Six Sigma Certificate

Six Sigma is a set of tools, techniques, or methodologies that improve process and design. Engineers with these skills are in high demand throughout industry.
Connect with us
Woman holding a ball that says

Six Sigma and Cornell

Six Sigma is a set of tools and methodologies used to improve business process and design. The goal is to create superior products that meet and exceed customer expectations by improving manufacturing quality (through identification and removal of defects) and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes. Six Sigma was developed in 1986 and is now widely used throughout industry.

Six Sigma’s certification program measures the expertise of professionals through a series of levels that are named and adapted from the martial arts concept of belt rankings, with each level building on the one before. Many Six Sigma certification programs exist, but Cornell’s Six Sigma Certification program offers a level of statistical rigor that makes Cornell stand out and surpass other certification programs. Our Green Belt and Black Belt programs teach the skills that enable our graduates to develop proficiency in Six Sigma’s highly specialized methodology.

Curriculum

Before starting this program, you must take a course in probability and statistics.

In order to get the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, you must register in SYSEN 5300 for 3 credits and earn a B+ or better if you wish to take the course in the distance-learning format.

In order to get the Six Sigma Black Belt Certification, you must register in SYSEN 5300 for 4 credits and earn a B+ or better if you wish to take the course in the distance-learning format.

This course is a full-semester course and is currently being offered only during the fall semesters. Please refer to the Cornell University academic calendar for exact dates. To be successful in the program, you should plan to spend approximately 3 to 5 hours per week on this course in addition to class time.

Cost

The The Systems Engineering Distance-Learning Professional Certificate tuition is charged at the Cornell University Engineering M.Eng. tuition rate on a per-credit-hour basis. The Cornell University Office of the Bursar has information on tuition.

Benefits of Six Sigma Black Belt

iSixSigma, an online magazine and provider of essential Six Sigma resources, identified these benefits to earning a Six Sigma Black Belt:

  • Six Sigma Black Belts save companies approximately $230,000 per project
  • Trained and certified Six Sigma Black Belts can earn up to $38,000 more than their uncertified counterparts
  • U.S.-based Six Sigma Black Belts earn an average of $100,592 in total compensation

Six Sigma continuous improvement based on a statistical measure of variability. The Six Sigma method is based on the DMAIC model:

  • D: Design, identify, prioritize, and select the right projects
  • M: Measure the key product characteristics and process parameters
  • A: Analyze and identify the key process determinants
  • I: Improve and optimize performance
  • C: Control to hold the gains

How to Apply

  • Systems Engineering Professional Certificate Program Students

    Application information for students who are not currently enrolled in a Systems Engineering M.Eng. degree.

  • M.Eng. Students

    If you are a student enrolled in the Systems M.Eng. degree, earn this certificate by enrolling in the required courses.