Distributed systems courses can help you learn about network protocols, data consistency models, fault tolerance, and scalability challenges. You can build skills in designing distributed algorithms, managing resource allocation, and ensuring data integrity across nodes. Many courses introduce tools like Apache Kafka, Kubernetes, and Docker, that support deploying and managing distributed applications.

University of Colorado System
Skills you'll gain: Contingency Planning, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Planning, Security Management, IT Management, System Monitoring, Cyber Security Policies, Enterprise Security, Compliance Auditing, Security Strategy, Systems Administration, Operating System Administration, Governance, Security Controls, Organizational Strategy, Patch Management, Continuous Monitoring, Unix, Procedure Development, Incident Response
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of California, Davis
Skills you'll gain: Data Governance, SQL, Data Management, Data Quality, Database Design, Query Languages, Data Literacy, Data Manipulation, Data Modeling, Relational Databases, Data Science, Databases, Data Analysis, Data Transformation
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Systems Development, Systems Development Life Cycle, Agile Methodology, Productivity Software, digital literacy, Network Security, Computer Hardware, Computer Systems, Data Security, Risk Management, System Design and Implementation, TCP/IP, Information Technology, Software Development Methodologies, Data Ethics, Cybersecurity, General Networking, Productivity, Safety and Security, Process Design
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Apache Spark, Model Evaluation, Apache Hadoop, Data Integration, Exploratory Data Analysis, Big Data, Classification Algorithms, Graph Theory, Data Pipelines, Database Design, Data Modeling, Regression Analysis, Data Mining, Data Management, Applied Machine Learning, Data Preprocessing, Data Presentation, Scalability, Data Processing, MongoDB
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, Database Design, IBM Cognos Analytics, MySQL, Database Administration, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Store, IBM DB2, Data Visualization, Relational Databases, Dashboard
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Stakeholder Engagement, Software Architecture, Agile Software Development, Scrum (Software Development), Project Management Life Cycle, Resource Management, Peer Review, Earned Value Management, Stakeholder Management, Agile Methodology, Project Risk Management, Team Motivation, Project Management, Information Technology, Risk Management, Interviewing Skills, Agile Project Management, Leadership, Communication
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Vanderbilt University
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI Agents, Agentic Workflows, Prompt Patterns, Generative AI, AI Enablement, AI Orchestration, AI Product Strategy, Workflow Management, Prompt Engineering Tools, Multimodal Prompts, OpenAI, Agentic systems, AI Personalization, Strategic Decision-Making, Thought Leadership, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Responsible AI, Business Strategy
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Failure Analysis, Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, Scope Management, Project Scoping, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis, Program Management, Cost Management, Requirements Management, Contract Management, Project Risk Management, Project Management, Work Breakdown Structure, Change Management
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, PySpark, Apache Hive, Big Data, IBM Cloud, Kubernetes, Docker (Software), Scalability, Data Processing, Development Environment, Distributed Computing, Performance Tuning, Data Transformation, Debugging
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Lund University
Skills you'll gain: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Technologies, Community Development, Environmental Issue, Governance, Systems Thinking, Climate Change Mitigation, Case Studies, Stakeholder Engagement
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

DeepLearning.AI
Skills you'll gain: Tensorflow, Deep Learning, Performance Tuning, Machine Learning Methods, Data Preprocessing, Artificial Neural Networks, Model Evaluation, Verification And Validation
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Control Systems, Process Control, Machine Controls, Engineering, Scientific, and Technical Instruments, Embedded Systems, Electronic Hardware, Embedded Software, Automation Engineering, Hardware Design, Electronics Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Basic Electrical Systems, Electronic Systems, Electronics, Electrical Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electronic Components, Power Electronics, Three-Phase, Torque (Physics)
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months