Demand for data-driven insights is growing fast across all fields, making a background in applied statistics the gateway to a wide variety of careers. Financial institutions and companies of all kinds rely on business analytics to guide investments and operations; political candidates and advocacy groups need to conduct surveys and understand public polling data to understand popular opinion on today’s issues; and even sports teams are increasingly hiring experts in applied statistics to make decisions regarding personnel as well as in-game strategy.

While many jobs in applied statistics may require only a bachelor’s degree in fields such as mathematics or computer science, high-level roles often expect a master’s degree in statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional statisticians earn a median annual salary of $91,160 as of May 2019, and these jobs are expected to grow much faster than average due to the need to analyze fast-growing volumes of electronic data.

Yes, with absolute certainty. Coursera offers courses and Specializations in applied statistics for business, social science, and other areas, as well as related topics such as data science and Python programming. These courses are offered by top-ranked universities and leading companies from around the world, including the University of Michigan, the University of Amsterdam, and the University of Virginia, and IBM. Regardless of whether you’re a student looking to learn more about this exciting field or a mid-career professional upgrading their skill set, the combination of a high-quality education and the flexibility of learning online makes Coursera a great choice.