Database Administrator (DBA) Professional Certificate (IBM)
IBM via Coursera
Best for: Learners who want to operate, secure, automate, and improve production database systems.
Job outcomes: Database Administrator · Junior Database Administrator · Database Operations Specialist · Database Architect (adjacent path)
Ramp: Technical track with SQL, Python, Linux, ETL, backup and recovery, security, and performance tuning.
★ Pilot program — reviewed by a real team within 1–2 business days.
This 160-hour professional certificate prepares learners for careers as database administrators. Learners first build relational database and SQL foundations, then develop the operational skills at the center of database administration: installation and configuration, user access and security, backup and recovery, monitoring and performance tuning, automation with Linux and shell scripting, data movement through ETL pipelines, and data warehouse management, culminating in a portfolio-ready database administration capstone.
Official program syllabus
Training details
Delivery format
Online, Self-Paced
Total hours
160 Hours
Training providers
IBM via Coursera
Published tuition and fees
$7,500
Qualifying WorkforceAP members are not billed for covered training.
Program snapshot
What you should know before you apply
Best fit
Learners who want to operate, secure, automate, and improve production database systems.
Typical roles
Database Administrator · Junior Database Administrator · Database Operations Specialist · Database Architect (adjacent path)
Course preview
- Introduction to Data Engineering
- Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS)
- Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python
- Python for Data Science, AI & Development
Plus 5 more courses in the full path.
Languages
Skills you’ll learn
Course list
1. Introduction to Data Engineering ~14 hrs
Introduces the data engineering lifecycle, data stores, relational and NoSQL systems, ETL/ELT, data pipelines, security, governance, and compliance.
2. Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS) ~16 hrs
Covers relational database concepts, information and data models, entity-relationship diagrams, schema design and normalization, tables, keys, and getting started with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and IBM Db2.
3. Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python ~18 hrs
Covers relational database creation and SQL with DDL/DML, joins, views, transactions, stored procedures, and accessing databases from Python.
4. Python for Data Science, AI & Development ~24 hrs
Builds Python skills in syntax, data structures, functions, and libraries used to script, automate, and interact with databases and data pipelines.
5. Hands-on Introduction to Linux Commands and Shell Scripting ~17 hrs
Develops Linux and Unix command-line skills and Bash shell scripting to schedule, automate, and manage database and system administration tasks.
6. ETL and Data Pipelines with Shell, Airflow and Kafka ~18 hrs
Builds ETL and ELT data pipelines using Bash, Apache Airflow, and Apache Kafka for batch and streaming data movement into databases and warehouses.
7. Data Warehouse Fundamentals ~16 hrs
Covers data warehouse design and implementation, star and snowflake schemas, staging, populating a warehouse, and building analytics-ready data structures.
8. Relational Database Administration (DBA) ~21 hrs
Builds operational DBA skills in configuration, backup and restore, roles and permissions, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and automation.
9. Relational Database Administration Capstone Project ~16 hrs
Integrates OLTP and warehouse design, MySQL/PostgreSQL, ETL with Airflow, backup and recovery, access control, encryption, and query optimization.
Before you apply
What to expect from this program
Difficulty level
Intermediate. Prior comfort with computers or related study helps.
Time commitment
160 hours • Online, Self-Paced. 9 courses in the full path.
What you should know first
Technical track with SQL, Python, Linux, ETL, backup and recovery, security, and performance tuning.
Funding
Available at no cost through WIOA funding for qualifying members.
Program costs are covered by grants, scholarships, partnerships, and donations — never billed to qualifying members.
Career outcomes
Roles this program prepares you for
Database Administrator
Junior Database Administrator
Database Operations Specialist
Database Architect (adjacent path)
Salary range: $88K–$130K. Actual wages depend on employer, location, and experience.
Ready to start your career in Cloud & Data?
Applications take about 5 minutes. No cost for qualifying members. We respond within 1–2 business days.
Apply NowHave Questions?
Ready to start?
Apply in minutes. A member advisor will follow up within 1–2 business days.