The data Science industry has been growing at a rapid pace. The major research companies have estimated a steep growth for the data science market in the coming years. Markets and Markets expects the market value to hit $327 billion by 2027. Not only that, according to LinkedIn, the demand for data scientists is growing at a rate of 28% per year.
In fact, data science jobs have been ranked fifth among the fastest-growing jobs by the WEF 2023 report on fastest-growing jobs. With this huge demand, the competition is also expected to rise. The level of skills and knowledge in this domain will be the distinguishing factors for the candidates seeking jobs in this industry. And for them, the top data science certification will play an important role.
Why data science certification?
With the best data science certifications, you can demonstrate your expertise in this field. The data science certification programs empower students with the fundamental as well as advanced concepts of data science. Completing the course helps them become proficient in the latest tools and technologies. They can also showcase their professional commitment and dedication to this field. So, if you are aspiring to get into a data science career then a certification from a credible institute will help you a lot in your endeavors. In the following section, we will see some of the best certification programs available.
Top data science certifications
Here are the top data science certification programs that you can consider to start your career in data science or take it forward.
- Google Certified Professional Data Engineer
A data engineer must be able to perform all necessary tasks in their data processing system such as designing and building the system, securing it, and monitoring its performance. This Google Certified Professional Data Engineer certification exam assesses and certifies these abilities of the candidates.
This is a 2-hour exam and the registration fee for this certificate exam is $200. The exam consists of 0-60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. You can choose either an online-proctored exam or take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center. This certification is valid for 2 years.
- Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS): USDSI®
The United States Data Science Institute (USDSI®) is one of the most reputed institutes in the field of data science and offers three credible data science certification programs for students and professionals having different levels of work experience. The CLDS program is designed specifically for professionals having 4+ years of work experience in the field of IT, computer science, data science, or related domains.
This certification program helps mid-level data science professionals to advance to senior positions in their careers by demonstrating their expertise in advanced data science concepts like advanced big data analytics, machine learning, PowerBI, Containerization, RPA , IoT and Cloud, etc.
The professionals who want to earn this certificate can enroll in this program by paying an examination fee of $781 along with which they get a world-class study material free. The resource center consists of eBooks, videos, practice codes, and capstone projects that help them prepare for the exam.
After paying the fee, the candidates can schedule their certificate exam directly from their student dashboard within 25-175 days of enrollment, though they can request further extensions if they already have any professional commitments.
- Post Graduate Certificate in Data Science: Stellenbosch University, South Africa
This is a one-year graduate certificate program in data science that helps students master the fundamental concepts of data science such as data mining, statistical modeling, machine learning, etc. Students seeking to learn and make their foundation strong in data science can consider this data science certification and apply it in a real-world scenario.
The program consists of 8 modules and a capstone project. Taught by experienced faculty members from the School of Data Science and Computational Thinking at Stellenbosch University, the students can easily learn the concepts in depth.
FAQ
- Which is the best data science certification?
Data science is a vast field and there are various certifications available in the data science domain designed for different levels of experience. Depending upon your career goals, budget, and what skill you want to learn, you must choose the certification. So, which is the best data science certification, depends.
- Is data science certification worth it?
Yes, now employers consider a valid certificate as a testament to the candidates’ skills and expertise. Though the certifications are not mandatory, they give an added advantage during their job search or appraisal process.
- Which is the best institute for a data science certificate in the USA?
Harvard, MIT, USDSI®, Stanford, Caltech, etc. are some of the best institutes whose data science certifications are widely recognized across various industries.
- How much does a certification in data science cost?
There are many certification programs available in data science which can cost anywhere between $200 and $20, 000.
- How long are certificates valid?
Typically all certification programs have an expiry date and they are most valid for 2-3 years. This makes recertification or renewal mandatory so that students remain updated with the latest trends and technologies evolving in the data science field.
