Earning a data science certification is one of the most effective ways to increase your salary in the industry. Whether you are looking to start your data science career in 2026 or aiming to advance to more strategic and leadership roles, these credentials provide you with the credibility and recognition that ultimately help you negotiate and earn higher salaries. However, with numerous options available, choosing the right program to master the latest and in-demand data science skills can be a daunting task. In this article, we will explore some of the top data science certifications for beginners to experts that you can consider earning under your belt and taking your career to the next level.
Data Science Certifications for Beginners
These certifications will help you master the fundamental concepts of data science to help you get started in a data science career faster.
1. Certified Data Science Professional (CDSP™)
The United States Data Science Institute (USDSI®) offers this one of the most comprehensive data science certification programs for beginners, covering the essential foundational concepts to get them started with their data science career.
Topics covered:
- Big data
- Data analytics
- Data visualization
- PowerBI and Tableau
- Machine learning basics, and more
2. Applied Data Science with Python from the University of Michigan
This data science program is available on Coursera, and it is a five-course series. It is ideal for candidates who have basic Python skills and are looking to get into data science job roles.
Topics covered:
- Applied machine learning
- Text mining
- Social network analysis, etc.
Students get to learn and use a variety of data science tools in this course, such as Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-Learn, and others, to draw insights from data. It takes nearly 5 months to complete with at least 7-10 hours per week.
3. Data Science MicroMasters from University of California, San Diego
This MicroMasters program is available on edX and offers learners a strong foundation in various data science concepts, including probability, statistics, and data modeling.
Individuals also gain practical experience in machine learning algorithms, data modeling, etc. This data science course covers eight graduate-level courses and is perfect for those planning to do a master’s in data science.
Topics covered:
- Data analysis
- Machine learning
- Data visualization
- Probability and statistics, and more
You will earn a certificate upon completion of this program that will help you get into data science jobs or data-related jobs faster across various industries.
Advanced Data Science Certifications
Advanced data science certifications will help you gain advanced data science skills and knowledge to help you advance in your data science career in 2026 faster.
4. Advanced Program in Data Science from UC Berkeley
Offered by the School of Information, this advanced data science certification course from UC Berkeley is designed for experienced data science professionals looking to build leadership skills in data science.
Topics covered:
- Machine learning and AI in data science
- Product development
- Ethics
- Generative AI, NLP, Data engineering, and more
This program also features a project-based approach where professionals have to complete foundation and advanced coursework along with capstone projects in which they can apply their data science skills to real-world data.
5. Certified Lead Data Scientist (CLDS™) by USDSI®
This is another highly reputed and recognized data science certification program from USDSI®. Like other USDSI® certifications, it is also completely online and offered in a self-paced learning format and comes with free resources, including eBooks, lecture videos, and practice codes to master the essential concepts and clear the certification exam successfully.
The program duration is 4-25 weeks and requires at least 8 to 10 hours of learning a week. Professionals need to have at least 2-4 years of experience in the IT and STEM fields to enroll in this program.
Topics covered:
- Advanced Big Data Analytics
- Machine learning and PowerBI
- Data analysis lifecycle and workflows
- Data analytics case studies and more
All USDSI® certifications are valid for 3 years and require renewal or upgradation upon expiry of the certifications. You can easily renew or upgrade the certifications by visiting the myControlPanel dashboard and paying nominal fees.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be nearly 11.5 million data science jobs available globally, and at the same time, the global data science market is also expected to grow over $230 billion as predicted by Mordor Intelligence. This shows the tremendous opportunities available in the data science industry to build a future-proof career.
Enroll in the Data Science Program and Uplift Your Career
These are some of the most popular and recognized data science certification programs around the globe, offered by top Universities and vendor-neutral data science certification providers. These online self-paced programs will help you gain the latest data science skills and introduce you to emerging data tools and technologies that employers want in their candidates. With these top certifications, you can not only enhance your credibility and employability but also negotiate higher salaries, whether you are starting your data science career or looking to advance in your existing roles.So, pick a certification of your choice matching your career goals and register today.