Unlocking Opportunities with R Programming Certification

Acquiring R programming certification may be beneficial when obtaining in-demand jobs in growing fields such as data science or statistics.

R is an open-source programming language and an accessible tool frequently used in academia, engineering, data analysis, and statistics. Even those with little programming experience can use R; however, it also offers advanced features that require in-depth knowledge. 

Explore how R programming can benefit you and your career. Discover the various levels of certification available, the skills taught in an R certification program, and the resulting benefits.

What is R programming certification?

R programming certification validates your proficiency in skills such as solving real-world problems, working with data, and creating visuals. It also demonstrates your ability to harness R’s strengths in data modeling and analysis.

You can pursue roles that require R programming with a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, such as data analytics. However, with this certification, you can stay abreast of the latest programming language and the overall industry, which should increase your value to employers. 

A range of R programming certificate options exist, from beginner to advanced levels. For example, a beginner course might cover the very basics, such as how to conduct data and statistical research in R, how to start coding in R, and how to produce graphics. Meanwhile, an intermediate certification course might cover some of the more specialized nuances of R. An expert certification course may cover more in-depth methods of getting the most out of R, whether that means building your own R packages or combining your use of R with Python.

How to get the most from R programming certification

To reap the full benefits of an R programming certification course, utilize the wealth of R resources that you can find online and apply what you’re learning to real-world data sets. 

One way to practice R programming is to work on data for a personal, no-risk project. You likely have data in your life you can analyze via R, whether that’s your personal finances or the data generated by your fantasy football team. 

Consider also exploring the vast array of R packages available to users, often accompanied by valuable documentation and instructions. R packages are user-generated datasets and functions that are free for anyone to make or use, which can greatly enhance your R capabilities.

Benefits of R programming certification

Many individuals who achieve R programming certification experience several benefits, including a competitive advantage within their career field, preparedness for roles within growing industries, and proof of their expertise.

Competitive advantage 

In relation to the oft-compared programming language Python, R is more of a niche tool among programmers, according to the TIOBE Index [1]. You can use this fact to give you a competitive advantage in job applications, salary negotiations, or promotions. When everyone else is learning Python, you stand apart as someone who knows R. (However, remember that Python and R are not mutually exclusive—you can use both Python and R together, harnessing the best of both).

Growing industries

R programming is common in statistics and data analysis roles, which are growing in demand. For example, data scientist roles should grow by 36 percent between 2023 and 2033, an increase that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics calls “much faster than average” [2]. Likewise, statistician roles should grow by 11 percent between 2023 and 2033 [3]. Acquiring R programming certification sets you up nicely for roles in these expanding fields.

Proof of expertise

Lastly, as is the case with any certification from a reputable provider, R programming certification can enhance your credibility, demonstrate your expertise, and validate your skills to current or future employers—making you a more attractive hire. Studies show certifications can significantly impact careers. A 2023 Google Cloud report found that 8 in 10 tech professionals said certifications helped them secure cloud-related jobs, and 75% reported earning higher salaries [4].

Other career opportunities with R programming certification

While R is popular among fields like data analysis and statistics, R certifications can provide value in other fields as well, such as marketing, finance, and epidemiology, among others.

People in marketing can use R to analyze predictive models. Those in the pharmaceutical industry can use R in clinical trials for tasks such as designing or planning a study, data management, data analysis, and more. Epidemiologists and finance professionals use R to carry out case studies. 

You can also practice your R skills while pursuing certification by applying R to personal data sets in your own life, such as personal finances. You can use R anywhere that data exists—and luckily, that’s most industries.

Maintaining and updating R programming certification

Staying up to date on the latest R programming developments through online courses and frequent personal use can help you keep your programming skills sharp and your resume attractive to potential employers. 

Even if you have a base level knowledge of R programming, as discussed above, certification programs exist for multiple levels of R programming expertise. Certification courses often cover the latest versions of R. R and R packages update frequently, with changes occurring sometimes as often as month to month. 

Start preparing for R programming certification on Coursera

R programming certification can provide you with valuable skills, particularly in the fields of data analysis and statistics. When you deepen your understanding of this accessible programming language through practice, community, and certification courses, you can unlock a swathe of new career opportunities. 

To start, explore R programming courses on Coursera, from the Data Science: Foundations using R Specialization from Johns Hopkins University to the from Duke University.