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Six Sigma Online MBA Degree Programs - Lean Six Sigma

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Featured Six Sigma Online MBA Programs

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online master of business administration in Six Sigma quality. The program focuses on the Six Sigma approach used in business to maintain production efficiency. It also teaches students the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) approach for identifying the cause of inefficient processes.

Admission requirements for the program include a completed online application, a transcript release form for any schools attended, a graduate attestation form, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75, among other requirements. GRE/GMAT or SAT scores are not required.

The program comprises 36 credit-hours. It includes courses such as applied statistics for managers, Six Sigma quality management, project management, operations management and technology, marketing and strategy, and leading in an organization. Students are trained to use statistical tools, eliminate inefficiencies in processes, and control deviations in processes.

The master’s program prepares students to take the Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt certification exams. On completion of the program, graduates can pursue opportunities in areas such as quality assurance, supply chain management, systems and process engineering logistics, and operations management procurement.

  • Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: 15 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $627 per credit-hour

Point University (Related Program)

Point University offers an online master of business administration in business transformation. The program prepares students to initiate, conceptualize, and manage organizational transformation.

Applicants to the program must have a bachelor’s degree, a completed online application, official academic transcripts from every college or university previously attended, a current resume, two to four-page admission essay, evidence of higher level skills such as GRE or GMAT scores, and a demonstration of English speaking and writing proficiency (if English is not the applicant’s first language).

Made up of 42​ credit-hours, the program helps students develop fundamental knowledge in business, management, and finance. The coursework includes topics such Lean Six Sigma methodology for business transformation, business intelligence, ethics and professional issues in business, strategic management and leadership, financial statement analysis and valuation, and business innovation and creativity. The principles learned in the program can be applied in various business settings. Additionally, students learn strategic leadership, management, negotiation, and use of data—all essential skills to lead businesses.

Graduates of the program can earn globally-recognized certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. They can take up roles such as corporate executives, non-profit leaders, business owners, consultants, and government administrators.

  • Location: West Point, Georgia
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $515 per credit-hour

Purdue University (Related Certificate Programs)

Purdue University offers an online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certificate program. The faculty for the program includes instructors with extensive consulting and industry experience.

The program allows students to pursue the following certifications:

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – This Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate course is designed for professionals with little or no experience in Lean Six Sigma. It provides students with an introduction to the techniques, methodologies, and tools of this approach, thus empowering them to effectively lead projects in their organizations. This is a ten-week course. Graduates of this course will receive the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification from Purdue University.
  • Lean Principles – This course focuses on the 14 management philosophies used to achieve operational success, as per the Lean methodology. This course can be taken by students before or after the Green Belt course or on a stand-alone basis. By the end of the course, students become proficient in transforming their enterprise into a Lean one. The course can be completed in eight weeks.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – This certification course trains students to manage “Black Belt-level” projects and oversee the Green Belt projects in their organization. This course empowers students to serve as change agents in their organization and achieve high levels of customer satisfaction and business productivity. This certification is 100 percent online and takes 16 weeks to complete.
  • Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher – This course has been designed for certified Lean Six Sigma professionals wishing to brush up their knowledge of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt as well as students preparing to take Purdue University’s online Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course. Students have six months to complete the course.

All of the courses listed above will help students enhance their skills and knowledge of Six Sigma, achieve organizational excellence, and move on to the next step of their Lean Six Sigma training.

  • Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Expected Time to Completion: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (ten weeks), Lean Principles (eight weeks), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (16 weeks), Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher (six months or less)
  • Estimated Tuition: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ($2,195), Lean Principles ($2,100), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ($3,750), Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher ($395).

The Ohio State University (Related Program)

The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business has a number of online Lean Six Sigma offerings. All of its courses are delivered in a multimedia format including diagrams, audio slideshows, lectures, experiments, charts, virtual discussions, and online quiz modules with an instructor.

The courses cover topics such as leading teams effectively, initiating projects, identifying the voice of the customer, statistics, and hypothesis testing.

The courses offered are as follows:

  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – This course offers students complete knowledge of Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. As a Black Belt, students will be well-equipped to lead teams in their organization and bring about process improvements. Students that wish to become more valuable employees can opt for this course.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – As a Green Belt, students are able to assist teams in their organization to transform processes. They are trained to use analytical tools that are needed for implementing the DMAIC methodology and controlling Green Belt improvement projects.
  • Lean Six Sigma Transactional Green Belt – This course includes in-depth knowledge of the Lean Six Sigma Transactional Green Belt. The difference between this course and the standard green belt course is that the former includes tools and concepts that are most relevant to transactional settings.
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt – This course provides students with an understanding of Lean Six Sigma improvement methods, concepts, and languages. Additionally, it covers DMAIC tools and techniques in detail as well.

Overall, the courses listed above can help students develop leadership skills and complete organizational projects with maximum efficiency.

  • Location: Columbus, Ohio
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
  • Expected Time to Completion: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (140 hours), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (80 hours), Lean Six Sigma Transactional Green Belt (70 hours), Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (28 hours)
  • Estimated Tuition: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ($3,100), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ($1,900), Lean Six Sigma Transactional Green Belt ($1,700), Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt ($750)

Florida Institute of Technology (Related Certificate Programs)

The Florida Institute of Technology offers online Lean Six Sigma certificate programs. The programs help students sharpen their process improvement skills and prepares them for Lean Six Sigma certification examinations.

The programs are taught by highly recognized instructors with real-world experience in executing projects, managing, consulting, and training in companies using Lean Six Sigma.

The Lean Six Sigma certificate programs consist of the following:

  • Lean Continuous Improvement – This certificate course is designed to provide students with the tools and techniques to quickly implement process improvements at their workplace. Students learn the definition and philosophy of Lean, are able to describe the value stream mapping technique, and conduct a Kaizen event. After successfully completing the course, students will be eligible to take the Lean Practitioner lifetime certification exam.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – This certificate course teaches students how to use Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques to bring about process transformation in their organization. They also learn how to follow the DMAIC approach. On successful completion of the course, students can take the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification exam.
  • Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – The certificate course takes an in-depth look at the tools and techniques used to conduct Black Belt process improvements while following the DMAIC methodology. Students are trained to examine organization-wide process improvements, assemble effective Black Belt project teams, and implement the steps in each phase of the DMAIC process. After completing this course, students will be eligible to take the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification exam.
  • Accelerated Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – This certificate course provides students with a good understanding of the techniques and tools used for conducting Black Belt process improvements using the DMAIC methodology. Students learn how to conduct a Kaizen event, bring about process improvements, and put together teams for successful Black Belt projects. On completing this course, students will be eligible to sit for the exam to earn a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt lifetime certification.
  • Location: Melbourne, Florida
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • Expected Time to Completion: Lean Continuous Improvement (six weeks), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (six weeks), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (six weeks), Accelerated Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (12 weeks)
  • Estimated Tuition: Lean Continuous Improvement ($1,695), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ($1,995), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ($3,295), Accelerated Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ($4,995)

Arizona State University (Related Certificate Program)

Arizona State University offers an online Lean Six Sigma Black Belt graduate certificate program. The program is ideal for managers and engineers overseeing tactical projects and operational functions in an organization.

Admission requirements for the program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, a completed graduate admission application, official transcripts, and proof of English proficiency.

Consisting of 15 credit-hours, this certificate is designed to make students skillful in Six Sigma. The courses included are as follows: advanced quality control, Six Sigma methodology, design engineering experiments, regression analysis, reliability engineering, and production systems.

Students gain a thorough understanding of the DMAIC (Define Measure Analyze Improve Control) process and the tools used for achieving product and process improvement. They also develop team-building and leadership skills for constantly improving projects.

At the end of the program, graduates can take up roles such as manufacturing engineers, production workers, industrial engineering technologists, and mechanical engineers (depending on prior training and education).

  • Location: Tempe, Arizona
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
  • Estimated Tuition: $914 per credit-hour

Professors to Know in Six Sigma (and Related) Programs

Aravind Chandrasekaran, PhD Ohio State University

Dr. Aravind Chandrasekaran teaches courses on management science in the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. Some of the classes he leads include managing product and process innovation, operations management, and MBOE lean enterprise leadership. His research interests include product and process innovation, lean manufacturing, healthcare delivery, and multilevel issues in operations management. He is a part of professional organizations such as the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, as well as the Production and Operations Management Society.

Notably, his research appears in top-notch journals such as the Journal of Operations Management, the Journal of Nursing Management, and the Journal of Surgical Research. Professor Chandrasekaran has received numerous awards such as the Daniel Westerbeck Pace Setter Teaching Award and the ISA Best Paper Award. He completed his PhD and MS at the University of Minnesota and a BS at Anna University.

Mary Garretson, MS Purdue University

Mary Garretson is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt instructor at Purdue University. She is a process improvement professional, managing projects in both production and transactional environments. Notably, she holds several certifications such as Lean from Implementation Partners LLC, Six Sigma Black Belt and Six Sigma Green Belt from Roche, and Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI).

Professor Garretson’s efforts have won her laurels such as the Outstanding Entrepreneurship award and Best Internal Support Partner. She completed her MS and a BS from Purdue University.

Mohan Gopalakrishnan, PhD Arizona State University

Dr. Mohan Gopalakrishnan is an associate professor at Arizona State University. He teaches courses on Lean and Six Sigma management, global operations and supply-chain management, project management, business-process excellence management, and technology management. Before he joined ASU, he taught at Concordia University and the University of Alabama.

Presently, his research efforts are focused on technology capacity management, web-congestion, product design, and healthcare operations management. He has been published in prominent journals such as the Journal of Simulation, the International Journal of Production Research, and the Journal of Supply Chain Management. Professor Gopalakrishnan also has won several awards for his excellent teaching. He earned his PhD and MS from the University of Alabama and a BE from University of Madras.

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