9 Ways a Data Engineering Certificate Can Advance Your Career
Find the benefits to earning a Practical Data Engineering Certificate in our eBook.
Engineering Programs
Advance Your Career with Engineering Courses & Certificates
OVERVIEW
The engineering certificate programs and courses at the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional and Continuing Education are designed to help you take the first step towards a career in engineering, or enhance the skill set you need to succeed in the engineering field.
From data visualization and storytelling to the fundamentals of using Excel for statistical analysis, our courses are ideal for engineering and business professionals seeking continuing education opportunities or aspiring data engineers looking to launch a new career. The convenient online format makes it easy to balance coursework with work and home life.
Explore the foundational skills of data analytics, obtain a certificate as an engineer, gain alternative and sought-after project management skills, or even acquire practical skills required in data engineering — all on your own time and in your own space.
Explore Courses and Programs
Our engineering certificate programs are designed for anyone looking to gain foundational and practical knowledge in the fields of data analysis and data engineering.
Earn a Certificate
Our continuing education courses for professional engineers are ideal for anyone seeking to gain knowledge, new skills, and leadership acumen in the engineering field!
Take a Course (or Several)
Who are these programs for?
Looking to enhance your engineering project management skills? Need to master the fundamentals of data visualization and presentation? Our engineering certificate programs and courses are ideal for anyone who wishes to pursue or advance a career in engineering, including recent graduates, seasoned professionals, and anyone considering a career change.
Offered in a convenient online format, our programs are thoughtfully tailored to benefit aspiring or seasoned professionals who are interested in such topics and careers as:
- Data Analysts
- Data Visualization Specialists
- Data Engineers
- Project Managers
- Data Visualization Engineers
- Data Visualization Developer
- Engineering
- Machine Learning
- Business Analysts
In occupations such as those listed, the value of a relevant education is apparent in the earning potential. Full-time data engineers with at least a relevant bachelor’s degree, plus some additional professional experience or education, can expect to make an average annual salary of $115,000 in the U.S. The most job opportunities are found in the business sector, specifically in the areas of computer system design, corporate management, and technical consulting. Job growth in the data engineering field is much faster than average — employment is expected to grow by 35% in the next decade, translating to 17,700 openings each year.
BENEFITS OF ENGINEERING COURSES & CERTIFICATES
Career Advancement
Boost your engineering resume with continuing education courses and certificates that indicate advanced skills and up-to-the-minute industry knowledge.
Personalized Education
Small class sizes mean you get personalized attention from instructor-practitioners with real-world engineering experience.
Flexible Scheduling
Take your engineering continuing education online with rigorous, self-paced programs that let you balance your studies with work and home life.
Features & Formats
The top reasons so many career-minded professionals enroll in our engineering programs include:
- Continuing your education at a nationally ranked university with proven programs and cutting-edge curriculum.
- Positioning yourself for potential salary increases by expanding your knowledge and skills in in-demand business disciplines.
- Gaining the insights and tools needed to become more effective in your current field or branch out in a new direction.
- Strengthening your resume by listing academic achievements that make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
- Learning from expert business faculty members who are also experienced, real-world practitioners.
- Benefiting from small class sizes that offer personalized instruction and superior support to enhance learning.
- Augmenting your professional growth by engaging in valuable networking opportunities with faculty and fellow students.
- Signing up for convenient and flexible program schedules, with no application requirement.
- Completing a career-building business certificate in less time than it typically takes to earn a graduate degree
Available Formats
The University of San Diego offers high-quality online and on-campus courses and programs geared to lifelong learning, professional growth and career advancement in a number of different formats
Classroom
These on-campus courses are offered in a traditional classroom where you can connect with your instructor and classmates in a live setting. This learning environment facilitates communication in real time, enables immediate feedback and fosters face-to-face interaction with the instructor and classmates. Classroom courses have a scheduled start and finish date, and students are expected to attend all course sessions.
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.
Online Self-Paced
Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.
How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover 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, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
- Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
- 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.
What our students say
Expert Faculty Instructors
The engineering faculty members at the University of San Diego’s Division Professional & Continuing Education possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience. USD PCE faculty attributes and benefits include:
- Experienced instructor-practitioners
- Instructors who are engaged and accessible
- Small class sizes with personalized attention
- Opportunities for professional networking
- Faculty connections/industry contacts
- Passion for teaching and lifelong learning
- Skilled educators who are invested in your success
Is USD Right for Me?
USD’s widely respected Division of Professional & Continuing Education is dedicated to connecting students with high-quality courses and certificate programs.
If you are passionate about lifelong learning or if you are seeking educational opportunities to gain specific knowledge and skills for personal or career advancement reasons, then (yes!) the University of San Diego is right for you.
Informative Stats and Facts
1949
USD has been crafting high-quality curriculum for over 70 years
350,000+
Number of students who have enhanced their career
95%
Majority of courses are offered in flexible and convenient formats
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of San Diego accredited?
Yes. The Division of Professional and Continuing Education is regionally accredited through the University of San Diego by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Do Continuing Education courses count towards a degree?
Most of our courses do not count toward a degree, unless otherwise stated on the course website page. While credit earned for our courses may be accepted by some universities as applicable towards a degree it is ultimately the decision of the institution you plan to transfer the credit to. It is highly recommended and the responsibility of the student to confirm the transferability with the other institution
Is online learning, classroom or independent study Instructional Method right for me?
Online Fixed-Date courses offer a convenient yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals. Online fixed-date courses have fixed start and finish dates similar to classroom courses, but as an online student, you will have access to your classroom at any time and can view your assignments, syllabus, and course resources from any computer with Internet capability.
Our online courses offer the same high-quality content and expert instruction as the courses held on-ground at the University of San Diego. Instructors facilitate courses through engaging multimedia presentations and provide prompt feedback to questions within a 24-48 hour time frame. Online learning allows students to interact with classmates worldwide and replicate in-classroom interactions through weekly discussion forums, chats and email communication.
Online Self-Paced courses are a perfect blend of accessibility, convenience and flexibility for you to control your learning pace. You will use course textbooks, manuals, assignments and exams to learn and earn credit. Depending on the course, you may also use streaming audio and video, CD-ROM, and download embedded materials through the Internet. Communication with your instructor will take place through your course site online. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams. You can register at any time and you will have six months from the time of registration to complete your course.
Classroom courses are offered in a traditional classroom where you can connect with your instructor and classmates in a live setting. This learning environment facilitates a communication on a given subject in real time, enables immediate feedback, and fosters interaction with the instructor and likeminded classmates. To see if a course is being offered in a location near you please click on the Find a Course on the website’s top navigation bar: then Filter by SUBJECT AREA/PROGRAM and LOCATION. Classroom courses have a scheduled start and end date in which you are expected to attend the courses at that location for all course sessions.
Independent Study Self-Paced courses offer flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster than a traditional live course. Our courses deliver the same high-quality content and expert instruction as traditional, “face-to-face courses.” These courses work well for:
Working professionals with tight schedules
Students who require a specific course to meet professional development or recertification requirements
Students living in remote locations
Students who cannot easily attend courses due to injury or illness
Students who are self-motivated and conscientious
You can register at any time and you will have nine months from the time of registration to complete your course. Completed course work is submitted electronically through your student account.
How do I request an Official Transcript?
Transcripts can be ordered online via your student account. For more detailed information, please visit the Student Transcript Request Page
What type of credit am I earning?
The credit earned is considered Graduate Level Extension Credit, in semester hours (1 semester hour= 15 contact hours). The credit earned is usually used for salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification. Graduate Level Extension credit is not usually transferrable towards a degree. Prior district approval is highly recommended and the responsibility of the student if using the units towards salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification.
How many units can I complete in one semester?
USD Professional and Continuing Education allows for a maximum of 18 units to be completed during any one semester: fall (September – December); spring (January – April); and summer (May – August).
What if I have to drop a course?
A full refund is provided if PCE cancels a course. Students who need to drop a course due to extenuating circumstances may receive a refund, if the request is received prior within three (3) days of the start date of the course. The refund of the course fee will be returned less a processing fee of 10% or $50, whichever is higher. There are no refunds after the three day withdrawal period. Learn about our registration policies here.
Can I transfer in courses to certificate programs from other colleges and universities?
If you have a course or credits you would like to have considered for transfer credit, please contact us. Transfer credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.