Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics

Created in collaboration with Silicon Valley Bank and Tableau, the Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics is designed for people who are seeking to gain real-world experience in data analytics in pursuit of a career as a data professional. The program provides 23 units of instruction and hands-on practice in understanding data needs of a business; acquiring, cleaning, storing, sorting, visualizing, analyzing, and presenting data; and positively impacting business outcomes through data analytics.

On average, BUSI 11, C S 31A, and MATH 10 have been offered consistently for the past 4 years (2016-2020), with consistent enrollment in all classes over the same period of time. While BUSI 12 and C S 48A have only been offered starting Winter 2020, initial student interest is extremely high for both of these courses. Due to high demand for data analytics skills in the marketplace, as well as the highly visible partnership with Tableau and Silicon Valley Bank, we are confident that enrollment will grow for all courses in the certificate. Also, the relatively compact nature of the certificate will be extremely attractive to individuals who wish to employ the newly acquired skills in their current roles. Further, because all of the courses can be taught completely online, if needed, it is anticipated that international participation over the next five years will significantly increase the number of students who complete this certificate.

Course #	Course title	17/18 Enrolmment	18/19 Enrollment	19/20 Enrollment
Busi 11	Intro to info systems	357	349	302
Busi 12	Intro to data analytics and business decisions	-	-	62
CS 31A	Intro to Database Mgt Systems	94	89	106
CS 48A	Data Visualization	-	-	38
Math 10	Intro to information systems	1861	2201	2178

The goal of the Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics is to offer practical training in the most essential skills and tools used by businesses and organizations to analyze data to find actionable insights, and drive data-based decisions to increase business success. The demand for data professionals—who are fluent in the latest data analytics techniques and methods combined with the business acumen needed to apply their skills strategically in today’s business environment—has never been greater and promises to be a rich source of career opportunity for the foreseeable future. With a strong focus on students from diverse populations, this certificate will provide individuals with an opportunity to benefit from the strong growth in data analytics job positions that require the skills offered by this certificate.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

●    Upon completion of the program, the student will have acquired the necessary basic skills to conduct data analytics projects in a typical business environment.

●    Upon completion of the program, the student will be able to demonstrate appropriate critical thinking, problem-solving skills and communication skills to contribute to effective data analytics in a business organization.

This program requires 5 courses, 2 in CS, 2 in Business and 1 in math. 

Proposed Sequence:

Year 1, Fall = 5 units

Year 1, Winter = 4 units

Year 1, Spring = 9 units

Year 2, Fall = 5 units

TOTAL UNITS: 23 units

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
Busi11	Intro to information systems	5	Y1Fall
Busi12	Intro to data analytics and business decisions	4	Y1Winter
CS 31A	Intro to database mgt systems	4.5	Y1Spring
CS 48A	Data Visualization	4.5	Y1Spring
Math 10	Elementary Statistics	5	Y2Fall

We have included LMI from multiple sources as this is an emerging skill. In 2019 when we were designing this certificate, we learned from initial data that data analytics work was most likely performed by workers with bachelor's degree and upwards. Thus we designed our certificate around our transfer pathways and ADTs. It is meant as a stackable certificate for students who are transferring or earning AAs/ADTs.

In a search of Regional CTE's database, SJCC and Las Positas emerged as 2 others with certificates in this area. We have spoken with Las Positas CTE dean, Vicky Shipman who is supportive of this certificate. We are in conversation with Lena Tran and J.Edwards Stevenson at SJCC. SJCC is concerned as their program is a new one and we are neighboring districts. However, in all cuts of the data in various TopCodes and SOC codes, an undersupply is identified. In the Las Positas report, there is an annual undersupply of 1715 students. In the San Jose City report, which was a broad report for Computer Information Systems Occupations, the annual undersupply was 5,259. We elected to run LMI using 15-2031 as the SOC code, which most closely mirrors jobs that data analysts would do. In this case, there is an undersupply of. 306. Even within this narrow definition, colleges would not be able to fulfil this demand. We would like to place this on BACCC's agenda, with the knowledge that conversation will still continue with SJCC in the meantime.