15+ Best Apache Spark Courses & Certifications Online in 2023
What is the best way to learn Apache Spark?
There’s no doubt that Apache Spark is one of the best data science tools in 2023.
That said, deciding on an online Spark course to take can be difficult because it supports Scala, Java, R, and Python, resulting in many possible learning paths.
If you also factor in the entire Apache Spark ecosystem, including technologies like Hadoop and AWS, then choosing the right Apache Spark course to take may very well be an overwhelming endeavour.
To speed up your search, I’ve put together a list of the best Apache Spark courses online.
It doesn’t matter what programming language you’re proficient in, or if you don’t know any coding at all, these Apache Spark tutorials cover all technologies and learning abilities.
In this guide, we’ll be discussing the best Apache Spark courses and certifications online in 2023 that’ll make you a Spark expert.
Let’s get started.
1. Learn Apache Spark 3 with Scala: Hands On with Big Data!
Would you like to learn Spark 3 with Scala?
Scala is one of the top programming languages for data science in 2023, and it’s key to getting the most out of Spark.
Through this course, you’ll learn how to optimize spark jobs to make them more resource-efficient.
Additionally, you’ll master how to simplify big data processing with the machine learning capabilities of Spark, making it one of the best Apache Spark courses on Udemy if you’d also like to get a feel of how AI works.
Afterward, you’ll move into GraphX, and how you can use this component for graph computations.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to bring in Scala programming knowledge to follow along in this course. The great part is that there’s a Scala crash course that can help you learn what to expect.
2. Taming Big Data with Apache Spark and Python – Hands On!
Do you prefer to use Python with Spark?
Python is another excellent programming language for data science, making it a great match for Apache Spark.
After taking this course, you’ll be able to use SparkSQL to process structured data, before moving on to mastering the distributed computing functions of Hadoop.
When it comes to using the GraphX library, you’ll also be an expert at solving network analysis problems.
What’s more, you’ll be able to set up a cluster on Hadoop and scale it up by adding more nodes.
As a result, it is the best Apache Spark tutorial if you’d also like to learn auxiliary technologies around Spark like Hadoop.
However, you’ll need prior scripting experience, otherwise, it may be hard to keep up. That said, the instructor includes a few sections on Python basics so you can also pick it up as you go along.
3. Scala and Spark for Big Data and Machine Learning
Did you know that Spark is written in Scala?
It is for this reason that this is among the best Apache Spark courses online if you’d like to make the most of this big data technology.
By the end of this course, you should be able to manipulate and read data using Spark 2.0 data frames, which will enable you to make light work of massive datasets.
Moreover, you’ll be able to understand how you can integrate Spark and turbocharge its operations with other technologies like DataBricks and AWS.
You may need basic programming knowledge to take this class, and the best Scala courses online are an excellent option to get this experience.
If you meet the requirement, you’ll find this is an excellent course to learn how advanced Scala programming can speed up big data processing with Spark.
4. Apache Spark Streaming with Python and PySpark
If you’d like to know how to create big data streaming pipelines, then this is the course to take.
By the end of this training, you’ll be able to integrate Spark and Kafka, which enables you to create real-time applications such as Twitter using PySpark.
As a result, this is the best Apache Spark training if you’d like to get into mobile app development. In which case, you may want to check out the best mobile app development courses online.
Additionally, you’ll get a deep understanding of SparkSQL, enabling you to analyze both semi-structured and structured data.
While you may have to work around a few deprecated features because the course relies on an older version of Spark, it still provides many big data analytics concepts that remain useful for data science, and app development as well.
5. Streaming Big Data with Spark Streaming and Scala – Hands On
If you’d like to perform big data streaming on Spark using Scala, then this is a highly practical tutorial to master how to get this done.
At the end of this training, you’ll be able to train accurate, machine learning forecasting models, making it one of the best Apache Spark courses online if you’re looking to get into neural network design.
You’ll also be capable of programming in Scala to create Spark applications such as a real-time social media feed.
On top of everything, you’ll be able to integrate Spark with Apache Kafka, Flume, Cassandra, and Amazon Kinesis.
You may need to apply for a Twitter developer account if you’d like to practice along with the Twitter streaming examples provided. However, it’s a fairly easy application process, and you can also choose to only watch the videos if you’d not want to go through this process.
6. Apache Spark 2.0 with Java -Learn Spark from a Big Data Guru
Are you a Java developer looking to learn Spark?
Then this course was made with you in mind. By the end of it, you’ll be able to take full advantage of Spark’s MLlib, to create ML algorithms for collaborative filtering, classification, and more.
Crucially, you’ll understand how RDDs work to analyze massive data sets, in addition to using Elastic MapReduce to upscale Spark applications on a Hadoop cluster.
When it comes to fine-tuning Spark jobs, you’ll also be an expert at persisting, caching, and partitioning resilient distributed data sets.
If you’re an advanced learner, you may find that the course could do with a few more complex big data analytics project examples from the real world.
In any case, it’s still among the best Apache Spark courses on Udemy, because its simple examples are essential to figuring out Spark basics.
7. Spark SQL and Spark 3 using Scala Hands-On with Labs
This is the course to take you from zero to hero if you’re new to Spark but have some basic programming skills under your belt.
Previously, it served as a certification prep course for the now-defunct CCA 175 exam, but today, it’s one of the best Apache Spark courses online to give you basic knowledge on HDFS commands, and Scala fundamentals for big data manipulation.
This course will also teach you how to create big data pipelines via Spark.
On top of that, you’ll learn how to use distributed computing tools like Hadoop and its accompanying data warehouse, Apache Hive.
While the CCA 175 examination may be retired, this course still proves its worth with industry-relevant big data concepts around Scala, Spark 2, and Hadoop. So it’s still an excellent option if you’re keen on getting employable, big data analytics skills.
8. Apache Spark: Hands-on Specialization for Big Data Analytics
How does the Spark ecosystem relate to Hadoop?
This is the perfect course to find those answers and more, as you uncover how Spark intertwines with other big data technologies.
After taking this course, you’ll be able to perform advanced business analytics using Spark, making it the best Apache Spark training for business managers.
Speaking of which, here are some of the best business analytics courses online for more detailed coverage of business intelligence.
This course also teaches you the foundational principles of Scala, and how to perform quality checks on Apache Spark to ensure data integrity.
Because you get to learn Scala and Spark from scratch, this course may seem overwhelming if you’re new to both big data analytics and functional programming. Nonetheless, it provides great value and equips you with two important skills that you’ll often find in separate courses.
9. Databricks Fundamentals & Apache Spark Core
Designed by the creators of Apache Spark, you can think of Databricks as the Azure version of Spark.
This training will take you to the heart of both Databricks and Apache Spark 2 and 3, arming you with the expertise to work with different data types, including strings and booleans.
Through this course, you’ll be able to use the Databricks File System to read and write data, enabling you to also use Databricks to write and execute Spark code.
Moreover, you’ll use SQL and the DataFrame API to create and join DataFrames.
However, without basic SQL knowledge, you could find the going a little tough, so you may want to first prepare with some of the best SQL courses online.
With the right background, it’s among the best Apache Spark courses online if you’d like to pick up big data analytics skills around Spark, Databricks and Scala as well.
10. Apache Spark for Java Developers
If you have some background in Java programming, then you’ll feel right at home in this tutorial.
By taking this course, you’ll learn how to link Kafka and Spark for real-time big data streaming.
Because you get to define advanced data processing jobs via functional style Java, this is the best Apache Spark tutorial if you have Java experience, but little familiarity with data science programming languages like R, Python, and Scala.
Furthermore, you’ll gain mastery over SparkML, enabling you to ease the burden of big data processing with machine learning models.
For more on creating machine learning algorithms, you should check out the best machine learning courses online.
Having an AWS account is useful if you’d like to understand cluster deployment. However, it’s an optional section so you could skip this process, or, better yet, create a free AWS account to make the most out of the content.
11. From 0 to 1: Spark for Data Science with Python
With a basic understanding of Python, this is the course to help you progress into real-world data science.
After taking this course, you’ll be able to work with many different data sets across multiple applications.
In particular, you’ll be able to source data sets and use Spark to create product rating systems, social networks, and an airline delay prediction system. This makes it one of the best Apache Spark courses online in terms of real-world practicality.
As a bonus, you’ll also learn how to run Spark jobs with Java and implement stream processing.
Preliminary knowledge of Python and Hadoop is assumed for this course, so you may want to take a look at the best Hadoop courses online before getting started.
Nonetheless, it’s an excellent option for understanding and building recommender engines using Spark MLlib.
12. Scalable programming with Scala and Spark
For using Spark and Scala to execute a broad range of machine learning and analytics tasks, this is the course you could try out.
It starts you off with basic Spark features, as you’ll learn how to create your first RDD.
This is followed up by more advanced libraries namely, Spark SQL, GraphX, and MLlib, paving the way for more comprehensive Spark applications like building collaborative filtering models and creating PageRank algorithms.
After taking this course, you’ll also be able to develop Scala applications, thanks to the knowledge you’ll gain on writing code in Scala REPL environments.
As an advanced learner, you may feel the course drags out a little bit as it constantly reinforces concepts. However, it’s strategically tailored that way so that it is the best Apache Spark training for absolute beginners, as it smoothens the Scala learning curve.
13. Apache Spark 2.0 + Java: Do Big Data Analytics & ML
If you’ve ever wanted to get into big data analytics with Java, this is the course to show you the way.
By getting to solve real-world data problems encompassing common interview questions, it is among the best Apache Spark courses online, if you’d like to know how to prepare for a data science interview quickly.
The course covers SparkSQL and Spark streaming and you’ll get to create Spark 2.0 scripts using Java.
You’ll learn about the different types of machine learning models as well.
Then, you’ll go a step further to create ML algorithms for regression and classification, in addition to learning how to train your models to avoid overfitting.
The volume levels can change quite drastically across a few sections of the videos. However, the audio clarity is great overall, so you shouldn’t worry about being able to keep up with the training.
14. Master Apache Spark – Hands On!
Would you like to deploy Spark jobs to the cloud?
Then this is the Spark training to learn how, as you’ll get to analyze millions of Reddit comments using the Spark applications you’ll build in order to establish trends.
Through this course, you’ll also learn about Java 8 lambdas and how they enable functional programming, thanks to a quick crash course.
As far as creating ML algorithms is concerned, it is one of the best Apache Spark courses on Udemy for variety, as you master linear regression, logistic regression, and K-means clustering using Spark MLlib.
Unfortunately, this course is targeted toward Java developers so it may be hard to keep up if you don’t fit the bill. However, it does include a quick Java 8 lambdas crash course, to quickly get you up to speed with how functional programming makes Spark tick.
15. Spark 3 & Big Data Essentials with Scala | Rock the JVM
If you’d like to master Spark 3 to write big data applications, then you may want to consider this course.
Learning Spark 3 is quite important, especially if you’re trying to crack how to become a data scientist without a college degree.
If you’re a complete Apache Spark beginner, it is one of the best Apache Spark courses online as you’ll get to learn how to work with simple data types, before moving on to complex varieties once you get the hang of things.
By the end of this course, you should be able to manage nulls in data and understand the basics of Spark SQL.
Some Scala coding experience is crucial to getting started with this course. However, you don’t need to bring any Spark knowledge, making it one of the best Apache Spark courses if you’re a Scala programmer hoping to become an advanced Spark engineer.
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Conclusion
Are you ready to start learning Apache Spark?
You’ll be in good hands with any of the best Apache Spark courses and certifications online in 2023, but some may be more suitable for you than others.
Spark is written in Scala, and if you’d like to learn Spark in its native language, then you may want to try the Learn Apache Spark 3 with Scala: Hands-On with Big Data! training.
Scala can be a little tough to deconstruct if you don’t have any functional programming experience.
So if you’d want to start at a beginner friendly-level, I recommend the Taming Big Data with Apache Spark and Python – Hands-On! course.
Python is easy to learn, making this the best Apache Spark tutorial if you’re new to programming and big data.
