Practical Data Engineering Certificate

DESIGN AIR-TIGHT PLATFORMS FOR DATA COLLECTION, STORAGE AND ANALYSIS

The applied, hands-on Practical Data Engineering Certificate is designed for busy working professionals and data enthusiasts to learn the principles, tools, techniques and best practices required of data engineers in the real world. 

Data engineering and architecture are some of the most sought-after skill sets needed to prepare, manage, optimize, and process data. With the right preparation and command of technology, data engineers can provide data, uncover insights, and connect abstract data sets to analytical practitioners and organizations. 

Today’s data engineers are empowered to do so much more than Extract/Transform/Load (ETL) information — they have become true contributors in the process of interpreting and expanding the boundaries of data-driven projects.

The four data engineering courses in this certificate will prepare students to solve real-world problems and develop insights that lead to more informed, data-based decisions and business actions. Students will develop and hone their skill sets related to data analysis, extraction, and storage architecture, the ethics of data engineering, and best practices for developing efficient data pipelines using SQL and AWS. 

Certificate Requirements

USD certificate programs provide a rigorous course of study that demonstrates a progression of learning and the mastery of a specific body of knowledge. Learn more about the University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education Certificate Benefits and Policies.

Cohort Schedule

Learning Method Information

Online Fixed-Date

Online Fixed-Date: Online fixed-date courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that enables you to collaborate with your instructor and other students in a shared, online learning environment. These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Our online fixed-date courses allow you to work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates.

How is the learning structured? In an online fixed-date course, you and your classmates will proceed through the curriculum together, collaborating in a shared learning experience. Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
• Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Curriculum

The four courses in the Practical Data Engineering Certificate program build upon each other and so must be taken in order. Each data engineering course is offered three times per year, so you will have the opportunity to begin your studies in whichever semester works best for you (Spring, Summer, or Fall).

Program courses are as follows:

• PDE-X800 Data Engineering Fundamentals
• PDE-X801 Practical Data Extraction
• PDE-X802 Practical Data Integration
• PDE-X803 Practical Data Engineering Capstone

The courses in this certificate program have been thoughtfully crafted to build your knowledge and skills and position you for success in the data engineering employment market. Each course is seven weeks long.

The courses are delivered in an asynchronous, fully online format, which provides considerable flexibility to complete the work on your own schedule as you earn your certificate in just 28 weeks.

Prerequisite Skills

Familiarity with basic programming languages and concepts (Python and SQL)

Bundle & save

Special offer! Bundle and save 10% when you enroll in all four courses (must purchase all at once for offer) within the certificate. Discount will be applied at checkout.

Benefits

Students who complete the online Practical Data Engineering Certificate will:

• Learn and employ the best practices beyond coding to build a successful career as a data engineer or architect
• Develop a practical foundation and job-ready skills in the fast-growing data engineering profession
• Gain proficiency in essential data engineering tools, such as SQL and AWS
• Be in a position to pursue an incredible range of job opportunities (115,000+ openings in 2022)
• Acquire advanced skills that add value to existing data science and AI background and resume

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

The online Practical Data Engineering Certificate program is designed and taught by expert instructors who provide up-to-the-minute data engineer training focused on practical knowledge. 

Frequently Asked Questions