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McGill SCS Professional Development Certificate in Applied AI and Data Analytics for Business
In an era of information overload, competitive advantage lies in transforming data into actionable business outcomes. This program equips you to connect data, technical insights, and business value.
Designed for aspiring data analysts and managers leading data initiatives, this program goes beyond traditional reporting. You will learn to extract statistical insights, build predictive models using Python alongside low-code tools, and use the art of visual storytelling.
From framing business problems to delivering an end-to-end analytics project, you will gain the skills to lead data initiatives and translate insights into business action. This program is endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®) and fully aligned with the IIBA Guide to Business Data Analytics. It prepares you for the IIBA-CBDA exam and meets professional development requirements for IIBA core certifications: ECBA™, CCBA®, and CBAP®.
Type: Professional Development Certificate Courses: 5 CEUs: 32 Schedule: Part-time Delivery: Online Unit: Technology & Innovation Questions? Info.conted [at] mcgill.ca
Key Features
- A program designed to bridge the gap between raw data and business strategy
- The curriculum layers conceptual topics with hands-on application, focusing on storytelling and the translation of complex insights into decision-ready actions
- Embeds industry-standard technologies including Alteryx, Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau directly into the coursework
- Features complementary courses that explore emerging topics, such as Generative AI and Agentic AI, allowing the curriculum to align with different career goals
- Delivered online in a part-time format, blending live synchronous engagement with asynchronous activities to accommodate working professionals
- Connects you with peers and industry experts, fostering collaboration and professional networking
- Includes full access to the McGill Library’s online books and resources and industry-leading platforms such as DataCamp
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program will be well-positioned for roles, such as:
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Product Owner in AI/analytics or data-related teams
- Project Manager in AI/analytics or data-related teams
- Data Governance Prime
- Data Translator
- Data Citizen
Message From the Academic Program Coordinator
Welcome to the Professional Development Certificate in Applied AI and Data Analytics for Business. This program was designed to reflect the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in generating actionable insights. The objective is to ensure it directly prepares you for specialized, high-demand roles.
Through practical applications, you will gain hands-on proficiency using different tools and languages to solve data problems from start to end. This ensures you are equipped to frame business problems and use AI techniques to predict outcomes.
By participating in this program, you will build an extended professional network within the AI and data science community, connect with peers, and benefit from the support of our expert instructors and guest speakers. We have also introduced complementary courses to keep pace with emerging areas and provide flexibility for your learning path.
We view ourselves as your Sherpa team: we help you reach your career destination by providing a path adapted for you, grounded in real-world applications supported by our team, tools, and our amazing online library that houses the latest and most relevant material.
Looking forward to crossing paths with you and supporting you on your learning journey.
Nabil Beitinjaneh, BEng, MBA
Faculty Lecturer and Academic Program Coordinator
Who Should Apply
This program is specifically tailored for professionals who need to strategically apply data and AI within a business context and is a good fit for you if you are:
- A professional seeking new roles in AI or Analytics teams
- A professional needing to build up their skills to leverage data analytics and AI for actionable insights and strategies
- A business leader or manager who wants hands-on learning and skills to turn insights obtained from data analysis into actionable decisions.
Learning Outcomes
This program will enable you to:
- Develop an understanding of AI and data strategy and frame business problems into data science projects
- Use statistical and analytical methods to perform data analysis and support data-informed decision-making
- Apply analytical methods and AI techniques to collect, analyze and uncover insights for predicting business outcomes, building models using predictive analytics.
- Interpret data insights and communicate them effectively using data visualization and storytelling techniques
- Lead AI and data science projects and foster a data-informed culture while addressing challenges related to data governance and innovation
- Critically assess the landscape of advanced AI, including Agentic AI and evolving Generative models, to navigate the ethical, security, and strategic challenges of the next generation of automation
Delivery Format
This program is delivered online, blending live synchronous engagement with asynchronous activities to accommodate working professionals.
Courses
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Prerequisite |
YCIT 200 AI and Data Science in Practice (8 CEUs) |
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Required Courses |
YCIT 201 Applied Statistics for Data Science and Analytics (8 CEUs)
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Complementary Courses |
YCIT 202 Leading AI and Data Projects (8 CEUs) Or YCIT 313 Machine Learning: Principles and Applications (8 CEUs) Or YCIT 390 Special Topics in Technology and Innovation (8 CEUs) Or any other CEU courses offered by the School of Continuing Studies and approved by the Academic Program Coordinator. |
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold one of the following degrees:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce
Applicants with a non-business Bachelor’s degree should have:
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in a managerial position
OR - Completed the CGMG 282 Introduction to Business course
Applicants should have:
- A solid quantitative and business background
- A proficiency in Microsoft Excel or other data analysis tools
Applicants may also be considered if:
- They do not meet the above criteria but have relevant experience in business analysis or other related fields.
Proof of English proficiency is not required to enroll in this professional development certificate. However, a good command of English is necessary to perform well and complete the program.