Certified Lean-Six Sigma Certificate – CTLSSG

Industrial and Systems Engineering
270 Stocker Center
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
740-593-1539
ise@ohio.edu

Delivery Mode: Online

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None

Enrollment Eligibility: Current degree-seeking student or non-degree status

Certificate Overview

The mission of this certificate program is to prepare dedicated leaders and skilled managers who make better engineering and related business decisions using data and statistical analysis while minimizing wasted resources. Depending on the starting semester chosen, a student can usually complete this certificate in two or three semesters.

This mission is accomplished by combining Lean and Six Sigma, two different but complementary approaches to remove waste and improve quality in industrial production. When practiced together, a synergy results that is increasingly valued by many companies. These employers increasingly seek Lean Six Sigma skills in potential employees.

The statistics course is included in this certificate because the entire Six Sigma methodology relies on statistical processing to identify defects that aren’t otherwise discernible or assignable to causes. Statistical methods detect the “signal” of small process errors in the “noise” of high-volume production, and thus reduce the rate of defects. Six Sigma takes the approach of “making better decisions using data” to its logical conclusion and is most effective with a good understanding of statistical principles.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

• Describe sample data, fit regression models, and test hypotheses to make statistical inferences about populations.
• Apply statistical techniques and the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology to reduce variability and decrease the rate of defects in production.
• Employ lean thinking, principles, and methods in manufacturing and service systems to achieve the twin goals of delivering 100% value and 0% waste.

Opportunities upon Completion

A significant percentage of students who complete this certificate’s parent Master of Engineering Management (MEM) online graduate program are hired or promoted into jobs specifically requiring these skills. Because a certificate in Lean Six Sigma documents a more comprehensive and integrated level of preparation than individual courses, it adds considerable weight in hiring and promotion.

Such opportunities exist in a wide variety of settings, including industry, government and military—wherever processes must be executed consistently and without error, and wherever errors that do occur must be identified immediately so their impact may be limited. Manufacturing and supply chain operations naturally gain from these methodologies, but medical care and other service delivery systems can benefit greatly too.

In addition to improving the processes themselves, those who complete this certificate will be better positioned to transition from technical work to positions requiring more knowledge and expertise in managerial tasks.

Certificate Relationship to Parent Degree Program

The parent program of this graduate specialized stackable certificate is the Engineering Management master’s degree with program code ME7266.

A student who wants to enroll in this certificate does not need to enroll in or complete the MEM degree. However, completing this certificate does fulfill two required courses and one elective course in the 10-course MEM degree. Students admitted to this certificate may also seek admission to the MEM degree, and/or the MEM program’s other certificates. Two or more certificates also “stack” toward the degree. Previously submitted application materials will be reused as much as possible, as determined by the MEM Program Director.

Complementary certificates 

• Engineering Analytics Certificate - CTISEG  
• Engineering Leadership Certificate - CTELCG  
• Engineering Management Certificate - CTEMCG  
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate - CTSSBG ^* 

^*EMGT 6110 - Principles of Six Sigma  is also required for the Six Sigma Black Belt certificate but students can only count this course toward one certificate.

Further Information

Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/engineering/ise/academics/graduate-programs/lean-six-sigma-certificate

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements to this certificate are the same as those for the MEM degree program, except that the eight (8) semester credit hours in Calculus or post-Calculus math are not required. Accordingly, students currently in the MEM program may enroll in this certificate with administrative approval from the MEM Program Director and the OHIO Graduate College.

For direct admission to this certificate (and to the MEM degree), prospective students may be admitted under one of the following three criteria:

Criterion A:

1. Bachelor’s degree in an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences
2. GPA 3.0 or higher 
3. GPA below 3.0 can be acceptable depending upon work experience and approval from MEM Program Director and the OHIO Graduate College.

Criterion B:

1. Bachelor’s degree in an accredited program in business or technology
2. GPA 3.0 or higher

Criterion C:

1. Bachelor of Science degree in an accredited program from a field not listed above
2. GPA 3.0 or higher
3. Technical work experience and approval from MEM Program Director and the OHIO Graduate College

The application requires two letters of recommendation, one preferably from the applicant’s current supervisor and another from an individual who has supervised, mentored or taught the applicant, or is otherwise familiar with the applicant’s academic ability and/or work experience.

Students admitted directly to this certificate, and who have not been admitted to the MEM degree, hold a non-degree-seeking status. See Financial Aid Eligibility Information above.

International Students

This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Completion Requirements

Complete the three designated courses totaling 11 semester credit hours in addition to the following requirements:

• This certificate must be completed within three (3) years.
• No grade below a “C” can be used to fulfill any Ohio University graduate requirement including this certificate, and a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the graduate level is required to stay in and complete the certificate. An applicant on academic probation in any Ohio University graduate program may apply with permission from the MEM Program Director.
• Depending on the starting semester selected, the student can usually complete the certificate in two or three semesters, taking one or two courses per semester. In order to keep tuition costs low, these courses are shared with and scheduled by the MEM program.
• There is no capstone course in this certificate, but smaller projects and assignments are used to give students the opportunity to apply and integrate what they learn.