What is a decision tree?

A decision tree describes a flowchart or algorithm that analyzes the pathway toward making a decision. The basic flow of a decision based on data starts at a single node and moves through branches into two or more directions, giving the appearance of a tree, so to speak. Each branch offers a different possible outcome, depending on the decisions made and random events that occur. A decision tree is often used in data science and data analytics, but can also be used in evaluating decision-making processes in other areas of a company, like human resources, operations, and inventory management.

Why is it important to learn about decision trees?

Decision trees are important because they serve to make visual these complex data parts into manageable pieces of information. Humans can better understand what decisions need to be made when they flow through a decision tree. An example of a decision tree in visual form might show where each level needs to have a decision made for it. As each of the answers are chosen, this visual pathway will eventually help you to come to a decision about the initial problem. This is why decision trees are important. When used in areas like machine learning, data regression, prediction analysis, and data classification, decision trees can ramp up the capacity to tackle complicated decision tasks.

What types of jobs can you get by learning decision trees?

Typical jobs that use decision trees include data integration developer, data scientist, decision tree analysis expert, automation development manager, and similar roles that seek to organize and manage data flows. These jobs are often aligned with software programming jobs, so learning about programming can help to better understand the data analysis needed in decision tree work. Decision trees are also used in other work areas, like operations and HR, so learning decision trees may be able to help you work in these functions as well.

How can online courses help me learn about decision trees?

When you take an online course to learn about decision trees, you might learn to think more analytically about the decision-making process and the steps involved in looking at different angles of a problem. You may also learn about the basic steps to visualizing a problem, and how to use sets of data to do that. Taking online courses to learn decision trees may also prepare you for eventual interest in machine learning models using top industry tools.

What are the benefits of taking an online Decision Tree course?

Online Decision Tree courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Decision Tree skills. Choose from a wide range of Decision Tree courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Decision Tree courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Decision Tree, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Decision Tree Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Decision Tree Course Catalog

Coursera Project Network
Decision Tree Classifier for Beginners in R
Skills you'll gain: Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Decision Tree Learning, R Programming, Predictive Modeling, Statistical Modeling, Machine Learning Algorithms, Data Manipulation, Supervised Learning, Machine Learning
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Multiple educators
Machine Learning
Skills you'll gain: Unsupervised Learning, Machine Learning, Anomaly Detection, Reinforcement Learning, Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Decision Tree Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Data Ethics, Tensorflow, Regression Analysis, Machine Learning Algorithms, Applied Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Predictive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Deep Learning, Python Programming, NumPy, Artificial Neural Networks
Build toward a degree
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
35K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
O.P. Jindal Global University
Prescriptive Analytics
Skills you'll gain: Operations Research, Business Analytics, Mathematical Modeling, Network Model, Advanced Analytics, Analytical Skills, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Microsoft Excel, Business Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Financial Analysis, Machine Learning, Bayesian Statistics, Decision Making, Resource Allocation, Artificial Neural Networks
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Large Language Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Technical Writing, Image Analysis
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
5.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Machine Learning with Python
Skills you'll gain: Unsupervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Supervised Learning, Applied Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Jupyter, Machine Learning Algorithms, Python Programming, Machine Learning, Decision Tree Learning, Predictive Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Regression Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Statistical Modeling, Dimensionality Reduction, Data Validation, Performance Tuning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
18K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Advanced Learning Algorithms
Skills you'll gain: Decision Tree Learning, Classification And Regression Tree (CART), Data Ethics, Tensorflow, Machine Learning Algorithms, Applied Machine Learning, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Supervised Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Random Forest Algorithm, Algorithms, Performance Tuning
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
Skills you'll gain: Power BI, Datamaps, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Platform, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Collection, Business Intelligence, Data Integration, Data Pipelines, Application Deployment, Database Design, Data Manipulation, Data Security, Microsoft 365, Timelines, Business Modeling, Data Mapping, Business Analytics, SQL
Build toward a degree
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
7.9K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
Vanderbilt University
Agentic AI and AI Agents for Leaders
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Generative AI, Agentic systems, Generative AI Agents, OpenAI, Data Ethics, Organizational Leadership, AI Personalization, Business Process Automation, Technical Management, Leadership and Management, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Modeling, Program Implementation, Business Transformation, Digital Transformation, Project Implementation, Application Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
7.1K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
Skills you'll gain: Supervised Learning, Feature Engineering, Regression Analysis, Applied Machine Learning, Scikit Learn (Machine Learning Library), Predictive Modeling, Machine Learning, Python Programming, NumPy, Statistical Modeling, Algorithms
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
30K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Google
The Path to Insights: Data Models and Pipelines
Skills you'll gain: Extract, Transform, Load, Data Modeling, Data Pipelines, Database Design, Data Warehousing, Data Storage, Database Management, Data Management, Performance Tuning, Data Mart, Business Intelligence, Data Validation, Star Schema, SQL, Data Transformation, Data Quality, Performance Testing
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
661 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Decision-Making and Scenarios
Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Modeling, Financial Statement Analysis, Capital Budgeting, Financial Forecasting, Decision Making, Return On Investment, Financial Analysis, Business Modeling, Business Valuation, Cash Flow Forecasting, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows, Risk Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Tax Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.7K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Stanford University
Game Theory
Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Mathematical Theory & Analysis, Probability, Bayesian Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Problem Solving, Social Sciences
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
4.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months