There are many choices available for those who seek data science certifications. It may feel like a big task for beginners to sort through all the options.
So, we have sourced the best data science certifications to help accelerate your career in the data science industry.
The Benefits of a Data Science Certification
Deciding to study for a job in this field is a smart choice – careers in data science are among the most in-demand in the marketplace today.
In fact, data science jobs have increased continuously because so many industries need data scientists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for people with data science skills will increase by a whopping 27.9 percent by the year 2026.
So, what are some benefits of obtaining a data science certification?
- Be part of a fast-growing industry with great potential for future growth
- Enjoy tremendous career opportunities
- Competitive salaries in a variety of industries
Now that you know how valuable certification is, it’s a great time to explore your options. What are the best options for data science certifications for beginners?
5 Best Data Science Certifications for Beginners
Choosing which subject matter to study can feel challenging. There are so many options in this ever-growing industry, and you want to select the correct certificate from the top data certifications that are right for your career.
So, what do you need to understand to learn data science? First, you need to know the cost and length of the course you need to take.
You also need to know about any prerequisites you need to take. And some certifications need to be updated regularly in the fast-changing world of technology, so you need to know if and when they expire.
So, we put together a simple but informative list of the best data science certifications that are optimal for beginners.
What are the best certifications for data science?
1. IBM: Data Science Professional Certificate
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate shows employers you can apply many data science and machine learning techniques and tools. Your data science career will benefit from knowing these skills.
You will learn these tools to complete various projects and publish reports for stakeholders.
While studying for this certification, you will practice using data science software like Jupyter notebooks and other tools used by data scientists.
Also, this certification will teach you to master how to solve a data science problem by following the key steps and methodology used by professional data scientists.
What You’ll Learn
- Python programming using Jupyter
- Importing and cleaning data sets, analyzing data, building data models and pipelines
- How to write SQL to query databases
- Data visualization tools to be able to present data visually using Python
- Machine learning models and algorithms
Cost
You can take various courses to obtain this certificate, with different costs for an online data science bootcamp. One such part-time course from edX costs $867.67.
Learning data science from Coursera is cost-effective because you can audit courses for free – but you’ll have to pay for professional certificates.
Duration
Different organizations offer many courses with varying durations that provide data science certifications for beginners.
You can choose from full-time – and part-time options for students that also work or have other obligations while they study.
The part-time options take longer to complete. For example, if you take the edX course and work for 3-6 hours per week, you will finish in about a year.
Prerequisites
There are various programs available from several different organizations that all have different requirements. Some have prerequisites, while others state that no degree or prior experience is required.
Expiration
Currently, the IBM: Data Science Professional Certificate does not expire.
2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification
With the Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate Certification, you will learn computer science skills to use machine learning solutions at cloud scale using Azure machine learning.
You will use your understanding of Python and machine learning to manage data ingestion and preparation and use models for monitoring data in Microsoft Azure.
What You’ll Learn
- How to manage Azure resources for machine learning
- Running experiments and training models
- How to implement responsible machine learning and deep learning
Cost
Different organizations have varying prices for this course. Depending on the time of year and student demand, you can often find the course through Microsoft online for $1200.
Duration
Some courses have a longer duration, but for students with some existing knowledge of Python and Azure Machine Learning, there is a short 3-day training course in the training section online at Microsoft.
Prerequisites
Students need to know Python and machine learning frameworks like Scikit-Learn, PyTorch, and Tensorflow.
It would be helpful to understand data science and know Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks.
Expiration
These certifications are valid for one year, and you can renew them for free online through Microsoft Learn.
3. EDX: Data Science Professional Certificate
The edX Data Science Professional Certificate shows that the holder knows the key steps of tackling a problem using data science.
What You’ll Learn
- What steps to follow to think and work like a data scientist
- How to write SQL to query databases
- How to apply your skills in hands-on labs and projects
Cost
You can find this course on the edx.org site for $355.
Duration
This course lasts around 6 months if you learn for 3-6 hours per week.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required for this course.
Expiration
There is no expiration for this certification.
4. CAP: Certified Analytics Professional Certification
The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is an independent verification of the technical abilities and related soft skills that analytics and data science professionals have.
What You’ll Learn
- Mastering the assessment of complex problems
- Applying advanced analytics solutions to problems
- Business skills to lead successful analytics and data science teams
Cost
If you’re an INFORMS member, the course is $495. The cost of this certification is $695 for non-members.
Duration
It takes 6-8 weeks to complete this course.
Prerequisites
You must have one of the following:
- Three years of experience with an MA/MS in a related area
- Five years of experience with a BA/BS in a related area
- Seven years of experience with any degree in unrelated analytics area
Expiration
The CAP is good for three years; then you must renew it.
5. Cloudera: Data Platform Generalist (CDP) Certification
To get this certification, you will need to learn about data scientists’ tools, such as Jupyter notebooks.
What You’ll Learn
- Writing SQL to explore relational database concepts
- Key steps to take to solve a data science problem
- The methodology used to work like a data scientist
Cost
This course costs $355.
Duration
This self-paced course takes around six months to complete if you learn from 3-6 hours a day.
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are needed.
Expiration
CCA certifications are valid for two years. CCP certifications are valid for three years.
Data Science Certification Tips to Consider
Choosing the right career path can be overwhelming, so it is essential to consider your goals and what you need to do to achieve those goals. So, what are some things you can do to prepare?
- Enroll in a Data Science Bootcamp to Prepare
- Know the Certification Prerequisites and Requirements
- Ensure the Certification Relates to Your Field or Career Path
- Consider the Cost of the Data Science Certification
- Consider the Time It Takes to Become Eligible for a Certification
- Study with Data Science Books, Tutorials, and Study Guides
- Take a Practice Data Science Certification Exam
Learn Data Science at Coding Dojo
You don’t need a degree to find a job. Launch your data science career in 16 weeks. Coding Dojo’s Data Science Bootcamp prepares students for in-demand data roles and certifications.
We offer two programs. No prior experience needed!
- Data Science and Machine Learning in Python (16-Weeks)
- Data Science and Visualization (20-Weeks)
Accelerate your knowledge. Learn the fundamentals of data science and machine learning with Python. Throughout the course, you will:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire data science process
- Train with data science experts and essential tools
- Get hands-on experience with data prep, data analysis, and visualization
- Learn how to apply machine learning algorithms to various situations
- Graduate with a portfolio of projects showcasing your data science certification to prospective employers
- Access career services to help guide your data science career path
Data Science Certifications FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about data science certifications.
Is Data Science a Good Career?
Yes. Data science is a great career choice. Because of high demand and competitive salaries, data scientist has been named the fastest growing job by LinkedIn.
Is a Data Science Certification Worth It?
Yes. Getting certified as a data scientist gives you a strong advantage over other job candidates. A certification is officially recognized proof of your data science skills.
Are Data Science Certifications Required?
While you do not need a certificate to get work in data science, certification gives you an edge over other job applicants – so it is valuable!
Which Certification Is Best for Data Science?
According to the technology magazine CIO, the best data science certification is Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), followed by the Cloudera Data Platform Generalist Certification.