These Are the Best Data Analytics Certifications To Have

The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, offered on Coursera, is designed for individuals aiming to enter the data analytics field without requiring a prior degree or experience. This program provides a comprehensive understanding of the roles and techniques of junior or associate data analysts, covering essential skills like data cleaning, analysis, visualization, and the use of tools such as spreadsheets, SQL, R programming, and Tableau to derive actionable business insights.

The certificate can be completed in about six months with a 10-hour weekly commitment, offering flexibility for learners to progress at their own pace. It includes over 180 hours of instruction and hands-on projects that mimic real-world data analytics scenarios, preparing students for the challenges they will face in the industry.

The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate is a beginner-friendly program on Coursera that equips learners with job-ready skills for a career in data analysis. It emphasizes the use of Microsoft Excel for tasks like data wrangling and mining, alongside data visualization with IBM’s Cognos Analytics and Python libraries such as Matplotlib and Pandas.

This comprehensive program consists of nine courses, offering labs and hands-on projects on Excel pivot tables, dashboard creation, financial data analysis with Python, and more. Within four months, students will master data manipulation, visualization, analytical techniques, and storytelling, analyzing real-world datasets and creating interactive dashboards.

The Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification is designed for those aiming to deliver business insights through clear data visualizations using Power BI, making it suitable for individuals working with business stakeholders, data analysts, database administrators, and engineers. This certification is a step towards becoming a Microsoft Certified Power BI data analytics professional.

To achieve this certification, candidates must pass the PL-300 exam, which assesses abilities in data preparation, modeling, visualization, analysis, and the deployment and maintenance of assets, encompassing all necessary skills for a Power BI data analyst role.

The AWS Certified Data Analytics certification is ideal for individuals experienced in developing analytics solutions with AWS services, demonstrating proficiency in utilizing AWS data lakes and analytics services. It equips professionals with the necessary skills for cloud-based data analytics projects, making it valuable for aspiring system architects. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of experience in data analytics technologies and two years of hands-on experience with AWS analytics services. A deep understanding of AWS data analytics services, data lifecycle management, including data gathering, storage, processing, and visualization, is essential.

The CompTIA Data Analytics Plus Certification is designed for those new to data analytics, aiming to enhance their ability to make data-driven decisions in a business context. It sets individuals apart by showcasing their skills in analyzing and interpreting data, communicating insights, and demonstrating data analytics competency. This certification can significantly improve employability and open up various job opportunities in the field. To earn this certification, candidates must pass the DA0-001 exam, which includes 90 questions in multiple-choice and performance-based formats, within 90 minutes. The exam covers data concepts and environments, data mining, analysis, visualization, and governance, targeting individuals with 18-24 months of experience in a report/business analyst role.

The Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP®) certification serves as an entry point to the analytics profession, leading to the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) designation. It is vendor-neutral, making it a reliable indicator for organizations to identify and retain top analytics talent. Eligibility for the aCAP requires meeting certain education and experience criteria, adhering to the aCAP Code of Ethics, and passing the exam. The exam encompasses seven analytics domains, including business and analytics problem framing, data, methodology, model building, deployment, and lifecycle management. Upon passing, candidates receive the aCAP credential, which is a stepping stone to the advanced CAP certification as they acquire further education and experience.

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is aimed at those with an aCAP certification looking to further their analytics and data science skills. It encompasses a broad spectrum of analytics domains, equipping professionals with both technical and soft skills. Achieving CAP certification can lead to increased employment opportunities and helps organizations identify and retain top analytics talent. Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field, five years of professional experience, soft skills verification, and a commitment to ethical standards. The exam covers seven analytics knowledge domains, with preparation resources including the CAP Handbook, Job Task Analysis, CAP Study Guide, and INFORMS’ CAP Prep Online courses.

The CDP Data Analyst certification is designed for data analysts looking to certify their expertise with Cloudera products and open-source technologies. It evaluates competencies in Cloudera Data Visualization, Cloudera Machine Learning, or Cloudera Data Science Workbench, offering enhanced career opportunities and proof of proficiency in data analysis and management.

The exam consists of 40 questions over 120 minutes, covering Apache Hive or Apache Impala for data combination, aggregate statistics, and skills in Cloudera Data Visualization, Machine Learning, Apache Ranger, and Cloudera Data Warehouse. Candidates should be familiar with Salesforce, BI tools, Google Sheets, or programming in Python and R.

The Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS) is a vendor-neutral certification that validates expertise in applying statistical, economic, and computer science techniques to solve business challenges, beneficial for career advancement. It’s also advantageous for organizations, serving as an objective measure of an individual’s skills for critical roles.

The certification includes three levels: Certified Data Scientist, Master Certified Data Scientist, and Distinguished Certified Data Scientist, each with specific requirements demonstrated through applications and peer interviews, without written exams or mandatory courses. Its peer-reviewed nature, evaluated by industry experts, significantly enhances its credibility and value.

The Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst certification validates skills in data analysis using Cloudera’s platform, targeting data analysts, business intelligence specialists, developers, system architects, and database administrators. It certifies proficiency in Hadoop and Spark technologies, employing SQL, Pig, or Hive for data querying and analysis. Certified professionals apply statistical techniques and data mining to extract trends, aiding in business decision-making. Prerequisites include a basic understanding of SQL, experience with data analysis tools like Tableau or Power BI, and knowledge of Hadoop and Spark fundamentals.