Online Undergraduate Certificate in Data Mining and Analytics

Data mining does incorporate some of the practices used in data analytics, but is more interested in discovering and isolating patterns within data. A data analyst then uses that uncovered data and the discovered patterns to test hypotheses by constructing models.

Big data can help companies run more efficiently, regardless of the field by improving the customer experience and assisting businesses in making decisions that boost productivity. As technology systems become more complex and gathering data becomes easier, more and more types of employers will need data analysts and miners. Because data serves a purpose in every industry, those who are proficient in data analytics may be able to work in fields as diverse as defense, business and healthcare. Adding to those benefits, an understanding of data and analytics is useful in day-to-day scenarios. With a solid understanding of these concepts, you can better scrutinize the information you receive in order to determine its veracity and trustworthiness. These skills are essential to maintain digital literacy and media literacy in the modern age.

Data mining is the process of looking for patterns or abnormalities in large data sets to predict outcomes. While the word ‘mining’ may make it sound like digging for new information, it is actually the process of reviewing existing data to understand what the data is saying.

Data mining means sorting through large amounts of information to find trends or patterns. Many companies will have goals and needs that they are looking to address, and data may hold the solutions.

Data mining helps businesses manage stock, upsell and cross sell products and increase revenue. For example, supermarkets gather data via their loyalty programs and data mining helps them make business decisions. These can include predicting the items they should be keeping in stock or recognizing local families have small children and offering coupons for formula or diapers. In e-commerce, you are probably familiar with websites that offer up suggestions for “Items other people have viewed” or “Items that may interest you” while you’re shopping. These are all results of data mining being used to determine other items you might want based on what you already bought. Data mining is also useful for making ad-campaign decisions and can influence product development as well.

Our data mining and analytics certificate at DeVry can help prepare you for a career by teaching you the necessary skills and providing the hands-on experience you will need to pursue various entry-level roles. If you choose to continue your education, qualifying credits from your certificate program can be applied to our Software Development bachelor’s degree program when you specialize in Big Data and Analytics.

To earn a data mining and analytics certificate at DeVry, you will complete 14 courses totaling a minimum of 43 credit hours. This includes classes like managerial applications of business analytics and database management. Your certificate can be completed in as little as one year and four months – or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.¹

Data analytics is the science of reading data. Data analysis involves inspecting, cleaning, transforming and modeling data in the hopes of discovering new useful information that can inform and support decision-making. Often, the results from data analysis are used to guide high-value business decisions.

Data analytics can be an excellent career option if you like analyzing information, identifying patterns and determining how your findings can be used to benefit organizations and their bottom line. It’s a field that is constantly evolving thanks to the nearly unlimited amount of data that is collected through various technologies every day.

Graduates of DeVry’s data analytics certificate program may consider, but are not limited to, the following careers:

• Data Analyst

• Data Modeler

• Data Miner

• Software Developer Data Analyst

• Data Systems Developer