Data Science Certifications and Certificates

If you’re looking for a way to demonstrate your skills in data science, you might be overwhelmed by the different certifications and certificate programs available. You might also have questions, such as:

• Will a certificate help me get a job?
• What’s the difference between a certificate and a certification?
• How do I prepare for these credentials? 

This article aims to answer these questions so you can efficiently choose the right path towards a data science certification. Read on to learn more.

What is Data Science?

Data science is a broad field that encompasses the disciplines of mathematics, computer programming, and artificial intelligence (AI). Data professionals such as Data Scientists and Data Analysts use advanced techniques like machine learning algorithms to find patterns in a vast amount of information. This process can provide actionable insights to stakeholders, from Product Managers to C-suite executives.

Today nearly every sector requires data science expertise, whether public or private. Among the top sectors where data science is critical are health and wellness, retail, web and application development, banking and finance, and governmental agencies. The field continues to project dramatic growth over the next decade; Glassdoor even listed Data Scientist as number three in its 50 Best Jobs in America in 2022.

Read more about what Data Science is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Data Science?

Data science has so many applications in different industries that a comprehensive review could fill a book. Professionals as diverse as Business Analysts, Machine Learning Engineers, and Enterprise Architects use data science in their day-to-day activities.

Top sectors for data science include banking and finance, marketing and advertising, and healthcare:

• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) - Business Analysts and Data Scientists use data for everything from fraud detection to customized financial advice. Machine learning algorithms can assist with risk analytics, stock trading, and other tasks.

• Marketing & Advertising - Data Analysts and Marketing Analysts use data science in advertising to create targeted ad copy, recommend products and services, and leverage social media platforms. Programming languages like Python and R, often key to data science positions, help experts analyze data and make recommendations.

• In healthcare, Data Scientists create algorithms to create care plans and improve patient services. Using data analysis in medical imaging can help care providers with diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Data science has proven crucial to many other sectors, from retail and manufacturing to the public sector. If you want to combine challenging work with job security, start with data science.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

Certificates are generally completion-based programs. For example, Noble Desktop offers several certificates relevant to data science. Their Data Analytics Certificate and Data Science Certificate programs provide in-depth training and are open to beginners. With these courses, graduates receive a NY-state licensed certificate of completion.

On the other hand, certifications typically require students to sit for an exam administered by an outside party to demonstrate their mastery of a subject. Some require years of practical experience. Others have levels much like classes, such as associate, intermediate, and expert.

Examples of certifications strictly for data science are few and far between. A Data Analyst or Business Analyst will likely sit for certifications like Certified Associate in Data Analytics with Python (PCAD) or Microsoft’s Power BI Data Analyst Associate. Each has a unique set of requirements, and costs vary from program to program.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Data Science

Some of the best certificate programs for data science include Noble Desktop’s comprehensive Data Analytics Certificate and Data Science Certificate programs.

The Data Science Certificate provides a broad curriculum in data science and programming fundamentals. Topics include Python and its many libraries, like Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn. Beginners are welcome and get a solid base in SQL, Jupyter Notebook, and machine learning (ML).

Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate program includes some of the same training: both include a Python for Data Science Bootcamp, Python Machine Learning Bootcamp, and SQL Bootcamp. Depending on your goals, either can be appropriate for data science roles. 

Certifications for data science pros can include anything from Amazon Web Services to Cloudera. However, entry-level data science or analytics typically don’t require such certification. Keep them in mind for future reference after you’ve worked in a data-centered role for several years.

Should I Get Certified in Data Science?

As a general rule, you don’t need a certification in data science or data analytics careers, although you can benefit from adding one to your CV or resume. However, some data pros benefit much more than others by adding certifications. For example, a Data Analyst might want or need a particular certification to advance in their career, especially if it involves Microsoft, Amazon, or Python. Examples include:

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
• Amazon AWS Certified Big Data
• Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst
• Certified Associate in Data Analytics with Python (PCAD)
• Certified Associate in Testing with Python (PCAT)

While all these can benefit the data analysis or business analysis pro, you most likely will not need any particular certification for entry-level data science positions.

How to Get Certified in Data Science

Rather than setting your sights on certification programs you might or might not need down the road, your best bet is to focus on a data science or data analytics certificate first. You may need a year or more of experience in the field before qualifying for some certification programs.

If you plan to get a data science or data analytics certificate, consider how and where you’ll use the knowledge you gain. For example, Noble Desktop’s comprehensive Data Analytics Certificate program provides training for those looking for positions like:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Marketing Analyst

However, if your plan is more on the data science side of the ledger, consider Noble’s Data Science Certificate instead. This course is perfect for a student training for a role like:

• Data Scientist
• Data Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Python Software Developer

Learn Data Science with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Because data science is a broad field, targeted training can prepare you for a data-centered position or even help you choose a specific role. You might think you’ll need a four-year data science degree, but this isn’t necessarily so. The bootcamp or certificate educational model has become increasingly popular for data professionals, thanks to features like small class sizes, hands-on training from industry experts, and individual mentoring. Noble Desktop offers a wide range of data science programs to help get you started.

• Data Science Certificate - The comprehensive Data Science Certificate provides all the skills required for entry-level data science, data analytics, or software engineering roles. Students learn how to write complex queries and build machine learning models while preparing a portfolio on a real-world basis. Skills covered include Python, SQL, NumPy, Pandas, and Jupyter Notebook, to name a few.

• Data Analytics Certificate - The comprehensive Data Analytics Certificate program offers the perfect training ground for Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Analysts, and Marketing Analysts. With a heavy emphasis on Tableau data visualization software, you’ll learn skills like Python programming, SQL, and machine learning, among others. Registrants of the Data Analytics Certificate or Data Science Certificate can also attend Noble’s Power BI Bootcamp at no additional charge.

• Python for Data Science Bootcamp - The Python for Data Science Bootcamp covers everything from programming fundamentals to data visualization. Students can save by taking this course as part of Noble’s Data Science Certificate, Data Analytics Certificate, or FinTech Bootcamp.

Check out all the Noble data science classes and bootcamps for additional options, like the Python Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp, Python for Data Science Bootcamp, or Python Machine Learning Bootcamp.

Key Insights

• Data science is a multidisciplinary field encompassing math, computer programming, and tools like artificial intelligence (AI).
• Top data science sectors include:
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)
• Governmental agencies
• Healthcare
• Marketing & Advertising
• Retail
• Among the most popular positions in data science and analytics are:
• Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Data Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Financial Analyst
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Marketing Analyst
• Top certificate programs for data science include:
• Data Science Certificate
• Data Analytics Certificate
• Top data analytics certifications include:
• Certified Associate in Data Analytics with Python (PCAD)
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
• You can get comprehensive data science training through an in-person or live online course from Noble Desktop.