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

University of Michigan
Sports Performance Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Forecasting, Statistical Methods, Regression Analysis, Data Cleansing, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Supervised Learning, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Correlation Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Matplotlib, Applied Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Statistical Modeling, Kinesiology, Injury Prevention, Data Analysis, Machine Learning Methods, Analytics, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
255 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Operations Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Analytics, Demand Planning, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Operational Analysis, Business Operations, Risk Analysis, Forecasting, Operations Management, Risk Management, Business Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Process Optimization, Decision Making, Decision Tree Learning, Microsoft Excel, Probability Distribution
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google
Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Google Sheets, Business Analytics, Spreadsheet Software, Analytical Skills, Data Sharing, Data Cleansing, Data Processing, Data Strategy, Data Visualization Software, SQL
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
113K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Data Analytics and Visualization
Skills you'll gain: Pivot Tables And Charts, Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Power BI, Excel Formulas, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Visualization Software, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Microsoft Excel, Spreadsheet Software, Dashboard, Data Modeling, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Excel Macros, Infographics, Data Transformation, Data Validation, Data Warehousing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.6K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Extract, Transform, Load, Power BI, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Microsoft Excel, Data Modeling, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Star Schema, Data Analysis, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Integrity, Spreadsheet Software, Data Validation, Data Transformation, Data Cleansing, Data Visualization
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.9K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
Social Media Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Network Analysis, Data Visualization, Graph Theory, Relational Databases, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Social Sciences, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, R Programming, Analytics, Data Manipulation, Applied Machine Learning, Facebook, Instagram, Sociology, Natural Language Processing, Network Model, Text Mining
4
Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: AI skills
IBM
IBM Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Dashboard, Data Visualization Software, Plotly, Data Presentation, Data Wrangling, Data Visualization, SQL, Generative AI, Interactive Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Cleansing, Big Data, Jupyter, Matplotlib, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Pandas (Python Package), Excel Formulas, Professional Networking
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
90K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Meta
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Data Cleansing, Data Modeling, Analytics, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Validation, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Quality, Data Manipulation, Generative AI, Data Collection
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
786 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
Supply Chain Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Competitive Analysis, Supply Chain, Supply Chain Management, Transportation, Supply Chain, and Logistics, Supply Chain Planning, Market Intelligence, Inventory and Warehousing, Analytics, Financial Analysis, Inventory Management System, Customer Insights, Data Analysis, Order Fulfillment, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Cost Reduction, Spatial Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
804 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Pennsylvania
Accounting Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Business Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Analytics, Forecasting, Accounting, Business Metrics, Performance Analysis, Anomaly Detection, Return On Investment, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Regression Analysis
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado Boulder
Introduction to Data Analytics for Business
Skills you'll gain: Data Governance, Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Storage, Data Management, Big Data, Databases, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Relational Databases, Data Quality, SQL, Organizational Structure, Cloud Computing, Data Manipulation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Amazon Web Services
Fundamentals of Analytics on AWS
Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Lakes, Analytics, Data Architecture, Data Warehousing, Data Management, Data Analysis, Big Data, Business Analytics, Data Storage, Amazon Web Services, Machine Learning, Data Strategy, Strategic Decision-Making
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks