It is a well-known fact that we inhabit a data-rich world. Businesses are generating, capturing, and storing vast amounts of data at an enormous scale. This influx of data is handled by robust big data systems which are capable of processing, storing, and querying data at scale. Consequently, we see a huge demand for big data professionals. In today’s job market data professionals, there are ample great opportunities for skilled data professionals. Data professionals are among the highest-paid employees.
Big Data certification courses are a great way to enhance skills and become adept data professionals, fully equipped to tackle modern-day world data challenges. Let me help you understand more about big data certifications.
What is Big Data Certification?
Big Data Certification is essential for showcasing your expertise to your current or potential employer. It gives formal validation of your capabilities in Big Data. It empowers you to extract actionable insights, make data-driven decisions, and find patterns to grow the business. It involves a course which encompasses all concepts that a big data professional should master. Finally, there is a test to certify successful completion of the course. I personally feel such certifications have the potential to change your life.
Why Should You Take Big Data Certification?
Taking Big Data Certification has multifold benefits. It would immensely help people who are working with big data technologies, want to switch into big data technologies, and even other software professionals in terms of technological-awareness. Some of the key compelling reasons to consider big data certification:
- Expertise Validation: You can show tangible proof of your expertise. This is quite helpful to the employers who are trying to gauge your abilities. A reowned big data online certification course serves as a formal recognition of your proficiency in big data technologies.
- Career Growth: As every organization is generating huge amounts of data in one form or another, big data professionals are in high demand. Having a big data certification course to your name can open doors to better opportunities. One can also leverage it for seeking a higher salary.
- Competitive Edge: Big data being a popular field, there is high competition amongst the candidates. If one has a reputed certification, it gives you a competitive edge over others. It shows your dedication to continuous upskilling and professional development.
- Credibility: Employers value people who are credible and dependable. Taking big data certifications can make you appear more credible and trustworthy.
- Staying Up-to-date: Software industry is constantly evolving and employees are expected to keep up with the latest trends and best practices. Big data certifications are the best way to achieve that. Good certification courses are frequently updated with the latest advancements and techniques.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: Many certification courses provide projects and assessments which require hands-on practice of big data tools which enhances your problem solving capabilities. It prepares you to solve real world problems.
- Networking Opportunities: While pursuing big data certification course you are likely to interact with trainers and other data professionals. This would help you expand your professional network.
Overall, taking big data certification course is a strategic investment in your career. It would give you confidence you thrive as a data professional.
Skills Required for Big Data Certifications
There are certain key skills you would require for taking big data certifications. These certifications have big data training courses where tutors help you gain all the knowledge required for the certification exam. It would be a combination of technical and analytical skills.
- Programming Languages: Good command on programming languages like Python, Java, or Scala is important as it enables you to handle data and derive insights from it.
- Data Analysis: Strong data analysis skills will help you define ways and strategies to transform data and extract useful insights from the data set.
- Big Data Frameworks: Familiarity with popular Big Data frameworks such as Hadoop, Apache Spark, Apache Flink, or Kafka are the tools used for data processing.
- Database Management: knowing how to work with databases - both relational(like Postgres) and non-relational - is important for efficient storing and retrieval of data.
- Data Visualization: Professionals with skills in data visualization technologies such as Tableau, Power BI, or matplotlib can show complex data in an intelligible manner.
- Machine Learning: Understanding machine learning ideas and techniques is essential for developing prediction models and performing sophisticated data analysis.
- Statistical Knowledge: It is vital to be familiar with statistical procedures and techniques in order to assess data and form trustworthy conclusions.
- Data Mining and ETL: For gathering, transforming, and integrating data from diverse sources, proficiency in data mining techniques and Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes is required.
- Cloud Computing: Knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is essential as these are used by many organizations to deploy their big data solutions. These platforms provide out of the box big data tools and also help in managing deployments.
- Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities are crucial for solving complex data challenges and efficient data processing.
- Data Security and Privacy: Considering the sensitivity of data handled in Big Data projects, it is crucial to have awareness of data security and privacy concerns.
- Distributed Systems: Distributed systems are helpful for managing large-scale data processing systems. Having am understanding of principles of distributed systems is necessary.
- Continuous Learning: Given the ever-changing nature of Big Data technologies, a willingness to constantly study and keep up with the latest trends is critical for long-term success.
Top Big Data Certifications
Following are the top big data certifications available in the market.
1. Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP)
- Introduction: The Associate Certified Analytics Professional (aCAP®) designation is for entry-level analytics professional who has the knowledge but no practical experience.
- Certification Provider: Certified Analytics Professional
- Duration: 4 months - including application, studying, taking exam and receiving certificate
- Cost: $200 for INFORMS Members and $300 for Non Members
- Importance: Unlike other certifications, aCAP serves as a vendor- and technology-neutral testament to an analytics professional’s superior competency, providing organizations with a trusted means to identify, recruit, and retain top analytics talent.
2. AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty exam (DAS-C01)
- Introduction: AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty is for experienced individuals. They should be able to use AWS services to design, build, secure, and maintain analytics solutions.
- Certification Provider: aws.amazon.com
- Duration: Exam duration is 180 minutes. Schedule exam as per convenience
- Cost: 300 USD
- Importance: This exam validates an examinee’s comprehensive understanding of using AWS services to design, build, secure, and maintain analytics solutions that provide insight from data.
3. Certification of Professional Achievement in Data Sciences
4. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
- Introduction: The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification is a trusted, independent verification of the critical technical expertise and related soft skills possessed by accomplished analytics and data science professionals, and valued by analytics-oriented organizations.
- Certification Provider: Certified Analytics Professional
- Duration:
- Cost: $495 for INFORMS Member and $695 for Non member
- Importance: It is the leading certification course for early- to mid-career professionals to empower and validate one’s skills in today’s data-driven world.
5. CDP Data Analyst
- Introduction: This CDP Data Analyst exam tests the required Cloudera skills and knowledge required for data analysts to be successful in their role. The exam tests the use of Cloudera products such as Cloudera Data Visualization, Cloudera Machine Learning, Cloudera Data Science Workbench, Cloudera Data Warehouses well as SQL, Apache Nifi, Apache Hive and other open source technologies.
- Certification Provider: Cloudera
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Cost: $330
- Importance: With this certification, you can aim for better career opportunities and prove your proficiency in using Cloudera products for data analysis and management.
- Introduction: Whether you're an established CDP professional or just beginning your career in enterprise data, take the CDP0011 Generalist Exam to show you have a broad grasp of CDP. Ideal if you are looking for big data certification for beginners.
- Certification Provider: Cloudera
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: $330
- Importance: It increase your cedibilty , helps you attract better opportunities and salaries. You would get confident with CDH plarform.
7. CompTIA Data+
- Introduction: CompTIA Data+ is an early-career data analytics certification for professionals tasked with developing and promoting data-driven business decision-making.
- Certification Provider: CompTIA
- Duration: 90 Minutes
- Cost: $246 USD
- Importance: It is a valuable certification to have for someone who is looking advancing their career in data analytics. It demostrates your skills and capabilites in using data to solve business problems.
8. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Introduction: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is an 8 course series that is focused on data analytics. You’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than 6 months. You don’t need any degree or experience. You will gain knowledge on analytical tools and skills, cleaning and organising data for data analysis and data visualization techniques.
- Certification Provider: Google ( on Coursera )
- Duration: 3 months at 17 hours a week
- Cost: $28 USD ( INR 2296 )
- Importance: This is a holistic course for anyone who wants to get into the data analytics space. It also has hands-on material to play with to grasp the concepts faster. It offers a section on real world case study to understand how and where the learnings get applied.
9. IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate
- Introduction: IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate helps you become proficient in applying different analytical techniques by analyzing real-world datasets, creating visualizations & interactive dashboards, and presenting reports to share findings of data analysis. Students seeking entry-level roles in data analytics should opt for this certificate. It is an 8 course bundle
- Certification Provider: IBM ( on Coursera )
- Duration: 11 hours/week
- Cost: $78 USD
- Importance: It is a great credential to have, that can help you get your foot in the door and rise up the ladder in your career.
10. IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Introduction: IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is a Professional Certificate - 10 course series. You’ll develop the skills, tools, and portfolio to have a competitive edge in the job market as an entry-level data scientist in as little as 5 months.
- Certification Provider: IBM
- Cost: $77 USD
- Importance: Apply your new skills to real-world projects and build a portfolio of data projects that showcase your proficiency to employers
11. Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate
- Introduction: Candidates for the Azure Data Scientist Associate certification should have subject matter expertise in applying data science and machine learning to implement and run machine learning workloads on Azure.
- Certification Provider: Microsoft
- Duration: 210 minutes
- Cost: $165 USD
- Importance: The demand for data scientists is increasing, and this certification can help you make you stand out in employers’ eyes. Other benefits are better salary, professional recognition and staying up-to-date with latest industry practices.
12. Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate
- Introduction: As a candidate for Microsoft Certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification, you should deliver actionable insights by working with available data and applying domain expertise. You should provide meaningful business value through easy-to-comprehend data visualizations, enable others to perform self-service analytics, deploy and configure solutions for consumption.
- Certification Provider: Microsoft
- Duration: 100 minutes
- Cost: $165 USD
- Importance: It validates your skills in using Power BI to analyze data and generate meaningful insights.
13. Open Certified Data Scientist
- Introduction: The Open Group Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS) certification is the industry's most comprehensive certification available for Data Scientists and the organizations that employ them. Open CDS is an independent global certification for qualifying the skills, knowledge, and experience of Data Scientists. The Open Certified Data Scientist (Open CDS) certification has three levels:
- Level 1: Certified Data Scientist
- Level 2: Master Certified Data Scientist
- Level 3: Distinguished Certified Data Scientist
- Certification Provider: The Open Group
- Duration:
- Level 1: The duration of the Level 1 certification is typically 6-12 months
- Level 2: The duration of the Level 2 certification is typically 12-18 months
- Level 3: The duration of the Level 3 certification is typically 18-24 months
- Cost:
- Level 1: $1500
- Level 2: $2000
- Level 3: $2500
- Importance: The certification process for the Open CDS is experience-based. You will need to demonstrate your skills and experience in data science through a combination of written applications and peer interviews.
14. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional
- Introduction: Each exam challenges candidates to apply specific knowledge they have acquired through SAS software training and/or job experience. Computer-based in format, SAS Global Certification exams comprise multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions, depending on the exam. Exams are generally scheduled through Pearson VUE but are also held at various locations around the world on a pre-scheduled basis.
- Certification Provider: SAS Global Certification Program
- Duration:
- Predictive Modeling Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14 Exam - 165 minutes
- Advanced Predictive Modeling - 110 minutes
- Text Analytics, Time Series, Experimentation and Optimization - 110 minutes
- Cost: Within North America and India, the current fee associated with each exam attempt is US$180, except for the predictive modeling exam. The Predictive Modeling Using SAS Enterprise Miner exam fee is US$250 and is only offered through SAS.
- Importance: SAS certifications are globally recognized, so having them on your résumé proves you've received in-depth training from industry experts. SAS skills are highly in demand among today's employers. Learning – and validating – those skills can lead to new opportunities.
15. SAS Certified Data Scientist
- Introduction: SAS Certified Data Scientist helps you gain these skills - Manipulate and gain insights from big data with a variety of SAS and open source tools. Make business recommendations with complex machine learning models. Deploy models at scale using the flexible, robust SAS environment. It is a combination of SAS Certified Big Data Professional (or Data Curation Professional) AND SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional ( or AI and Machine Learning Professional).
- Certification Provider: SAS Global Certification Program
- Duration: Self paced
- Cost: $970 per exam
- Importance: Through this certificate you can demonstrate your skills in using SAS to solve business problems.
16. Intellipaat Big Data Hadoop Certification
- Introduction: This Big Data training course helps you master big data and Hadoop skills like MapReduce, Hive, Sqoop, etc. through real-time projects and case studies. Get this big data Hadoop training from domain experts and clear the CCA175 certification exam to become a skilled big data developer.
- Certification Provider: Intellipaat
- Duration: 120 minutes (CCA Spark and Hadoop Developer Exam -CCA175)
- Cost: $275 USD, US$295 (CCA175)
- Importance: This certification exam helps you validate your skills in Apache Spark and Apache Hadoop. Increased opportunities, higher salary and professional recognition are some benefits of this course/certification.
17. Professional Certificate Program In Data Engineering
- Introduction: Prepare for a career as a Data Engineer. Gain the in-demand skills and hands-on experience to get job-ready in less than 5 months. No prior experience is required. It is a 13-course series.
- Certification Provider: IBM
- Duration: ~5 months at 10 hours a week
- Cost: $98 USD
- Importance: Learn to create, design, & manage relational databases & apply database administration (DBA) concepts to RDBMSs such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, & IBM Db2. Implement ETL & Data Pipelines with Bash, Airflow & Kafka; architect, populate, deploy Data Warehouses; create BI reports & interactive dashboards. Develop working knowledge of NoSQL & Big Data using MongoDB, Cassandra, Cloudant, Hadoop, Apache Spark, Spark SQL, Spark ML, and Spark Streaming
18. Data Science Council of America Certification
- Introduction: To develop a strong generic and platform-based understanding of the concepts, principles, tools, and techniques required in Big Data management. ABDE™ aspirants are expected to know Big Data and its applications along with Hadoop technologies and their applications in Cloud, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Elasticsearch, etc.
- Certification Provider: Data Science Council of America
- Duration: ~ 6 months of preparation.
- Cost: $295 USD
- Importance: It could help you get a job in big data industry. Employers give higher preference to those who have proof of knowledge of their skills in the form of certification or project. This reputed certificate can help you get that job or land a higher salary.
This list would help you find the best big data certification training courses that suits you.
How Do I Get Certified in Big Data?
It is important to remember that the journey to Big Data certification requires commitment, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt to the evolving big data industry.
- Research and apply for a certification: You can begin with searching online for reputed big data certification courses. Depending on what your aim is, explore multiple tracks and specializations and select the one that aligns with your interests. I mentioned few of the best big data training online courses in this blog.
- Assess Prerequisites: Prepare a list of prerequisites for the chosen certification program. Ensure you meet these requirements before going ahead. Some certifications might need a certain level of expertise or experience prior to taking the certification.
- Enroll in a Training Program: Many certification programs offer big data traing course which are designed to prepare you for the certification exam. Enroll in these big data courses to gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in Big Data technologies, tools, and methodologies.
- Hands-On Practice: Practical experience is essential for mastering Big Data concepts. Engage in hands-on projects, work with real-world datasets, and practice using Big Data tools and platforms. This hands-on experience will reinforce your understanding and build your confidence.
- Study and Preparation: Dive into the study materials provided by the certification program. Study online courses big data resources, textbooks, and practice exams to thoroughly cover the topics outlined in the certification syllabus. Create a study plan and allocate time for focused preparation.
- Take the Certification Exam: Once you feel adequately prepared, schedule and take the certification exam. The exam will assess your knowledge of Big Data concepts, tools, and practices. Approach the exam with a calm and confident mindset, leveraging both your theoretical understanding and practical experience.
- Continued Learning and Renewal: After obtaining your certification, stay engaged with the Big Data community, attend conferences, and keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and advancements. Many certifications require periodic renewal to ensure your skills remain current and relevant.
Top Big Data Courses to Learn in 2024
Here are some excellent courses that will help you prepare for the certifications as well as keep your big data skills sharp.
1. Hadoop Administration Course
Hadoop Administration Certification course deep dives into Hadoop with practical examples and empowers you to become an expert Hadoop Administrator.
Some key points about the course:
- Get better at Big data Hadoop and its components.
- It teaches hands-on Hadoop Admin activities like cluster configuration, performing operations and monitoring.
- Understand Hadoop architecture and its ecosystem
- Learn how to work with CDH platform and its administration tools
Cost: $302 USD
2. Big Data and Hadoop Course
You should take the Big Data and Hadoop Training course to get future-ready, and understand how to use Big Data scenarios using Hadoop.
Here are some key points about the course:
- Gain a deeper knowledge of multiple Big Data frameworks
- Build projects related to banking, governmental sectors, e-commerce websites, etc.
- Learn to work on Hadoop MapReduce using HDFS, Pig, Hive, etc.
- Give a boost to your big data career.
Cost: $400 USD
3. Big Data Analytics Course
Unleash the power of Big Data by learning ways of analyzing big data to uncover insights
Some key points about the course:
- It provides 30 hours of big data training and certification preparation.
- It provides an extensive curriculum with a focus on multiple big data frameworks
- Learn real world application of big data tools with case studies and hands-on exercises
- Understand the concepts with in-depth questionnaires on each topic.
Cost: $400 USD
4. Apache Spark and Scala Training
Apache Spark and Scala is a wonderful course to master Apache Spark using Scala with related advanced techniques. Apache Spark is used by almost every industry to extract insights from huge volumes of data.
Here are some key pointers.
- You get 24 hours of instructor-led live online training
- Gain knowledge on Apache Spark framework and spark ecosystem
- Find exercises and real-time projects on Apache Spark to ready for real world problems
- Get extensive knowledge on Scala Programming language
Cost: $242 USD
5. Apache Storm Training
This trains you on Apache Storm – how to process real-time data streams & perform complex operations using Trident Topology
- This is 18 hours of Instructor-led live online training course
- Provides hand-on learning sessions
- Gain knowledge on the fundamentals of Big Data and various types of data analytics
- It is aimed at teaching Storm architecture and real-time stream processing.
- Get comprehensive knowledge on Storm and use spouts and bolts to build stream data processing applications.
- Learn about trident topology to perform complex transformations
Cost: $400 USD
6. Apache Kafka Training
Apache Kafka course equips you with knowledge of Apache Kafka, Kafka Cluster, and its integrations
- It has 24 hours of Instructor-led training classes.
- Provides intensive hands-on practice on Apache Kafka.
- Learn of Kafka Ecosystem and its components.
- Learn how to use Kafka cluster and its integration with Big Data Frameworks like Hadoop, Spark.
- Apply learning on practical applications like Content messaging queue, Kafka Stream API, Analytical pipeline.
- Cost: $ 242 USD
7. Pig Training
Pig Training helps to gain practical knowledge through hands-on exercises on writing complex MapReduce transformations about HDFS and writing Pig scripts for data analysis.
- Perform actions using Apache Pig to run queries on large data sets
- Learn fundamentals of Hadoop ecosystem and its architecture
Cost: $400 USD
8. Comprehensive Hive Training
Learn about Hive and how to use it for generating insights from a huge set of data.
- Empower yourself with HiveQL
- Gain knowledge about the Hive environment and how to perform data analysis.
- Get access to real-world case studies and applications.
Cost: ~ $242 USD
Make Your Big Move into Big Data
Having worked in the big data space for many years, I can tell you from my experience what it takes to move into the big data domain. Here are some pointers:
- Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest trends and tools in the field of big data.
- Build understanding of basic principles of big data tools.
- Read blogs on big data from well known product companies who use big data in their product.
- Invest in big data certifications from known platforms to validate your skills. Find the best Big data training online course to prepare for the exams.
- Attend big data meetups and look for good opportunities.
Following these steps can pave the way for a successful career in this dynamic field.
How to Choose the Right Big Data Certification for You?
If I do a quick search online for big data certifications, it presents an array of options. It can make anyone feel overwhelmed. Finding the right certification becomes a daunting task. But a careful evaluation of current strengths and goals can help you find the certification that suits you best.
Here are a few questions I would ask myself when I look for a big data online course with certification.
1. What do I want to achieve from the certification?
You could be looking for switching into big data domain from other domain, or you could be student seeking a job in big data industry, or you could be looking for better compensation.
2. What is the timeline I am looking at?
On average, I have seen these certifications take 3 – 6 months of preparation time. It depends on your experience and learning abilities - how quickly you can grasp the concepts. It is better to take time and understand the concepts well than being only focused on clearing exam.
3. What is my current level of expertise and what is the next level for me?
If you are experience in big data and looking for advance techniques, you should look for specialized courses/certificates. But if you are novice in big data space, you have to start with courses that teach you fundamentals and validate your learnings with the certification exam. It is also necessary to into account the prerequisites stated by the certification courses.
4. How much does a Big data certification cost? Are they worth it?
It does not always makes sense to go for pricey certifications. I would suggest look for renowned certifications that falls under your budget. At the end of the day, these certifications are to prove your worth to empolyers. Look for such big data certification courses which provide in-depth concepts and hands-on exercises.
5. What are the credentials of the tutor and reputation of the certification in the market?
As mentioned in previous point, it is crucial that the certification has a reputation. A great tutor can explain complex topics in simple easy to absorb language which will help you retain it for the long time.
Based on answers to above questions, you can select the right course for you. It is crucial to choose the best certification course as you will be putting in time, money, effort into it.
Resources and Study Materials for Big Data Courses and Certifications
Preparation holds the key to certification success. Explore a diverse and top-notch study materials available to enhance your skills. There are a myriad of platforms available for interactive online courses, you could do hands-on projects and take practice exams. These resources give you confidence to ace your certification journey.
1. Courses
- I would suggest doing big data courses on KnowledgeHut. There are a variety of courses available. There are many other platforms for similar course: Dataquest, Udemy, edX, and so on.
- Books: Books are excellent resources to gain in-depth knowledge.If you are one of those people who prefer books over video/audio formats, you can find a plethora of books to help you build your skills. Below books are wonderful starting point for big data certification journey.
- Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think by Viktor Mayer-Schönberger and Kenneth Cukier
- Big Data: Concepts, Technology and Architecture by Balamarugan Balusamy, Nandhini Abirami R, Seifedine Kadry and Amir Gandomi
- Data Science for Business by Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett
- Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners by Oliver Theobald
- Spark: The Definitive Guide by Bill Chambers
There are a lot more books available in the market.
2. Blogs and forums
There is a lot of knowledge locked in blogs and forums online. Some of the top names that I would suggest are:
Most certifications have their own courses. Apart from above mentioned resources, you could also explore YouTube videos, github repositories and podcasts as well.
- Start with basics and get a strong grip on basics of computer science, mathematics and statistics. Later move on to more advanced topics.
- Get hands-on experience by participating in hackathons, do internships or contribute to open source projects.
- Stay up-to-date with latest developments in big data space – read publications, network with other big data professionals, attend conferences, etc.
Maintaining and Renewing Big Data Certifications
Achieving your Big Data Certification is just the beginning of your data journey. From my experience it is a continuous process. Like you sharpen a pencil to get the best lines, you should too keep honing your skills with such certifications. The evolving nature of the big data ecosystem makes it imperative to be proactive and embrace the new technologies and advancements in this space.
From my point of view, it is easier to renew big data certifications once you get a hang of the big data space. Keeping an eye on new trends and practices emerging in the big data industry will make your life easy to keep yourself ahead of the curve.
Final Words
In today’s age of data ubiquity, Big Data certifications is the key to thrive in your big data career. The right certification will put you on the road to success whether you're exploring the fields of data engineering, data analytics, or data science. I would advise everyone working or aspiring to work in the data domain to take control of the future as a data pioneer by arming yourself with the knowledge, experience, and recognition that only a Big Data Certification can offer.
