Simply put, the three data ​programs are customized from basic to advanced levels. Data Analytics is a basic level program, Data Science is intermediate to advance ​program, and Big Data Programming and Architecture is an advance level ​program.

The basic level ​​program is designed for individuals with limited academic and professional background, whereas the intermediate and advanced level ​programs are designed to address the training needs of individuals with an introductory background and work experience in a data analytics related field.

You would be a fit for the intermediate to advanced data programs if you are working in a STEM (science, technology, and mathematics) field and have done some data analysis work, but you want to upgrade to a level where you can use advanced techniques to analyze big data and work on data infrastructure.

Data Analytics welcomes people without this strong background in STEM who want to break into a field working with technology and data or want to do more analytics as part of their current job. 

If you lack academic background but have three years’ experience in data analytics, data science, or computer science, then you can still enrol in the intermediate to advanced programs in Data Science, and Big Data Programming and Architecture. Otherwise, we recommend you to enrol in the Data Analytics stream.

Refer to the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Yes, but the Data Analytics program might be a better option for you. 

Refer to the Admission Requirements page for more information.

You can start with our entry level program called Data Analytics. After you’ve completed the required Data Analytics courses you could look into enrolling for Data Science and/or Big Data Programming and Architecture programs.

The program is open enrolment. There is no formal admission procedure. To enrol in a course or stream, simply register online. 

Refer to the Admission Requirements page for more information.

The Big Data Programming & Architecture program is available every Fall (September start), Winter (January start) and Spring (May start) terms. Refer to our Schedule & Fees page for specific dates.

If you are not planning to earn an academic Certificate in one of the three programs, you can still complete three courses from your favourite program and receive a Certificate of Professional Learning. Courses are open enrolment and you can select the right courses based on your background and previous experience. You have an option along the way to complete two or more courses from the same program to be qualified for a Certificate in that specific program.

Students must complete at least five courses from the Big Data Programming & Architecture program in order to qualify for a Certificate.

Learn more by visiting the Course Descriptions page.

You may be eligible to receive transfer of credit from preview post-secondary studies and receive advanced standing in the Big Data Programming & Architecture program. Please refer to our Transfer Credit Conditions for more details.

For the most up-to-date information on tuition, please refer to our Schedule & Fees page.

The program courses are delivered in Virtual Classroom, In-Person, and/or Blended format (a mix of online and in-person sessions). Each course is scheduled for a weekly, three-hour session and typically span 12-weeks. Many of our students take between one to two courses per term. This program should be completed within three years maximum.

The Big Data Programming & Architecture program offers three different learning formats: virtual classroom, in-person or blended.

1. - In-Person format requires you to meet at our downtown Hamilton campus once per week for three hours over the span of 12 weeks per course.
3. - The Data Science, and Big Data Programming and Architecture capstone courses are delivered in a blended format that requires you to meet with your instructor and classmates each week online, as well as in-person as per the schedule throughout the term at our downtown Hamilton campus.
4.  
5. - Virtual classroom will be held as per the scheduled day/time using a combination of synchronous (live) instructor led sessions, supplemented with asynchronous activities. You should expect to attend class at the same time each week, although not every session will be a full 3 hours of live instruction. Rather, classes will provide learners the opportunity to apply what has been covered by your course facilitator.

McMaster University Continuing Education works with instructors who are knowledgeable, easily accessible and experts in their fields. We have a variety of instructors for the Big Data Programming & Architecture program. Please refer to our Instructors page to learn more.

The Big Data Programming & Architecture program was designed in collaboration with McMaster University’s MacDATA Institute and the DeGroote School of Business. The Certificates in Big Data Programming and Architecture ​enables you ​to use tools and emerging technologies to help guide organizations in the exploding data field in areas such as descriptive and predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, big data architecture, and cloud computing. You’ll learn technical concepts from leading practitioners and benefit from hands-on training with the latest industry tools.

There are many types of jobs to explore as data analytics is found in multiple industry and service sectors. Potential jobs include:

1. - Data Analyst
2. - Business Data Analyst
3. - Data Reporting Analyst
4. - Business Intelligence Analyst
5. - Statistical Analyst
6. - Data Management Analyst
7. - Database Analyst
8. - Data Management Analyst
9. - Business Insights Manager/Analyst
10. - Data Quality Manager/Analyst
11. - Digital Analytics
12. - Marketing Analyst
13. - Data Specialist
14. - Data Scientist
15. - Machine Learning Scientist
16. - Big Data Engineer
17. - Big Data Architect
18. - Cloud Architect

The average salary range for data analyst positions is $40,000 to $70,000, while the big data salary in Canada is variable in range from $57,000 for entry-level to $175,000+ for senior roles. (Please see reference)

You can visit the Big Data Programming & Architecture program page or ​you can contact us.