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

Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Graph Analytics for Big Data
Skills you'll gain: Graph Theory, Database Design, Big Data, Network Analysis, Analytics, Data Management, Data Structures, Query Languages, Scalability, Unsupervised Learning, Distributed Computing, Algorithms
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Business Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Power Platform, Excel Formulas, Process Flow Diagrams, Business Process Modeling, User Story, Business Requirements, Stakeholder Management, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visio, Software Development Life Cycle, Requirements Analysis, Requirements Elicitation, Quality Management, Pivot Tables And Charts, Power BI, Microsoft Power Automate/Flow, Scrum (Software Development), Business Analysis, Project Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
987 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Coding with Generative AI
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Prompt Engineering, Artificial Neural Networks, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Deep Learning, Debugging, Python Programming, Semantic Web, Natural Language Processing
4.1
Rating, 4.1 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Predictive Modeling and Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Predictive Analytics, Data Visualization, Data Modeling, Business Analytics, Data Analysis, Statistical Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Regression Analysis, Machine Learning Methods, Supervised Learning, Decision Tree Learning, Data Cleansing, Artificial Neural Networks
3.6
Rating, 3.6 out of 5 stars
602 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft Data Visualization
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Presentation, Power BI, Data Ethics, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Data Modeling, Data Governance, Extract, Transform, Load, Interactive Data Visualization, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Data Architecture, Correlation Analysis, Data Cleansing, Data Transformation, Database Design, Statistical Visualization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
67 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Data Analysis using Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Mining
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4K reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Business Analytics for Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Risk Analysis, Business Analysis, Decision Making, Analytics, Business Intelligence, Predictive Analytics, Simulation and Simulation Software, Business Modeling, Data Analysis, Process Optimization, Market Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, Microsoft Excel, Probability Distribution
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Fractal Analytics
Introduction to Vertex AI
Skills you'll gain: MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), Applied Machine Learning, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Google Cloud Platform, Large Language Modeling, User Interface (UI), Cloud Computing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Business Analysis Using Spreadsheets: Basics
Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Spreadsheet Software, Data Presentation, Statistical Visualization, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Business Analytics, Productivity Software, Business Analysis, Data Manipulation, Descriptive Statistics, Analysis, Excel Formulas, Data Cleansing, Mathematical Software
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
999 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Fractal Analytics
Generative AI for HR Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, HR Tech, Generative AI Agents, Data Ethics, ChatGPT, Human Resources, Verification And Validation, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Recruitment, Employee Engagement, Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Inclusion, Compliance Management
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Knowledge Accelerators
From Excel to Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Dashboard, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Import/Export, Business Intelligence, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Sharing, Data Modeling
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Responsible AI - Principles and Ethical Considerations
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Artificial Intelligence, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Information Privacy, Data Security, Governance, Data Integrity, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Diversity Awareness, Machine Learning, Data Validation, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Algorithms
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months