Optimization courses can help you learn techniques for improving performance, resource allocation, and decision-making processes. You can build skills in linear programming, heuristic methods, and simulation modeling, that support analyzing complex systems. Many courses introduce tools like Excel Solver, MATLAB, and Python libraries such as SciPy, enabling you to apply optimization methods to real-world problems in logistics, finance, and operations management.

Columbia University
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Actuarial Science, Derivatives, Financial Market, Statistical Methods, Market Data, Financial Modeling, Securities (Finance), Risk Modeling, Financial Systems, Mathematical Modeling, Numerical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Python Programming, Process Optimization, Probability Distribution, Algorithms, Case Studies
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Ledgers (Accounting), Prompt Engineering, Tax Planning, Tax Management, Large Language Modeling, LLM Application, Auditing, Portfolio Management, Tax Compliance, Generative AI, Income Tax, Cash Flow Forecasting, Fraud detection, Financial Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Responsible AI, Financial Auditing, Oracle Cloud Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Risk Management
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Arizona State University
Skills you'll gain: Experimentation, Sample Size Determination, Research Design, Regression Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Methods, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Design Strategies, Sampling (Statistics), Probability & Statistics, Mathematical Modeling, Analysis, Model Evaluation, Data Transformation, Descriptive Statistics, Probability Distribution, Variance Analysis, Data Analysis
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Stored Procedure, Star Schema, Microsoft SQL Servers, Database Design, Relational Databases, Data Integrity, Data Integration, SQL, Transaction Processing, Power BI, Data Warehousing, Database Management, Transact-SQL, Data Maintenance, Databases, Query Languages, Database Architecture and Administration, Database Management Systems, Database Systems, Data Management
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Skills you'll gain: Finance, Investments, Business Valuation, Portfolio Management, Financial Modeling, Financial Market, Equities, Return On Investment, Financial Analysis, Regression Analysis, Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Microsoft Excel, Risk Analysis, Performance Analysis, Cash Flows
Build toward a degree
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: CI/CD, C# (Programming Language), Azure DevOps, Load Balancing, Continuous Integration, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Scalability, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Authentications, ASP.NET, Debugging, SQL, Microsoft Copilot, .NET Framework, Relational Databases, Database Management, Graph Theory, Back-End Web Development, Program Development, Data Structures
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Supply Chain, Workforce Management, Business Analytics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Process Optimization, Manufacturing Operations, Operations Management, Workforce Planning, Financial Modeling, Business Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Resource Allocation, Finance, Analytics, Production Planning, Portfolio Management, Investment Management, Decision Making
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Social Media Marketing, Social Media, Digital Media Strategy, Content Creation, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Strategy, Content Marketing, Guest Relations, Hospitality, Web Analytics and SEO, Digital Marketing, Instagram, Return On Investment, Customer Engagement
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Minnesota
Skills you'll gain: Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, Model Evaluation, Simulations, Operations Research, Probability Distribution, Mathematical Modeling, Supply Chain, Probability, Predictive Modeling, Data Preprocessing, Business Modeling, Business Analytics, Workforce Management, Analytics, Regression Analysis, Forecasting, Excel Formulas, Data Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Predictive Analytics
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Theoretical Computer Science, Algorithms, Computational Thinking, Pseudocode, Data Structures, Design Strategies, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Advanced Mathematics, Python Programming, Analysis
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Columbia University
Skills you'll gain: Financial Market, Securities (Finance), Derivatives, Mathematical Modeling, Applied Mathematics, Capital Markets, Futures Exchange, Equities, Financial Modeling, Probability, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Probability Distribution, Cash Flows
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

New York University
Skills you'll gain: Reinforcement Learning, Financial Trading, Financial Market, Derivatives, Markov Model, Machine Learning Methods, Financial Modeling, Securities Trading, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Market Dynamics
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks