Program Overview

Program Overview

The Data Science certificate program is designed to prepare students to apply Python programming to perform data science tasks, break down business problems into actionable data, apply machine learning methods to build a model, and implement end-to-end data science processes. Students will learn key skills to perform a data engineering role in any industry.

Data Science Certificate Program

About the Data Science Certificate Program

The Data Science certificate program is a fully online certificate that enhances professional skillsets and advances careers. Students can apply credits earned to one of five SPS online bachelor's degrees.

Build Pathways

• Advance career
• Apply credits to Northwestern online bachelor’s degree

Format

• Online, asynchronous classes

Time to Completion

• Four to five quarters*

Quarter of Entry

• Summer quarter*

Number of Credits

• Four courses to complete the certificate

Tuition

• Estimated cost $2,300 per course

*If prerequisite courses are needed, entry quarter is Summer and completion time is 5 quarters

Data Science Goals and Courses

Program Goals

Data Science Certificate students will:

• Apply Python programming to perform data science tasks
• Develop solutions for business problems using actionable data science tasks and supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods
• Implement end-to-end data science processes using Python machine learning pipelines and cloud native machine learning tools

Curriculum

Four courses are required:

• CIS 323-DL Python for Data Science*
• CIS 324-DL Applied Data Science
• CIS 325-DL Enterprise Data Science
• CIS 326-DL Data Engineering*

*if prerequisite courses CIS 110 and CIS 317-DL are needed, entry quarter is summer

Admission for the Data Science Certificate

In addition to completing an online application, students will also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission, including application deadlines and tips on how to apply, can be found on the Admission page.

Data Science Tuition

Certificate students in the School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about tuition and financial obligations, see the Tuition page.

Data Science Registration Information

Registration for courses opens 8 to 10 weeks before each quarter and is accessed through CAESAR, Northwestern's online student records system. View course registration timelines and instructions on the Registration Information page.

Applying Credit to an Online Bachelor of Science Program

Students interested in the option of applying credit earned in an online undergraduate certificate to an SPS online bachelor's degree program should submit an online application and all required application materials. Students who elect to apply to a bachelor’s degree program before completing the certificate will be able to count completed courses toward the applicable bachelor’s degree, but a certificate will not be conferred.

If interested in exploring this option, contact an admission advisor for details.