There is an increasing need for tech professionals well-versed in database technologies, tools, and protocols to help companies increase database efficiency and protection. By enrolling in an online database course, class, or training program, you will gain the knowledge and skills required for a position in this field.
What Is a Database?
A database is an organized set of data stored and arranged electronically. Databases are used to efficiently store, update, and retrieve data sets. They are generally used for improving business processes, keeping track of clients, securing personal health records, or storing personal data.
There are many types of databases, including relational, distributed, cloud, structured query language, object oriented, and graph. These database systems have different components such as hardware, software, data, protocols, and data access languages.
Why Online Database Courses Are Important for Professional Development
Online database courses are important for professional development because they significantly contribute to education and career advancement. As technology continues to rapidly advance, employers will be looking for tech professionals who are updated on the latest trends.
Should You Attend a Coding Bootcamp to Learn Database?
Attending a coding bootcamp is a great way to develop technical skills and grow professionally. Bootcamps are especially ideal for college graduates or working professionals who want to quickly gain or update relevant skills.
Overview: The Best Online Database Courses, Classes, or Training
Depending on your learning preferences and goals, you can choose to attend a database course, class, or training program. The table below outlines some of the best options for updating your database skills. When choosing which option is right for you, it’s helpful to consider the course focus, length, and price.
| Provider | Course | Price | Length | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alison | IT Management – Software and Databases | Free |
1.5-3 hours | Yes |
| BrainStation | Data Analytics | $3,250 | 5-10 weeks | Yes |
| CareerFoundry | Data Analytics | $6,900 | 5-8 months | Yes |
| Coursera | Database Design and Basic SQL in PostgreSQL | Free | 13 hours | Yes |
| Dataquest | Data Analyst in Python | $33-$49 per month | 7 months | Yes |
| DevMountain | Data Analytics | $7,900 | 16 weeks | Yes |
| edX | Introduction to Databases | Free | 4 hours | Yes, for a fee |
| Full Stack Academy | Data Analytics Bootcamp | $14,500 | 10-26 weeks | Yes |
| General Assembly | Data Analytics Course | $3,950 | 1-10 weeks | Yes |
| Ironhack | Data Analytics Bootcamp | $12,500- $13,000 |
9-24 weeks | No |
| Lighthouse Labs | Intro to Data Analytics | $2,000 | 6 weeks | Yes |
| Udemy | Introduction to Database Engineering | $90 | 18 hours | Yes |
| Udemy | The Complete Oracle SQL Certification Course | $90 | 17 hours | Yes |
| University of California, Irvine | Database Management | $5,559 | 9-15 months | Yes |
| University of Colorado | Database Systems | $1,904 | 16 weeks | No |
In Detail: The Best Online Database Classes, Courses, or Training
IT Management – Software and Databases | Alison
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Software and database technologies, database management, database programming
In this program, you will learn about the creation and maintenance of information systems, different managerial concerns, programming languages, and operating systems. You will also become familiar with database management essentials, file elements, and databases in system design.
By the end, students will understand the use of keys, relations, and data models in a Database Management System, differentiate between types of software and their functions, and list the pros and cons of distributed database management systems. After completing the program, students can choose between a digital, physical, or framed certificate.
Key Takeaway: This course is designed for and focused on database management. It is ideal for anyone entering or currently working in IT management.
Data Analytics | Brainstation
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Data analytics foundations, database operations, advanced data analytics visualizing and communicating data insights
The first module of this course covers data analytics foundations and equips you with the skills to source high-quality data, utilize problem-solving strategies for high-value output, and master Excel data analysis. The second module focuses on data operations and advanced data analytics, including how to manage and analyze data with SQL.
The last module will train you in Tableau, which is a data visualization tool especially helpful for highlighting data insights. You will also master skills in effective data visualization and learn how to tailor them for business requirements.
Key Takeaway: This course is ideal for beginners and intermediate learners who have some knowledge of database systems and wish to expand their skills.
Data Analytics | CareerFoundry
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Intro to data analytics and data immersion
This online data analytics program requires five months of full-time study or eight months of part-time study. It includes a personal mentor, tutor, student advisor, and career specialist for students. CareerFoundry provides a money-back guarantee, which means if you don’t get hired within 180 days of graduating, the program is free.
The program covers preparing and analyzing data, data visualization and storytelling, SQL, Python fundamentals, as well as data mining and ethics. Students will participate in hands-on projects throughout this course. To participate, you will need a computer and an Internet connection.
Key Takeaway: This program is ideal for anyone wanting to enter a database career as CareerFoundry guarantees employment within 180 days of graduation or your education is free.
Database Design and Basic SQL in PostgreSQL | Coursera
- Learning Format: Full course
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: SQL, Single Table SQL, and Data Models
Coursera hosts an online course offered by the University of Michigan for intermediate PostgreSQL users. It covers database design and basic SQL in PostgreSQL. The course offers students flexible learning options and awards them with a shareable certificate upon completion.
In this course, you will learn how to use SQL commands, such as create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) operations for tables in a PostgreSQL database. You will build and differentiate between relationships within PostgreSQL and identify and utilize functions of primary, logical, and foreign keys. This course also includes a series of quizzes and graded assignments.
Key Takeaway: This course is ideal for students who are interested in specializing in PostgreSQL databases.
Data Analyst in Python Career Path | Dataquest
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Python programming language, data cleaning, analysis, and visualization, SQL databases, probability and statistics
Dataquest offers a free and paid version of this data analyst in Python course. The free version includes introductory lessons, community support, and practice problems, while the paid version offers those perks in addition to unrestricted lifetime access, guided projects, assessments, and certificates of completion.
The course covers a variety of topics, including Python programming skills, machine learning, collaboration tools, data cleaning, web scraping, data analysis, SQL databases, data visualization, hypothesis testing, storytelling, Pandas, Numpy, and Git version control.
Key Takeaway: This course welcomes learners of all levels and covers fundamental topics ranging from beginning to advanced levels.
Data Analytics | DevMountain
- Learning Format: Bootcamp program
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Data cleansing, data interpretation, data modeling, data visualization, Git and Github, Linux, Python, SQL
Over 10 weeks, this bootcamp program covers data cleansing, interpretation, modeling, and visualization, in addition to Python, SQL, Pandas, Splunk, Linux, and Jupyter Notebooks. DevMountain also provides career services which include access to mentors, career coaches, mock interviews, job negotiation training, and LinkedIn best practices.
To gain entry into this program, you need to begin by filling out the form on DevMountain’s official website. Once you’ve submitted the form, you’ll attend a 30-minute consultation with an admissions counselor for them to learn more about you and your goals. After completing the consultation, you’ll undergo a skill review that’s meant to determine your skill level.
Key Takeaway: This bootcamp program is ideal for anyone interested in entering a related field, as they offer special assistance to help you determine whether a career in tech is a good match for you.
Introduction to Database Queries | edX
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Database queries, advanced database administration
This course is hosted by edX and provided by New York University Tandon School of Engineering. This is the first course of a three-part database series with a free audit option or a verified track for $166. The free option provides limited access to course materials and support. The paid version offers unlimited access, a shareable certificate, and graded exams and assignments.
This course is designed to prepare students for the MySQL8.0 Database Developer Oracle Certified Professional exam and covers a variety of topics, including foundational database concepts, database tools, querying a database, and modifying a database. Students who complete this course are eligible for enrollment in the other two courses in this series.
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Key Takeaway: This course offers college credits in the paid version and is offered by New York University Tandon School of Engineering instructors. This is an ideal option for college students.
Data Analytics | Fullstack Academy
- Learning Format: Bootcamp program
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau
The Fullstack Academy data analytics program covers functions and pivot tables in Excel, advanced chart design, SQL queries, Python syntax, scripting elements, analytical storyboards, data visualization, Amazon Web Services databases, and data collection. This bootcamp is specifically designed to prepare students for Amazon Web services and Tableau exams.
This bootcamp is designed for beginners without prior experience but does require students to take a logical reasoning test. The final project requires students to work in teams on real-world projects using the techniques and tools learned in the curriculum.
Key Takeaway: This program is ideal for anyone wanting to enter the tech industry, as they have a career success team that will help you network within the industry, connect with partnered companies, and negotiate offers.
Data Analytics | General Assembly
- Learning Format: Full course
- Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Data analytics process, Excel, Tableau, SQL
General Assembly offers a 10-week data analytics course that is taught by elite instructors. This course accommodates a variety of learning levels and enrollment goals. Although you aren’t required to have prior experience, it is recommended for the accelerated one-week program. You will receive a certificate of completion.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn about data collection, data cleaning, data visualization, SQL, and Tableau. It also features a preparation bootcamp program for beginners, which is meant to jumpstart their learning and provide a foundation for the full course.
Key Takeaway: This course accommodates a variety of learners and provides an optional preparation program for beginners without any prior experience.
Data Analytics | Ironhack
- Learning Format: Bootcamp program
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Command line, Git, Python, MySQL, statistical analysis
This data analytics bootcamp requires students to complete data pre-work before starting the course. The first module covers data wrangling and cleansing, APIs, web scraping, Git, SQL, and Python. The first module is concluded with a project that requires students to create and share their unique data set.
In the second module, you’ll learn about the mathematics behind data analytics and storytelling presentation techniques. This module ends with a project that requires students to process, clean, visualize, and analyze real data sets. The third module focuses on machine learning and wraps up the course with a final that requires students to build a machine learning project.
Key Takeaway: It’s an excellent learning option to help you become a junior business intelligence analyst or an entry-level data analyst.
Intro to Data Analytics | Lighthouse Labs
- Learning Format: Full course with hands-on training
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Setting goals for data analysis, data collection, data cleaning, Microsoft Excel, data visualization, Tableau
This introductory course by Lighthouse Labs covers realistic goal-setting for data analysis, identifying data sources, combining different datasets, data cleaning techniques, data extraction using Microsoft Excel, building dashboards, using Tableau, and data visualization best practices.
To earn the accredited certificate, you must complete a capstone project based on real-world data sets. You can use sales performances, marketing campaigns, social media engagement, or video games data analytics. The course is delivered through live, online classes and is supported by instructors and mentors.
Key Takeaway: This course offers an accredited certificate upon completion, which is ideal for working or aspiring tech professionals.
Introduction to Database Engineering | Udemy
- Learning Format: Full course
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Database engines, database fundamentals, ACID properties, concurrency control
Udemy offers an introduction to database engineering course, which includes 18 hours of on-demand video, one article, 59 downloadable resources, full lifetime access, and a certificate of completion. This is an intermediate course that requires students to have prior experience working with databases, and basic SQL knowledge.
The course covers a variety of topics focused on database engineering, including database indexing, partitioning, sharding, replication, system design, engines, cursors, and security. Additionally, the curriculum includes an introduction to ACID, B-Tree vs B+Tree in production database systems, concurrency control, and homomorphic encryption.
Key Takeaway: This course is ideal for current or aspiring tech professionals who are interested in transitioning into database engineering.
The Complete Oracle SQL Certification Course | Udemy
- Learning Format: Full course
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Database basics, single table queries, single-row functions, grouping functions, multi-table queries, analytical functions, updating objects using SQL
This Udemy class is 16 hours and 36 minutes long and includes 71 lectures, eight articles, 39 downloadable resources, two practice tests, full lifetime access, and a certificate of completion. It is rated as one of the best-selling courses provided by Udemy, as it has been taken by over 110,000 students who have awarded it nearly five stars.
You’ll learn the basics of the Oracle database, preparing sample data, creating a workspace in Oracle, using SELECT in data retrieval, operators in WHERE, as well as combining operators with WHERE, AND, and OR. This course is designed to produce certified Oracle SQL developers.
Key Takeaway: This course teaches knowledge and skills that apply to a variety of concentrations. However, it is specially designed for anyone wanting to become a certified Oracle SQL developer.
Database Management | University of California, Irvine
- Learning Format: Certificate program
- Level: Beginner
- Subjects Covered: Data management, data analysis, Microsoft SQL server database, cloud DB courses
If you want to become a database administrator, data architect, or data analyst, this database management program might be for you. UC Irvine offers a nine to 15-month certificate program that can be customized according to students’ preferences. This 15-credit program helps students develop database skills to analyze structured and unstructured databases.
The program focuses on building basic relational databases, data integration data management, R programming, Big Data, Hadoop, big data analytics, business intelligence, SQL programming, Docker fundamentals using Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS cloud foundations, and AWS cloud architecture.
Key Takeaway: Through this program, you will master data analytics skills used in Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle database management systems.
Database Systems | University of Colorado
- Learning Format: Full course
- Level: Intermediate
- Subjects Covered: Database operations, distributed database problems, non-relational databases.
This is a college course offered by the University of Colorado. It’s ideal for a college student or graduate who is interested in sharpening their skills in database systems. As a prerequisite for this course, students are required to have passed the Software Development Methods and System Architecture and Software course.
This course covers advanced topics including designing, implementing, and operating database systems, system failures, concurrency control transaction management, consistent hashing, blockchains, distributed databases, complex data types, key-value stores, and graph databases.
Key Takeaway: This is a college course that is ideal for college students or graduates who wish to improve their existing knowledge and skills in database systems.
Online Database Classes, Training, or Courses: Which Is the Right Option?
When choosing between an online database class, training, or course, it’s important to consider your learning preference, skill level, and educational goals. If you’re pursuing an online database course for professional reasons, you’ll likely be interested in a program that offers a professional certificate.
Classes typically last a few hours and cover general database knowledge or skills. Training programs offer a hands-on learning approach and last between several hours to a couple of weeks. Online courses provide in-depth theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills and last several weeks to months.
How to Choose the Right Online Database Course, Class, or Training Program
Certificate of Completion
One of the most important things to consider is whether or not the program provides a certificate of completion. If you’re pursuing an online database course for professional development, you’ll likely want to enroll in a program that provides a certificate of completion. However, you might not be concerned about a certificate if you’re pursuing a course for personal reasons.
Tuition
It’s important to consider the cost of a program before attending it. Some courses can cost over $10,000, while others cost $100, or are even free. Additionally, you’ll want to look through the financing options that are offered by the different programs.
Learning Options
Many programs offer several learning options that are made to accommodate a variety of learners. Enrollment options usually include full-time, part-time, accelerated, and flexible schedules. Some programs offer students a self-paced program that eases the burden of a fixed schedule.
Database Course Certificates vs Certifications
Database course certificates slightly differ from certifications. Generally, certificates are awarded by an educational body to students upon completion of a course, class, or training. Certifications are granted by a third-party institution to students who pass the relevant exams.
Importance of Database Certifications
Database certifications are essential in boosting resumes and earning recognition in the industry. Employers often prefer hiring professionals with certifications validating their expertise. Earning a certification increases your job opportunities, salary potential, and enhances your appeal to employers.
Why You Should Take Online Database Courses or Classes
If you’re interested in advancing your education or career in database systems, then taking an online database course or class is a great idea. Through an online program, you will gain in-demand knowledge and skills that meet current industry needs.
Database-related careers can offer high salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, database administrators and architects make a median annual salary of $98,860. This is significantly higher than the average salary for all occupations. Upskill with an online database course and start your path towards a high-paying career in tech today!
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
