The ability to analyze data and translate it into useful insights and solutions for everything from saving the bees to navigating the new world of COVID-19 science is in high demand.

According to "Forbes" magazine, very few people have the skills needed to understand and analyze data effectively despite data analytics being one of the most important tools for any company. To address the demand, the Interdisciplinary Program of Analytics and Computational Science in UNT's College of Science is offering two new fully-online certificates in data analytics starting Summer 2020.

The 15-hour data analytics undergraduate and graduate certificate programs could be completed in as little as seven months. The certificates were derived from a collaboration with JPMorgan Chase as part of their New Skills at Work investment. While the graduate certificate is available online starting in June, the undergraduate certificate will not be fully available online until Fall 2020.

"The UNT certificate differentiates itself from many other programs by its focus on developing deep analytic competencies in statistics and data analysis, as well as preparing students to conduct sophisticated analysis through case studies from regional industry partners," said professor Michael Monticino, who helped develop the new certificates. "Moreover, unlike many certificate programs, UNT's program provides college credit that can be applied towards a degree. In particular, completion of the Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics would place a graduate halfway toward completing the UNT Master of Science in advanced data analytics."

All of the faculty teaching the classes have years of industry experience, bringing practical, real-world meaning to the lessons. Additionally, all of the courses are project based with data and problems stemming from real-world case studies provided by regional businesses including American Airlines, Buxton, Toyota, the Dallas Cowboys, the Frisco RoughRiders and Lockheed Martin.

"Due to the exponential increase in the amount of data collected and the wide availability of powerful computational resources, training and experience in data analytics is becoming increasingly important in nearly any career from the defense industry to digital marketing to finance to sports. All business sectors have been impacted by the data revolution," Monticino said. "The certificates comprise a collection of courses that students from any major, as well as working professionals seeking to enhance their skills, may use. The certificates align with UNT's objective of preparing graduates to be competitive in the marketplace. In particular, the certificate provides students not pursuing an analytics major the opportunity to layer a career-enhancing certificate onto their degree."

For more information about or to apply for the the data analytics undergraduate certificate program visit our website at: https://online.unt.edu/programs/undergraduate/data-analytics-certificate

For more information about or to apply for the data anayltics graduate certificate program visit our website at: https://online.unt.edu/programs/graduate/data-analytics-certificate

Via UNT News