Career certificate
Program overview
Use spreadsheets, databases, visualization, and statistics to turn data into practical decisions. Students work with advisors to confirm placement, course sequence, and whether the pathway supports transfer, certificate completion, or direct career preparation.
Who this pathway serves
This certificate is intended for students who want to organize information, identify patterns, create dashboards, and communicate evidence for business or operational decisions.
Students may enter with a defined goal or use introductory courses to test their interest. Prior experience is helpful in some subjects but is not assumed unless a prerequisite is listed.
What students learn
- Clean and summarize datasets
- Create visual dashboards
- Communicate data findings
Learning outcomes are developed through class discussion, applied assignments, projects, presentations, and instructor feedback. Students should expect to revise work and explain how they reached a conclusion.
Sample courses in this pathway
The courses below illustrate a possible sequence rather than a guaranteed schedule. Availability, prerequisites, and recommended preparation should be confirmed before registration.
| Course | Title | Units | Prerequisite | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 210 | Business Analytics and Decision Making | 3 | MATH 115 recommended | Uses spreadsheets, basic statistics, and case studies to support business planning and operations decisions. |
| CS 110 | Programming Fundamentals | 4 | MATH 115 recommended | Introduces logic, variables, control flow, functions, debugging, and project-based software development. |
| DATA 150 | Introduction to Data Analytics | 3 | CIS 105 or equivalent | Covers data cleaning, spreadsheets, visualization, descriptive statistics, and practical reporting. |
| DATA 220 | Dashboards and Data Storytelling | 3 | DATA 150 | Develops dashboard design, data narratives, stakeholder presentations, and applied analytics projects. |
| STAT 115 | Applied Statistics | 3 | MATH 115 or placement | Builds practical statistical reasoning, sampling, inference, correlation, and visualization. |
Program and schedule planning
Students benefit from completing computer applications and introductory statistics before advanced dashboard work. Projects require regular practice with datasets and presentation tools.
Full-time and part-time plans are available. Completion time depends on placement, course availability, previous credit, prerequisite readiness, and the number of units a student can manage successfully each term.
Career and transfer direction
- Data assistant
- Operations analyst assistant
- Reporting coordinator
Career titles vary by employer, experience, and additional credentials. Transfer-focused students should meet with an advisor each term to confirm requirements.
Support for program students
Program students may use academic advising, tutoring, writing and math support, library research help, career coaching, transfer planning, and technology assistance.
Students who are struggling with attendance, workload, language demands, or personal circumstances should contact an instructor or advisor early enough to review available options.