Coursera: Machine Learning (ML) Certifications Review

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The field of machine learning (ML), a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), is in high demand for ML specialists, with a low supply of candidates. Companies are focusing on machine learning technology, with an estimated 91.5% investing in AI and ML, according to EarthWeb. For instance, machine learning engineer is the No. 4 “fastest-growing job title” in the U.S., according to a post by LinkedIn. 

Learning platforms, such as Coursera, are offering ML education, skill training, and certificates to help job candidates work in the growing field, where the median annual salary is $157,676, according to ZipRecruiter.

See below to learn all about some of the key ML certifications at Coursera:

Coursera and the machine learning certification market 

Machine learning positions include a wide-range of responsibilities: they implement ML algorithms; run AI system experiments and tests; design and develop ML systems; and perform statistical analyses. 

Coursera helps any level of worker earn a professional certification in machine learning and related topics to increase their knowledge in the field as well as create projects and machine learning tools. 

Coursera competes with several learning platforms in the ML certification space, such as Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and Khan Academy.

The ML certificates through Coursera are set up to help students be better equipped for positions in the growing ML market. 

ML certifications

IBM Machine Learning Professional Certificate

• Skills acquired: data science, deep learning (DL), ML, AI, Python, statistical hypothesis testing, exploratory data analysis, supervised learning, linear regression, ridge regression
• Requirements: should have some background in math, stats, and computer programming, as most demonstrations, labs, and projects use Python and concepts like matrix factorization, convergence, and stochastic gradient descent
• Duration: Seven months (estimated)
• Location: online
• Cost: $39 a month

Coursera reviews: 4.7 out of 5

“I recommend this course to everyone who wants to excel in machine learning. This is a great course!” -student, 5-star review

“I learned a lot throughout this course. Also, I have my own project through the assignment! Thank you, Coursera.” -student, 5-star review

Machine Learning Specialization by Stanford and DeepLearning.AI 

• Skills acquired: build ML models; build and train supervised models for prediction and binary classification; apply best practices for ML development and use learning techniques, including clustering and anomaly detection; build recommender systems with collaborative filtering approach and content-based deep learning method; build a deep reinforcement learning model
• Requirements: know basic coding, high school-level math
• Duration: Two months (estimated)
• Location: Online
• Cost: $49 a month

Coursera reviews: 4.9 out of 5

“Fantastic introduction to machine learning. The labs have been updated with widgets. You can add data points, change the polynomial order, and many other changes that make this a great way to understand how the different components of machine learning are done. Highly recommend it.” -student, 5-star review

“I​t was a great learning experience! Thanks to Dr. Ng and to everyone who contributed to creating this wonderful course. The content was very accessible and made learning such a complex subject quite easy.” -student, 5-star review

Machine Learning for Analytics MasterTrack Certificate by University of Chicago

• Skills acquired: sourcing, organizing and managing data; descriptive analysis; binary classification; multivariate linear regressions; principle, process, and categories of ML; statistical approaches to regression; tools to better address ML tasks
• Requirements: bachelor’s degree
• Duration: Seven months (estimated)
• Location: online
• Cost: $4,000

AI & Machine Learning MasterTrack Certificate by Arizona State University

• Skills acquired: ML methods; supervised and unsupervised learning; deep learning architectures; probabilistic inference; image classification; representation and reasoning
• Requirements: N/A
• Duration: six to nine months
• Location: online
• Cost: $4,500

Post-Graduate Certificate in Data Science & Machine Learning by IIT Roorkee

• Skills acquired: Data science; ML; mathematics for data science; Python programming language; exploratory data analysis; data visualization
• Requirements: high school mathematics
• Duration: six months (estimated)
• Location: online
• Cost: $1,500

Post-Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning for Finance by IIT Roorkee

• Skills acquired: ML; Python and R programming; wealth management; financial risk management; algorithmic portfolio management; trading strategies; security market prediction
• Requirements: high school mathematics
• Duration: six months (estimated)
• Location: online
• Cost: $1,200

Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Machine Learning & AI by IIT Roorkee

• Skills acquired: ML; AI; SQL, Python programming languages; computer vision; neural networks; natural language processing (NLP); deep learning
• Requirements: One year of relevant work experience; some exposure to coding
• Duration: six months (estimated)
• Location: online
• Cost: $1,500

For more: Machine Learning (ML) Certifications

ML Job Paths

Here are some potential roles machine learning certifications can support, according to Lighthouse Labs and Indeed:

• Machine learning engineer
  • • Programming
    • Probability and statistics
    • Data modeling
    • ML algorithms
    • System design
• Machine learning researcher
  • • Prototype algorithms Create visualizations
    • Algorithm training and testing 
    • Data cleaning, normalization, and manipulation
• Human-centered machine learning designer
  • • ML algorithms
    • Systems design
    • Understanding data
    • Research skills
• Machine learning scientist
  • • Provide strategic input
    • Create proof of concepts
    • Predictions and analysis
    • Experiment to validate ML programs
• Data scientist 
  • • Advancing programming skills
    • Learning more advanced mathematical skills
    • Developing an understanding of ML

For more job opportunities: Top 10 Companies Hiring for AI Jobs

How to Use Coursera

To sign up for one of these certification courses at Coursera:

• Pick the certification course you want and click the Enroll button
• Log in or sign up
• Pick a payment option:
  • Pay for a Course Certificate
  • Subscribe to a Specialization
  • Subscribe to Coursera Plus
  • Financial aid or scholarship
• Read the instructions given for the course

When it comes to the time of receiving a certificate, a student should:

1. Pass all required assignments in the course or meet the course passing threshold for a cumulative graded course
2. Check if their program requires ID verification, which includes submitting a photo and verified ID

Conclusions

Coursera’s certifications in machine learning can be a valuable tool for candidates looking to gain specialized education in the growing ML field. 

For instance, 44% of hiring managers consider online education extremely important during the interview process, according to a survey by Future Learn. 

Online learning helps job seekers and is especially helpful with careers that have “changed significantly or maybe didn’t even exist when they were in school,” said Julia Stigliz, director of business development, Coursera.  

After taking online courses, Coursera students are reporting 43% are improved candidates while interviewing for a job, according to a study by Coursera. 

For more: Coursera: Data Analytics Certifications Review