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  1. Home
  2. Professional Development
  3. Professional Development Certificates

Lean Six Sigma Certificates

Lean Six Sigma Overview

Master proven tools to optimize performance, eliminate waste, reduce variation, and drive continuous improvement across industries. Apply practical strategies that boost quality, effectiveness, and profitability in real-world settings through fully virtual programs: Yellow Belt, Green Belt, or Black Belt certifications. 

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Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

  • Two courses, seven weeks each
  • Three-hour live Zoom class, one evening a week, 42 hours total
  • No industry project is required.
  • Three and a half months to complete the certificate

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate

  • Two courses, seven weeks each
  • Three-hour live Zoom class, one evening a week, 42 hours total
  • Complete an industry improvement project.
  • Three and a half months to complete the certificate

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate

Credly badge that says "Penn State Great Valley Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Professional Development Certification"
  • Four courses, seven weeks each
  • Three-hour live Zoom class, one evening a week, 84 hours total
  • Complete an industry improvement project. 
  • Seven months to complete the certificate
  • Take the comprehensive Black Belt certification exam. 

Why pursue Six Sigma Certification?

Lean Six Sigma and Six Sigma methodologies can be applied across many industries, like manufacturing, supply chain, finance, healthcare, engineering, construction, and more.

Some key focuses of the program are creating financial returns that are quantifiable and measurable, building a more robust management team intent on rectifying waste, and replacing assumptions with statistical methods and data.

Josh Pruett standing with a machine part at his workplace, KSB.

We were challenged to go beyond the textbook and the PowerPoint and actually get into the business culture side of things, true transformation, the psychological environment that people work in. The certification took the improvement projects we had already been working on and attached a rocket ship to them, and we just took off. This certification gave me the tools and skills to do things I was already trying to accomplish in my career. 

Josh Pruett, Senior Sourcing Manager, KSB

Six Sigma course sequence and certification

Courses MUST be taken in sequence and CANNOT be taken concurrently. A practice exam will be given at the end of each course. 

A Penn State certificate and digital badge are awarded upon completion of the required courses and, if applicable, after passing the comprehensive Black Belt certification exam. Badges can be digitally displayed anywhere to recognize attaining a new level of knowledge. 

Each Six Sigma Black Belt course is approved by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to receive one Professional Development Unit (PDU) for each contact hour (21 PDUs per course).

Project Management Institute Authorized Training Partner Badge

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded based on a standard of one unit per ten (10) hours of classroom contact. Each course is scheduled for 21 contact hours (2.1 CEUs per course).

Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) continuous learning points are awarded based on a standard of one unit per one hour of classroom contact.

Tyler Dolan standing with a machine part at his workplace, KSB.

Lean Six Sigma is made up of methodologies and first principles that can be applied to a lot of aspects of life. We're empowered with these methodologies to take change from being a scary thing that people don't want and make it an exciting thing that people want to be involved in, which creates a successful culture in business. 

Change really can be cool, especially when you empower people to discover and drive the change themselves. We also learned to apply tools to control change, to clearly communicate and document process changes, and ensure everyone is aligned on those changes. When we showed the power of change, the business really did want to create change on its own.

Tyler Dolan, Decision Analytics Model Owner, KSB

Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate FAQs

Yes. Six Sigma Black Belts are sought after in operations, quality, continuous improvement, and leadership roles across many industries. This credential, paired with your ability to solve complex business problems, will give you a competitive advantage in the current job market.

This program may be for you if you:

  • Are frustrated with work inefficiencies
  • Often hear “that's how we've always done it”
  • Implement continuous process improvement and projects within your organization
  • Want to earn a globally recognized certification and increase your marketability

Unlike many certification programs that focus primarily on coursework and exams, this program emphasizes the practical application of Six Sigma tools and methodologies through a real-world project. Participants apply what they learn to solve actual business challenges and achieve measurable results.

The program is also delivered through live, instructor-led classes, providing opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners and collaborate with a cohort of professionals from a variety of industries. This interactive approach helps participants deepen their understanding, refine their problem-solving skills, and build the confidence to lead process improvement initiatives within their organizations.

At this time, we only offer live, instructor-led virtual classes. To ensure an open discussion of class material, including projects, class sessions are not recorded. Participants are expected to attend classes in real time.  

Other than your project work and presentation preparation, you will have little to no additional coursework outside of class. Throughout the program, time is allocated for you to focus on individual work and discussion to help you make meaningful progress while also balancing your professional and personal commitments. 

The Six Sigma Black Belt program runs for approximately seven months. 

Holding other Six Sigma belts is not required to enroll.

You do not need an advanced math or statistics background to succeed in this program. The courses will teach you the skills required for Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Many successful Black Belts begin with only a basic understanding of math and learn the rest throughout the program.

Yes. The program is a progressive learning experience; each course includes material learned in the previous courses, as well as your project progression. They should be taken in sequence.

No. You do not need to pay for the entire program up front. 

We offer a pay-as-you-go option that allows you to register and pay for each course individually. If your employer offers tuition reimbursement, requires invoicing, or has other payment requirements, we can work with you and your organization to accommodate those needs.

If you have previously earned a Six Sigma Green Belt, you may be eligible to receive credit for prior coursework. The lead instructor and program staff will review your Green Belt training, including the curriculum completed and any associated project work, to determine how it aligns with the Six Sigma Black Belt program requirements. Based on that review, they will recommend the most appropriate entry point into the program and identify the remaining coursework you need to complete the Black Belt certification.

Many participants find that the skills gained through the program lead to career advancement, increased earning potential, and stronger real-world problem-solving capability. The practical tools taught in the program can provide lasting value throughout your career. 

We understand that unexpected situation can arise. In most instances, you will have the opportunity to make up missed coursework. However, some classes, such as presentation-based classes, require prior approval to receive credit or have specific attendance requirements. Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if you need to miss a class.  

Two books are required for the program:

  • Practical Definitions for the Working Professional
  • High-Performance Lean Six Sigma in the 21st Century 

These resources help you quickly understand key concepts and references and serve as a reference after program completion. An additional bibliography is available to help you in your specific area of problem-solving.

Yes. Throughout the program, you will take practice exams and a final exam. 

Course completion and Six Sigma Black Belt certification depends on a final grade of a C or higher. Your final grade is a composite of your class participation, project work, presentations, exams, and other course requirements.

Agile is a project management and product development approach that is often applied in software and product development. Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach that works across any industry and can be applied quickly. 

Both approaches can be valuable, and many organizations use them together. This program will help you understand the difference and the value of each.

A project is required to earn Six Sigma Black Belt certification. While it often works best for your project to align with your organization’s goals and have your manager’s support, it is not required. 

All projects have certain requirements. If you are unsure whether your project is appropriate, please contact your instructor to discuss your options. 

This program provides a strong foundation for Master Black Belt certification and advanced problem-solving methodologies like Lean Six Sigma 21st Century (LSS-21). It can also support continued professional development in process improvement and organizational leadership. 

Lean Six Sigma Certificates

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  • Six Sigma Belts and Courses
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