs. The course emphasizes the application of fundamental statistical ideas in the context of business problem framing.
Introduction to Statistics
You will learn how to analyze the reliability of statistical results, compile data into graphical and tabular forms, and summarize, analyze, and present findings, all while applying inferential statistics concepts and scalable data models. Percentile distributions, probability distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing are just some of the topics covered in this course.
Foundations of Data Science
Challenge identification, query language, data collection, data analysis, choice of analytic approach for business problems, and model construction to solve analytics challenges are all taught in this course. Programming languages like Python and NumPy are used for information gathering and preparation, and tools like Pandas and SciPy are used in the analysis process.
Best Online College Courses for Credit
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What Can You Do With a Data Analytics Certificate from College?
With a data analytics college certificate, you can get job opportunities in a variety of fields. Some of the positions available to someone with a certificate in analytics include data scientist, project manager, business intelligence analyst, and statistician. According to PayScale, data analytics certificate holders make a median salary of $62,970.
Best Data Analytics Jobs and Careers With a Certificate
| Job Role | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,000 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $82,360 |
| Financial Analyst | $81,410 |
| Budget Analyst | $79,940 |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,920 |
Best Data Analytics Certificate Jobs and Careers: Explained
A bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum education required to compete for data analytics jobs in most industries. However, professionals with data analytics undergraduate certificates often have the foundational skills and knowledge required for entry-level positions. Those with a graduate certificate can compete for top positions, along with master’s degree holders.
The following offers a closer look at some of the best jobs open to data analytics certificate holders, including the minimum required education, average salaries, and anticipated job growth over the next several years.
Should I Also Get a Data Analytics Certification?
Yes, you should also get a data analytics certification if you want to increase your chances of landing lucrative positions such as data scientist, management analyst, or business intelligence professional.
A data analytics certification program is typically specialized for a particular field with a very practical purpose. For example, if you earn a certification in data mining, big data, or financial analytics to track business performance, it is likely that you will secure a job related to these fields faster than your peers who have only earned degrees.
Best Data Analytics Certifications
- CompTIA Data+. This is the only certification available for just $239 for data analysts that includes fundamental data analytics process capabilities, evaluates practical skills, and is independent of specific vendors.
- CCA Data Analyst. This certification demonstrates an SQL developer’s ability to pull and generate reports using Impala and Hive in Cloudera’s CDH environment. You need to pass the certification exam (CCA159) to receive the certification.
- MCSE: Data Management and Analytics. This certification demonstrates that you have the skills necessary to run a technologically efficient and advanced data center. You need to pass at least one of the five prerequisite certificates and eight exams to earn this certification.
Best Professional Certifications
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Is a College Certificate for Data Analytics Worth It?
Yes, a college certificate for data analytics is worth it because the job outlook for some of the most popular careers in this field is very good. For example, the need for operations research analysts is anticipated to grow by 25 percent in just 10 years, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
These professionals also earn an average salary of $82,360. This makes data analytics one of the highest-paid, fastest-growing sectors in the overall job market. Certificate holders in data analytics can start working as entry-level analysts and go on to gain more experience and skills to be eligible for higher positions and salaries in their field.
Data Analytics Certificates FAQ
Certificates are quicker to get than degrees but you will acquire more education through a degree program. Certificates are better if you are interested in quickly getting an entry-level job in the industry.
Yes, data analytics certificates are helpful in getting a job. They offer all the knowledge and abilities needed to secure an entry-level job, while graduate certificates can help professionals advance in their careers. In addition to a college degree, college certificates are something employers increasingly expect applicants to have.
There are many professional certifications in data analytics that are in demand today. Certifications from Google, IBM, Cloudera, and CompTIA prove an individual’s comprehensive expertise needed to excel in the market.
Yes, data analytics is a good career in terms of job outlook and salaries. Across the globe, the demand for data analysts is increasing, and the educational and career opportunities in the field are too.
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