In today’s digital age, the volume of generated data is increasing exponentially, making it crucial for businesses to be more effective in managing data to gain insights and make data-driven decisions to stay ahead of competitors. This is where business intelligence (BI) — the process of collecting, analyzing, and presenting data to support decision-making in an organization — comes into play.
As businesses continue to harness the power of data, the demand for skilled BI professionals has skyrocketed. From data analysts and scientists to business intelligence developers, there are many different career opportunities in this important field.
While education and experience are essential for career success, business intelligence and data analyst certifications can give your resume a competitive edge when applying for jobs in the BI sector. In this guide, we’ll explore 16 of the top BI certifications that can help you enhance your knowledge, skills and credibility to advance your career.
Whether you’re looking to break into the field of BI or want to take your existing skills to the next level, explore the list below — presented in alphabetical order — to help you decide which business intelligence analyst certifications are right for you.
1. Advanced Business Analytics Specialization
This specialization is helpful for individuals looking to elevate their skills in business analytics. This intermediate-level program consists of 100% online courses and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of advanced data analysis and visualization techniques. The certification offers a flexible schedule, making it ideal for those who need to balance work and study commitments.
Throughout the 5-month program (approximately 3 hours/week), students will learn about:
- Mathematical optimization
- SQL
- Data modeling
- Regression analysis
- And more
2. Analytics for Decision Making Specialization
The Analytics for Decision Making Specialization is a beginner-level program that can be completed 100% online with a flexible schedule. The program is designed for individuals who have familiarity with Microsoft Word, and it can be completed in approximately 4 months (suggested pace of 4 hours/week).
Topics covered in the coursework include:
- Introduction to business analytics
- Predictive modeling and forecasting
- Prescriptive analytics and optimization
- Data preparation and exploration
- Linear regression
3. Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence Specialization
The Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence Specialization is an advanced-level program designed for individuals already in the industry. The program takes approximately 8 months (suggested pace of 8 hours/week) to complete and is 100% online with a flexible schedule.
Students will learn skills such as:
- Pentaho (business intelligence software)
- SQL
- Entity-relationship (E-R) model
- Data warehousing and ETL processes
- Database design and modeling
- Data integration and transformation
- Business intelligence and OLAP
- Data mining and predictive analytics
4. Certified Business Intelligence Professional
The Certified Business Intelligence Professional program is touted as the “industry’s most in-demand credentials for data professionals.” The program offers two levels of credentials — Mastery and Associate/Practitioner.
The program covers a wide range of topics related to business intelligence and data analytics, including:
- Data modeling and database design
- Data warehousing and ETL processes
- Data integration and transformation
- Business intelligence and OLAP
- Data mining and predictive analytics
5. Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization
The Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization is a beginner-level program that can be completed 100% online with a flexible schedule. The program takes approximately 7 months to complete and is designed to help students frame business challenges as data questions.
Topics covered in the program include:
- Excel data analysis and modeling
- SQL for data management
- Data visualization and storytelling
- Probability and statistics for data analysis
6. IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate
The IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate program is a beginner-level program with a duration of 4 months. The program is 100% self-paced and designed to help students “learn the core principles of data analysis and gain experience with data manipulation using Python and Excel, applying analytical techniques, and working with a variety of data sources.”
Topics covered in the coursework include:
- Python programming for data analysis
- Data manipulation with Pandas
- Data visualization with Matplotlib
- Data analysis with SQL
- Data storytelling and presentation
- Introduction to machine learning
7. IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R Professional Certificate
The IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R Professional Certificate is a 3-month program designed for beginners who want to learn the core principles of data analysis. The program is 100% self-paced and provides students with hands-on experience in data manipulation using R and Excel.
Some of the topics covered in the course of study include:
- Introduction to data analytics and R programming
- Data manipulation with Excel and R
- Data visualization using R
8. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is a 6-month program designed for beginners who want to learn how to process and analyze data using key analysis tools, apply R programming, and create visualizations that can inform key business decisions. The program is 100% self-paced and requires approximately 10 hours of study per week.
Some of the topics covered in the course of study include:
- Foundations of data, data collection, and data processing
- Data analysis with R
- Data visualization with Tableau
- Applying statistical methods to data
9. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
The Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification measures the skills of professionals in preparing, modeling, visualizing, and analyzing data, as well as deploying and maintaining assets. The certification has two preparation options: self-paced or instructor-led. There is a $165 exam fee for this certification.
Some of the skills measured in the exam include:
- Creating and managing data models
- Visualizing data using Power BI
- Analyzing data using DAX and Power BI
- Deploying and maintaining deliverables
10. Qlik Sense Business Analyst Certification
The Qlik Sense Business Analyst Certification measures the ability of professionals to identify requirements, design applications, prepare and load data, and develop applications. The exam can be taken online or in person. The certification goes beyond theoretical knowledge to include practical experience developing production-quality applications in Qlik Sense. Students can prepare for the certification exam using instructor-led training, Qlik Continuous Classroom, Qlik Sense Certification Exam Study Guide, and practice questions.
Successful candidates for this certification:
- Have experience creating dimensions, measures, and objects for the master library
- Understand user experience and design best practices
- Have demonstrated their ability to build visualizations that are both functional and visually appealing
11. SAP Certified Application Associate
The SAP Certified Application Associate program focuses on configuring modeling functions, building calculation views, managing and administering models, and more. Professionals who complete this certification program are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to excel in SAP application development. To increase the chances of success, SAP suggests combining education courses with hands-on experience to prepare for the certification exam. Take advantage of the SAP Learning Hub to prepare for the exam.
The certification exam covers a variety of topics, including:
- Configuring modeling functions
- Describing the technology and deployment scenarios of SAP HANA
- Building calculation views
- Optimizing model performance
- Managing and administering models
- Describing advanced analytical processing
- Working with SQL and SQL Script in models
- Securing models
12. SAS Certified Specialist: Visual Business Analytics
The SAS Certified Specialist: Visual Business Analytics certification program teaches professionals how to add and manipulate data items within SAS Visual Analytics, analyze data with SAS Visual Analytics, and design reports using SAS Visual Analytics. The program has an exam fee of $180, with discounts available.
If you’re interested in becoming a certified SAS Visual Business Analyst, there are several training tools available to help you prepare for the certification exam, including:
- Free tutorials
- Webinars
- Practice software
- Sample questions
- Practice exams
13. SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate
The SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate program is an intermediate-level program designed for professionals who want to enhance their predictive and statistical modeling skills to drive data-informed business outcomes. The program is 100% online and flexible, with prior SAS programming knowledge required.
Some of the topics covered in the program include:
- Applied analytics using SAS
- Predictive modeling using SAS
- Time series modeling using SAS
14. Tableau Certified Data Analyst
The Tableau Certified Data Analyst certification program provides professionals with the skills required to enable stakeholders to make business decisions based on actionable insights. The program has an exam fee of $250, with no prerequisites required but a suggested product experience of 6+ months. Once certified, your title is valid for 2 years. Prepare for the exam with resources like Tableau Certified Data Analyst Exam Readiness bundle, Tableau Training Pass and Analyst Learning Path guides.
Some of the skills measured in the exam include:
- Understanding business problems and identifying data to explore for analysis
- Creating and managing data connections
- Building visualizations and dashboards
- Sharing insights with stakeholders
15. Tableau Desktop Specialist
The Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam is designed for individuals who have a foundational understanding of Tableau Desktop and at least 3 months of experience applying that knowledge within the product. There is a $100 exam fee, and once certified, there is no expiration date on your title.
The exam covers the following topics:
- Connecting to and preparing data
- Exploring data on a worksheet
- Analyzing data
- Sharing insights and building dashboards
16. Tableau Server Certified Associate
The Tableau Server Certified Associate exam is intended for those who possess an in-depth understanding of Tableau Server functionality in a single-machine environment and have accumulated several months of experience with the product. The exam costs $250, and while there are no specific prerequisites, it is recommended that candidates have prior experience with Tableau Server for at least 6 months. The certification is valid for 2 years, and candidates can access a preparation guide and suggested training to study for the exam.
The exam covers the following topics:
- Installing and configuring Tableau Server
- Publishing data and managing data sources
- Managing users, groups, and sites
- Monitoring and maintaining Tableau Server
- Securing models
Bonus Resource
Getting Started with Power BI Desktop
Though you won’t earn a certification with this resource, Getting Started with Power BI Desktop is a good option for those looking to increase their BI knowledge. This beginner-level, project-based course is 2 hours long. No degree or experience is required to enroll. The course provides an introduction to business analytics, data analytics, data visualization, Power BI, and business intelligence.
Students will gain hands-on experience with the following topics:
- Understanding the Power BI Desktop interface
- Connecting to data sources
- Creating and managing visualizations
- Sharing dashboards and reports
Acquiring a business intelligence analyst certification can be a great way to show potential employers that you have the skills needed to thrive in the field. From beginner to advanced levels, there are numerous options available, each with its own set of benefits and requirements.
However, if you are looking to take your data science education to the next level, the University of San Diego’s Master of Science in Applied Data Science program might be the perfect fit for you. This program provides students with the opportunity to learn from industry experts while working on real-world projects, giving them the practical experience they need to excel in the field.
To help you determine if this program is right for you, we’ve created a checklist of 7 Questions to Ask Before Selecting An Applied Data Science Master’s Degree Program. With the right combination of certifications and education, you can set yourself apart in the competitive field of business intelligence and become a valuable asset to any organization.
