Fill out the form to get more information about the Fullstack Academy bootcamp of your choice.
Last Updated 7/12/2024
Types of Data Analytics Certifications
Companies of all sizes and industries utilize data to make critical business decisions. For product marketing, key data points like demographics, market segmentation, and competitive analysis may be collected to inform a marketing strategy.
That’s why companies hire data analysts with specific data analytics certifications. These certifications demonstrate that an analyst has the necessary skill set and tools proficiency to generate, collect, organize, analyze, and visualize data to improve business decisions.
Without data analysts to suggest actionable takeaways from large amounts of data, companies and organizations may struggle to use it effectively. This need to make sense of business data is partly responsible for the steadily increasing demand for data analysts. In 2023 alone, there were over 109,900 new job listings for data analysts in the US according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while future job opportunities are projected to grow by 23% over the next decade (much higher than the 6-7% average for all occupations).
Individuals seeking an edge in this competitive work environment should consider acquiring data analytics certifications. Combining a certification with a data analytics bootcamp can help prospective data professionals gain a competitive edge in the job market.
What Are Data Analytics Certifications?
A data analytics certification is a credential awarded to those who have demonstrated the necessary skills determined by an accrediting body. In data analytics, these credentials typically aim to demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the following areas:
Data collection
Data visualization
Tool(s) proficiency
Developing business insights using data analysis
Database management
ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes
Programming fundamentals
Usually obtained via testing, data analytics certifications are a relatively straightforward and cost-efficient way to demonstrate your expertise as an analyst.
Why Data Analytics Certifications Are Important
Similar to data scientists, data analysts compile data using software and other digital tools to present that data in a way that’s easy to visualize and understand. Employers need data analysts who have a deep comprehension of fundamental concepts and the ability to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. While analysts who are exclusively self-taught may well have these skills, a relevant certification proves them.
Here’s why data analytics certifications are important. A certification may allow you to:
Increase your salary. Demonstrating your proficiency in a highly valued data analysis concept or technology can empower your employer to compensate you for that expertise.
Stand out in the job search. Similarly, certifications show initiative in addition to technical skills. This combination can recommend you to potential employers.
Expand your tool(s) proficiency. Certifications in tools, like the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification, enable you to master the most up-to-date versions of industry standard tools.
Who Should Get a Data Analytics Certification
Data analytics certifications are best suited for those looking to either break into a data-focused role or upskill in one. Whether you’re a current or prospective data professional, a data analytics certification cements your understanding of essential data analysis skills.
Here’s the list of people who could benefit from obtaining a data analytics certification:
Early career professionals with little experience may use relevant certifications to demonstrate their aptitude for data roles.
Career upskillers or those looking to specialize further in a current role can leverage a focused certification toward achieving a shift or increase in responsibilities.
Seasoned data analysts may use certification to stay current on industry tools and technologies.
Considering a career in data analytics?
Learn more about our full-time and part-time data analytics bootcamps.
How to Choose the Right Data Analytics Certification
Not all data analytics certifications are equal; they vary in focus, requirements, skills, and how each relates to specific roles in the tech industry. An examination of some popular certifications can help individuals decide which fits their needs and which are better suited for beginners or more advanced analysts.
1. Certified Analytics Professional
The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is an entry-level analytics certification that validates mastery of the analytics process even if the applicant doesn’t have prior knowledge.
Who It’s For: Beginners and career changers looking to demonstrate foundational data analysis skills.
What You’ll Learn: The exam covers seven areas of the analytics process:
Business issue framing
Analytics problem framing
Data
Method selection
Model creation
Deployment
Life cycle management
How to Earn It: based on the Job Task Analysis (JTA) as a blueprint of general topics covered, certification is earned via a 100-question exam.
2. Tableau Desktop Specialist
Tableau Desktop Specialist certification focuses on Tableau’s functionality and product comprehension.
Who It’s For: This certification is great for both beginners and established professionals who use Tableau in their day-to-day work streams.
What You’ll Learn: Tableau offers a number of services including merging data from various sources into a single analytic data set and providing real-time data analysis to update these data sets as quickly as new data comes in. Earning this certification shows that an individual can turn complex data into a straightforward and easily understood visual that efficiently communicates data analysis insights to businesses.
How to Earn It: The Tableau Desktop Specialist certification is fairly beginner-friendly in that it can be prepared in about 10 weeks via bootcamp education. It never has to be retaken and never expires.
3. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Data Analytics – Specialty is an advanced certification encompassing the design, development, security, and upkeep of analytics systems.
Who It’s For: This certification is best for those seeking a data analyst role, specifically one using AWS.
What You’ll Learn: While a portion of the certification tests general data analytics skills, the primary focus is on assessing specialized knowledge of AWS services that allow, improve, and expand data analytics capabilities.
How to Earn It: Because of the complex aspects covered by the exam, participants should have at least two years of hands-on experience working with AWS services to develop, construct, secure, and manage analytics systems, as well as five years of familiarity with standard data analytics technologies.
4. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification indicates proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, an interactive data visualization program for corporate analytics and intelligence.
Who It’s For: The certification is best suited to those with advanced data analytics skills.
What You’ll Learn: This data analytics certification showcases knowledge of data libraries as well as data processes, both on-site as well as in cloud storage. It also indicates proven skills in creating scalable data models and visualizations that give meaning to that data for businesses.
How to Earn It: Encompassing both advanced data analytics concepts and total proficiency with the tool itself, those seeking this certification should have several years of working experience in the data industry.
5. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional
The SAS (Statistical Analysis System) certification represents a professional’s deep knowledge of advanced data analyst practices using the SAS software suite of data technologies.
Who It’s For: The SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional certification is for data analysts who want to enhance their predictive and statistical modeling skills.
What You’ll Learn: Advanced predictive modeling and programming proficiency for modeling, mining, visualizing, and extracting data in SAS.
How to Earn It: The certification takes around three months to complete and certifies the holder’s expertise in modeling and programming for commercial applications.
Benefits of a Data Analytics Bootcamp
Data analytics certifications showcase an individual’s proficiency to potential employers. However, it can be difficult for those who want to enter the field to know how to start learning data analytics tools and systems. Bootcamps are designed to jumpstart one’s journey into specific subjects by gaining skills through an accelerated program.
In a data analytics bootcamp, students can learn about many of the core concepts regularly used by professionals in the industry, such as programming languages, data collection methodologies, and how to create data visualizations. Many bootcamps also prepare students for certain certification exams. By mastering these fundamentals and obtaining certifications, individuals open themselves up to opportunities to advance in their chosen field.
Considering a career in data analytics?
Learn more about our full-time and part-time data analytics bootcamps.
Advance Your Skills in Data Analytics
Given projected growth in data analytics, investing in the knowledge and skills to take advantage of that growth is well worth it. Achieving data analytics certifications is a proven way to show your expertise to potential employers. An excellent method of preparing for those certifications is with Fullstack Academy’s Online Data Analytics Bootcamp.
Fullstack Academy not only helps students learn the foundations of data analytics but also prepares them for the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. Learn more about how Fullstack Academy’s Data Analytics Bootcamp can train you for your future career.
FAQs
1. Which certificate is good for a data analyst?
The right certification for a data analyst depends on their professional goals. Those seeking to prove their tools proficiency might consider certification in Tableau, Amazon Web Services, or Microsoft Power BI. To demonstrate general data skills, data analysts could pursue the CAP (Certified Analytics Professional) certification.
Regardless of your specific career goals, certification in data analysis skills, tools, or technologies can be worthwhile credentials to pursue at any stage of your career.
2. What is a Data Analytics certification?
A data analytics certification is a credential awarded to professionals who have demonstrated their proficiency in a data analysis technology or concept. These are usually obtained by passing a skills test.
Recommended Readings
What Is Database Management? Career and Salary Outcomes
Data Scientist vs. Data Analyst: What’s the Difference?
What Does a Data Analyst Do? Job Types, Training, and Salary
Sources:
Amazon Web Services, AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
Certified Analytics Professional, Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
CIO, “The Top 11 Big Data and Data Analytics Certifications”
IBM, IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
Indeed, IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
Microsoft, Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Pearson VUE, 2021 Value of IT Certification Report
