Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Randell1234, Apr 25, 2010.

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  1. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I was speaking to my boss about 6 Sigma Training for the "Leadership Team" and he asked me if I had any recommendations. I do not want to recommend something that is a "pay and get certified" program for a few reasons. We really want to learn and apply concepts and it would discount all of the DL work I have done. Here are a few programs I found and was wondering if anyone had any comments about these or recommendations about others. The "certification" is important so I do not just want a 3-class program from a school that offers a certificate from a school. I understand there is not a standard, like the PMP, that is way I am cautious.

    Lean Six Sigma training - 6sigma - certification - tampa - orlando - villanova - online - distance - health
    $2,000 - 3 day onsite class and a project outline is completed during the 3 days.

    Center for Professional Development
    Price $3,000 and is a partnership between Arizona State University Department of Industrial Engineering and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. 6 month online program and a project is part of the class.


    Six Sigma Online - Frequently Asked Questions
    Price $1,000 - no project just a paper on a project to demonstrate the knowledge of concepts

    Black Belt
    Price $600

    6sigmastudy.com - Green Belt & Black Belt : Targeting Success
    Cost $550 and I did the green belt there. It was okay to understand the concepts but not sure about a black belt.

    Six Sigma Black Belt Certification - SSBB - ASQ
    Cost $1,400 plus $400 for the test. Online and requires you complete one or two projects on your own. They then decide if the projects meet the requirements for certification.

    Buy Six Sigma Black Belt Online Training Module 1 (Week 1 of 4)
    cost $1,000 and is a 4 week online program.
     
  2. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    Villanova University has 6 sigma online via DL. the green belt is $2000, the Black was more, i don't recall. They are also ACE approved if you need undergrad credits.
     
  3. emmzee

    emmzee New Member

    So I don't want to take this thread off-topic, but maybe this will still be helpful as a clarification question:

    Is there any organization which is the official approver of Six Sigma certifications? The Wikipedia entry says: "In the United States. Six Sigma certification for both green and black belts is offered by the Institute of Industrial Engineers and by the American Society for Quality." Does this mean that an online certification in Green/Black should be approved by one or the other of these to be considered valid?
     
  4. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    While that is some good information, wikipedia is not a "trusted" source and anyone can post/edit the information.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

  6. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    The best best solution may be provider name recognition in this case. If asked where you got your Sigma cert from, would it be better or matter at all for you if the answer was "blahblah.com" vs. "blahblah college/university"?
     
  7. KariS

    KariS New Member

  8. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    As others said, there are many six sigma courses/certifications out there, but the one from ASQ is the most widely regarded. Other programs from places like Motorola University, or some university's extension program would be just as accepted. Six sigma certification from a place like "billybobssixsigmaonline.com" would probably not impress anyone.

    Also there is a difference between taking a certification exam and having to pass (like with ASQ), and just taking a class and getting a 'certificate' at the end. The latter I would not consider a "certification."
     
  9. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

  10. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I am seriously considering the St Pete College one and I also found one at USF that is online also.
     
  11. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Six-Sigma was a marketing tool invented by Motorola (initially it was 4.5-Sigma but that name did not have marketing pizzazz). The content of six-sigma program is good but really nothing much new over preceding programs such as zero-defects and TQM. Six-sigma is generally considered a fad by many quality professionals (check out the forum section on the ASQ website for related discussion although I'm not sure though if non members can access it).

    Six-Sigma was invented in the mid to late 80s and since then I have never come across a company in the aerospace business that embraced it. Perhaps they were too busy adapting to ISO 9000 & AS9000.

    Go for six-sigma if you have the money to spare but realize that your certification may prove outdated in not too distant future. The ASQ has good six-sigma programs Certification - ASQ at reasonable prices and once you have that certification you should be able to leverage it into certification for whatever program supersedes six-sigma.
     
  12. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Thanks for the information. I will probably explore the ASQ but also will explore the USF certificate program since it teaches six sigma also.
     
  13. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Randell, do you think this would make a person more marketable as a business teacher at a university?
     
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I am not really sure...
     
  15. Godwulfe

    Godwulfe New Member

    @Emmzee -
    No, there is no single granting organization or 'owner' of SS. Six Sigma is a management concept and anyone can (and does) grant "certification."

    And that's where the reputation comes in. ASQ is the currently the most recognized.

    As with most things, you get what you pay for. It all depends on what you want out of it. I've found "Black Belt certifications" from $200 all the way to $14k (Motorola.) Some require a completed project (or two), some don't, and still others allow a "simulated project" or business plan.


    @Randall1234 -

    Something to keep in mind - there's usually a progression and learning curve through SS from Green Belt to Black Belt, so make sure whatever program you choose includes the Green Belt training prior to finishing with the BB.

    Mountain Home Training & Consulting offers a pretty comprehensive (and reasonable) package, and is run by a guy that used to run one of the Army's SS programs.
    MHTC Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Training and Certification

    One other point - if the certification aspect (or name) is important, ASQ is a certifying organization, but doesn't require that you take their training. It's possible to get the training elsewhere and then submit your project info and take ASQ's exam.
     
  16. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Thanks for the information. I will look into this one as well as the others. I did complete a Green Belt program a while ago and it was pretty easy. I know the stats stuff from the PhD program and the project management part from my Project+ Certification and the 5S stuff since I had to do a presentation on 5S at a national meeting.
     
  17. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    as many have mentioned, ASQ is the way to go. However, their training programs can be VERY expensive. I few of my green belts, as well as I, have taken the black belt training at Kaplan to get a certificate and then test for certification from ASQ. Have no doubts, however, any employer/organization that is faithfully involved in continuous improvment / Six Sigma will be looking for ASQ certification.
     
  18. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Did the Kaplan program prepare you to pass the ASQ test?
     
  19. _T_

    _T_ New Member

    There were a few minor things that I had to study up on but nothing major, mainly vocabulary and small process steps. The Kaplan program is taught using the Six Sigma Handbook by Pyzdek which is the same one that ASQ says to use to prepare. Plus, the Kaplan courses are very hands on, user based exercises which is what the ASQ exam tests for (working knowledge, not just theory based learning.)
     
  20. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    So did you take and pass the ASQ test?
     

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