5 Data Visualization Courses to Create Compelling Stories for BI Specialists

Being a BI specialist requires more than just managing data; you need to master data visualization to effectively communicate insights and trends. With the rapid advancements in visualization tools and techniques, staying ahead of the curve is crucial.

But how can you upgrade your data visualization skills? Should you go back to traditional learning? Or opt for a specialized online course designed to fit your schedule?

The best choice is online courses, as they are cost-effective and provide access to industry leaders, such as those teaching on platforms like Coursera and DataCamp, without geographical limitations.

So, now the big questions you might have are – Which Data Visualization course should I choose? How do you pick the best one out of the hundreds available on popular platforms like Coursera, DataCamp, and more? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don't worry. 

In this article, we’ve compared over 100 data visualization courses across key parameters and narrowed it down to the top 5 that will help BI specialists craft compelling stories through data in 2024.

5 Data Visualization Courses for BI Specialists

Course Name	Course Duration	Vendor
Data Visualization & Dashboarding with R	5 months (Flexible)	Coursera (Johns Hopkins)
Data Visualization with Python	4 weeks	Coursera (University of Michigan)
Business Intelligence and Visual Analytics	6 weeks	Coursera (Macquarie University)
Data Visualization with Tableau & Power BI	3 months	iLETSolutions
Data Visualization in Power BI	4 hours	DataCamp

Data Visualization & Dashboarding with R Specialization

This specialization is offered by Johns Hopkins University and is taught by renowned data experts from the institution. The course covers tools such as R, Shiny, and Flexdashboard to create compelling dashboards and visualizations. The course provides hands-on experience in building interactive dashboards to convey data insights effectively.

Course Highlights

Course Name	Data Visualization & Dashboarding with R
Duration	5 months (Flexible schedule)
Provider	Coursera
Mode of Learning	Online
Course Fee	Approx. $49 per month
Trainer	Johns Hopkins University faculty
Students Enrolled	25,111
Skill Gained	R programming, Shiny, Flexdashboard, Data Visualization
Total Review	4.9 (64 reviews)

Why to Choose/ USPs of the Course

• Taught by experts from a top-ranked university.
• Focus on R programming, making it ideal for data scientists using R.
• Hands-on projects with Shiny and Flexdashboard.
• High student satisfaction with strong reviews.

Data Visualization with Python

This course, also available on Coursera, teaches how to visualize data using Python. The instructor is a seasoned Python developer with a focus on applying libraries like Matplotlib and Seaborn to create insightful visual representations.

Course Highlights

Course Name	Data Visualization with Python
Duration	4 weeks
Provider	Coursera
Mode of Learning	Online
Course Fee	Approx. $49 per month
Trainer	University of Michigan instructors
Students Enrolled	184,000+
Skill Gained	Matplotlib, Seaborn, Python for Data Visualization
Total Review	4.7 (10,280 reviews)

Why to Choose/ USPs of the Course

• Comprehensive focus on Python for data visualization.
• Access to libraries such as Seaborn and Matplotlib.
• Large community with a high number of enrollees.
• Flexible deadlines and a short 4-week schedule.

Business Intelligence and Visual Analytics

This course introduces the principles of Business Intelligence and Visual Analytics, focusing on applying visual storytelling to BI tools. It is taught by faculty from Macquarie University, offering a deep dive into visual analytics strategies that can help BI specialists uncover hidden patterns and trends.

Course Highlights

Course Name	Business Intelligence and Visual Analytics
Duration	6 weeks
Provider	Coursera
Mode of Learning	Online
Course Fee	Approx. $49 per month
Trainer	Macquarie University faculty
Students Enrolled	36,000+
Skill Gained	BI tools, Visual Analytics, Data Storytelling
Total Review	4.8 (2,035 reviews)

Why to Choose/ USPs of the Course

• Focus on BI tools and visual analytics, ideal for BI specialists.
• Structured around practical applications in business intelligence.
• Interactive projects that mirror real-world analytics tasks.

Data Visualization with Tableau & Power BI

This course, hosted by iLETSolutions, offers comprehensive training on both Tableau and Power BI, two of the leading tools in the field of data visualization. It covers data modeling, visualization best practices, and dashboard creation.

Course Highlights

Course Name	Data Visualization with Tableau & Power BI
Duration	3 months
Provider	iLETSolutions
Mode of Learning	Online (Self-paced)
Course Fee	Approx. $180
Trainer	Professional Tableau and Power BI trainers
Students Enrolled	5,000+
Skill Gained	Tableau, Power BI, Data Storytelling, Dashboard Design
Total Review	4.6 (345 reviews)

Why to Choose/ USPs of the Course

• Covers two major visualization tools (Tableau and Power BI).
• Practical, hands-on projects.
• Ideal for professionals looking to enhance their BI skills.
• Self-paced, flexible schedule.

Data Visualization in Power BI

This DataCamp course offers a focused training program in Power BI, a popular tool for BI specialists. It teaches how to create insightful dashboards and visualizations with an emphasis on practical, real-world applications.

Course Highlights

Course Name	Data Visualization in Power BI
Duration	4 hours
Provider	DataCamp
Mode of Learning	Online (Self-paced)
Course Fee	Included in DataCamp subscription ($39/month)
Trainer	DataCamp instructors
Students Enrolled	15,000+
Skill Gained	Power BI, Data Visualization, Dashboard Creation
Total Review	4.5 (120 reviews)

Why to Choose/ USPs of the Course

• Fast, 4-hour course for a quick dive into Power BI.
• Covers key aspects of data visualization with Power BI.
• Access to DataCamp’s comprehensive learning platform.