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 Minnesota
Analytics for Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Operations Research, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Supply Chain, Probability, Predictive Modeling, Business Modeling, Simulation and Simulation Software, Business Analytics, Analytics, Regression Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Forecasting, Data Modeling, Business Mathematics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Pivot Tables And Charts, Statistics, Process Optimization
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
256 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Emory University
Foundations of Marketing Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Pivot Tables And Charts, Customer Analysis, Probability Distribution, Customer Demand Planning, Marketing Analytics, Forecasting, Consumer Behaviour, Descriptive Statistics, Microsoft Excel, Social Media Marketing, Customer Insights, Exploratory Data Analysis, Probability, Statistical Analysis, Marketing Effectiveness, Target Market, Social Media, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Predictive Modeling, Statistics
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
515 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 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
777 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Accounting Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Machine Learning Algorithms, Data Visualization, Jupyter, Tableau Software, Matplotlib, Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Unsupervised Learning, Pandas (Python Package), Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Data Manipulation, Machine Learning, Excel Macros, Text Mining, Applied Machine Learning, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Data Processing, Statistical Visualization, Analytics, SQL
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
559 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
ESSEC Business School
Foundations of strategic business analytics
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Forecasting, Statistical Methods, Data Presentation, Predictive Analytics, R Programming, Information Technology, Statistical Analysis, Communication, Business Strategy, Business, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Mining, Data Visualization, Regression Analysis
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
654 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
SAS
SAS Visual Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: SAS (Software), Network Analysis, Trend Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis, Forecasting, Data Quality, Text Mining, Ad Hoc Reporting, Spatial Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Spatial Analysis, Analytics, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Business Analytics, Data Visualization, Interactive Data Visualization, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Reporting, Exploratory Data Analysis
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Business Analytics Executive Overview
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Data Presentation, Analytics, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Business Intelligence, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Trend Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Data Strategy, Data Warehousing, Data Science, Business Transformation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
278 reviews
Intermediate · 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
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
University of Virginia
Product Analytics and AI
Skills you'll gain: Analytics, Business Analytics, Usability Testing, Product Management, Customer Insights, A/B Testing, Agile Methodology, User Experience, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Science, Product Testing, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
477 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Healthcare Analytics Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Analytics, Patient Safety, Health Systems, Health Care, Health Administration, Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Statistical Analysis, Performance Measurement, Performance Metric, Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Risk Analysis, Peer Review, Quality Assessment
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks