Overview
Gain in-demand data analytics skills and earn a certificate online
Whether you’re starting your career, making a career move, or looking to upskill, our Data Analytics program can help you achieve your goals. Get your head start in this rapidly growing industry today.
- Developed in collaboration with top industry experts, MacDATA Institute and McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business
- Gain knowledge and skills, using the latest data analytics program and tools
- Earn a Certificate
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Program highlights Learn More
- Online/virtual classroom format using the latest industry programs and tools
- Learn from top industry experts by working on real-world projects and assignments
- Experience hands-on lab sessions
- Open enrolment program
Data Analytics program features:
- Equips you with the latest in-demand data analytics skills
- Interact with instructors and peers in an online/virtual classroom
- Master the latest data analytics software and tools
- Experience hands-on lab sessions
- Network with professionals from various disciplines
- Learn from industry experts
- Work on projects and assignments relevant to today marketplace

What you'll learn Learn More
- Statistics, data analytics, big data, machine learning and technical/software applications
- How to collect, analyze, interpret, share, identify and visualize relationships in data
- The principles and uses of AI and how to employ data models in business intelligence (BI)
Through our Data Analytics program, you’ll learn:
- Statistics, data analytics, big data, machine learning and technical/software applications
- How to collect, analyze, interpret and share data and how to identify relationships in data
- Problem-solving and information visualization techniques and tools
- Trends and potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries
- How to employ data models in business intelligence (BI) and data analysis case studies
Programming tools used:
- Python
- SAS
- R
- Intermediate and expert Level Excel
- Tableau
- Linux
- PowerBI
- SQL and NOSQL technologies (e.g. Cassandra)
Learn more about the Data Analytics program
- Professionals interested in entering the fields of data analytics, technology, informatics, business intelligence, web analytics or data collection
- Professionals with limited academic and work experience in data analytics and related technology fields
- Anyone interested in data analysis and data collection
- Students interested in prerequisite knowledge prior to pursuing our intermediate or advanced data programs such as Data Science and Big Data Programming & Architecture
Earning a Certificate in Data Analytics could open doors to a variety of rewarding careers, including:
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Statistical Analyst
- Database Analyst
- Data Management
- Data Quality Manager /Analyst
- Digital / Marketing Analyst
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Apply statistical methods for the analysis of data sets
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and share data
- Identify relationships in data
- Select and employ problem-solving techniques and source standard and web-based tools to test analytical solutions
- Demonstrate fundamental skills for using information visualization techniques and tools
- Define the principles and potential uses of artificial intelligence in various industries
- Employ data models in business intelligence and data analysis case studies
- Demonstrate an awareness of ethical practices and professional standards applicable to the field of data analytics
- Exemplify the skills, attitudes and behaviours required to work and collaborate with people and develop
personal management skills - Employ effective communication practices
Are you a current McMaster University undergraduate student?
Explore the ElevateYourSkills option to learn how you can earn a Data Analytics certificate as part of your degree.
- Use your electives to earn a professional certificate or diploma
- Fully online courses that you can fit into your schedule
- Providing you with real-life career skills and experience before you graduate
Check out our latest Technology and Data Program Preview webinar to learn more about our Data Analytics program
What our recent graduates say
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work.
The flexibility of the course helped me a lot to balance my work. Our field in data is continuously changing. I found that sweet balance in terms of the focus of the course. It’s a life cycle of how the data is coming in all the way to make it a service or a product. The course gives you that 360 spectrum.
Zaki
Big Data graduate
Other programs you may be interested in
Certificates in Data Analytics
Certificate in Data Analytics
Pursue your Certificate in Data Analytics with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Certificate in Data Analytics
Earn the Certificate in Data Analytics by completing five elective courses from the courses listed.
Certificate in Data Analytics Requirements
Academic credit: 15 units
Students have 3 years to complete the certificate.
Note: Open Source Intelligence courses are non-credit, however students may request permission to apply OSI 101 and/or OSI 102.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy
The Data Analytics program follows a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Prior to enrolling it is recommended to review course outlines for laptop and desktop requirements as courses may need a minimum level of technology specification.
Microsoft Excel
Data Analytics requires varying degrees of proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel is recommended to be successful in the courses. Excel course modules are available through LinkedIn Learning, free of charge, to all active McMaster University students. Please visit LinkedIn Learning for more information.
Do you need additional training?
Additional training is available for Python programming, SQL, and PowerBI through our partner Ed2Go. Please visit our Professional Development page for more information.
Courses (complete any 5)
3.0 UNITS
DAT 105
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction
(Currently Not Available)
OSI 101
Tradecraft and Operations
(Currently Not Available)
Certificate of Professional Learning in Data Analytics
Pursue your Certificate of Professional Learning in Data Analytics with McMaster Continuing Education
Explore the requirements below and register today!
Information Box Group

Certificate of Professional Learning in Data Analytics
Earn the Certificate of Professional Learning in Data Analytics by completing three elective courses from the courses listed.
Certificate of Professional Learning in Data Analytics Requirements
Academic credit: 9 units
Students have 3 years to complete the certificate.
Note: Open Source Intelligence courses are non-credit, however students may request permission to apply OSI 101 and/or OSI 102.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy
The Data Analytics program follows a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Prior to enrolling it is recommended to review course outlines for laptop and desktop requirements as courses may need a minimum level of technology specification.
Microsoft Excel
Data Analytics requires varying degrees of proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel is recommended to be successful in the courses. Excel course modules are available through LinkedIn Learning, free of charge, to all active McMaster University students. Please visit LinkedIn Learning for more information.
Do you need additional training?
Additional training is available for Python programming, SQL, and PowerBI through our partner Ed2Go. Please visit our Professional Development page for more information.
Courses (complete any 3)
3.0 UNITS
DAT 105
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction
(Currently Not Available)
OSI 101
Tradecraft and Operations
(Currently Not Available)
Data Analytics Courses
Data Analytics Courses
Advance your career with online Data Analytics courses
Explore course options below and register today!
Information Box Group
3.0 UNITS
DAT 105
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction
(Currently Not Available)
OSI 101
Tradecraft and Operations
(Currently Not Available)
*Open Source Intelligence courses are non-credit, however students may request to apply OSI 101 and/or OSI 102 to the Data Analytics Certificate or Certificate of Professional Learning.
Data Analytics Schedule
Data Analytics Schedule
This schedule table displays courses planned to be offered this year and is a guide to planning your courses for the academic year. Please note: Spring term registration opens mid-March and Fall/Winter term registration opens mid-July. The schedule table is subject to change. Please visit the course pages to browse classes currently available for registration and the latest cost information.
Learning format definitions:
- VC = Virtual Classroom learning format
- O = Online learning format
- OSS = Online Self-Study learning format
For more information about our learning formats and to choose a format that works best for you, please visit our Learning Formats page.
Course Name (Course Code) | Winter 2023 | Spring 2023 |
---|---|---|
Foundations of Computer Programming (DAT 100) | Date: Jan 9 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 1 – Jun 15
Format: O |
Statistics for Data Analysis (DAT 101) | Date: Mon, Jan 23 – Mar 27
Time: 6:30 – 9:45 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Sun, May 7 – Jul 16
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Working with Databases (DAT 102) | Date: Jan 9 – Apr 9
Format: O |
Date: May 1 – Jun 15
Format: O |
Business Intelligence & Data Analytics (DAT 103) | Date: Sun, Jan 29 – Mar 26
Time: 9:30 – 12:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Sun, Jun 11 – Aug 13
Time: 9:30 – 12:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Data Analysis and Visualization (DAT 104)
|
Date: Thurs, Jan 26 – Mar 23
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Wed, May 3 – Jun 28
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business: An Introduction (DAT 105)
|
Date: Tues, Jan 31 – Mar 28
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
|
Data Analytics & Modelling (DAT 201)
|
Date: Sat, Jan 14 – Apr 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Sat, May 6 – Aug 12
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Format: VC |
Tradecraft and Operations (OSI 101)
|
Date: Wed, Feb 1 – Mar 29
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Format: VC |
Date: Sun, May 28 – Jul 30
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Format: VC |
Python for Basic Collection (OSI 102)
|
Date: Feb 1 – May 1
Format: OSS |
Date: Jun 1 – Aug 30
Format: OSS |
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.
To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:
- Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent
- Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University or
- Be deemed an exceptional case
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If your first language is not English, you must meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements. Completion of TOEFL exam with a minimum acceptable score of 20 on each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening), valid for 2 years.
Expandable List
- Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
- Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
- Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
- Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
- Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
- As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
- Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
- Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
- Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)
A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.
For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.
- Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
- Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
- Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
- Google Pay is available for faster checkout
- Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
Ready to get started?
Visit the Courses tab to select your course and proceed with the registration steps.