Consider Kaplan University’s online Six Sigma Certificate program if you are
interested in a career that helps businesses improve production with a
disciplined, data-driven approach that reduces defects from every product,
process, and customer transaction. As a Six Sigma quality professional, you
will gain breakthrough knowledge on how to improve processes to do things
better, faster, and at a lower cost. The Six Sigma process can be used to
improve every facet of business; from production, to human resources, to order
entry, to technical support. Unlike quality improvement efforts of the past,
Six Sigma provides tangible business results and savings directly traceable to
the bottom line.
What Does a Six Sigma Quality Professional Do and
Earn?
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Become a Six Sigma quality professional. Improve the
performance of business management processes and help generate higher net
income by lowering operating costs. Measure, reduce, and prevent defects
(products or services not meeting required specifications) utilizing the Six
Sigma levels of quality. Identify customer requirements to improve
satisfaction, and raise employee morale by reducing the need for reworks.
Systematically increase the quality of an existing process with the basic Six
Sigma DMAIC methodology: define opportunities, measure performance, analyze
opportunity, improve performance, and control performance.
Earn one of two Six Sigma quality professional levels: the comprehensive Six
Sigma Black Belt or the basic Six Sigma Green Belt. (Martial art terms are
normally used to describe each level; however, a number of firms create their
own position titles.)
Train to be a Six Sigma Black Belt and become an in-demand problem-solving
expert responsible for planning and developing entire project-improvement
processes.
Become a Six Sigma Green Belt and head a Six Sigma team under the supervision of
a Six Sigma Black Belt. Form and facilitate teams, and manage projects from
start to finish.
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Advance in myriad industries, including accounts receivable,
billing departments, health care, human resources, distribution centers,
information technology, enterprise resource planning, the insurance industry,
warehousing, logistics, retail, sales and marketing, manufacturing and software
development, and many others.
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| Potential
Earnings: |
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The American Society for Quality (ASQ) 2004
Salary Survey found that quality professionals with a Six Sigma Certification
(i.e., a Black Belt supervisor) earned 9.21 percent more than those without any
certification.1 The average expected yearly salary for a typical Six Sigma
Black Belt is $88,958. When bonuses are averaged in, the Six Sigma quality
engineer’s yearly salary increases to $97,671.2
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Who Should Take This Program?
The Six Sigma Certificate is ideally suited for you if you’re planning to
spearhead complex process improvement projects. The course can also be a
valuable tool if you are a professional seeking to boost your competence level
in some of the most in-demand business skills today. No specific background is
required to become a Black Belt quality professional. All you need is an open
mind and strong analytical abilities. Expertise in statistics is not required,
but strong math skills help. You must be willing to question all things, and
exhibit a high level of self-confidence and motivation. Executives, managers,
support employees, account managers, sales representatives, and operational
managers of all kinds are suitable candidates.
Choose from two levels of expertise:
Black Belt: Six Sigma Project Supervision
Receive a Black Belt certificate. Gain the skills and knowledge you need for
exceptional leadership in business improvement projects. Demonstrate
comprehension and application of the Six Sigma methodology, tools, and
techniques. Complete a quality project that displays competency in applying the
concepts learned in the classroom. The Six Sigma Certificate program will help
prepare students for the American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification exam.
Black Belt students will learn how to complete a Six Sigma project, but are
responsible for obtaining a champion if they wish to use their project
for ASQ certification.
Green Belt: Six Sigma Project Management
Obtain a Green Belt certificate. Learn to implement Six Sigma projects under
the supervision of a Black Belt manager. Concentrate on the basic
problem-solving, project management, and statistical tools necessary for you to
work effectively on Six Sigma business improvement projects.
For complete course descriptions, click here.
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What Are the Career Opportunities?
In today’s global economy, a growing number of companies rely on process
improvement to maintain quality and manage costs. The Six Sigma system has
moved to the forefront because of its overall applicability in a wide range of
business environments. As the number of organizations employing the Six Sigma
methodology increases, so does the demand for certified Six Sigma quality
professionals—especially Black Belts.
Career opportunities in the Six Sigma sector vary. If you’re an experienced
professional, launching your own venture may be very lucrative. However, good
career opportunities probably exist within your organization as well.
Companies deciding to use the Six Sigma process often hire a professional
consultant (a highly experienced or “Master” Black Belt) to oversee the initial
implementation of a business process, utilizing their own employees at other
levels: Green Belts at execution levels and Black Belts at higher,
problem-solving levels.
Available positions for Six Sigma quality professionals, as well as the level
of employment and salary, depend on what kind of Six Sigma training you
receive. Black Belts with at least one or two projects implemented are most in
demand. Since Green Belts are usually involved in the implementation phase of
a process, their positions are often served by individuals from within the organization.
Aspects of Six Sigma project management:
DMAIC
The Six Sigma Methodology for Reducing Defects and Improving Quality on
Existing Projects
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Define:
Define the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables |
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Measure:
Measure the process to determine current performance
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Analyze:
Analyze and determine the root cause(s) of the defects |
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Improve:
Improve the process by eliminating defects
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Control:
Control future process performance
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How Long Will It Take and How Much
Does It Cost?
The Kaplan University online Black Belt Six Sigma Certificate self-study
program can be completed in up to 12 months. Program tuition is $3,995. (You
will receive a Kaplan University Green Belt Six Sigma Certificate after
completion of the first four courses.)
The Kaplan University online Green Belt Six Sigma Certificate self-study
program can be completed in up to six months. Program tuition is $2,495. As a
graduate certificate holder of the Green Belt Six Sigma Certificate program,
you have the option of pursuing a Black Belt at a later date for an additional
tuition charge of $2,995.
Save $1500 by enrolling in the full 10-course Black Belt Six Sigma Certificate
program! Ask your Admissions Advisor for complete details.
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