Learn Predictive Analysis: Best Courses and Resources

Learning predictive analytics is a great decision if you’re interested in a career that combines multiple aspects of tech. Using a mix of data analysis, machine learning, and statistics, this specialization, focused on using data to predict trends, can be applied to many different industries.

In this guide, we’ll help you get started by going over the basics of predictive analytics, and the steps you should take to start your learning journey.

What Is Predictive Analytics?

Predictive analytics is the process of using a combination of data science, data analysis, statistics, and machine learning to determine future possible outcomes based on collected data. So, if you have ever wanted to learn machine learning, this is your chance.

This field of study can be applied to many different jobs. If you want to become a social media analyst or business consultant, predictive analytics should be included in your study plans.

What Jobs Use Predictive Analytics Skills?

There are many jobs you can apply for if you have a background in predictive analytics. Below, we’ll look at a few common choices.

 

• Predictive modeling analyst. A predictive modeling analyst does similar work to a data analyst. This job uses predictive analysis techniques to help businesses create models that can anticipate everything from sales to management issues.
  
  
• Marketing analyst. As a marketing analyst, you will use predictive analytics to help your company’s marketing team predict future responses to marketing campaigns.
  
  
• Project manager. You can certainly get a job as a project manager without studying predictive analytics, but doing so will increase your chances of landing a job. Project managers are responsible for making sure a project is carried out successfully, so being able to predict possible outcomes can be a huge help.
  
  
• Business consultant. You could also choose to become a business consultant working with predictive analytics. In this role, you might use your analytical skills to help a business decide if it should hire remotely, or change marketing strategies. This will increase the chances that your client’s business plan will be successful.
  
  

Steps to Learn Predictive Analytics

The five steps below are a helpful outline for learning predictive analysis. Feel free to rearrange the steps to suit your preferred learning style.

1. Learn How to Work With Data

The first step to learning predictive analysis is to understand how to work with data. Since predictive analysis is solely focused on working with datasets, it is imperative that you study the basics before moving on to analysis.

2. Complete a Statistics Class

Another key part of predictive analytics is statistics. Statistics is considered an easy subject to conquer, but we still recommend taking at least one or two courses before moving on to predictive analytics. 

3. Learn Machine Learning

The final subject you will need to learn before you can begin studying predictive analytics is machine learning. As with statistics, this is imperative to understanding predictive analytics, so this isn’t a step you can skip. There are plenty of courses and bootcamps available to help you learn machine learning.

4. Enroll in Predictive Analytics Courses

Once you have learned everything you can about data, statistics, and machine learning, it’s time to enroll in predictive analytics courses. You can choose whether you want to pursue a college degree, or, if you are a self-learner, there are plenty of online courses available, too.

5. Keep Practicing and Learning

Even after you have taken dozens of courses in all the relevant topics, there will still be more to learn. Keep practicing your predictive analytics skills, and keep up to date with new techniques by taking classes, reading books, and watching videos. As with any field, it is important to continue learning.

The Best Courses to Learn Predictive Analytics

The easiest way to learn predictive analytics is to enroll in a few courses. To save you the trouble of looking, we have compiled a list of the best predictive analytics courses below.

Python Data Products for Predictive Analytics Specialists

This free Coursera course will teach you how to use Python to conduct predictive analyses. We recommend this course to students who already have a strong background in programming with Python.

ColumbiaX’s Business Analytics MicroMasters Program

EdX is known for offering great online courses in conjunction with various universities, such as this business analytics MicroMasters program by Columbia University. 

In it, you will learn all about business analytics, with an emphasis on business intelligence, data analytics, and predictive analytics. This course takes around a year and comes with a certificate upon completion. 

UCLA Predictive Analytics Course

In this online course offered by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), you will learn the predictive analytics techniques that are crucial to solving various business problems. This remote course is driven by hands-on learning. You will be able to work at your own pace, and can complete the coursework in as little as 10 weeks.

SOA Predictive Analytics Certificate Program

This program by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) teaches predictive analytics through project-based learning. This certificate program consists of six learning models, each of which takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

Before the end of the course, you will also attend a two-day learning seminar, and complete your own analytical project. The program even comes with a predictive analytics certificate.

Population Health: Predictive Analytics

Coursera offers this free predictive analytics course in conjunction with Universiteit Leiden in the Netherlands. This program demonstrates predictive analytics using real-world examples, primarily population health. Upon completing this course, you will be well on your way to starting a career in predictive analytics.

Data Science: Predictive Analytics Theory

Udemy provides this data science course on predictive analytics theory. At the time of writing, it costs $19.99, but is subject to change. While enrolled in this course, you will learn the theory behind predictive analytics.

UCI’s Predictive Analytics Certificate Program

This certificate program offered by the University of California, Irvine is the right choice if you’re looking for a high-quality predictive analytics education. This self-paced, online program takes between nine and 24 months to complete. While this course is intended for those with experience in predictive analytics, eager beginners can also participate.

Predictive Analytics for Business

Sign up for this Udacity course if you wish to use predictive analytics to improve your business. It emphasizes the importance of using predictive analytics, data analysis, and marketing campaigns to increase revenue.

Practical Predictive Analytics: Models and Methods

This is a free Coursera course offered in conjunction with the University of Washington. It takes around seven hours to complete and can either be taken separately or as part of a four-course data science program offered by the university. Either way, you are sure to learn useful skills.

Stanford Online: Turn Data into Insights with Predictive Modeling

Offered by Stanford University, this online predictive modeling class is a good option if you’re looking for a program that will boost your resume. Upon enrollment, you will be given 60 days of access to the course materials, though most students finish the course in a much shorter time frame. The course costs $695.

Predictive Analytics Using Machine Learning MicroMasters Program

This course offered by Edx with the University of Edinburgh is part of a MicroMasters program, meaning it comes with a respectable certificate upon completion. The lessons in this class cover decision trees, data sets, linear regression, neural networks, and big data. Most students finish the course in six weeks.

Why Learn Predictive Analytics?

If you are still not sure if you should learn predictive analytics, we say take the leap. It is a field of study that can be applied to many careers, so studying it is almost guaranteed to make you more employable.

Though it may take some time to acquire the necessary background education, predictive analytics is an intriguing subject that you can catch onto quite quickly. At the end of the day, it’s unlikely that you will regret your decision to study predictive analytics.