Best Machine Learning Certifications and Courses

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Contributor, Benzinga
February 28, 2020

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Machine learning is a component of artificial intelligence that benefits many industries. If you’re interested in leveraging this technique to work more efficiently, consider an online machine learning certification or course. Both are ideal options to learn the basics or acquire advanced machine learning skills. 

Quick Look: Best Machine Learning Certifications and Courses

Take a sneak peek at the best machine learning certifications and courses on the web:

What to Look For in a Machine Learning Certification or Course

The best machine learning certifications and courses meet the following criteria: 

1. Comprehensive

You want a course that hits all the key learning points you need to progress. Even if you’re experienced, find a class with a refresher lesson before you dive into advanced content. 

2. Affordable 

Why spend a fortune on a machine learning certification or course when there are several affordable or free options? Find a class that meets your budget with our top picks. 

3. Self-Paced

Machine learning can be a complicated subject to grasp. Consider self-paced courses to give yourself enough time to work through the lessons. 

Our Top Picks

We’ve scoured the web to bring you the best machine learning certifications and courses. We’ve reviewed options from Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning and Udemy. In addition to our review, you'll find a description and enrollment fee for each selection to help you make an informed decision. 

Best Machine Learning Certifications

Whether you have beginner, intermediate or advanced knowledge of machine learning, these courses may be a good fit. 

1. Machine Learning by Columbia University 

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Source: edX

Machine Learning is a component of the Artificial Intelligence MicroMasters® Program from Columbia University. It focuses on the following core concepts: 

  • Supervised versus unsupervised learning
  • Probabilistic versus non-probabilistic modeling 

The course dives into major machine learning models and how to apply them in the real world, whether you’re ranking sports teams, identifying news trends or building recommendation engines. 

You can get started for free or pay $249 to upgrade your enrollment and receive a verified certificate. 

Have basic knowledge of calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistical concepts before you enroll. You should also know how to code and be comfortable with data manipulation.

Expect to spend 12 weeks working through the course material at a pace of 8 to 10 hours per week. 

Get this certification.

2.  Data Science: Machine Learning by Harvard University

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Source: edX

Led by Harvard biostatistics professor Rafael Izarry, this course focuses on popular machine learning algorithms and principal component analysis. 

You’ll learn how to use regularization to construct a movie recommendation system. The course also covers training data and how to use data sets to identify predictive relationships. 

Upon completion of the course, a verified certificate is available for only $49.

Get this certification.

AWS Machine Learning Certification Exam|2020 Complete Guide

Expert • 175 videos • 16.9 hours
AWS Machine Learning Certification Exam|2020 Complete Guide
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3. AWS Machine Learning Certification Exam | 2020 Complete Guide by Udemy 

  • Who it's for: Intermediate students 
  • Price: On sale 

Offered by SuperDataScience Team, this Udemy bestseller is designed to help you pass the AWS Machine Learning Certification Exam on the first attempt. 

A seat in this course includes instant access to 17 hours of on-demand video, 25 articles and 13 downloadable resources. It is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee if the class doesn’t work for you. 

You should have basic AI/ML/AWS knowledge when you enroll. 

Get this certification.

Best Machine Learning Courses

Consider these courses if you’re new to machine learning or want to sharpen your skills. 

4. Applied Machine Learning: Foundations by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)

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Source: LinkedIn Learning

Learn the basics of machine learning in this introductory course from LinkedIn Learning. It is led by data scientist Derk Jedamski who teaches effective problem-solving strategies using machine learning algorithms. 

There’s no cost to enroll if you have a $29.99 monthly LinkedIn Learning membership. If not, you can purchase the course for $29.99 or access it for free with a 1-month trial. 

It’s best if you know how to write basic Python before you register.

Get this course. 

5. Machine Learning and AI: Advanced Decision Trees by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)

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Source: LinkedIn Learning

Machine Learning and AI: Advanced Decision Trees focuses on on the CS5.0 and QUEST algorithms. You will also learn about ensembles, bagging, random forests, boosting and other advanced topics related to decision trees. 

Enrollment is included with a $29.99 monthly subscription to LinkedIn Learning — or you can buy the course for $39.99. You can also grab a free seat in the class if you sign up for a 1-month trial. 

Instructor Keith McCormick is an experienced data miner and consultant. 

Get this course.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals

Expert • 53 videos • 7.8 hours
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals
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6. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals by Udemy

  • Who it's for: Advanced students
  • Price: On sale

If you’re a data scientist or software developer seeking more advanced knowledge of machine learning, this course is for you. It delves into ways you can use artificial intelligence to conduct predictive analysis and resolve complex issues. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Fundamentals is comprised of 7 modules:

  • Principles of Artificial Intelligence
  • AI with Search Techniques and Games
  • Regression
  • Classification
  • Using Trees for Predictive Analysis
  • Clustering
  • Deep Learning with Neural Networks 

Enroll today and get instant access 53 lectures jam-packed into 8 hours of on-demand video.  Each module also includes activities to test your knowledge. 

This course is presented by Packt Publishing, and facilitator Zsolt Nagy is an experienced engineering manager. He holds a Master of Science in inference on ontologies and routinely uses artificial intelligence in the field. 

Get this course. 

Best Affordable Machine Learning Courses

If money’s tight, start with these affordable machine learning courses. 

7. Machine Learning by Stanford University

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Source: Coursera
  • Who it's for: Beginners
  • Price: Free

Learn the fundamentals of machine learning in this introductory course from Stanford University. Instructor Andrew Ng shares pertinent techniques and implementation strategies you can use to solve everyday issues. 

Machine Learning offers 11 weeks of instruction on a host of topics, including linear regression, logistic regression, regularization, neural networks, support vector machines, anomaly detection and more. You'll have access to readings and quizzes to supplement your learning. 

Grab a free seat in this course today. It goes live on March 2, and you can expect to spend 56 hours working through the material. 

Get this course

8. Machine Learning Foundations: A Case Study Approach by the University of Washington 

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Source: Coursera
  • Who it's for: Beginners
  • Price: Free

Offered by the University of Washington, this course takes a case study approach to teach the mechanics of machine learning. It explores ways you can use machine learning to conduct extensive data analysis and boost business operations. 

Machine Learning Foundations: A Case Study Approach includes 5 case studies: 

  • Regression: Predicting House Prices
  • Classification: Analyzing Sentiment
  • Clustering and Similarity: Retrieving Documents
  • Recommending Products
  • Deep Learning: Searching for Images 

The class is co-facilitated by Carlos Guestrin, an Amazon professor of machine learning in the computer science and engineering department, and Emily Fox, an Amazon professor of machine learning in statistics. 

Enrollment is free. 

Get this course. 

Mastering Data Science and Machine Learning Fundamentals

All Levels • 19 videos • 1.8 hours
Mastering Data Science and Machine Learning Fundamentals
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9. Mastering Data Science and Machine Learning Fundamentals by Udemy 

  • Who it's for: Beginners
  • Price: Free

If you’re new to machine learning and struggle to grasp the core components, check out this course. It’s also ideal for students, professors and lecturers who seek alternative ways to better understand machine learning and how it works. 

Mastering Data Science and Machine Learning Fundamentals is divided into 6 components: 

  • Welcome and Introduction
  • Preliminary to Understand Data Science and Machine Learning
  • Machine Learning Models
  • Models Performances
  • Best Practices for Data Scientists
  • Bonus Lecture 

It’s free to enroll, and you’ll have full lifetime access to 18 lectures condensed into 2 hours of on-demand video. You’ll also receive a certificate of completion. 

Have basic high school math skills before you sign up.

Get this course

Find the Perfect Machine Learning Certification or Course Today! 

Machine learning certifications and courses are available for all skill levels and budgets. Consider one of our recommendations to get you started on your quest toward learning the essentials or advancing your current skill set. Our picks are easy on your wallet and self-paced, so you’ll have an ample amount of time to grasp the course material. 

Confirm the course is a good fit before you sign up — the best options are comprehensive and cover machine learning from the ground up. 

Southern New Hampshire University Online

SNHU Online Offers:

  1. Flexible schedules
  2. Affordable tuition
  3. Online tutoring
  4. Access to electronic research materials
  5. Specialized academic advising
  6. Supportive online community

Learn more at SNHU.