AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate
Build foundational skills in programming, data analytics, and machine learning with a flexible, graduate-level certificate from Ball State University. Designed for both beginners and working professionals, this program prepares you for AI-driven roles and provides a direct pathway into a master’s degree.
Spring 2027 cohort deadline: January 11
This Graduate Certificate qualifies as credit toward the Master’s in Computer Science and Master’s in Data Science degrees.
Enroll by January 11
Classes start on January 11, 2027.
Up to 12 months
9 credits, 6-9 hours per week per course.
Under $5,000 USD
$489 per credit, with pay-as-you-go tuition for each course.
100% online
Lecture videos, hands-on projects, and connection with instructors and peers.
Start Your AI Journey - No Computer Science Background Required
Built for non-technical and transitioning learners
Designed for professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, this program provides a clear and supportive entry point into programming, data analytics, and machine learning.
Develop practical, workplace-ready AI skills
Gain hands-on experience in data preparation, model development, evaluation, and interpretation. Apply the skills you learn immediately in real-world settings.
Create a pathway into advanced AI and a master’s degree
Build the foundational knowledge and problem-solving skills needed for more advanced AI coursework and continue into Ball State’s master’s programs.
Program description
Overview
The AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate is designed to provide a clear, supportive entry point into artificial intelligence for learners from a wide range of backgrounds.
Through three graduate-level courses, you’ll build foundational skills in programming, data analytics, and machine learning while developing the ability to prepare data, build and evaluate models, and interpret results. The curriculum is intentionally structured to help you gain both practical, workplace-relevant capabilities and the computational thinking needed for more advanced study.
This certificate allows you to apply credits toward Ball State’s data science and computer science programs. The courses prepare you to continue into advanced certificates and master’s degree programs.
Required background
No prior degree in computer science is required.
This program is designed for learners from non-technical or non-computer-science backgrounds who are ready to build foundational skills in programming, data analytics, and machine learning. Courses are structured to provide a supportive learning experience while developing the technical and problem-solving skills needed for continued study.
Skills you will gain
- Programming fundamentals and computational thinking
- Data preparation, cleaning, and analysis
- Machine learning model development and evaluation
- Interpreting and communicating data insights
- Foundational problem-solving using data-driven approaches
- Building and assessing predictive models
3 courses, each worth 3 credits, for a total of 9 credits
Course 1 of 3
CS 617 Introduction to Programming
Overview
Learn the fundamentals of programming using a modern language such as Python. You’ll work with numeric and text-based data, build simple programs, and use core data structures like lists, sets, and dictionaries to solve real problems.
Course 2 of 3
CS 621 Data Analytics
Overview
Learn how to collect, clean, and analyze data to uncover meaningful insights. You will work with structured and unstructured data, explore key analytics tools and techniques, and gain hands-on experience visualizing and interpreting results in real-world contexts.
Course 3 of 3
CS 654 Machine Learning and Data Mining
Overview
Explore the core concepts and techniques behind machine learning and data mining. You will learn how to build and evaluate models using supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning approaches, while applying methods like classification, clustering, and anomaly detection to real-world data.
Earn credit towards master's degrees from Ball State University, offered 100% online.
Successfully completing the AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Online Graduate Certificate allows you to apply up to 9 credits toward the Master’s in Computer Science and Master’s in Data Science at Ball State University. To be eligible, just complete the three required certificate courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
This certificate offers credit-recognized learning that lets you begin with a targeted, career-focused credential and smoothly advance to a higher degree—saving both time and tuition while boosting your professional development.
Certificate
AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate
AI Foundations: Data Analytics and Machine Learning Graduate Certificate Certificate Earn Credit Towards:
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Frequently asked questions
Coursera does not grant academic credit; the decision to grant, accept, or recognize academic credit, and the process for awarding such credit, is at the sole discretion of the academic institutions offering the University Certificate program and/or other institutions that have determined that completion of the program may be worthy of academic credit. Completion of a University Certificate program does not guarantee admission into the full Master’s program referenced herein, or any other degree program.