Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Program

What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma is a strategic approach to implementing quality, process, and business improvement through the use of statistical and other analytic tools applied to problems that have meaningful impact on key business results. Developed at Motorola in the 1980s, use of Six Sigma has expanded to many industrial and business organizations. General Electric, Ford Motor Company, Honeywell, among others, have received widespread attention in the business media for their successful Six Sigma programs.

Program Purpose

To meet a demand for professionals with skills in business improvement through statistics, Arizona State University developed a new educational initiative in Six Sigma methodology through the Department of Industrial Engineering and the Interdisciplinary Committee on Statistics. This flexible program was created for ASU students and industry professionals to pursue an educational focus in Six Sigma techniques and their implementation.

Program Components

The program consists of four courses plus a Black Belt project, totaling 15 academic credits. These graduate-level credits may be applied towards the Master of Engineering degree in Quality and Reliability Engineering, and to other graduate degrees in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at ASU. Academic credits also transfer to other graduate programs across the nation, so the coursework may be applied to programs at other universities.

The Six Sigma program at ASU consists of a combination of five 3-credit courses and an applied project, during which a black belt project will be completed. The required courses (or course groups) are:

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  • IEE 570 Advanced Quality Control (3 credits)
  • IEE 572 Design of Engineering Experiments (3 credits)
  • IEE 578 Regression Analysis (3 credits)

  Alternately:

  STP 530 Applied Regression Analysis or

  QBA 525 Applied Regression Models

  • IEE 581 Six Sigma Methodology (3 credits)
  • IEE 585 Six Sigma Methodology Capstone Experience (3 credits)

Students must complete at least two of three courses— Design of Experiments (IEE 572), Advanced Quality Control (IEE 570), and Regression Analysis (IEE 578) —before enrolling in Six Sigma Methodology (IEE 598). The third course must be completed prior to or concurrent with IEE 598 Six Sigma Methodology. Finally, students complete a reconciled to demonstrate value-added return to their sponsoring organization to fulfill the requirements of the Six Sigma Black Belt Capstone Project (IEE 598) course.

Courses are conveniently delivered both online and in traditional classrooms. This accessible format provides the achievability necessary for busy professionals. The Six Sigma Black Belt Program can be completed in as little as one calendar year or within the demands of a professional’s schedule.

Industrial Engineering faculty and industry leaders, who have successfully deployed Six Sigma transformations in industrial and business organizations, bring both methods, leadership and deployment strategies into the curriculum. Additionally, experience among classmates will include students and engineering and technical professionals.

Earning the Certification

Students who complete the program will be awarded two certifications: 1) a Graduate Certificate in Statistics with Emphasis in Industrial Statistics and 2) a Six Sigma Black Belt professional certification with a letter documenting your achievement at this level. Graduates possess all of the requirements for certification as a Six Sigma Black Belt. Additionally, all 15 credits completed in the certificate program can be applied toward the Master in Engineering in Quality and Reliability Engineering degree in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.

To apply for the Graduate Certificate in Statistics & Six Sigma Black Belt Program, click here.