Analytics is the system of applying certain methods and techniques to understand the performance of data, generally in an organization or industry. The application of analytics can be used to uncover and interpret relevant patterns of data, which can be later used to make better decisions. Analytics relies on good data as part of its usefulness, as well as the aspects of statistics, computer programming, and operations research to quantify performance. Analytics exists in business when companies use statistics and software processes in assessing how a particular product, service, or project measures up in scope. Businesses perform analytics to pinpoint strengths, identify challenges or weaknesses that may exist, and pull out key data points to help make decisions regarding future growth for the organization.

Learning analytics is a key skill that helps you solve problems to existing challenges. When you use analytics tools to research data patterns, you use methods of analyzing performance characteristics that are essential to a business organization. This is important in today's world of big data. Understanding analytics can make you a valuable asset when assessing areas rich with recorded information, performance indicators, and target goals.

What are typical careers that use analytics?

Analytics is found in a wide range of careers, including business analyst, budget analyst, financial controller, data scientist, and operations researcher. Individuals who move into these and other careers in data analytics often work with raw data and algorithms through mechanical processes to make assumptions and theories. Essentially, with knowledge of analytics, you can move into a job that requires a familiarity with numeric relationships, data structures, and trends and metrics relevant to an organization.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn analytics?

When you take online courses in analytics, you can gain a new understanding of key concepts like data analysis and visualization, mathematical optimization, regression analysis, predictive modeling, and other areas focused on business analytics. Taking online courses about analytics can help you achieve basic data literacy to help you make more informed decisions in any area you work in, like finance, operations, or marketing. As you branch out, you may advance your analytics understanding to include how to extract and manipulate data points, how to use different statistical analysis methods to break down the data, and how to eventually interpret and present your findings.

What are the benefits of taking an online Analytics course?

Online Analytics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Analytics skills. With a wide range of Analytics classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Analytics career.

What Analytics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Analytics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Analytics Courses - Learn Analytics Online

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Global Challenges in Business Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science in Management
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Certificate in Taxation
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Entrepreneurship and Strategic Innovation Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Financial Management Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Data Storytelling, Management Accounting, Fund Accounting, Operations Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Statement Analysis, Marketing, Risk Management, Machine Learning Algorithms, Business Strategy, Extract, Transform, Load, Financial Auditing, Descriptive Statistics, Process Improvement, Marketing Analytics, Financial Market, Strategic Decision-Making, Corporate Tax, Global Marketing
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Industrial Internet of Things Graduate Certificate
Skills you'll gain: User Research, Internet Of Things, Data Visualization, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Usability, Data Storage, Power Electronics, Verification And Validation, Embedded Software, Persona (User Experience), Usability Testing, User Centered Design, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Debugging, General Networking, Process Control, Embedded Systems, Machine Controls
Credit offered
Graduate Certificate · 6 - 12 Months
Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Leeds
Master of Science in Data Science (Statistics)
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Data Presentation, Statistical Machine Learning, Statistical Methods, Data Ethics, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Data Visualization, Statistical Modeling, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning Methods, Data Analysis, Supervised Learning, Verbal Communication Skills, Exploratory Data Analysis, Decision Tree Learning, R Programming, Artificial Intelligence, Linear Algebra, Mathematical Theory & Analysis
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
O.P. Jindal Global University
M.A. in International Relations, Security, and Strategy
Skills you'll gain: Diplomacy, Intelligence Collection and Analysis, Risk Mitigation, Environment, Sampling (Statistics), R Programming, Survey Creation, Environmental Issue, Political Sciences, Economic Development, International Relations, Cybersecurity, Socioeconomics, Governance, Emerging Technologies, Public Safety and National Security, Mitigation, Social Sciences, Security Strategy, Conflict Management
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
Universidad de los Andes
Maestría en Gerencia de la Ingeniería
Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategies, Engineering Management, Business Modeling, Project Management, Prototyping, Project Management Life Cycle, Project Management Institute (PMI) Methodology, Stakeholder Management, Feasibility Studies, Digital Transformation, Financial Statements, Product Management, Conflict Management, Systems Thinking, Product Lifecycle Management, Asset Management, Capital Expenditure, Project Risk Management, Crisis Management, Maintenance, Repair, and Facility Services
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years
University of Colorado Boulder
Master of Science in Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Object Oriented Design, User Story, Model Based Systems Engineering, New Product Development, Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Data Mining, Strategic Decision-Making, Delegation Skills, Unsupervised Learning, Failure Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Supplier Management, Sustainability Reporting, Data Ethics, Statistical Modeling, Database Design, Generative AI, Process Capability, Engineering Management
Earn a degree
Degree · 1 - 4 Years