Earning a data engineering certificate or certification is a proven way to advance your skillset, prove to an employer that you’re committed to the latest industry advancements, and increase your earning potential. Keep reading to learn more about the options available and how to choose the right program for you.
Despite sounding similar, certification and certificate programs have distinct differences that are important to understand. There are merits to each, but you will want to ensure that the program you enroll in meets your specific needs.
Most notably, earning a certificate is evidence of participation in an educational program. It is a way to gain specific knowledge and skills in a particular subject area. Earning a certification is more formal, typically requiring you to pass an exam or meet some industry standard, often making the process more expensive and time consuming.
Review the following side-by-side comparison for more:
There are many opportunities to improve your skillset or learn important introductory concepts with a data engineer certificate. Here are some popular online options to explore as you embark on your educational journey.
Designed for anyone looking to gain foundational and practical knowledge in the fields of data analysis and data engineering. Utilizing small class sizes, USD prioritizes personalized attention from instructor-practitioners with real-world engineering experience. Course content is constantly updated, providing the very latest industry knowledge.
No formal requirements
Four courses for $5,545
Skilled data analysts are in high demand in many industries. This four-course program prepares students with practical statistical techniques and sought-after skillsets. Instructors are experts in the field, providing the latest information and impactful guidance.
Participants will learn to design data models, build data warehouses, implement automations, and work with massive datasets.
$996 for four months; or $249 per month if more time is needed
Learn how to build data pipelines using Cloud Dataprep by Trifacta, Pub/Sub, and Dataflow. Build a machine learning model using BigQuery ML, use Cloud Composer to copy data across multiple locations, and more.
This is a skill badge quest, meaning that anyone who passes a final assessment earns a digital badge to share with their network.
It’s recommended that the following programs are completed prior to this intermediate-level offering:
Monthly subscriptions start at $29 and are required to access some course content
Self-led exam preparation is intended for working professionals with careers in IT or software engineering, or undergraduate students pursuing a degree in related fields.
Candidates are required to have a strong understanding of the foundational aspects of programming. That includes hands-on experience with tools such as Core JAVA and SQL statements, knowledge of scripting languages like PERL or RUBY, and a clear understanding of data structures and spreadsheets.
$585 certification program fee
This course requires expertise in integrating, transforming, and consolidating data from a variety of systems. A solid understanding of SQL, Python, and Scala is required before beginning. Students will dive deeper into processes to design and implement data storage, data processing, and overall optimization. Self-paced and instructor led options are available. Certifications must be renewed.
Proficiency is expected in:
$165 exam fee; additional costs for learning modules
This beginner-level, 13-course series focuses on the latest skills that data engineers rely on to fulfill day-to-day responsibilities. A working knowledge of NoSQL and Big Data are established using MongoDB, Cassandra, Cloudant, Hadoop, Apache Spark, Spark SQL, Spark ML, and Spark Streaming.
Enrollment is available for anyone with any job and academic background. Basic IT literacy, including familiarity working with Windows, Linux or MacOS, is encouraged. Prior computer programming experience is not necessary.
Prices vary by course and subscription preferences on Coursera
This nine-course series offered by Meta is intended to build job-ready skills, including proficiency in SQL syntax, various database applications in Python, creating databases from scratch, and advanced modeling techniques.
No experience is required, but a basic understanding of computer operating systems — Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac — is helpful.
Learn to utilize Databricks for advanced engineering tasks in tandem with Apache Spark™, Delta Lake, MLflow, and the Databricks CLI and REST API. Assessments cover databricks tooling, data processing, data modeling, security and governance, monitoring and logging, as well as testing and deployment. The certification is valid for two years and must be renewed.
There are no formal prerequisites, but related training is highly recommended.
$200 test registration fee
Gain the skills required of a successful data warehouse engineer by taking advantage of hands-on training. Courses cater to novice engineers with practical introductions, hands-on lessons in shell scripting, and a final capstone project.
No experience required
Each certification or certificate program focuses on honing essential data analysis skills. Despite varying approaches, there are important commonalities among them that will lead to a successful career.
Earning a data engineering certificate is a great way to prove to an employer that you are dedicated to self-improvement and willing to obtain the latest industry knowledge. Those just getting started in data engineering are able to build a strong foundation of knowledge, while those with existing experience can advance their career, boost earning potential, and enhance their credibility as experts in the field.
It is reasonable to become overwhelmed by the vast number of data engineering certificate programs available. Start by considering how the program’s schedule and workload will fit with your lifestyle and prior commitments. Ask yourself whether the program is within your budget, and how it will ultimately help you achieve your goals.
The ideal data engineering certification or certificate program is different for everyone. Programs will cater to different skill levels, areas of specialization, and career goals. The best data engineering programs are updated regularly and are in-line with industry standards and developments.
Earning a data engineering certificate shows a commitment to education and improvement. Employers often consider certificates incredibly valuable and may even award higher pay when new experience is proven.
No. A certificate often requires less time and financial commitment than a certification. That’s because the latter often involves passage of an industry-specific test and proving deeper proficiency.
This answer varies depending on the program. For example, USD offers flexible learning opportunities that allows students to complete lessons within designated timeframes.
Many data engineering certificate programs will cover database fundamentals, various language models, performance optimization, and more.
Data Analytics and Visualization Certificate – Bundle and save 10% when you enroll in all four courses (must add all 4 courses in one transaction for discount):
To apply credit, select the checkbox and select "BUS – DAV Bundle and Save 10%" for a discount on each course.
**Only one discount can be applied per course. Discount does not apply to certificate fee.**
Practical Data Engineering Certificate – Bundle and save 10% when you enroll in all four courses (must add all 4 courses in one transaction for discount):
To apply credit, select the checkbox and select "BUS – PDE Bundle and Save 10%" for a discount on each course. **Only one discount can be applied per course. Discount does not apply to certificate fee. **
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