BIDA® Program Updates

Update 1.2 ^

Summary of Changes: ^

• We have expanded the required core courses from 14 to 15, introducing practical case studies and additional foundational topics. 
• Electives are now optional. Hence, they are no longer a prerequisite for obtaining your BIDA certification.
• The BIDA Final Exam has been revised to include questions from the updated core curriculum.

The core curriculum will continue to include the following courses:

• Power Query Fundamentals
• Power BI Fundamentals
• Tableau Fundamentals
• SQL Fundamentals
• Python Fundamentals
• Regression Analysis - Fundamentals and Practical Applications

The following electives are going to be added to the core curriculum: 

• Data Analysis in Excel Case Study
• Power BI Case Study – CFI Capital Partners
• Tableau Fundamentals Case Study
• SQL Case Study - WOWI Sales Analysis
• Python Fundamentals Case Study

The following prep courses are going to be added to the core curriculum: 

• Introduction to Careers in Business Intelligence
• Fundamentals of Data Analysis in Excel

We are introducing upcoming courses that will be added to the core curriculum: 

• Power Query Fundamentals Case Study
• DAX Fundamentals and Time Intelligence

Changes to the current core courses include the following:

• Dashboards & Data Visualization will continue as part of the FMVA core course offerings.
• Power Pivot Fundamentals will transition to an elective.
• Power BI Financial Statements will become an elective course.
• Tableau Trading Dashboard will become an elective course.
• Classification - Fundamentals & Practical Applications will now be included as a core course in the Data Science Specialization Bundle.
• Modeling Risk with Monte Carlo Simulation will be incorporated as a core course in the Data Science Specialization Bundle.
• Loan Default Prediction with Machine Learning will be incorporated as a core course in the Data Science Specialization Bundle.

Why the Change? ^

• Removal of complex data science courses (e.g., classification and loan default prediction), which are now part of the Data Science Specialization.
• Introduction of short case studies to provide practical application of your knowledge, based on positive feedback from learners.
• Enhanced skill practice to boost your confidence in real-world scenarios.

The Impact: ^

• Strengthening the skills of BIDA graduates, ensuring they are well-prepared for the real world.
• Elevating BIDA’s reputation and the credibility of your certification.

General Clarifications: ^

Anyone who completes their BIDA® certification before November 1st, 2023, will not be impacted by the program updates.

If you started the BIDA® program prior to November 1st, 2023, but have not completed all the requirements by November 1st, 2023, you will have to complete the new requirements to earn your designation.

Update 1.1 ^

Summary of Changes ^

• Introduced the BIDA™ final exam as a program requirement to increase the value and credibility of the certification worldwide; protect the integrity of our program and those who work hard to complete it; help students assess their knowledge and identify opportunities for improvement.  Visit our article to learn more about the BIDA® final exam.
• Added the requirement to complete a minimum of 3 electives to earn the BIDA™ certification.

General Clarifications: ^

• This change will not impact anyone who completed their BIDA™ certification by July 1st, 2022.
• The exam will also be available and optional to all existing BIDA™ certification holders and students who completed their studies before July 1st, 2022.