Top 8 Data Science Certifications to Accelerate Your Career Growth

In today's world, the field of data science is becoming more and more vital for businesses to transform their work processes and enhance productivity. This has influenced the demand for skilled data scientists across all domains. If you are a data scientist or looking to upskill in this field, it is the right time to do so.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that, on average, the job openings in the data science field are expected to grow by 20,800 each year. This signifies the growth potential for skilled professionals. This blog will discuss some of the top data science certifications to help you upskill in the discipline and find unlimited career possibilities with competitive benefits.

Best Online Data Science Certifications

Pursuing data science certifications can offer you many benefits, such as validating your technical expertise, getting an opportunity to work on capstone or real-time projects, learning from industry experts, and more. But the most advantageous aspect is staying competitive and finding higher salary bracket jobs in the global job market.

Here are some of the trending data science certifications to help you achieve this dream:

1.      Google Professional Data Engineer Certification (non-beginners)

This certification trains students on topics like building, managing, and designing various scalable data models. Additionally, this certification is suitable for professionals who have prior work experience with cloud platforms such as Google Cloud Platform or GCP. Even professionals with data engineering understanding can opt for this program as it emphasizes concepts such as data pipelines, managing databases, and machine learning problems in the GCP ecosystem.  

Course highlights:

·   You will gain skills on real-time data processing, scalability, data security, etc.

·    A certification from Google which can boost your resume.

·    Industry exposure and practical skills with hands-on experience in GCP.

2.      United States Data Science Institute: Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS™)

This institute offers globally-recognized certifications in data science. Certified Lead Data Scientist is one such example, which helps data science professionals climb the career ladder and become leaders in the business world. This program focuses on decision-making frameworks, enterprise-level data management, and various statistical analysis or models.

Course highlights:

·   CLDS™ professionals can develop world-class data science designs and applications and manage any end-to-end project.

·   You will receive personalized study books and real-world workshop-based eLearning to enhance your learning experience.

·    The program is focused on the advanced fundamentals of data science and topics like Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP, Text Analytics, and more.

3.      MIT: MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science

This certification is designed for intermediate learners who have a good understanding of mathematical and statistical foundations. Also, this program is ideal for those who have a background in computer science or who are aiming to specialize their career in data-driven decision making.

Course highlights:

·    Here you will learn about concepts like probability, machine learning, and data analysis.

·     After you graduate, you will receive a Master’s degree certification from MIT or its partnered universities.

·     This certification will prepare you for real-world business problems.

4.      Columbia University: Data Science for Executives

Offered by Columbia University, this certification is for executives who have some years of work experience and are now aiming to enhance their career opportunities. However, this program can also be for individuals who are willing to learn data science but are not comfortable with programming.

Course highlights:

·   This program focuses on concepts like data ethics, predictive analytics, and data science essentials.

·   It helps executives master data science essentials for organizational growth.

·   This program can also be pursued by non-tech professionals.

5.      University of Illinois MasterTrack in Data Science

This program is ideal for intermediate to advanced learners, delving into advanced topics such as cloud computing, statistical modeling, and data analytics. Here, you will find a robust curriculum that helps learners enhance their expertise in the field of data science.

Course highlights:

·   You will have the opportunity to learn from hands-on projects.

·    After graduation, you will receive a Master's degree from the University.

·   The program focuses on cutting-edge technologies to help learners understand real-world applications.

6.      UC Berkeley Extension’s Data Science Certification Program

This program offers a comprehensive curriculum that allows you to learn about topics like Python programming, statistical modeling, and related subjects. As you can deduce, this program is ideal for professionals who have some previous experience.

Course highlights:

·    This certification offers a project-based approach.

·    It covers various advanced data science topics such as predictive analysis, data analytics, etc.

·    Recognized for industry-relevant learning.

7.      United States Data Science Institute: Certified Senior Data Scientist (CSDS™)

Studies show that a senior data scientist gets paid anywhere between US $150K to US $250K per year, and with CSDS™ qualification under your belt, the chances of getting paid 40% higher increase significantly. This program helps you stay ahead of your competitors by learning about trends in data science.

Course highlights:

·   This certification comes with three years of validity, and you are required to renew it every three years from the date of earning certification.

·    A basic understanding of data science subjects or concepts is required along with good knowledge in programming.

·    The program's curriculum is exclusively designed to meet the industrial demands of the most accomplished Senior Data Scientists. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, pursuing a data science certification can be a strategic move if it is obtained from a reputed global platform. With the help of these certifications or courses, you can validate your skills and earn brownie points on your resume. Not only that, it can also increase your competitiveness, learning opportunities, and much more. Hence, choosing the right program is quite essential because it provides a good return on investment in terms of time and money. Explore the aforementioned programs and opt for the one that aligns with your career goals and objectives.