Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Programs of Study
  Course Descriptions
  History
  Mission and Vision
  Accreditation and Certification
  Professional Licensure Disclosures
  The University
  Locations and Facilities
  Admission Policies
  Academic Policies
  Registration and Tuition
  University Conduct
  Academic Services
  Student Services
  Undergraduate College Programs in Winona
  Roster
  Tuition and Fees
  Academic Calendar
  My Portfolio
HELP
2025-2026 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook

Data Engineering Certificate

Program Description

The field of Data Engineering enables data-driven decision making by collecting, transforming, and publishing data. A data engineer should be able to design, build, operationalize, secure, and monitor data processing systems with a particular emphasis on security and compliance; scalability and efficiency; reliability and fidelity; and flexibility and portability. The role of a data engineer may include a) designing data processing systems, b) building and operationalizing data processing systems, c) preparing data for machine learning models, and d) ensuring solution quality. This certificate is for students with an interest in data analytics, data science, and technology. This certificate gives students skills to utilize new sources of data, use unstructured data and/or automate processes, as well as gain experience with planning and design.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the certificate, students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in data collection, data engineering, and database administration.
  2. Develop custom applications and scripts for visualization and analytics.
  3. Communicate with clarity and coherence.
  4. Evaluate ethical and legal implications of decision making. 

Program Structure and Delivery

Courses are delivered in an online format.

Certificate Requirements

Required Courses: 15 cr.

Master’s Degree Completion

The Data Engineering certificate is offered as part of the Master of Science in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics program. The Data Engineering certificate can be applied to the Master of Science in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics if a student wants to continue with their studies after earning a certificate.  

For those students seeking to use this certificate toward a full master’s degree, see the following option: 

Master of Science in Data Intelligence and GeoAnalytics   

Students completing a master’s degree may add either the Data Engineering Certificate (15 cr) for just 9 credits. Data Engineering course plans will be approved and designed by the Data Engineering Certificate program director on a case-by-case basis.

Students completing the Data Engineering Certificate seeking to additionally pursue the Master of Science Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (MS BIDA) program, would complete the MS BIDA program with 27 instead of 33 credits. Six (6) credits will be honored from the Data Engineering Certificate: BIA665 will be substituted for DIGA610, and BIA662 will be substituted DIGA625.  

Further, if a student completes the Data Engineering Certificate and wishes to pursue the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Certificate, DIGA620 cannot apply to the AI Certificate as it is a shared course. To that end, the student will work with the student advisor to identify a different course from the BIDA suite to take for the DIGA620 replacement.

Faculty

The faculty members for this program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements

Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree programs at any time during the year. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. Applicants may complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

  1. Completed application form and,
  2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards). Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted. 

    Students with transcripts issued in the U.S. may be admitted without an official transcript. Students must provide an official transcript by the last day to add/drop classes in their first term of attendance. In cases where students are completing coursework while simultaneously applying for admission, students may be admitted with an in-progress transcript, and an official transcript posting final grades and, when appropriate, degree attainment, must be submitted before students are allowed to register for subsequent semesters. 

See individual programs for additional application requirements.

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Minneapolis Campus.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55404