10 master data management certifications that will pay off

eLearningCurve Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP) Master Data Management

eLearningCurve’s CIMP Master Data Management designation is intended to show the candidate’s in-depth knowledge and comprehensive understanding of MDM. The certification requires passing five exams from eLearningCurve’s MDM curriculum. Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass each exam. The organization offers 10 MDM courses, ranging from architecture and implementation to data profiling and data quality assessment.

Organization: eLearningCurve

Price: $2,095

How to prepare: The program includes five instructor-led online courses, consisting of a total of 20 hours of education.

eLearningCurve CIMP Ex Master Data Management

eLearningCurve’s CIMP Ex Master Data Management designation is intended to certify a candidate has achieved the highest level of certification in the MDM track. The certification requires passing five exams from eLearningCurve’s “core” master data management course offerings, and candidates are allowed three attempts to pass each exam. In addition, the candidate must take two elective courses from the MDM curriculum and a final course from any course in eLearningCurve’s catalog.

Organization: eLearningCurve

Price: $3,155

How to prepare: The program includes eight instructor-led online courses, consisting of a total of 35 hours of education.

Identity Management Institute Certified in Data Protection (CDP)

Certified in Data Protection (CDP) is a global training and certification program that teaches and validates a candidate’s knowledge of data protection practices throughout the data lifecycle. Candidates must be members of the Identity Management Institute, apply to receive the CDP study guide, and pass the online exam to become certified. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Organization: Identity Management Institute

Price: $395, which includes the study guide and online examination

How to prepare: All candidates receive a study guide, and The Identity Management Institute also provides a short video course about data protection.

Informatica Master Data Management 10 Administrator, Professional Certification

The Informatica Master Data Management 10 Administrator, Professional Certification validates competency as a member of an MDM administration team. It tests skills and capabilities on installation and upgrade (both test and user environments), performance tuning, where to find information, troubleshooting, batch processes, managing metadata, upgrade process, and security.

Organization: Informatica

Price: $340 registration fee for exam (includes a no-cost second attempt)

How to prepare: For instructor-led preparation, Informatica recommends completing the Multidomain MDM Administration and Installation and MDM: Multidomain and Hierarchy Configuration courses. Informatica also offers on-demand versions: Multidomain MDM for Administrators and MDM: Multidomain Edition Configuration.

Informatica Master Data Management 10.3 Developer, Professional Certification

The Informatica Master Data Management 10.3 Developer, Professional Certification measures the candidate’s competency as a member of a project implementation team. Individuals with the certification should be able to explain and identify the MDM product architecture, and to configure its main components, including cleanse engine, match server, data governance tools, and workflows.

Organization: Informatica

Price: $340 registration fee for exam (includes a no-cost second attempt)

How to prepare: Informatica recommends completing the on-demand MDM: Multidomain Edition Configuration or the instructor-led MDM: Multidomain and Hierarchy Configuration courses. It also recommends the Multidomain MDM Entity 360 for Developers course, available in an instructor-led version and an on-demand version. 

Mastering Data Management and Technology

The eight-week Mastering Data Management and Technology certificate course from Villanova University covers data modeling, securing business intelligence content, reporting, and performance management. Candidates will study MDM best practices, benefits, team creation, and scope. Villanova says the certificate course is ideal for strategic decision-makers, project managers, business analysts, market researchers, or IT professionals.

Organization: Villanova University

Price: $2,295, though flexible payment options are available, and discounts are available for active-duty military, veterans, spouses, and dependents.

How to prepare: The curriculum consists of an eight-week course at 10 hours per week.

SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Master Data Governance

The SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Master Data Governance certification is an entry-level qualification that validates a candidate’s competency to participate as a member of a project team in a mentored role. The exam covers topics including master data governance, data quality and analytics, data replication and key mapping, and more.

Organization: SAP

Price: $217 for the online exam, one attempt; $543 for the online exam, six attempts.

How to prepare: SAP recommends a combination of education courses and hands-on experience to train for the exam.