Complete MATH-180 and CMIT-135
Explore Data Science
Learn how to work with Big Data to gain insight and solve problems, and enter the in-demand data science field with a credential employers will respect with Champlain's data science certificate online program. Whether you’re looking for a program to help you gain entry to this cutting-edge field or want to enhance your current role with a data science credential, an online data science certificate can bridge your aspirations with your career pursuits.
Build Your Career Future
We understand how important it is for busy working adults to gain knowledge and expertise quickly, which is why our data science courses online cover key concepts and tools, including Python, data visualizations, big data, statistical analysis, data sets and are applicable to the workplace from day one. Whether you've already earned an undergraduate degree or you're currently pursuing your bachelor's degree, an online data science certificate is a great way to earn a credential in the field, get your resume noticed, and demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of knowledge to help you guide informed business decisions leading to improved business performance.
Fast Start Formula Career Bundle
Propel your career even further by upgrading your certificate with our Fast Start Formula Career Bundle designed to get you noticed and get you hired. Gain access to the Fast Start Formula Career Course, the Landing A Job You'll Love Ebook, and live webinars with "hot seat" coaching by Executive Career Coach Jen Morris.
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Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Gain New Skills With a Certificate
Computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all new occupations.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020
Top Reasons To Pursue a Certificate
- Enter a new field
- Build new skills
- Gain knowledge on your way toward a degree
- Differentiate your resume
- Earn a credential
- Demonstrate proficiency in a focused area of learning
Program Details
Learn more about Champlain's 100% online data science undergraduate certificate, designed for working professionals.
Champlain's online data science courses encompass the top skills needed by today's IT professionals.
Required Courses (18 Credits):
This course introduces students to basic statistics for data literacy. With a focus on exploring real-world data, students will interpret numerical information and utilize the tools necessary to complete the entire statistical process: designing a study; gathering, organizing, and analyzing sample data; and making inferences about a population. Students will demonstrate data-driven decision-making and effective communication of numerical data.
From day one, students in this course are problem solving, first in terms of algorithmic design and then as early as week two via programming in the latest version of Python, using PyCharm. Students begin by writing a program to have a conversation, having strings and numbers as input, and advance, by week seven, to building a working password saver program, capable of looking up, adding (and encrypting), and storing passwords.
Data analysis is a challenging, interdisciplinary process that requires an understanding of how data is generated, analyzed, interpreted, and presented. In this course students explore introductory data analysis techniques using relevant languages and tools to extract meaning from data to produce and inform solutions.
Prerequisites
Python is a programming language with broad appeal because of its accessibility, community, sponsorship and utility. In this course students learn additional Python programming concepts and further develop their skills. Students progress from lists and basic structures to Object Oriented Programming, including objects, classes, encapsulation, abstraction modularity, memory management, inheritance and polymorphism. Students also learn advanced Python language features such as iterators and generators, along with error and exception handling.
Prerequisites
Complete CMIT-135
Advanced data analysis requires data to be retrieved, sorted, filtered, and more using relevant languages and tools. In this course students explore advanced data analysis techniques such as joining and manipulating tables, and constructing queries and sub-queries. Students also learn to evaluate the results and quality of analyses, and communicate outcomes effectively.
Prerequisites
Complete DATA-200 and CMIT-235
Data mining is a multidisciplinary field focused on discovering patterns and associations in data. In this course students gain proficiency in supervised data mining techniques for building prediction models including decision trees, random decision forests, bootstrapping, training and testing using multi-fold cross validation and using entropy measures for weighting features. Students also learn to use unsupervised data mining techniques such as clustering and association analysis.
Prerequisites
Complete DATA-200
Graduates of the undergraduate-level online data science certificate program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Analyze, design, implement, and test Python applications developed to a coding standard and/or industry best practices.
- Generate, collect, store, clean, transform, and manipulate data.
- Analyze data using multiple methods, languages, and tools to extract meaning from data and formulate problem-specific solutions.
- Organize data-driven results, and appropriately and effectively present solutions.
- Differentiate supervised and unsupervised learning methods, and use prediction and clustering algorithms and association analysis to discover patterns and associations in data.
Champlain College Online's computer science faculty, led by Department Chair Richard Pickering, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s IT systems professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the world of information technology, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Many certificate students come to us seeking ways to get noticed at their current employers or to get hired in a new field. Given that, we are hyper focused on increasing the career mobility of our students and that's why we developed the Fast Start Formula Career Bundle, a suite of career offerings designed to help our students get noticed, get hired and land jobs they'll love.
Valued at over $1,000, the career bundle is offered to Champlain College Online students and includes:
- Fast Start Formula Course: The Fast Start Formula Course for getting noticed and getting hired is taught by Jen Morris, an executive career coach that we've developed a partnership with to support our students in their job search journeys. This course is online, self-paced and full of tips and tricks to land a job you'll love.
- Live Webinars: Log-on to ask your specific job search questions, get live “hot seat” coaching and gain valuable insights from leading career coach, Jen Morris.
- Landing A Job You'll Love Ebook: Download this ebook full of tips and tricks for standing out from the competition. From how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, to insider information on how recruiters work and bypassing the automated application websites, you’ll be sure to learn how rise to the top.
Upon enrollment in a degree or certificate, your access to the Fast Start Formula Career Bundle will made available to you.
Tuition & Costs
Online Undergraduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
$335
per credit
$1,005*
per course
$290**
per credit for Champlain alumni or associate degree graduates from any college or university
$250
per credit for military service members (family members see truED tuition)
$150
One-time graduation fee
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
** Starts Summer 2024, not retroactive
See the undergraduate cost of attendance and fees here
Upcoming Information Sessions
Meet the Program Director
Richard Pickering, PhD
Department Chair - Cybersecurity and Assistant Professor
Oversees
- Computer Science
- Software Development
- Software Engineering & Project Management
- Web Design & Development
About
Dr. Richard Pickering is an Assistant Professor and the Program Director for Technology here at Champlain College Online. Richard has a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning coupled with an MBA and numerous technology-related certifications.
Prior to Champlain, Dr. Pickering enjoyed a distinguished career blending pedagogical expertise with strategic leadership in program management and product development in the educational business sector.
Dr. Pickering also has held positions as Chief Executive Officer at Virtual High School Global Consortium, Chief Operating Officer at Victory Productions, various Program/Product Manager posts as well as Adjunct Professor appointments.
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