Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are today a valuable alternative for learning data science.

Not only beginners but also data science veterans are doing MOOCs — like myself.

I am a part-time lecturer on master’s level programs and familiar with many lectures worldwide, and I regularly assess online courses.

Not a few students do in parallel MOOCs in the data science field. These are mostly students from other disciplines that are moving into that area, and for them, it is a fast and flexible way to fill the gap in basics while attending lectures on the master’s level.

So, they often ask me for advice which MOOCs would be best suited for their individual situation.

There are pros and cons to each MOOC. The fact is that with MOOCs alone, you cannot become a data scientist. You need practical experience and exchange with and mentorship from veterans. But it is a convenient way to get access to high-quality education and a fast path to fill gaps.

My observation is that the MOOCs’ quality is increasing steadily, and you have a growing choice of online programs. So, it becomes essential to find the individually right program.

Another question is if you should get a certificate or not. My personal opinion is that when you anyway will get a degree on a graduate level, and it only serves as a possibility to fill gaps, it is not necessary to take a certificate. If it shows additional knowledge that you would otherwise not have, go for a certificate. Benjamin Obi Tayo, Ph.D. has an excellent summary of the consideration for certifications.

Comparing the many different platforms is not a simple task; even the comparison of the many various programs on one platform is tricky for a data science beginner.

Our university is part of the edX platform, so it is the choice of many of our students. For that reason, I am most familiar with the course offered there.

In this guide, I focus on the so-called MicroMasters programs on the edX platform.

A MicroMasters program consists of a series of graduate-level courses, including corresponding assignments, exams, and practical projects. The average length is about one year, with an effort of about 10 hours per week. It corresponds to around 25% of a full master’s program, and the earned credits can be transferred to designated online or on-campus master’s programs.

So, MicroMasters programs are not only a convenient way of gaining relevant and high-quality education but also a way of testing your delight in full graduate education.

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