Six Sigma Online Courses & Certifications

 

Six Sigma certifications are a benchmark of expertise in the operational side of an organisation. They are especially useful in quality management and business process improvement roles. 

Ever since Motorola came up with Six Sigma as a methodology in the 1980s, its principles, such as DMAIC and DMADV are still in use across various sectors. The framework also aligns with the Lean management approach, and there are Lean Six Sigma certifications too. 

Six Sigma certified professionals today are in demand across healthcare, education, information technology, marketing, and other sectors. These project-based certifications add good weight to the resumes of those in the lower and mid-level management.

So, considering that you are from these working backgrounds (or maybe even a fresher), we show you where to acquire some quality training for Six Sigma certifications online. And how they will help you at any stage in your career.

 

Types of Six Sigma Certifications: Requirements and Roles

Six Sigma certifications should be taken from the ground up. Meaning you will need to be a Yellow Belt to become a Green Belt, and so on. The roles will also become more specialised as you move up. 

Six Sigma Certification	Basic Requirements	Role of Certified Professionals
White Belt	Entry-level, no prior experience needed.	Introduction to basic Six Sigma concepts and tools, supporting change management in a business.
Yellow Belt	Basic understanding, minimal experience required.	Participates as a project team member, reviews process improvements.
Green Belt	Intermediate level, some experience in project management.	Leads smaller projects, assists Black Belts with data collection and analysis.
Black Belt	Advanced level, significant project experience.	Leads complex projects, mentors Green Belts, drives process improvements across, irrespective of organisational structure.
Master Black Belt	Expert level, extensive project management and Six Sigma experience.	Trains and coaches Black and Green Belts, strategic role in business transformation.
Champion	Executive level, experience in leadership and strategic planning	Oversees Six Sigma deployment, aligns projects with business goals.

 

Where to Find Accredited Six Sigma Certifications?

A number of associations and service providers offer globally accredited Six Sigma certifications online. Some of the most popular ones are mentioned below. 

Organisations that Accredit Six Sigma Certifications	Reason to Choose Them
American Society for Quality (ASQ)	Offers a comprehensive range of quality-related certifications, including Six Sigma, with a strong emphasis on industry-recognized standards.
International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC)	Provides globally standardized Six Sigma certifications focused solely on Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Project Management Institute (PMI)	Offers a Lean Six Sigma certification that integrates project management principles with Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
The Council for Six Sigma Certification	Provides accredited Six Sigma certifications with a focus on practical application and accessibility for professionals worldwide.

Which Belt of Six Sigma Certification Should Help Professionally?

Six Sigma certification belts are from White (beginner level) to Black (advanced level). As a working professional, you should know which is optimal for your career and your sector. Below, we have collated advice from numerous sources and show which level of Six Sigma certification will suffice. 

Professional Type	Benefit	Recommended Belt Level
Quality control	Enhances ability to identify and reduce defects, ensuring higher quality standards.	Green Belt
Process improvement	Provides tools and methodologies to streamline processes and improve efficiency.	Black Belt
Production managers	Helps optimize production workflows, reducing waste and increasing productivity.	Black Belt
Process control specialists	Equips with skills to maintain consistent and efficient process performance.	Green Belt
Frontline and factory supervisors	Improves supervisory skills in managing and improving daily operations and team performance.	Yellow Belt
Administration and Management professionals	Facilitates effective management and implementation of process improvements across departments.	Green Belt
Finance managers	Aids in identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving financial processes.	Green Belt
Business analysts	Strengthens analytical skills to identify and solve business problems effectively.	Green Belt
MBA pass outs	Enhances employability by demonstrating expertise in process improvement and quality management.	Black Belt

Eligibility for Six Sigma Certifications

 

Work experience is required for the Six Sigma Black Belt exam. On the other hand, for the Green Belt, you will need a Yellow belt, and work experience isn’t necessary. 

Check the detailed eligibilities on the Six Sigma learning and career paths page.  

 

Top Online Six Sigma Courses

 

We have handpicked some of the best online Six Sigma courses for you. These courses range from a few hours to several months. Take your pick based on your professional aspirations.

 

Six Sigma Green Belt Specialization on Coursera

Platform’s Course Rating - 4.7 

Students Enrolled - 46,000+

Duration - 5 Months

 

In this Six Sigma Green Belt specialisation, you will learn proven principles and tools specific to six sigma and lean. Master the concepts of Lean Six Sigma, Process Improvement, Six Sigma, and Process Capability. It is a sequential, linear designed specialization that covers a more advanced level of content.

 

You would need to be a Yellow Belt before advancing to Green Belt. The course is of Intermediate level.

Six Sigma Yellow Belt Specialization by Coursera

 

Platform’s Course Rating - 4.7 

 

Students Enrolled - 76,000+

 

Duration - 5 months

 

This specialization can be helpful for those looking to learn more about Six Sigma or refresh their knowledge of the essential components of Six Sigma and Lean.

 

It includes 4 courses. 

 

Course 1 - Six Sigma Fundamentals

 

Course 2 - Six Sigma  Tools for Define and Measure

 

Course 3 - Six Sigma  Tools for Analyze

 

Course 4 - Six Sigma  Tools for Improve and Control

 

Six Sigma Black Belt Specialization on Coursera

 

Platform’s Course Rating - 4.6 

 

Students Enrolled - 6000+

 

Duration - 12 Months

 

You can strengthen your understanding of the Six Sigma DMAIC process in Six Sigma Black Belt Specialization. It also explores the intersection between Six Sigma and Lean. The course covers content in Organizational Planning and Development, Team Management, and Design for Six Sigma. 

 

There are 8 Courses in this Specialization

 

COURSE 1 - Organization Planning and Development for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 2 - Team Management for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 3 -The Define Phase for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 4 - The Measure Phase for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 5 - The Analyze Phase for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 6 - The Improve Phase for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 7 - The Control Phase for the 6 σ Black Belt

 

COURSE 8 - DFSS for the 6 σ Black Belt

Skills and Tools that Six Sigma Certifications Help You Master

 

Technical Skills	Project Management Design Thinking Six Sigma Consulting Project Analysis Program Management Process Excellence Deployment of Six Sigma within a project Strategic planning  Operational change management
Business Skills	Good understanding of business processes Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills Team Management skills Conflict management skills Ability to manage project teams and motivate peers Leadership & Negotiation,   Excellent communication skills Good presentation skills Ability to manage budgets Hard working and result-oriented Ability to complete tasks and achieve business goals
Tools & Techniques	Pareto Chart 5 Whys and Kanban System DMAIC  Kaizen  Tallyfy Poka-Yoke Project Charter Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RACI matrix) 7QC Tools Regression Analysis Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

 

Supplementary Free Resources to Learn Six Sigma

 

You can explore Purdue University's blog section, which contains quality articles on important concepts. Six Sigma Daily and Lean Six Sigma for Good are some others you can check out. 

 

On the other hand, you can also listen to Lean Blog Interviews, The Edges of Lean, and Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma, among other podcasts. 

 

Top Books on Six Sigma

 

The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook: A Quick Reference Guide to Nearly 100 Tools for Improving Quality and Speed | Authors:  Michael George, John Maxey, David Rowlands, Mark Price

 

This handy guide covers all that Six Sigma professionals need to bring efficiency in their practices with detailed methodologies. 

 

Six Sigma Demystified, Second Edition | Author: Paul Keller

 

Written in an easy-to-read manner, the book covers the essential Six Sigma practices applicable to modern businesses. The author highlights many tips to deploy the DMAIC framework as well. 

 

Get Six Sigma Certified to Be More Employable

 

Six Sigma certifications from authoritative bodies such as ASQ or equivalent are going to help your resume.  

Here are the steps to get a Six Sigma Certification, straight away, from the Shiksha Online listing platform.

• Sign up and login here.
• Click on the Six Sigma certification course from an accredited body like IASSC or the preferred level of course on Coursera or Alison
• Finish the course
• Take up and pass the certification exam