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SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is an essential application for data science, and it assists in the statistical analysis process, predictive modeling, and data management. Furthermore, its use is observable in a multitude of sectors including, but not limited to, healthcare, finance, government, and academic research thus it is a significant skill for any person who wants to be successful in the field of data science.
More and more businesses are embracing data-driven decision-making. Therefore, SAS has become an essential skill for data scientists, analysts, and statisticians. Whether you are a beginner or a well-practiced professional with some queries, there are online learning facilities with proper content on how to use SAS. In this guide, we'll discuss the best SAS learning platforms and analyze them according to features, price, learning style, and target audience.
Coursera is one of the best online education providers which works with top universities and organizations to offer high standards of courses and certification programs. Speaking of SAS, Coursera Connect provides SAS learning resources to both beginners and advanced users. Strain SAS Programmer Professional Certificate and SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate are some of the known courses that students take to learn SAS properly or to narrow down to certain fields.
Strengths: Courses are taught by experts from renowned institutions like the University of California, SAS Institute, and Duke University. Upon completion, you earn industry-recognized certificates, which can help boost your resume.
Best For: Beginners to advanced learners, those seeking formal certification.
Duration: Varies by course (from hours to months). Most offered classes are flexible and self-paced. Moreover, there is a flexible pricing structure and even free courses are offered by Coursera.
Udemy is ideal for those who want to learn at their own pace, without the stress of completing a course within a given deadline. Within it can be found several SAS-related courses, ranging from courses for novices to those for expert users. For instance, the most prominent ones are SAS Programming from Beginner to Advanced and SAS Programming BASE Certification Preparation. These courses tend to provide practical illustrations, assessments, and materials to be accessed offline.
Strengths: Udemy is very affordable and this is the reason why most people have found it attractive. Additionally, any course one purchases entitles him to lifetime access, thus making it a viable option for future reference.
Best For: Economically challenged learners who prefer learning at their own pace with a plethora of subjects offered.
Duration: Lessons vary from a single hour to 45 hours depending on the level of detail and content that is offered.
Benefits of Udemy for students include flexibility and low costs, albeit the recognition of the certifications may not be as rigorous and formal as those offered on platforms such as Coursera or edX.
LinkedIn Learning, previously called Lynda.com, is suitable for learners who wish to enhance their work-related skills in a more professional setting. The platform provides several SAS courses, most of which have a practical focus. SAS Essential Training is among the best-selling courses on the platform and involves real-life case studies in analyzing data, developing predictive analytics, and applying SAS tools in an organization.
Strengths: Courses at LinkedIn Learning are focused on the existing professions and career paths in addition to their apparent structure and interactivity. The certificates that the site issues are geared towards adding value to one’s LinkedIn page which in turn allows one to reach out to other employment prospects easily.
Best For: Middle-aged job seekers and people who are searching for a worker-oriented, figuratively speaking.
Duration: The concise modules offered are usually a few hours ranging between 1 and 10 hours. In addition to Learning SAS, the LinkedIn Learning subscription model extends its scope to cover any other course within the platform which is a plus if another skill set is desired.
For professionals who are committed to the usage of SAS for data science, look no further than the SAS Academy for Data Science. This is SAS’s own training center that offers relevant training programs with data science learning paths and certifications. Some of the notable courses address issues of Data Manipulation Techniques, Predictive Modeling, and Machine Learning among other advanced-level topics.
Strengths: SAS professionals, sophisticated materials, and certificates that are in high demand among employers are available to you.
Best For: Anyone who aims to become a successful data scientist and seeks qualification in the SAS area.
Duration: These programs are usually quite a few months long because they include extensive training and real-world projects.
While the academy's courses tend to be more time-consuming and expensive compared to other platforms, the certifications carry significant weight in professional circles.
edx is a learning platform aimed at the very academic offering level of SAS courses. Working with institutions such as Harvard and MIT, edX has a reputation for providing excellent content. Another area many courses in SAS span from basic to advanced levels and Data Analysis with SAS remains a favorite among many.
Strengths: These courses are designed and run by universities, which adds to their intellectual credibility. Most, if not all of the certifications from edX, are worth credibility-wise in academia and industries.
Best For: Students wishing to obtain valid degrees or those eager to expand their practical knowledge of SAS.
Duration: Usually, courses are delivered over a period of several weeks for an extra fee, paid certificates can be awarded.
edX teams up with universities, and assures up-to-date content, which is evidence-based. However, these courses may be more appropriate for people who have practiced data science or statistics before.
DataCamp Liquidity services courses in data science inclusive of SAS interactive learning. The Introduction to SAS course is designed for beginners and offers a step-wise guide in the form of short lessons and engaging coding practice in SAS programming. DataCamp's platform is focused on the concept of ‘learning by doing’, which means that students can do the practice right after the theory.
Strengths: Interactive sessions of coding aid the understanding of ideas but every progress is accompanied with quizzes and projects.
Best For: Beginners seeking a hands-on approach to learning.
Duration: Courses are usually of short, modular format with emphasis on the practical aspect bearing (3 – 5 Hours) on average.
There is no shortage of SAS e-learning sites nowadays which cater to various categories of trainees. For instance, if hay composed certification courses is what you want, then expect to find appropriate platforms such as Coursera, edX or SAS Academy For Data Science.
If self paced learning appeals to you, Udemy and Linkedin Learning are cost effective but come with the option of enrolling in the courses for life, with no time constraints on accessing the materials. And for those who wish to get more practical orientation i.e. lessons rather than slender books, DataCamp is ideal for the rawest of novices craving for interactive lessons.
The ordered preference for a platform is determined by the career aspirations of the candidate, the level of their skills as at that time, and the style which the candidate prefers to study.
Choose wisely, and start your SAS journey today!
