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Data science is likely the most sought-after profession today. With top tech organizations looking for talent across the world, this field is highly competitive. That’s why professional improvement represents a crucial aspect of this rapidly-evolving industry.
Getting an approved certificate is the best way to gain the necessary knowledge and a confirmation of your data science skills. This article will give you a list of the 10 best online courses and data science certificate programs that offer worldwide recognized certification.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Data Science Certification Course
There’s plenty of criteria to look at when choosing a data science certification course online. Of course, the content of the course will be of most interest, especially since data science is a broad field. But several other aspects are also worth researching:
- Program duration
- Flexibility – is it on a fixed timeline or self-paced
- Instructor quality and the reputation of the institution
- Pricing
- Whether the program offers practical projects and hands-on work
- Whether the institution will help you land your next job
Top 10 Online Data Science Certification Courses & Programs
Here’s a brief overview of what the top online courses in data science have to offer. Courses and programs on our list come from respected institutions that hire world-class lecturers and will provide the best certification for data science you could get without setting foot on campus.
Harvard University – Professional Certificate in Data Science
Getting an education in data science from Harvard University is one of the best options in the market. This online course teaches essential skills in programming, modeling, statistics, data visualization, and numerous data science tools.
The Professional Certificate in Data Science course is self-paced and represents an introductory course tailored for beginners who want to advance their skills. You’ll also learn through relevant case studies by analyzing data from real-life examples. The program includes working in the R environment.
The price of this Harvard program is $991, with an available 10% discount. The course runs through the edX platform, and allows you free access to the entire curriculum at your leisure. If you decide for the minimal 2-3 hour weekly commitment, the certificate will take roughly 17 months to complete.
Cloudera – Data Platform Generalist Certification
The Data Platform Generalist test by Cloudera is excellent because it enables learners to take various roles within the data science industry. While the exam focuses on Cloudera’s data platform, the program certifies you as a general data science professional, meaning you can pursue a career in data engineering and analytics, development, administration, and similar fields.
The certification consists of a single 90-minute exam with 60 questions. Cloudera doesn’t state the minimal score needed to pass the exam because the point of the certification program is to do it the best you can rather than aiming for a specific score.
According to the Cloudera website, this certification costs $330. Upon completing the exam, you’ll get a certificate that lasts for two years.
IBM – Data Science Professional Certificate
As one of the industry leaders, IBM provides an exceptional course in data science. The course teaches the basics of data science, focusing on the work methodology via Python and SQL. The Data Science Professional Certificate program helps beginners in the field via hands-on work, with exercises in data set importing, analysis, cleaning, and visualization.
The online certificate course in data science consists of 10 parts. After the first three introductory courses, the following six focus on working in Python, while the final one deals with applied data science. This is a flexible, self-paced program suitable for beginners.
Enrolling in this IBM data science program is free via Coursera, provided you have a monthly subscription. The courses require about three hours of work per week. At that tempo, you should complete the program and receive your data science certification within five months.
Data Science Council of America – Senior Data Scientist
As the name implies, the Data Science Council of America (DASCA) counts among the leading authorities on data science in the U.S. and worldwide. The Senior Data Scientist program enjoys global recognition and takes place entirely online.
This program provides excellent resources that candidates can use to prepare for the exams. Plus, the resources are quality reading for the purposes of professional improvement. The learning material and the program itself are suitable for more experienced learners.
Upon enlisting, you’ll need to cover a one-time fee of $775. Once you receive the resources, you’ll have six months to prepare for the exam. The recommended study time is up to 10 hours weekly.
John Hopkins University – Data Science Specialization
When a reputable institution like the John Hopkins University offers a specialization in data science, there’s no reason to miss that opportunity. Hosted by Coursera, this Data Science Specialization course is built around practical applications of actual data.
The online program provides learners the chance to create a genuine data product. Along with learning, you’ll also be building a respectable portfolio that will come in handy as a demonstration of your newly acquired skills.
Like other Coursera programs, this specialization is also free with a subscription to the service. The program is flexible in terms of time commitment. If you devote an hour a day to it, you can complete the specialization in about 11 months.
Microsoft – Azure AI Fundamentals
Microsoft has proven to be not only a tech giant but an excellent knowledge hub. With Azure AI Fundamentals, this renowned company offers expertly crafted training in the basics of working with artificial intelligence. Through this certification program, learners can gain a thorough understanding of AI and become skilled in the latest technologies.
This online data science certificate course will be suitable even for complete beginners, although a basic level of programming skills would give you an easier start. The program comes in two variants: self-paced and led by a professional instructor.
The program costs only €99 and awards a permanent Microsoft certificate. You can also try out the course with a trial subscription, and there’s an available practice assessment test that will help you understand where you stand before enrolling.
MIT – MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science
If you’re looking for an intensive program that will teach you advanced data science skills, MIT has just the thing. The MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science is a result of a collaboration between the world-renowned MIT and edX, a trusted learning platform.
This program includes working on data sets from real-world examples, as well as understanding the leading machine learning models. Upon finishing, candidates will be eligible for different titles within the field of data science.
The program consists of five courses and may last up to 14 months with about 14 hours of weekly engagement. The edX platform lists the program price at $1,350.
Open Group – Certified Data Scientist
The Open Group consists of numerous global organizations, with some of the most distinct members being technology giants like IBM, Intel, Fujitsu, and Huawei. The Certified Data Scientist certification that the group provides is a credential recognizes around the globe.
The structure of this program is quite unique. It doesn’t include courses or exams. Instead, applicants need to demonstrate practical data science skills in written form. The point of this certification isn’t to educate, but rather to verify the candidate’s professional capabilities.
The time needed to get the certificate will vary depending on your proficiency level. The certificate is permanent, and Open Group discloses its price via contact.
Stanford University – Machine Learning Certification
Stanford University is home to some of the world’s finest lecturers. The institution provides a machine learning program in collaboration with Coursera and, as a practical, hands-on experience, it’s something eager learners shouldn’t miss.
The Machine Learning Certification is an ideal opportunity for beginners to grasp the intricacies of advanced AI and its applications. The program consists of three courses. By the end of the third course, the applicant should be able to build Python machine learning models from the ground up.
Following Coursera’s standard model, this program is free to enroll into, provided the user has a Coursera subscription. With up to nine hours of work weekly, the program shouldn’t last more than three months.
SAS – Certified AI and Machine Learning Professional
SAS is a certification program that operates globally. It offers a Certified AI and Machine Learning Professional program that’s built for people looking for top practical education in these areas. As the name says, this certification is aimed at future data science professionals.
The program includes five courses after which attendees get permanent certification. Upon registering, learners will receive a full year of access to the complete course material, as well as 70 hours of complimentary software use via cloud.
This program is self-paced, but you have to complete it within one year. The price for one year is €1,295.
Tips for Success in Data Science Certification Courses
Enrolling in a data science course is only a part of the process. To be successful, you’ll need to do your best and employ certain techniques:
- Manage your time effectively. Make sure to commit enough time to progress through the course and meet requested deadlines.
- Start building a network with your peers from day one. Collaborate with people who share your interest in data science so that you can build off of each other.
- Never assume you’ve learned everything there is to know. Data science is evolving constantly, and there’s always new skills to develop and additional knowledge to gain.
- Build a strong portfolio that will increase your chances of finding a job in the field. The best data science certification programs represent an ideal start.
Get Certified in One of the Top Professions Today
Getting a data science certificate online can open up a career path in a top-paid profession that continues to grow. With certification from one of the leading institutions in the field, you’ll be on the right track to success.
Our list contains programs and courses from renowned organizations like Harvard, IBM, MIT, and Microsoft. The quality of lecturers is unquestionable, and the programs offer the most up-to-date courses. Whichever certification you choose, you can rest assured you’ll be the best data science certification online.
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Source:
- Il Sole 24 Ore, Published on July 29th, 2024 (original article in Italian).
By Filomena Greco
It is called OPIT and it was born from an idea by Riccardo Ocleppo, entrepreneur, director and founder of OPIT and second generation in the company; and Francesco Profumo, former president of Compagnia di Sanpaolo, former Minister of Education and Rector of the Polytechnic University of Turin. “We wanted to create an academic institution focused on Artificial Intelligence and the new formative paths linked to this new technological frontier”.
How did this initiative come about?
“The general idea was to propose to the market a new model of university education that was, on the one hand, very up-to-date on the topic of skills, curricula and professors, with six degree paths (two three-year Bachelor degrees and four Master degrees) in areas such as Computer Science, AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Business; on the other hand, a very practical approach linked to the needs of the industrial world. We want to bridge a gap between formal education, which is often too theoretical, and the world of work and entrepreneurship.”
What characterizes your didactic proposal?
“Ours is a proprietary teaching model, with 45 teachers recruited from all over the world who have a solid academic background but also experience in many companies. We want to offer a study path that has a strong business orientation, with the aim of immediately bringing added value to the companies. Our teaching is entirely in English, and this is a project created to be international, with the teachers coming from 20 different nationalities. Italian students last year were 35% but overall the reality is very varied.”
Can you tell us your numbers?
“We received tens of thousands of applications for the first year but we tried to be selective. We started the first two classes with a hundred students from 38 countries around the world, Italy, Europe, USA, Canada, Middle East and Africa. We aim to reach 300 students this year. We have accredited OPIT in Malta, which is the only European country other than Ireland to be native English speaking – for us, this is a very important trait. We want to offer high quality teaching but with affordable costs, around 4,500 euros per year, with completely online teaching.”
Read the full article below (in Italian):
![](https://www.opit.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EFMD-300x186.png )
Source:
- EFMD Global, Published on July 12th, 2024.
By Stephanie Mullins
Many people love to read the stories of successful business school graduates to see what they’ve achieved using the lessons, insights and connections from the programmes they’ve studied. We speak to one alumnus, Riccardo Ocleppo, who studied at top business schools including London Business School (LBS) and INSEAD, about the education institution called OPIT which he created after business school.
Please introduce yourself and your career to date.
I am the founder of OPIT — Open Institute of Technology, a fully accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) under the European Qualification Framework (EQF) by the MFHEA Authority. OPIT also partners with WES (World Education Services), a trusted non-profit providing verified education credential assessments (ECA) in the US and Canada for foreign degrees and certificates.
Prior to founding OPIT, I established Docsity, a global community boasting 15 million registered university students worldwide and partnerships with over 250 Universities and Business Schools. My academic background includes an MSc in Electronics from Politecnico di Torino and an MSc in Management from London Business School.
Why did you decide to create OPIT Open Institute of Technology?
Higher education has a profound impact on people’s futures. Through quality higher education, people can aspire to a better and more fulfilling future.
The mission behind OPIT is to democratise access to high-quality higher education in the fields that will be in high demand in the coming decades: Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Innovation.
Since launching my first company in the education field, I’ve engaged with countless students, partnered with hundreds of universities, and collaborated with professors and companies. Through these interactions, I’ve observed a gap between traditional university curricula and the skills demanded by today’s job market, particularly in Computer Science and Technology.
I founded OPIT to bridge this gap by modernising education, making it affordable, and enhancing the digital learning experience. By collaborating with international professors and forging solid relationships with global companies, we are creating a dynamic online community and developing high-quality digital learning content. This approach ensures our students benefit from a flexible, cutting-edge, and stress-free learning environment.
Why do you think an education in tech is relevant in today’s business landscape?
As depicted by the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2023” report, the demand for skilled tech professionals remains (and will remain) robust across industries, driven by the critical role of advanced technologies in business success.
Today’s companies require individuals who can innovate and execute complex solutions. A degree in fields like computer science, cybersecurity, data science, digital business or AI equips graduates with essential skills to thrive in this dynamic industry.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the global tech talent shortage will exceed 85 million workers by 2030. The Korn Ferry Institute warns that this gap could result in hundreds of billions in lost revenue across the US, Europe, and Asia.
To address this challenge, OPIT aims to democratise access to technology education. Our competency-based and applied approach, coupled with a flexible online learning experience, empowers students to progress at their own pace, demonstrating their skills as they advance.
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