How often is each course in the Specialization offered?

Each course in the Specialization offers regular and open enrollment. You can begin and complete the course on your own schedule.

Can I take the course for free?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Where can I learn more and ask questions about earning credit or a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?

Please find more information at https://giesbusiness.illinois.edu/graduate-hub/online or email your questions to giesonline@illinois.edu

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Business Analytics Specialization

Business Analytics Specialization

Data-driven decision making potential unlocked. Learners will be able to obtain, manage, analyze and visualize data to gain a competitive advantage in the world of strategic business decision making.

Instructors: Unnati Narang

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

6 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(238 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 months at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

6 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(238 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 months at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Our world has become increasingly digital, and business leaders need to make sense of the enormous amount of available data today. In order to make key strategic business decisions and leverage data as a competitive advantage, it is critical to understand how to draw key insights from this data. The Business Analytics specialization is targeted towards aspiring managers, senior managers, and business executives who wish to have a well-rounded knowledge of business analytics that integrates the areas of data science, analytics and business decision making.

The courses in this Specialization will focus on strategy, methods, tools, and applications that are widely used in business. Topics covered include: Data strategy at firms Reliable ways to collect, analyze, and visualize data–and utilize data in organizational decision making Understanding data modeling and predictive analytics at a high-level Learning basic methods of business analytics by working with data sets and tools such as Power BI, Alteryx, and RStudio Learning to make informed business decisions via analytics across key functional areas in business such as finance, marketing, retail & supply chain management, and social media to enhance profitability and competitiveness.

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

30 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 6 course series

Introduction to Applied Business Analytics

Course 113 hours4.6 (302 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Examine the interplay between business principles and data analytics.
Build a foundation in data analytics by installing and using a data analytics language, an integrated development environment (IDE), and key modules.
Manipulate the most commonly used data types using functions.
Develop efficient, easy-to-read approaches for assembling and processing data for analysis.

Skills you'll gain

Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, Analytics, Business Analysis, Data Presentation, and Python Programming

Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data

Course 215 hours4.6 (644 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Build familiarity with the set of tools and techniques used to analyze and visualize digitalized data.
Gain an understanding of the motivations that direct the use of various data visualization methods.
Understand visual approaches used to effectively communicate insights from data.
Gain hands-on, working knowledge of the nuanced distinction between effective and poor data presentation.

Skills you'll gain

Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Data Analysis, R (Software), Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Data Collection, Analytics, Infographics, Health Care, Digital Marketing, Analytical Skills, Business Analytics, and Data Quality

Tools for Exploratory Data Analysis in Business

Course 317 hours4.8 (51 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Development of an analytic mindset for approaching business problems.
The ability to appraise the value of datasets for addressing business problems using summary statistics and data visualizations.
Competence in operating business analytic software applications for exploratory data analysis.

Skills you'll gain

Pandas (Python Package), Analytical Skills, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Application Programming Interface (API), SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Data Transformation, Business Analytics, Python Programming, Data Quality, Data Storytelling, Relational Databases, Data Visualization Software, Jupyter, Data Manipulation, and Data Cleansing

Machine Learning Algorithms with Python in Business Analytics

Course 416 hours4.6 (38 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Implement a conceptual framework of machine learning algorithms for finding actionable insight to business problems.
Apply a conceptual foundation for interpreting machine learning results from regression, classification, and clustering algorithms.
Apply machine learning algorithms to business data.

Skills you'll gain

Machine Learning Algorithms, Supervised Learning, Regression Analysis, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Predictive Modeling, Business Analytics, Applied Machine Learning, Data Processing, Workflow Management, and Python Programming

Applying Data Analytics in Marketing

Course 516 hours4.6 (187 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Ability to design experiments and apply quasi-experimental methods to identify and measure the impact of marketing interventions.
Use of machine learning and AI techniques to forecast customer behaviors and marketing outcomes.
Analyzing consumer sentiment and user-generated content through computational text and network analysis.
Estimating customer preferences, demand patterns, and calculating customer lifetime value to inform marketing strategy.

Skills you'll gain

Machine Learning, Responsible AI, Marketing Analytics, Social Network Analysis, Customer Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Customer Insights, Digital Marketing, Data Analysis, Market Analysis, AI Personalization, Marketing, Predictive Modeling, Marketing Effectiveness, Analytics, Generative AI, Marketing Strategy and Techniques, Data Ethics, Consumer Behaviour, and Advanced Analytics

Applying Data Analytics in Accounting

Course 613 hours4.7 (74 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Understand analytic issues and topics in accounting.
Conduct audit and control testing tasks using Alteryx and Python.
Perform automation using Python.
Understand data governance.

Skills you'll gain

Automation, Pandas (Python Package), Accounting, Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT), Internal Controls, Data Governance, Data Quality, Data Management, Data Integrity, Natural Language Processing, Emerging Technologies, Python Programming, Financial Auditing, Data Analysis, Accounting Software, Analytics, Auditing, GitHub, Fraud detection, and Internal Auditing

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹