2024 Best Graduate Certificates in Data Analytics Online

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The field of data analytics is experiencing explosive growth, and you can break into it with a graduate certificate in data analytics online.

Graduate Certificates in Data Analytics Online

Companies are counting on data professionals to inform their decision-making processes, so the skills taught in these certificate programs are in high demand.

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After earning a data analytics certification online, you may be in a better position to carry out data-related projects in business, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and a variety of other fields.

Graduate Certificates in Data Analytics Online

Management Analysts in a meeting

One of the fastest-growing career paths today is data analytics. As technology has advanced, organizations have been able to collect more and more data. They need experts who can make good use of their enormous data sets.

As you learn about data analytics, you may develop a skill set that equips you to handle large data sets. You’ll learn how to store and organize data, and you’ll also learn to run statistical analyses that show trends or reveal other valuable insights.

Once you’re a data analytics professional, you’ll also communicate your findings with others. To get ready for workplace responsibilities, you will take several different classes during your online data analytics certificate program. These may cover topics like big data, computer programming, data mining, data visualization, and statistics.

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It might help to have a background in math or technology. Much of data analytics is built on the basic principles of statistics, and having some programming skills can help you navigate the classes with greater ease.

With a graduate certificate in data analysis, you might qualify for a job as a data scientist or a data analyst. These jobs are found in a variety of fields, including medicine, marketing, finance, operations, education, and policymaking.

For further career benefits, some certificate programs may include the option to take an industry examination to become a certified data analyst. Your certificate credits may later transfer into a master’s program in data analytics online or into a master’s in data science online program if you decide to earn a graduate degree.

Having a master’s in data analytics is worth it because it may help take your career to the next level.

Data Analytics Careers & Salaries

Data Analytics Careers & Salaries

Data analysis is a valuable skill for nearly any field. Simply having data doesn’t do companies much good. They need qualified experts who can organize and evaluate the data.

Data analysts are useful in sectors like finance, business, manufacturing, healthcare, and information security. Getting a data analytics certificate online could enhance your current work in one of those fields. The better you are at making informed decisions for your organization, the more responsibility you may be given.

You won’t necessarily need a strong background in finance, computers, or business to break into a data analytics role in one of those fields. Often, data scientists are responsible for dealing with the data but not for making decisions with it. Your analytics skills could produce insights that inform the actions taken in other departments.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientists earn $98,230, and this job category is projected to grow at a 31% rate through the next decade.

Careers Annual Median Salaries
Computer and Information Research Scientists $126,830
Information Security Analysts $103,590
Data Scientists and Mathematical Science Occupations $98,230
Mathematicians and Statisticians $93,290
Management Analysts $87,660
Operations Research Analysts $86,200
Financial Analysts $83,660
Budget Analysts $78,970
Credit Analysts $74,970
Market Research Analysts $65,810

Your work as a data analyst may uncover valuable insights that can help organizations make well-founded decisions. Data analytics professionals go by many names. Some are known as statisticians. Others may be called data scientists or information research scientists.

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Also, you might have a title that reflects the particular field in which you work. Examples include budget analyst and operations research analyst. Your additional background and training may determine the direction you choose to go with your data analytics graduate certificate.

Data Analytics Certificate Courses

Data Analyst working in his office

A data analyst graduate certification program may include 3 or 4 classes. Programs vary from one school to the next, but your curriculum may include some of the courses below.

  • Data Mining: This course will cover the principles that govern data mining and give you opportunities to try mining software.
  • Data Visualization: You’ll learn how to tell a story with data and present information in ways that are meaningful to others in your organization.
  • Decision Making: This class will teach you to make sound decisions by using scientific principles as you evaluate data.
  • Predictive Data Analysis: You can learn to make accurate business predictions based on your studies of data.
  • Principles of Data Analytics: An introductory course will cover topics like data collection, modeling, statistics, and programming languages.
  • Statistical Methods: After learning about concepts like probability, sampling, variables and hypotheses, you may try your hand at using a programming language to conduct some statistical research.
  • Web Analytics: In this course, you’ll practice using tools to explore web metrics and uncover trends about the people who use various websites.

After completing your certificate program, you may be able to transfer these classes into a masters program if you’d like to earn a graduate degree someday.

Admissions Requirements

Data Analytics student studying online

You often have to provide the below materials in order to meet a schools’ admissions requirements for a graduate certificate. Requirements may vary depending on the school and program.

  • Bachelor’s degree: Although you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, it can often be from nearly any field.
  • Essay: A personal statement will give admissions committees insight into your goals for the program.
  • References: Professional or academic mentors may need to vouch for your character and work ethic.

Overall, applying to a certificate program is similar to applying to a master’s degree program.

Accreditation

Graduate Certificates in Data Analytics Accreditation

The most valued graduate certificates are issued by regionally accredited schools. Colleges must go through a rigorous evaluation process to receive this distinction.

If you want employers and universities to respect your studies, you may want to ensure that you attend a college that holds regional accreditation. This can be especially important if you hope to transfer your credits into a masters degree program someday. A list of accredited schools is available from the US Department of Education.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Graduate Certificates in Data Analytics Financial Aid

You may be able to receive federal or state financial aid for your graduate certificate program. This may include grants or loans, if you qualify.

You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to learn more, and you can always check with your school’s financial aid department to confirm whether your certificate program is eligible for financial aid opportunities.

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There may be scholarship opportunities as well. You can look for scholarships through your college or from private sources, such as community clubs and professional organizations.

Your employer might even pay for your certificate program or contribute to the cost. If your certificate will improve your job performance, you may want to inquire about that possibility.

What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics?

Computer and Information Research Scientists working together

Earning a graduate certification in data analytics may help you get hired as a data analyst or a data scientist. Many organizations are hiring for such roles so that they can make the most of the large amounts of data in their possession.

Earning a graduate certificate could also help you become more knowledgeable about using analytics in your current line of work.

Depending on your background, you might apply your education as a financial analyst, a market analyst, or a management analyst. There are also roles for data analysts in healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and other fields.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Online?

Data Analytics student getting a graduate certificate online

A graduate certificate is often a quick way to break into this field. You may be able to finish your program in less than 1 year.

Online data analytics programs often use an accelerated course format in which each class is around 10 weeks. As soon as you finish one, you can start the next. Depending on the number of classes required, the process may take 8 to 12 months.

Some programs offer a self-paced format, where you can complete coursework as it suits your schedule. You may be given up to 2 years to finish your studies.

Which Certification Is Best for Data Analysts?

Data Analysts working

The best graduate certificates in data analytics are the ones offered by accredited schools. If you choose a college with regional accreditation for your program, you can trust that you’ll get a good education that can help prepare you for the workforce.

Since certificate programs have only a few classes, you may want to make sure that they’re ones that will support your career goals.

You can always compare a few schools’ course lists before selecting your top programs. For example, some programs address web mining while others focus on predictive data analysis.

What Is the Difference Between a Graduate Certificate vs. Masters in Data Analytics?

Data Analyst searching online

Unlike a masters program, a certificate program won’t lead to a degree in data analytics. Instead, you’ll earn a certificate after completing the required coursework. The certificate can also be known as a diploma.

It takes a lot less time to earn a certificate in data analytics than it takes to earn a masters degree. While a degree may require you to complete 10 to 12 courses, you may earn your certificate after just 3 or 4 courses.

Although a certificate isn’t the same as a full graduate degree, it can help you get started with a data analytics career.

What Is the Difference Between a Graduate Certificate vs. Degree in Data Analytics?

A certificate program usually consists of 3 or 4 core classes on essential data analytics topics. At the end of the program, you’ll earn a certificate or a diploma.

A masters program is a more involved course of study. A masters degree often requires the completion of 30 credit hours of study or more.

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Getting a master’s degree will provide more thorough preparation for analytics jobs, but a certificate program may be the way to go if quick training is a priority. Plus, you may be able to apply your coursework toward a masters degree someday.

Is a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Valuable?

Data Analysts in a meeting

Yes, a graduate certificate in data analytics is valuable for many students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 11% job growth in computer and information technology occupations over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Common data analytics careers in this field include data scientist, market research analyst, credit analyst, statistician, and information security analyst. Getting a graduate certificate can be a quick way to boost your resume. It can show employers that you have received cutting-edge training and have developed skills that can help their organizations succeed.

Universities Offering Online Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Boston University

Boston University

Students who don’t have the time for Boston University’s applied data analytics masters program can enroll in the data analytics graduate certificate program instead. The program requires only 16 credits and can be finished in as few as 8 months. Data mining, web analytics, and data analytics are all covered.

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Harvard University

Harvard University

Harvard University’s data analytics certificate program requires students to complete only four courses, and they have options as to which courses they take. There’s no application process. Students simply enroll in the courses they want. Students have 3 years to complete the four courses, but most finish in 18 months.

Harvard University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Kansas State University

Kansas State University

The data analytics graduate certificate program at Kansas State University is a 15 credit program that’s 100% online. Students can enroll in the program at the graduate or undergraduate level. They’ll take a required capstone course and four additional courses from the applied analytics track and the data science track.

Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

Students enrolled in Louisiana State University’s analytics graduate certificate program must earn only 12 credits to successfully complete the program and earn their certificates.

The course curriculum is predetermined and the same for all students. It includes the following four classes: descriptive analytics, analytics methods, predictive analytics, and visual analytics.

Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University

Northeastern University offers a graduate certificate in data analytics through its Khoury College of Computer Sciences. It’s a 16 credit, four course program that most students complete in 8 months to 1 year. All four classes can be transferred into one of the school’s various informatics or analytics masters programs.

Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc.

Getting Your Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Online

Getting Your Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics Online

A graduate certificate in data analytics is a strategic way to enhance your data science know-how without committing to a 2 year masters program. With just a few classes, you may learn the essentials of advanced data analytics.

Because certificate programs are often short, it may be easier to fit them into your life. For even greater flexibility, you may consider online classes from an accredited university. Holding a graduate certificate may give you an edge in the job market. Data analytics is an in-demand skill, so employers may be eager to hire professionals with your skill set.

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Jordan Meeks
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Jordan is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and earned her Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management and her Bachelor's in Business Administration. Jordan's research focuses on adults returning to college and online degree programs.