Data and business analysts are in high demand in multiple job sectors including finance, marketing, information technology, insurance, manufacturing, and healthcare. Using various platforms like Microsoft Excel and Tableau, as well as programming languages Python and SQL, data analysts can reveal trends and draw conclusions that assist with optimizing business processes.Â
According to national data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data analysts (referred to as data scientists) have a high earning potential, with an average annual salary of a little over $100,000. The career outlook is also stellar, with 35% projected growth from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than average. The annual salary of data scientists in the Philadelphia area is $109,460, slightly above the national average.Â
Philadelphia's main job sectors, including healthcare, tech services, and business/financial services, offer plenty of opportunities for finding work as a data analyst. In 2020, Startup Genome named Philadelphia the number one emerging startup ecosystem in the U.S. Data analytics is a crucial component to starting a business since proper analysis can be used to inform product development and a marketing plan.Â
While many data analysts have college degrees in computer science, statistics, or information technology, if you are transitioning careers, a certificate program will give you the skills you need to find work in data analytics. A certificate is also a great way to gain data analysis knowledge/skills that can be applied to your current job or business since data analysis is used in almost every industry. If you are already working as a data analyst, passing a certification exam will validate your expertise and showcase your skills to your employer and clients.
Noble Desktop: Data Analytics Certificate
Key Information:$4,995,6 weeks full-time (weekdays) or 24 weeks part-time (evenings), remote learning, free retake option, 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, no prerequisites required.
Noble Desktop's Data Analytics Certificate is a hands-on, project-based course that will teach you how to gather, analyze, and visualize data using various tools such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, SQL, and Python. In this online program, you'll examine case studies to learn both predictive and prescriptive analysis (predictive analysis involves examining past data to predict future outcomes, while prescriptive analytics helps optimize decision-making with constraints). Work completed in the class includes multiple real-world projects that provide hands-on experience in data analytics.Â
In addition to 156 hours of hands-on instruction, you'll receive eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with an expert who will help you build your portfolio, polish your resume, review challenging concepts, and provide professional career advice. Upon completion of the program, you'll receive a NY state-licensed certificate demonstrating your mastery of the subject.Â
Miss a class or need a refresher on the material? Noble Desktop allows you to retake a module or entire program for free within one year. Recordings of each session are also posted online after each class. Other benefits include small class sizes to ensure individualized attention and flexible payment plans for tuition.Â
Noble Desktop: Data Science Certificate
Key Information:$3,995,4 weeks full-time (weekdays) or 20 weeks part-time (evenings or Saturdays), remote learning, free retake option, 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, no prerequisites required.Â
In Noble Desktop's Data Science Certificate program, you'll learn how to manipulate databases, develop algorithms to capture data, and analyze data to provide useful insights for businesses. Using tools and technology such as Python and SQL, you'll learn how to create machine-learning models, interactive visualizations, and query databases. Projects completed in class provide real-world experience that you can showcase to prospective employers.Â
Earning a certificate in data science will prepare you for a career as a data scientist or data analyst. As a data scientist, you'll use a combination of data analysis and software engineering to build the systems that capture data. Upon completion of Noble Desktop's data science program, you'll earn a NY state-licensed certificate validating your mastery of the subject.Â
In addition to 114 hours of hands-on instruction, you'll receive six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions with an expert who will help you develop your portfolio, polish your resume, review class concepts, and provide professional career advice. If you miss a class or need a refresher of the material, Noble Desktop allows you to retake a module or the entire program within one year. Class recordings are also posted online after each session.Â
Community College of Philadelphia: Data Analytics Certificate
Key Information:$399,30 hours (6 classes), remote learning, no prerequisites required.
In partnership with MindEdge Inc., the Community College of Philadelphia offers a certificate in data analytics that teaches students how to understand statistics and conduct quantitative analysis in a professional setting. In this online program, you'll learn how data-driven decision-making helps organizations gain a competitive edge, how to use data analysis tools and techniques, and how to visually represent your findings and make recommendations.Â
Each class incorporates engaging learning content such as games, videos, quizzes, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies. The program also offers an "Ask the Expert" feature which allows you to submit questions about course content and receive feedback within 24 hours.
Temple University: Data Analysis Certificate Program
Key Information:$495,3 months (3 classes, 1-month each), remote learning, no prerequisites required.
Temple University in Philadelphia offers an online certificate in data analysis for individuals to learn how to analyze data trends and make recommendations that will improve their business. This program is geared toward professionals looking to add a valuable skill set to their portfolio, grow their business, or aid in their company's success. Over the course of these three classes you'll learn the fundamentals of analyzing data in a business setting, how to compare different sets of data and understand statistics, how to perform inquiries, and how to communicate your findings.Â
Each class is one month long and conducted online. No prior knowledge is necessary for this program. Classes include Introduction to Data Analysis, Intermediate Data Analysis, and Advanced Data Analysis.Â
Penn LPS (Liberal and Professional Studies): Certificate in Data Analytics
Key Information:$10,296, four classes (each class is 8 weeks), remote learning, no prerequisites required.
Penn LPS, a division of the University of Pennsylvania offering flexible online programs for working adults, offers a Certificate in Data Analytics consisting of four, eight-week classes. This certificate program prepares students to implement basic regression models, understand advanced predictive modeling, develop skills in statistical programming, analyze big datasets, and apply skills to real-world problems.Â
Open to students without prior training in math, statistics, or programming, this program provides valuable lessons on data analytics from experts and professionals in the field. Weekly synchronous sessions are required, typically held in the evenings for one hour.Â
Saint Joseph's University: Data Analytics Certificate
Key Information:$13,680,12 credits (4 courses), 6 to 12 months part-time (2 to 4 semesters), remote, on-campus, or hybrid format, no previous knowledge required.Â
Saint Joseph's University (SJU) in Philadelphia offers a certificate in data analytics that can be taken fully online, in-person on campus, or a combination of both. The courses in this program are designed for individuals with a quantitative background who want to grow their skills, however, no business background or related experience is required to enroll. In the four courses taught by SJU faculty experts, students will learn business analytics, data mining, data visualization, and predictive analysis.Â
SJU's Data Analytics Certificate can be taken as a standalone certificate or as a supplement to the MBA or Business Intelligence and Analytics M.S. A bachelor's degree in any subject is required for enrollment. Financial aid in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships is available for most students.Â
Wharton Executive Education at UPenn: Business Analytics Certificate
Key Information:$2,337, remote learning, 9 weeks, 6 to 8 hours per week, prerequisites may be required.Â
In collaboration with Emeritus, Wharton Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania offers Business Analytics: From Data to Insights, a three-month online certificate program. Geared toward business professionals like C-suite executives, mid-to-senior-level managers, analysts, and consultants, this program covers descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Through real-world examples and hands-on learning, you'll gain experience in data collection methods, A/B testing, regression analysis, forecasting, and data visualization.Â
In addition to four live teaching sessions by Wharton faculty, your time will be spent viewing recorded lectures, attending webinars, reading core topics, completing exercises and knowledge checks, engaging with peers in discussion groups, and completing a final project. Upon successful completion, you'll earn a Wharton School certificate which will be sent to you digitally.Â
UC Berkeley Executive Education: Data Science Certificate
Key Information:$2,622, remote learning, 10 weeks, 6 to 8 hours per week, no formal prerequisites required, quantitative aptitude recommended.Â
UC Berkeley Executive Education (in collaboration with Emeritus) offers a Data Science Certificate designed for mid-career managers, C-level executives, and business/marketing professionals who want to develop valuable data analysis skills. Modules included in this online program are Probabilistic Decision Making, Creating Sample Data, Testing Hypotheses, Extrapolating Information from Sample Data, Basic/Advanced Regression Models, Forecasting and Machine Learning, and A/B Testing. Your learning will include interviews with industry experts, live prep sessions and webinars, learning labs for hands-on assignments, discussion boards, and application exercises using Python.Â
While no formal prerequisites are required, students will need to have some math/statistics aptitude to fully grasp the material. Pre-term and in week 1 there will be an overview of basic concepts such as mean, standard deviation, graphs, histograms, and linear and logarithmic functions. Upon successful completion of the program, you'll receive a UC Berkeley Executive Education certificate validating your mastery of the subject.Â
MIT XPRO: Professional Certificate in Data Science and Analytics
Key Information: $7,450,6 months, 15 to 20 hours per week, remote learning, 1-on-1 career counseling, familiarity with Excel, data visualization, and Python is recommended.
In collaboration with Emeritus, MIT xPRO, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's professional development program, offers a data analytics certificate targeted toward data and business professionals, as well as recent graduates with a STEM background. This online program, consisting of 36 continuing education units, will teach you how to optimize strategies and improve decision-making, use Python and Google Colab to organize and analyze datasets, and translate results into actionable insights for your organization. You'll also develop a portfolio in a final capstone project that showcases your skills in data analysis to prospective clients or employers.
MIT xPRO offers hands-on instruction from industry experts and real-world case studies, as well as one-on-one career support from Emeritus and introductions to hiring partners for eligible participants. Upon successful program completion, you'll receive a certificate of completion demonstrating your mastery of the subject.Â
Google: Data Analytics Certificate
Key Information:$49 per month for Coursera Plus subscription, remote learning, 8 courses, less than 6 months to complete if part-time (10 hours per week), no prerequisites or experience required.Â
Hosted on Coursera, Google offers a Data Analytics Certificate that will provide you with the skills to find entry-level employment in data analytics. In this online program, you'll gain an understanding of the everyday practices used by junior and associate data analysts, learn how to analyze data and complete calculations using spreadsheets, Tableau, SQL, and R programming, and how to create visual representations of your findings to present to others.Â
Coursera is a subscription-based platform that costs around $49 per month. Most learners can complete the data analytics certificate in under 6 months part-time which amounts to less than $300. Upon completion, you'll receive a career certificate as well as access to career resources such as resume assistance, interview prep, and Coursera's job search guide.Â
Microsoft: Power BI Data AnalystÂ
Key Information:$1,000 to $2,000,3-day course, preparation for certification exam, prerequisites required.Â
Microsoft's three-day training will prepare you for the Power BI Data Analyst certification exam, which costs around $165 depending on your location. Microsoft Power BI is a platform that helps data analysts identify, acquire, and visualize data that facilitates decision-making for businesses. If you are currently working as a data analyst and want to become certified in Power BI, you can take Microsoft's course to learn how to use the platform before taking the certification exam.Â
Prerequisites for this training course include experience working with data in the cloud, knowledge of relational and non-relational data, as well as data visualization and analysis experience. This instructor-led course is taught virtually and has numerous dates available.Â
FAQ for Data Analytics Certificates
What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?
Generally, the difference is that a certificate is awarded to students who complete a training course while a certification is given to students who pass an exam. Newcomers to the field can pursue a certificate program to provide them with the skills they need to find work as a data analyst. Certification exams, on the other hand, are for experienced data analysts who want to validate their expertise.Â
Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?
If you are transitioning careers or are a current business or marketing bprofessional-looking to improve your data analysis skills, pursuing a certificate is the better option. If you are already working as a data analyst, however, you can take a certification exam to demonstrate your mastery of the subject. Earning a certification may also require a number of educational hours as well as years of data analyst experience.Â
Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?
No, you do not need to become certified to find a job as a data analyst. Pursuing a certificate will provide you with the skills you need to transition careers or improve your knowledge of data analytics.Â
What Certificate Program is Right for Me?
Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes
Whether you should choose an in-person or online class is largely based on your personal preferences and the availability of classes in your location. People who enjoy interacting with instructors and classmates face-to-face or who need access to a computer may prefer an in-person class. However, if you would like to skip the commute and work from the comfort of your own home, online classes are the better option for you. Online classes are also increasingly popular therefore it may be difficult to find an in-person class in your area.Â
Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?
Asynchronous classes often consist of reading learning materials, watching pre-recorded lectures and webinars, and working on projects independently. These types of classes are great for individuals who enjoy learning at their own pace and on their own time. Classes that are held live online, meanwhile, allow you to receive feedback in real-time, which can be particularly useful when learning how to use technical programs required in data analytics.