9 Best Data Science Certifications & Courses in 2024

IBM Certified Data Scientist

This certification is extensively recognized as its curriculum covers the current data science and machine learning. Getting the IBM Certified Data Scientist certification demonstrates a deep understanding of data science methodologies, including data collection, cleaning, exploration, and analysis, as well as the ability to use IBM's advanced data analytics tools, such as IBM Watson and IBM SPSS. 

The certification also validates a person's modeling and deployment skills and ability to communicate complex findings to stakeholders and make data-driven decisions. 

As an IBM Certified Data Scientist, you can work as:

• Data Scientist
• Data Engineer
• Data Mining Specialist

These jobs typically require a deep understanding of various recession-proof technical skills like data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques, and the IBM certification demonstrates your expertise in these areas. You can use this certification to build a strong foundation for your career in data science and explore new opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Cloudera Certified Data Scientist

This certification covers the concepts, technologies and tools used in data science and provides a comprehensive understanding of big data processing and analysis. It covers various topics, including machine learning algorithms, data modeling, and data processing using tools such as Hadoop, Spark, and Hive. 

This ensures that individuals with the certification have a strong foundation in the essential skills required for a successful data science career. In addition, the certification provides recognition and credibility in the industry and can help job candidates distinguish themselves in a competitive job market.

Some popular jobs you can take up after earning this certification are:

• Data Scientist
• Data Analyst
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Big Data Engineer
• Analytics Manager

These roles typically require advanced data processing, modeling, and analysis skills, as well as expertise in machine learning algorithms and big data technologies. With this certification, you will have a competitive edge in the job market and a recognized benchmark of your technical proficiency in big data and machine learning.

Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate

This certification focuses on the practical skills necessary to work with data using Azure services such as Azure Machine Learning, HDInsight, and Stream Analytics. It demonstrates a deep understanding of the skills required to build and deploy models, perform data analysis and visualization, and manage big data on Microsoft Azure. 

With the increasing demand for data science skills in the industry, this certification helps individuals stand out and prove their expertise in the field. It also allows them to work on complex data projects, improve their career prospects and earn recognition for their achievements. 

Some jobs you can take up with this certification include:

• Data Scientist
• Data Engineer
• Big Data Engineer
• Business Intelligence Analyst

These positions are available in various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, technology, and government. With this certification, you will demonstrate your expertise in Azure data services, data science, and machine learning. Earning this certification will open up new data science career growth and advancement opportunities.

The next section will showcase the major differences between the earlier discussed top 3 data science certifications:

There has been a demand for Data Scientists as they are transforming the industry. If you want to become a Data Scientist after 12th, here are the top data science certifications designed for beginner and intermediate-level learners that you can consider:

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

With the completion of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate course, you'll gain skills for entry-level work, guided by Google employees who used data analytics foundations in their careers. This certificate takes under 10 hours per week, finishing in six months or less.

Become a Data Analyst

You will learn about the preparation and manipulation of data for analysis in the Data Analyst Nanodegree program. You will also learn to create visualizations that can be used for data exploration and how to use your data skills to tell stories with data.

Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL Specialization

You will learn the foundational skills required for Data Science, including SQL, Statistical Analysis, and Python. This Data Science Fundamentals with Python and SQL Specialization course will also provide you with the practical knowledge and experience to dive deeper into Data Science and create advanced Data Science Projects.

Complete Data Science Course with Python

This Complete Data Science Course with Python covers topics like Data Visualization, Data Preprocessing and Machine Learning. It will teach you the fundamentals of Python programming required for Data Science, as well as important Python libraries required for Data Science.

Professional Certificate in Data Science

This Professional Certificate in Data Science covers topics like probability and inference, and machine learning. It helps you develop essential skills like R programming, data wrangling using dplyr and data visualization with ggplot2.

Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics and Data Science

This Post Graduate Program in Data Analytics and Data Science helps you build your skills and apply them in real-world situations. It is a series of projects that allow you to apply the theory in practice. 

It is important to note that certifications are not the only indicator of knowledge and skills, as hands-on experience and practical projects are essential to becoming a successful data scientist.

The objective of obtaining a Data Science Certification is to provide you with a competitive advantage over fellow professionals when starting a career in data science. Through this certification, you will acquire intricate proficiencies that may be challenging to acquire. Moreover, it serves to authenticate and affirm the existing skills you possess.

Following are some important reasons why you should invest in certifications for data science.

• Career Advancement: Obtaining a certification can help you progress and open up new job opportunities.
   
• Demonstrates Skills: A certification is an objective way to demonstrate your skills in data science, as it typically involves passing a standardized data science exam or completing a specific project.
   
• Competitive Edge: Having a certification in data science sets you apart from others who may not have it and can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
   
• Credibility: A certification in data science demonstrates to employers and clients that you have a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field.
   
• Networking: Certifications often provide opportunities to connect with other data science professionals, expanding your network and potentially leading to new job opportunities or collaborations.
   
• Staying Up-to-Date: Certifications require continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest tools, techniques and technologies in data science.

Data Science is one of the most in-demand careers in Artificial Intelligence. Keeping up with emerging trends and technologies can be difficult because data science is a field that is constantly evolving. This is where earning a data science certification can be a game changer, as it not only demonstrates a person's commitment to the field but also that they have a strong understanding of concepts. 

As a result, obtaining a data science certification helps start a career in Data Science, getting multiple entry-level data science jobs, and earning a higher salary. Careervira offers various online AI and Data Science courses you can enrol yourself in. Right now is the best time to make a career in Data Science.