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 .

Best Analytics Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Analytics Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Google
Google Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Literacy, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Data Cleansing, Data Validation, Ggplot2, Tableau Software, Sampling (Statistics), Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, LinkedIn, Dashboard, Data Processing, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
176K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Big Data, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Data Collection, Data Science, Data Warehousing, Data Visualization, Data Cleansing, Apache Spark, Data Lakes, Data Visualization Software, Relational Databases, Microsoft Excel
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
20K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Fraud detection, Business Analytics, Descriptive Analytics, Financial Data, Marketing Analytics, Analytics, Talent Management, Financial Analysis, Predictive Analytics, Human Resources Management and Planning, Peer Review, Data Analysis, Business Analysis, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Customer Insights, Workforce Planning, Demand Planning
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google Advanced Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Data Ethics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Sampling (Statistics), Data Presentation, Data Visualization Software, Feature Engineering, Regression Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Advanced Analytics, Data Analysis, Data Science, Tableau Software, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Interviewing Skills, Python Programming
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
9K reviews
Advanced · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
People Analytics
Skills you'll gain: People Analytics, Talent Management, Human Resources Management and Planning, Workforce Planning, Collaboration, Organizational Effectiveness, Performance Analysis, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Analytics, Employee Retention, Data Analysis, Employee Performance Management, Performance Management, Predictive Analytics, Network Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Johns Hopkins University
Business Analytics with Excel: Elementary to Advanced
Skills you'll gain: Risk Modeling, Operations Research, Regression Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Business Analytics, Risk Analysis, Business Process Modeling, Business Modeling, Data Modeling, Resource Allocation, Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Financial Analysis, Statistical Methods, Predictive Analytics, Transportation Operations, Complex Problem Solving, Linear Algebra
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Explore topics outside of work

Status: Preview
Maven Analytics
ChatGPT & Generative AI for Data Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Power BI, Deep Learning, Excel Formulas, Analytics, Google Sheets, Pivot Tables And Charts, Microsoft Excel, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analysis, Python Programming, SQL, Query Languages, Business Intelligence, Data Science, Debugging
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
18 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Getting Started in Google Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Google Analytics, Web Analytics, Content Performance Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Dashboard, User Accounts
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Business Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Risk Mitigation, Business Analysis, Business Process Modeling, Risk Analysis, Project Scoping, Process Flow Diagrams, Stakeholder Analysis, Process Optimization, Data Visualization, Requirements Management, Prompt Engineering, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Digital Transformation, Responsible AI, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Business Analytics, Business Requirements
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Meta
Meta Marketing Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Business Metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Marketing Analytics, Bayesian Statistics, Data Visualization, Descriptive Statistics, Marketing Effectiveness, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Target Audience, Marketing Strategies, Data Cleansing, Pandas (Python Package), Data Modeling, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, A/B Testing, Data Collection, Marketing, Interviewing Skills
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Advanced Business Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Presentation, Data Governance, Predictive Modeling, Data Storage Technologies, Predictive Analytics, Exploratory Data Analysis, Analytics, Business Analytics, Data Storage, Big Data, Risk Analysis, Databases, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Data Cleansing, SQL
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
5.2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Sports Performance Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Forecasting, Statistical Methods, Exercise Science, Regression Analysis, Data Cleansing, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Supervised Learning, Data Processing, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Sports Medicine, Correlation Analysis, Predictive Modeling, Matplotlib, Data Manipulation, Applied Machine Learning, Injury Prevention, Analytics, Data Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Python Programming
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
269 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months