What You’ll Learn
The Data Science Graduate Certificate provides a flexible, fully online pathway, designed with working professionals and career changers in mind. The four-course program emphasizes hands-on practice and applied problem-solving. This certificate is also stackable, allowing students to apply completed coursework toward select Harvard Extension School master’s degree programs, offering a clear path for continued study.
Through the online Graduate Certificate in Data Science, you’ll learn to:
- Master key facets of data investigation, including data wrangling, cleaning, sampling, management, exploratory analysis, regression and classification, prediction, and data communication.
- Implement foundational concepts of data computation, such as data structure, algorithms, parallel computing, simulation, and analysis.
- Leverage your knowledge of key subject areas, such as game theory, statistical quality control, exponential smoothing, seasonally adjusted trend analysis, or data visualization.
- Apply Python and data science libraries such as Apply Python and data science libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-Learn, NetworkX, and TensorFlow to analyze and visualize real-world data.
- Build predictive models using regression, classification, and machine learning techniques.
- Develop reproducible workflows for data wrangling, analysis, and validation.
- Communicate insights effectively through data storytelling and visualization.
Courses
The Data Science Graduate Certificate requires four online courses from the following course topic areas. Courses focus on statistics, data modeling, machine learning, and data engineering foundations — key skills for today’s data science and analytics roles.
Statistics (1 Course)
Example courses:
- CSCI 106 Data Modeling
- MATH 156 Mathematical Statistics
Electives (2 Courses)
Example courses:
- CSCI 83 Fundamentals of Data Science
- CSCI 101 Foundations of Data Science and Engineering
Data Science (1 Course)
This course is taken as the third or final course.
Example courses:
- CSCI 63C Elements of Data Science and Statistical Learning with R
- CSCI 109A Introduction to Data Science
Searching and Registering for Courses
Available course options vary by term. You can browse course options for fall, spring, or summer in the certificate course search within the DCE Course Search & Registration platform.
Course Preview: Foundations of Data Science and Engineering
Get an inside look at Harvard Extension’s Foundations of Data Science and Engineering course as Dr. Bruce Huang introduces key concepts such as statistical thinking, data organization, data cleaning, and regression modeling.
Who Should Enroll: Prerequisites
Designed for analysts, programmers, and career changers, this online certificate helps you gain practical data science and machine learning skills for real-world roles.
The data science certificate will be difficult for students with no knowledge of Python. If you do not have a background in programming, you should consider first taking CSCI 7. You may wish to consider our Programming Certificate.
A Faculty of Data Science Experts
Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world's best. Our faculty are at the forefront of innovations in data science.
Career Outcomes
Students who have completed Harvard Extension’s online Data Science Graduate Certificate work at companies such as Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Google, and Verizon.
Through hands-on practice in Python, statistics, data wrangling, and machine learning, students build skills that directly support advancement into data-focused roles.
- Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Data Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Senior Data Scientist
- Senior Software Engineer
Download our certificate fast facts.
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90%
Said the certificate prepared them for their next career steps
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50%
Saw career growth even before completing the program
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84%
Work in a data science or analytics-related field
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94%
Would recommend the certificate
Build a Stackable Credential Pathway
Stackable credential pathways allow you to earn multiple credentials by completing courses that meet overlapping requirements. Of certificate earners, 36% stacked certificate courses toward a degree.
- Microcertificate to graduate certificate: Stack the two-course Data Modeling and Ethics Microcertificate to the Data Science Graduate Certificate.
- Graduate certificate to degree: The Data Science Graduate Certificate can be stacked to a data science master’s degree.
Stackable pathways offer an efficient, cost-effective way to earn short-term credentials to help fill immediate skill gaps and acquire specialized knowledge while building a foundation for long-term success that showcases your expertise in the field.
Learn how to plan a stackable credential pathway.
Earning Your Certificate
If you take two courses per semester, you can complete your certificate in 8 months. If you prefer a more flexible pace, you have up to three years to finish. There is no formal application required.
To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:
- Complete the four certificate courses for graduate credit.
- Earn at least a B grade in each course.
- Complete the courses within three years.
Learn more about pursuing a certificate and the process of requesting your certificate.
The Graduate Certificate of Data Science is a great program with a very comprehensive curriculum and very knowledgeable faculty members. Harvard Extension School provided a great opportunity to pursue this certificate in a flexible manner while working full-time.
Cost
Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2025–26 rate) | $3,440 per course |
|---|---|
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $13,760 |
FAQs
Will the graduate certificate in data science help me advance in my career?
Pursuing this online graduate certificate will give you the latest skills in data analysis, innovation, and research. Students who have earned the Data Science Graduate Certificate have secured roles such as consultant, data analyst, data engineer, and data scientist at top companies, including Apple, Amazon, Bank of America, Cognizant, Google, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Oracle, and Verizon.
What is the difference between a data science certificate and a data science master’s degree?
The Data Science Graduate Certificate consists of four courses (16 credits) and provides foundational expertise in machine learning, predictive modeling, and data analytics. This program equips students with essential skills in handling, analyzing, and interpreting data to drive decision-making.
For those looking to deepen their knowledge, the Data Science Master’s Degree offers an advanced curriculum, covering data engineering, deep learning, LLM models, big data analytics, and the ethical and legal dimensions of data applications. In addition to coursework, the Data Science Master’s Degree program emphasizes data visualization, hands-on problem-solving through a team-based capstone project, and collaborative proposal development during an immersive on-campus experience, where students engage in research-driven discussions and apply their skills to real-world challenges. With a flexible format — 11 online courses and 1 required on-campus session — students can balance their education with professional commitments.
How long will it take to complete the data science certificate?
The online data science graduate certificate offers a flexible path to a Harvard credential. You can complete the four courses at a pace that works for your schedule. If you take two courses per semester, you can finish in 8 months. Prefer a more flexible pace? You’ll have up to three years to finish. Most students complete the certificate within 18 to 24 months.
Does the program cover artificial intelligence?
Yes, this graduate certificate program includes elective course options in artificial intelligence. If you are looking to specialize even further, you could also explore the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate.
What is the typical weekly time commitment for each course?
Each course usually requires a commitment of 8 to 12 hours per week. This time includes the online course, assignments, and participating in hands-on projects.
How do I get started on the certificate?
To get started on your Data Science Graduate Certificate, you simply register for your first course. We offer courses during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. There is no application.
Is a data science certificate worth it?
Yes. A graduate-level data science certificate provides foundational skills in statistics, Python, and machine learning, helping professionals advance into analytics or data-focused roles.
What can I do with a graduate certificate in data science?
Students who have completed the graduate certificate in data science pursue roles such as data analyst, data scientist, BI analyst, or ML engineer, depending on prior experience. You’ll gain practical skills used across industries.
