Department of Management Information Systems
Data Analytics Upper Division Certificate
The Upper Division Certificate in Data Analytics is designed for learners who have an interest in the management of data as vital resources and application of analytics using modern information technology for problem-solving, policy formulation and decision-making in various sectors such as healthcare, education, marketing, finance, government, and community outreach. The Certificate is open to all undergraduate majors except Business Administration majors with a concentration in Data Analytics.
The certificate focuses on empowering students to tackle problems while enhancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand, identify, prepare, and analyze data (big and small) using modern computing technologies. Students will also learn to effectively use methods, approaches, technologies, and tools to interpret results and build models for domain specific decision-making.
Why Choose the Data Analytics Certificate?
Students completing this certificate will be prepared with the technical and analytical skills required to collect, clean, model, and present the value of data. Students will further learn to use modern data science and analytics technologies such as Tableau Flow and Tableau, MS Power BI, Python and R libraries. Students will utilize machine learning, and data and text analytics tools to create and present data analytics products such as visuals, dashboards, scoreboards, predictive models, and others. Throughout the program, students will also hone their communications skills and learn strategies for effectively telling their data story through visual, written and oral communication.
After successful completion of the certificate program, graduates can work in any existing and emerging data-oriented and data analytics enabled jobs such as data architect, engineer, analyst and/or data analytics specialist in their respective major field of study and area of specialization. For example, a biology major can work as biological data science and analyst, criminal justice major as crime or intelligence analyst, marketing major can work as market researcher, economics major as research, policy or budget analyst.
GWP/CoLab Partnership
BSU is a proud partner of Greater Washington Partnership (GWP)/ Capital CoLAB. CoLAB’s vision is to make the Capital Region the most diverse digital tech workforce in the country, which is done by partnering with employers and educators to build digital tech pathways that prioritize equitable access to industry-aligned skills. As a Capital CoLab university partner, BSU is able to issue digital micro-credentials to students who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with those technical skills in demand across our region.The GWP is annually donating $25,000 in scholarships for up to 10 College of Business students who pursue the Generalist Digital Tech Credential in Data Analysis. Please visit the Digital Tech Scholarship web page or email robeidat@bowiestate.edu for CoLab micro-credential requirements.
How to Apply
The undergraduate upper-division certificate in Data Analytics accepts admission materials on a rolling basis.
- If you are a current degree-seeking student at Bowie State University, please complete the Major/Minor/Certificate declaration form (pdf). Please note: Business Administration majors with a concentration in Data Analytics are not eligible to apply.
- If you are a prospective student who has completed a bachelor’s degree, please see admission requirements.
More Information
For more information about the certificate, contact Dr. Rand Obeidat, assistant professor and program coordinator of the Data Analytics program, at robeidat@bowiestate.edu or Dr. Azene Zenebe, Professor of information systems and chair of the MIS department at azenebe@bowiestate.edu .