Where can aspiring and practicing data scientists earn respected credentials in big data and analytics? The same source organizations can tap to transform top talent and gain a competitive edge: the new SAS® Academy for Data Science. The new academy imparts skills in big data management, advanced analytics, machine learning and data visualization, along with the essential communication skills needed by data scientists today.
Comprised of two distinct levels, each track combines classroom instruction, a hands-on case study or team project, related certification exams and coaching in a six-week immersive experience. By successfully passing certification exams, students earn one of two credentials: SAS Certified Big Data Professional or SAS Certified Data Scientist.
The SAS Global Certification program has long been the standard for industries like banking and pharma. Launched in 1999 to validate the skills and knowledge of SAS users and partners, the program has awarded nearly 90,000 SAS credentials to individuals in 77 countries.
SAS has been in the business of data science for nearly 40 years, adapting to and addressing customer needs. Right now, our customers need analytics talent,” said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight. “Employers trust SAS certified professionals not only to manage and analyze data, but also to understand the business implications, communicate results clearly and drive better decisions.”
SAS customers span more than 75,000 business, government and university sites, including 93 of the top 100 companies on the 2014 Fortune Global 500®. With a market that deep, a SAS data science credential fosters lucrative opportunities across industries.
The keys to deriving a competitive edge from the data deluge are analytics and people who can deploy it,” said David Dickey, PhD, and William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the North Carolina State University Department of Statistics. “The SAS Academy for Data Science offers tremendous opportunity for people to either enter this field or further hone their abilities. The mix of experience with powerful analytics, such as SAS, computing, statistics, business knowledge and presentation skills set the academy apart.”
Glassdoor pegs the average annual salary for data scientists at nearly $119,000. A SAS data science credential will be a strong differentiator for job seekers clamoring for one of the 3 million big data jobs forecast by 2018.
On course for success
Led by expert instructors, courses include an academic adviser and 24-hour access to the SAS environment to help students navigate the rigorous coursework. In Level 1, students pursue the SAS Certified Big Data Professional credential. They learn to manage and clean big data, complete exploratory analysis and visualize the data using SAS and Hadoop. Level 2 is the pathway to becoming a SAS Certified Data Scientist, incorporating predictive modeling, machine learning, experimentation, optimization, segmentation, text analytics and deployment using SAS. It also covers how SAS works with open source programming languages. And just as importantly, students learn how to make the data meaningful to stakeholders through critical communication skills.
To pursue the SAS Certified Data Scientist credential, students must complete Level 1 or hold the SAS Certified Big Data Professional credential. Either credential can be obtained by passing the related certification exams.
The first course offerings will take place in New York City beginning Jan. 11, followed by San Francisco classes in June. Space is limited, so register today to become a SAS Certified Big Data Professional or SAS Certified Data Scientist.
SAS in education
With a special focus on education, SAS strives to give everyone THE POWER TO KNOW®. From SAS® Curriculum Pathways® free digital curriculum and mobile apps for K-12, to free and low-cost access to world-class software offered through SAS Analytics U, SAS is committed to learners of all ages. Additionally, SAS collaborates with colleges and universities around the world to launch degree and certificate programs to foster the current and next generation of analytics talent. With nearly four decades of working in education, SAS brings together individuals, institutions, communities and data to prepare people for college, career, life and brighter futures.
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