The Google data analytics certificate has become an increasingly popular credential, especially for those looking to break into the data analytics field. However, a common question surrounding the certificate is whether or not it is recognized or accredited.
What is the Google data analytics certificate?
The Google data analytics certificate is an online certification credential offered through Coursera in partnership with Google. It consists of a series of online courses and hands-on labs designed to teach key data analytics skills. Topics covered include:
- Data cleaning, manipulation, and analysis using tools like SQL, R, Tableau, and BigQuery
- Visualizing and presenting data findings
- Understanding and applying data ethics
- Using data to guide business strategy and decision making
The certificate can be completed in 3-6 months part time and no prior data analytics experience is required. The cost is $39/month while enrolled. Upon completing the full certificate, you can showcase your new data skills with recruiter-recognized certificate to potential employers.
Is the certificate accredited?
The Google data analytics certificate is not an accredited educational program in the traditional sense. It does not confer an academic degree or college credits. However, it does provide a credential from Google that verifies your completion of real-world focused curriculum designed by Google data experts.
Here are some key facts on the certification’s accreditation status:
- Issued directly by Google, not an accredited university
- Does not confer academic credits or college degree
- Recognized by leading industry organizations like Career Karma and LinkedIn
- Includes letter of completion from Google upon finishing certificate
So while it is not accredited in the traditional way, it does carry strong weight and recognition from Google itself.
Is the certificate recognized by employers?
Although not formally accredited, the Google certificate is well-recognized and valued by many major employers.
Some key signs of strong employer recognition:
- Over 130 employers have endorsed the certificate, including leaders like Deloitte, Accenture, Walmart, etc.
- LinkedIn includes the certificate on members’ profiles and highlights it as a verified achievement
- Many hiring managers cite Google certification as valuable credential for data analytics roles
- Those with certificate report success landing jobs or advancing their careers
Additionally, Google offersResumeAssist to help certificate holders optimize their resumes and highlight their new data skills for hiring managers.
Overall, while informal, the certificate is recognized as a strong signal of data analytics competency. Surveys show over 80% of those who complete it report positive career impacts like getting a new job, promotion, or raise.
How does it compare to university degrees?
The Google certificate differs from traditional university degrees in many ways:
| Google Data Analytics Certificate | University Degree |
|---|---|
| Focused specifically on data analytics skills | Broad-based academic curriculum |
| Skills-focused curriculum designed by Google for industry needs | Theoretical-based learning designed by academia |
| 3-6 months at your own pace | 2-4 years of full-time study |
| Minimal cost at $39/month while enrolled | Average tuition $9,200/year for in-state public college |
| 100% online and self-paced | On-campus required, structured schedule |
So while the Google certificate is more affordable and faster than a full degree, it is also much more narrowly focused on gaining specific data analytics skills. It provides direct training in the tools and capabilities employers are looking for. But it does not provide the full expansive learning across disciplines and the foundational analytical thinking that college degrees impart.
Ultimately, it depends on your existing education level and goals. The Google certificate offers a quick, flexible way to gain in-demand data analytics skills. But a college degree delivers deeper cultivation of analytical thinking that serves as the bedrock for a career. The two provide different types of knowledge and qualifications.
Can it be part of a college degree?
The Google data analytics certificate cannot directly confer university credits as part of a degree program. However, some colleges are beginning to recognize it as a sign of data proficiency that may allow students to place out of introductory analytics coursework.
For example, students in an undergraduate analytics program could potentially use the Google certificate to demonstrate their basic data skillset. This might enable them to bypass beginner-level classes and focus their studies at a more advanced level. But the specifics vary by school.
There are also a growing number of universities that are building the Google curriculum directly into new undergraduate certificates or degree programs focused specifically on data analytics. These provide a way to combine the applied skills training of the Google certificate with the additional critical thinking development and analytical depth of college-level studies.
So in summary, while not directly providing university credits, the Google certificate can potentially be used to place out of certain basic classes in a larger degree program. And its real-world curriculum is increasingly being integrated directly into new higher education data analytics programs.
Should you get the certificate?
The Google data analytics certificate can be a great option if you are considering switching into a data analytics career or want to level up your existing analytics skills. Reasons it may be a valuable path:
- Gain skills quickly – Learn job-ready data abilities in just 3-6 months
- Affordable – Far less expensive than a full degree program
- Recognized by employers – Google name and endorsement from major companies provide strong credentials
- 100% online – Complete at your own pace from anywhere
- Hands-on practice – Includes real-world case studies and tools like R, SQL, Tableau, etc
However, it likely does not provide enough depth and analytical development to fully replace an undergraduate or Master’s degree program for those pursuing high-level careers in analytics. But it can be a great starting point to build skills or complement existing education.
Those who will benefit most include:
- Career changers looking to transition into analytics roles
- Recent graduates wanting extra training before job searching
- Professionals wanting to expand their skillsets
- Current analysts seeking a resume boost with Google credential
Overall the Google certificate provides an affordable, flexible way to quickly develop in-demand data analytics skills. While not a full replacement for college degrees, it is a recognized credential valued by major employers.
Conclusion
The Google data analytics certificate does not offer formal accreditation or confer a college degree. However, it provides a strong credential and set of skills that are highly valued by major employers. Over 80% of those who complete the certificate report positive career impacts, and over 130 top companies actively recruit those who have it on their resume. So while not a traditional academic program, the certificate clearly boosts employability in analytics roles.
For those considering a switch into the field or current analysts wanting to level up their skills, the Google certificate provides an accessible starting point. Combining it with deeper university studies can be a powerful path. But on its own, the applied training and Google credential offer a recognized way to get started in data analytics careers.