The WAA has published its Knowledge Required for Certification document. It's available online or as a downloadable PDF document. [Certification Overview]

Thanks for your interest in the Knowledge Required for Certification by the Web Analytics Association (WAA). This document contains a detailed overview of the knowledge required to pass the Web Analytics Association certification test.

As such, this document is also a detailed overview of the educational material provided in the four online courses making up the Award of Achievement in Web Analytics offered by the WAA and University of British Columbia Continuing Studies (UBC).

Taking these four courses is not required to sit for the certification test.

However, the knowledge contained in these four courses will be required to pass the test. We expect many web analytics professionals should be able to pass the certification test without taking the courses.

Potential applicants for the Web Analytics Association Certification Test should review this document and decide if they possess all of the knowledge required to pass the test. If further education is needed, the four WAA/UBC courses provide all the information required to pass the test.

This document generally follows the format of WAA/UBC Courses 2 – 4:

• Course 2: Web Analytics for Site Optimization
• Course 3: Measuring Marketing Campaigns Online
• Course 4: Creating and Managing the Analytical Business Culture

Each course is made up of a number of modules. In this document, for each course module there is an overview and a list of objectives and outcomes – what you should know and be able to do if you understand the material. Course 1 is an introductory course providing an “integrated view” of these same topics.

Thanks again for your interest in the WAA certification.

Raquel Collins
Jim Novo
Co-Chairs, Education Committee
Web Analytics Association

Comments

[Jim Novo]

The WAA Education Committee has been working hard on a Certification program for web analysts.

The first phase of the project was to put together a "Knowledge Required for Certification" document so that potential Certification candidates could review what they need to know and be able to do to pass the test.

This doc was put together through the efforts of over 60 WAA member volunteers and we'd like to thank all of them for their support.

Feel free, whether you are a WAA member or not, to leave us comments on this work. We'll be closing comments on June 30, 2008.

[Bobby Hewitt]

I am currently taking the UBC course, is there any more information available about the Web Analytics Association certification test? What is the cost to take the test? Is the test online? If not where will the tests be held and on what dates?

[Jim Novo]

Hi Bobby,

An overview of the Certification Test process can be found here:

http://www.webanalyticsassociation.org/education/certification/

As far as costs, format, and dates, we have not made it that far yet!

[Jim Novo]

Some further comments have come in by e-mail:

1. What if I have already taken the 4 WAA / UBC classes? Am I automatically a Certified Web Analyst?

There are two parts to the process of Certification: education and experience.

While someone may understand the topics in the Courses from an educational perspective, success in the practical application of this knowledge is another issue. The Certification Test will be geared towards the actual application of course knowledge, and so will have a higher difficulty level than any of the testing that takes place in the courses. We are not going to Certify someone based on education alone.

2. Do I have to take the 4 UBC courses to take the Certification Test?

No, you don't.

We've made a differentiation between having the "book knowledge" - an example is the UBC Award of Achievement - and being able to apply that knowledge - which is the Certification.

Where you got the book knowledge - from the UBC courses, reading books, or experience - doesn't matter for Certification. What matters is can you apply that knowledge in the real world?

In other words, there is Level I, which is the Award of Achievement (education), and Level II, which is the Certification (experience).

[Jim Novo]

I have taken classes from a vendor on tool implementation and maintenance, will I be able to pass the Certification Test?

The WAA / UBC Courses and the Certification Test focus on the "business side" of web analytics, the actual analysis and action, rather than the technical side. Check the Knowledge Required document to see if your education / experience covers all the business-side areas required for WAA Certification.

[Anil]

How does somebody living outside US take these tests? is it necessary to have atleast 4 Years of WA experience ? ( rememberr WA is new in countires like india and other asian countires) so what would be the criteria for analyst from this region who plan to take the test.

P.S: This is great initiative!

Anil

[Jim Novo]

Hi Anil!

Thanks for the kind words and as you might imagine, we still have details to work out, some of which depend on input from the community.

There is a broader discussion going on right now within WAA about what structure works best for "International".

I don't know where that ends up but I can imagine that issues such as format the test is delivered in (including translation, if applicable), cost, and qualifications will be decided on a Country or Region basis through whatever local structure is decided upon.

This does surface a broader point for the International discussion though, which as far as I can tell has really centered more around regulatory issues like Privacy. There should also be business model considerations.

[Anil]

Thanks Jim
I look forward for the findings, iam a strong believer this step initiative will help web analyst and firms adopting Web Analytics.

I agree and i will look for information on those topics ( privacy and bus model consideration) and will be more than happy to send it across to you folks.

Thanks again
Anil

[Jim Novo]

Any input on International issues should go to the International Committee:

http://www.webanalyticsassociation.org/en/cmt/?3

which already has German, Italian, and Swedish chapters.

Don't be surprised if you are asked to help implement your great ideas!

[Elaine Burks]

Do you know of any educational/business grants that exist in the field of web analytics? I'm not talking about availability for college-age students; grants available for any age/non traditional students. I've searched in vain for non-profits, IT businesses, etc. There just doesn't seem to be anything out there I've found specifically geared to this profession. Thank you.

[Jim Novo]

Hi Elaine, thanks for the comment.

We're a pretty young industry so I'm not sure that idea has caught on yet. With respect to the WAA / UBC program in particular, these are non-credit courses so would not generally fit the profile for a grant program.

[Jim Novo]

From e-mail:

> Hello, a few questions from a Web Agency in France concerning your certification program.

>Can it be taken by non-US personnel?

Yes, though the test itself does not exist yet, see:

http://www.webanalyticsassociation.org/education/certification/

> Is the test online or is it necessary to be physically present somewhere to take it?

We're planning for the North American testing to be in-person; this approach may vary in other parts of the world.

> If the test is online, would being in a European time zone mean having
to take the test at an unusual time of day (or night)?

> Are there plans for certification in other languages (French, Spanish, etc...)? Thanks

The International structure of the WAA has yet to be determined and is an ongoing discussion.

When a formal structure is decided on, I imagine it will be up to the people responsible for the various regions to determine the testing approach they will use.

[Jessica]

I am very interested in taking the online courses. I would need and want to take all 4 classes before taking the certification exam. How many classes can you take at once, since there are prerequisites?

Thanks!

[Jaume Clotet]

Hi Jim,

How it goes the Live trials of the Certification Test prototype in the Washington DC event in October 2008?

when do you think online certification will be avaliable?

Jaume

[Online Degree Programs]

Hi,

On-line education gives you an opportunity to graduate earlier. If you want to receive your degree faster, you are welcome to do it, if you manage to cope with all the demanded task in the shorter period of time.

Thanks
Sofia.

[James]

Hi

I am about to register for the UBC Web Analytics Course - are there also any other courses that you reccomend to take?

Also, are you any closer to formulating the WAA Certification program?

Thanks alot - WAA is def needed and I look forward to more developments.

[Jim Novo]

The WAA courses are primarily business courses, so they are light on the technical side. If you want to learn more about installation / configuration / maintenance of the web analytics tools, the major tool vendors all offer those courses.

We are gaining speed on the Certification Test but are not close to announcing a date for the offering. First up will be various dry runs to check on suitability and scoring, which will generally take place with volunteers at the eMetrics Summits this year.

[Jeff Paul Internet Business]

I must say the International structure of the WAA has yet to be determined and is an ongoing discussion.