Certificate Name and Number:  Data Analysis Certificate – CTDACG

Department(s)/Unit(s):  College of Arts and Sciences

Delivery Mode:  Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Enrollment Eligibility:  Non-degree status

Certificate Overview:  An increasingly data-informed world has created a demand for data-agile people. The ability to understand novel problems, apply good judgment, and make informed decisions has become essential to leadership. Students earning the Certificate in Data Analysis learn to describe, analyze, and visualize real-world data using open-source tools.  This online graduate certificate is designed for recent college graduates and working professionals without prior background in statistics and computer programming. The curriculum offers foundational skills in three core areas of data analysis:

• Computer programming
• Statistical analysis
• Data-informed communication

The courses in the Data Analysis Certificate are designed for students who have completed, at a minimum, college algebra (even if those skills may have faded). The program assumes no prior experience with programming or statistical expertise.

Certificate Learning Outcomes:

1. Interpret and evaluate quantitative research;
2. Convert challenging, discipline-specific questions into data-driven hypotheses;
3. Integrate data into decision-making processes in the public, private, educational, and nonprofit sectors;
4. Judge both the opportunities and limits of data in understanding meaningful questions; and
5. Undertake more advanced study in data science.

Opportunities upon Completion:  A student who has completed the certificate should have the core skills required for a position as a data analyst. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees steady growth in such jobs, which can become the first step toward a leadership position in the knowledge economy and higher levels of analytic expertise. For students who wish to continue toward a degree in, or career in data science, numerous studies show that the demand for data scientists is greater than the supply, and the disparity will continue to grow.

Completion Requirements:  Students must complete three 3-credit courses (a total of 9 credit hours), including CAS 5700 (Data and Knowledge), CAS 5710 (Introduction to Data Analysis), and CAS 5720 (Data Visualization and Communication).  The minimum GPA requirement for earning this certificate is 3.0. Questions about the certificate should be directed to the Certificate Director. Enrolled students also should contact the Certificate Director for verification of completion and awarding of the certificate.

Financial Aid Eligibility Information:  Students enrolled in this certificate are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Admission Requirements:  The certificate is open to anyone who has earned a bachelor’s degree and is not currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at Ohio University.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree (college algebra required).
• GPA (or equivalent) of 3.0 or better in most recent degree program.
• Official transcripts
• Personal Statement. Roughly two pages that explain your current level of background in data analysis (i.e., any courses taken, workshops, software experience, etc.). What is your primary motivation for seeking the Certificate in Data Analysis? What do you hope to achieve with your new skills?
• English Proficiency. Students whose native language is not English also must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic). To be considered official, test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. A TOEFL-iBT of 90 or IELTS composite of 6.5 across all bands is required. More information on English Proficiency.

International Students:  This certificate program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.