Does the business analytics certificate count towards a degree? Are the courses at a graduate level or undergraduate level?
The BAC is issued based on a sequence or group of courses that provides students opportunities to develop business analytics expertise. The goal of the certificate is to contribute to a student's ability to meet standards of competence within business analytics. The certificate is not a degree program, and students do not earn credit towards a specific undergraduate or graduate degree. The prerequisite courses for this certificate are all undergraduate courses.
By completing the certificate, can I earn credit towards a particular undergraduate or graduate degree?
No, students who complete the requirements for this certificate cannot transfer credit toward a degree. Noncredit certificates, such as this, provide professional education but do not carry credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.
What is the difference between a certificate and a certification?
Certificate programs such as the business analytics certificate offered by Gies provide professional training in relevant topics for the field. Certifications are awarded by governmental and professional agencies, and often need to be renewed to be kept active.
Do I have to apply to a specific program to begin taking the certificate courses?
Students do not need to apply to a program to begin taking courses. Certain courses, however, are restricted in entry to specific majors. So, students have to find options within each course category (Part A, B and C) that apply to their specific major, to fulfill the certificate requirements.
Is there a start date for the certificate programs?
There is no specific start date for the business analytics certificate program. Students can apply for receiving the certificate at any point in their Gies programs when they have fulfilled the course requirements. Students should keep in mind that all courses aren't offered each semester. So, it is important to plan ahead to complete the necessary requirements.
Is there a course substitution policy?
Even though there are analytics courses offered around the campus in various departments/colleges, those courses cannot be used to substitute for the courses in this certificate sequence. This is a strict rule. Please do not request substitutions.
Will I develop any programming or tool proficiency by taking the business analytics certificate course sequence?
Yes, certain courses in this sequence (BADM 210, BADM 211, CS/STAT 107, BADM 352, BADM 356, BADM 453) are designed to give you proficiency in tools/programming like Excel, Tableau, Python, and R. It is still up to the student to make the most of these opportunities and go beyond what is taught in the courses to develop high proficiency levels in these tools/programming languages.
Do I need programming language knowledge as a pre-requisite?
No, there is no programming knowledge assumed prior to taking the courses listed in the certificate. However, it is always helpful to develop proficiency in one or more languages such as Python, and R to help prepare yourself for data-driven career opportunities and for self-development.
When can I register for these courses, any exceptions?
There is no specific standing – junior/senior specifically for this certificate. The eligibility criteria for each of these courses are independently determined and must be met by the student for successful course registration. Most students would be able to register for these courses in the junior and senior years when their college core and major pre-requisites are met.
Is it possible to waive any restrictions noted above for the certificate pre-requisite courses?
No exceptions are permitted.
How long (how many semesters) will it take to complete the certificate pre-requisite courses? Are there any tests or requirements besides completing the courses?
There are no other criteria other than those explicitly stated in the beginning of this Frequently asked questions (FAQ) document. Depending on the course schedules and registration enrollment criteria, there are essentially 3/4 courses that students need to plan for. Administrators and course instructors are not going to make the certificate a priority during the enrollment period. Students enroll in these courses similar to any other courses they enroll for in the college. Some of these courses in sections B and C may have restrictions on the major, or some perquisites.
Please submit other questions pertaining to the certificate to bacertificate@business.illinois.edu