Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate

Offered by SchoolDay Academy, powered by Coursera

Note: This program prepares participants for the Microsoft PL-300 Certification Exam but does not include the official exam. Learners who complete this program will be ready to register separately for the certification exam through Microsoft.

Introduction

In today’s education environment, district leaders are expected to make fast, data-informed decisions on budgets, staffing, enrollment, and performance. But too often, that data lives in disconnected systems—locked inside spreadsheets, reports, or dashboards that don’t tell the full story.

The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate, offered by SchoolDay Academy and powered by Coursera, gives district business and finance staff the skills to transform data into clear, actionable insight. In as little as three months (at about 10 hours per week), learners master how to organize, visualize, and report data using Microsoft Power BI, one of the most widely used business intelligence tools in education and industry.

Upon completion, participants will earn a professional credential from Microsoft—and be prepared to take the PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst Certification Exam, recognized globally by employers and school systems alike.

Why This Course Matters for School Districts

From budget transparency and staffing analysis to grant tracking and ESSER reporting, school districts depend on accurate, timely data to maintain trust and accountability. Yet many still rely on manual spreadsheets or outdated systems that limit visibility and waste valuable staff time.

By completing the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate, district business professionals can:

• Visualize financial, staffing, and enrollment data to identify key trends and variances.
• Build dynamic dashboards that communicate real-time insights to district leadership.
• Automate board and compliance reporting using connected data models.
• Combine data from HR, finance, and student systems into a single, accurate view.
• Prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 Certification Exam to validate advanced data analysis skills.

Equipped with Power BI expertise, district business offices can make decisions based on evidence—not estimates—strengthening financial stewardship and operational efficiency.

What You’ll Learn

This eight-course program, developed and taught by Microsoft, builds job-ready Power BI and data visualization skills from the ground up—no prior experience required.

You’ll learn to:

• Connect to and transform district data from Excel, HR, and financial systems.
• Prepare and clean data using Excel formulas and Power Query.
• Design optimized data models using relationships and the star schema.
• Create interactive reports and dashboards with Power BI visuals.
• Use DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) for calculations and deeper analysis.
• Publish and maintain dashboards securely across district departments.

Disclaimer: Completion of this program prepares learners for the Microsoft PL-300 Certification Exam, which is not included. Registration for the official exam is handled separately through Microsoft.

Applied Learning Projects

Throughout the certificate, participants engage in hands-on projects that reflect real-world district business and finance challenges, including:

• Connecting to multiple data sources to analyze budget, staffing, or procurement trends.
• Designing visual dashboards that track key financial and operational performance metrics.
• Building interactive reports for school board meetings or compliance documentation.
• Completing a Power BI capstone project that demonstrates full analytical workflow—from data modeling to storytelling.

Participants finish the program with a professional portfolio showcasing real-world Power BI dashboards and reports—ready to implement immediately within district systems.

Why SchoolDay Academy Recommends This Course

SchoolDay Academy (SDA) empowers districts to modernize their operations through professional training that builds internal capacity. The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate is a cornerstone in that mission—giving business and finance staff the tools to turn data into strategy.

This credentialed program stands out because it:

• Aligns with Microsoft’s PL-300 certification, a globally recognized credential.
• Strengthens data-driven financial and operational reporting.
• Reduces manual spreadsheet work and minimizes human error.
• Promotes real-time decision-making through interactive dashboards.
• Builds internal analytics expertise that saves districts time and consulting costs.

Districts that invest in data literacy empower staff to see patterns, predict needs, and plan for the future—strengthening financial transparency and public trust.

Conclusion

Data is one of a district’s most powerful assets—when it’s visualized and shared effectively. The Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate helps business and finance teams transform data into insight, making it easier to plan budgets, track outcomes, and communicate progress to stakeholders.

Reminder: This course includes preparation for the Microsoft PL-300 Certification Exam but does not include the exam itself. Learners register separately through Microsoft.

Start your learning journey with the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate, available exclusively through SchoolDay Academy, powered by Coursera—and bring clarity, accuracy, and confidence to every district decision.