Best Data Analyst Certification Online for Beginners | IABAC

seenivasan Vseenivasan V
6 min read

To make informed decisions, governments, corporations, and even small businesses rely significantly on data. Data analysts, or experts who are able to understand, clean, analyze, and interpret data to support decision-making, are in high demand as a result of this expanding trend.

Becoming a data analyst can be the ideal career choice for you if you have an interest in statistics and data or if you're just looking to change careers. The good news? You don't have to return to school or put in years of study time. Numerous beginner-friendly online certificates are available to assist you in beginning your data analytics career.

We'll look at the top data analyst certificates available to beginners online. In addition, we'll go over what to look for in a certification, how long they usually take, how much they cost, and how becoming certified can lead to new career pathways.

Why Become a Data Analyst?

Let's first review why becoming a data analyst is a fantastic career choice before going into the top certifications.

  • High demand: To assist in making data-driven decisions, businesses in all sectors are employing data analysts.

  • Good salary: In many countries, entry-level data analysts make between $60,000 and $70,000 annually, according to Glassdoor.

  • Numerous opportunities: e-commerce, marketing, finance, healthcare, sports, logistics, and more all want data analysts.

  • Flexibility in terms of location: A lot of data analyst positions include remote work.

  • Using simple tools to enter: You don't have to be an expert in programming or math. Anyone with basic computing skills may study data analytics with the correct instruction.

What Should a Good Data Analyst Certification Offer?

Online certifications vary from one another. Make sure the certification or course you select includes:

What Should a Good Data Analyst Certification

  1. Beginner-friendly material: No prior knowledge should be assumed in this course.

  2. Useful tools: Look for courses that teach Excel, SQL, Python, R, Tableau, or Power BI.

  3. Real-world projects: Certifications should incorporate case studies or projects.

  4. Industry-recognized: Certifications from reputable organizations or groups are worth more.

  5. Flexible and reasonably priced: If you're just starting off, it's best to get something that lets you study at your own speed without breaking the bank.

Best Online Data Analyst Certifications for Beginners

Let’s now look at the best data analyst certifications you can take online as a beginner.

1. IABAC Certified Data Analyst (CDA)

One of the most reputable certifications in the analytics field is provided by the International Association of Business Analytics Certification (IABAC).

Why Choose an IABAC Certified Data Analyst?

  • International recognition: IABAC certifications are accepted in more than 50 nations.

  • Easy for beginners: No prior knowledge of analytics or code is necessary.

  • Modules with a clear structure: Covers the fundamentals of statistics, data analytics, Excel, SQL, and Python.

  • Applications in the real world: The course contains exercises and real-world case studies.

  • Exam-based certification: This increases credibility because you will receive the certificate only after passing an online test.

Duration:

Usually takes two to three months while learning part-time.

Who should take it?

Complete beginners, business professionals seeking to advance their skills, and people changing careers.

2. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera)

This certification, which Google offers on Coursera, has grown to be one of the most well-liked choices for beginners.

Why Choose This Course?

  • Taught by Google specialists: Gain knowledge from experts in the subject.

  • No experience is required: Very easy for beginners.

  • Covers the following key tools: R, Tableau, SQL, and Excel/Sheets.

  • Practical experience: Consists of peer-reviewed projects and real-world case studies.

  • Job-ready skills: Get you ready for analytic positions at the beginning level.

Duration:

About six months if you put in ten hours a week of study time. If you want to, you can move more quickly.

Who should take it?

Beginners who choose an organized, supervised curriculum emphasizing practical skills.

3. IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate (Coursera)

A more technical, tool-focused class from IBM is also available on Coursera.

Why Choose This Course?

  • Project-based learning: Includes several projects to build your portfolio.

  • Covers modern tools: Excel, SQL, Python, Pandas, Jupyter, and visualization tools like Cognos.

  • Certificate from IBM: Adds credibility to your resume.

  • Earn a badge for LinkedIn: You can showcase it on your professional profile.

Duration:

Around 4 to 6 months at 8-10 hours/week.

Who should take it?

Beginners who wish to concentrate on technologies like Python and SQL and are comfortable with a little more technical stuff.

4. Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate (Using Power BI)

This certification, which is provided directly by Microsoft, places a strong emphasis on Power BI, a well-known data visualization tool.

Why Choose This Certification?

  • Credibility in the industry: Microsoft certification is taken into consideration while applying for jobs.

  • Tool-focused: Power BI is frequently utilized in business settings.

  • Practical tasks: Creating reports and a lot of graphic dashboards.

  • Official learning path: Training is free on the Microsoft Learn platform.

Duration:

Self-paced; two to three months may be needed to prepare for an exam.

Who should take it?

Those with an interest in business intelligence tools, dashboarding, and reporting.

5. Data Analyst Nanodegree (Udacity)

This high-end syllabus is renowned for its practical projects and individualized coaching.

Why Choose This Course?

  • Career support: Consists of interview practice, LinkedIn profile critique, and resume evaluation.

  • Projects from real businesses: Contains case studies from beginning to end.

  • Technical depth: Includes information on data wrangling, Python, SQL, and visualization.

Duration:

A total of 10 hours each week for a period of 3 to 4 months is usual.

Who should take it?

Beginners who are prepared to pay more for individualized coaching and help finding employment.

Tips for Success as a Beginner

  1. Practice regularly: Learn and work on projects for at least five to ten hours every week.

  2. Begin small: Avoid diving right into complicated data science subjects. Start with Excel, then switch to Python or SQL.

  3. Create a portfolio by posting your finished work to GitHub or your own website.

  4. Join communities: You may stay motivated by joining groups on Reddit, LinkedIn, or Discord.

  5. Apply for freelancing jobs or internships: You can gain important experience from even small tasks.

The discipline of data analytics is growing rapidly and has enormous promise. There has never been a better moment to begin learning data analytics, regardless of your current status as a student, working professional, or seeking a career shift.

You may learn the necessary skills, develop your portfolio, and start a high-demand job from the comfort of your home with online certifications from IABAC, Google, IBM, and others.

Continue practicing, start small, and maintain your curiosity. The first step on your path to becoming a data analyst is taking the appropriate certification, which can make all the difference.

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seenivasan V
seenivasan V