Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate course is the capstone of Purdue’s Online Lean Six Sigma series. With the Black Belt program, learners earn an in-demand qualification that gives them a competitive edge and a thorough understanding of the entire Six Sigma body of knowledge. They also gain a broad framework for solving problems in any business.

The course blends the concepts of both Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, the DMAIC model, tools and techniques. It provides advanced training in LSS tools and theories. It also provides practical guidance on improving work processes by identifying and reducing defects and eliminating waste.

The goal of the Black Belt certificate is to empower students to assume a Black Belt role in an organization and provide guidance and mentoring to Green Belts and other team members. They are ready to serve as change agent to improve customer satisfaction and business productivity. They become stronger leaders and more effective problem solvers.

If your goal is Black Belt mastery, but you haven’t yet earned your LSS Green Belt, our 3-Course Package is designed for you. This structured progression moves you from basic to advanced levels — and you will save 10% of the total course fees.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners will be Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certified by Purdue University. They will be able to:

• Understand the DMAIC model
• Demonstrate mastery of core/common Black Belt tools and concepts
• Demonstrate proficiency at achieving results via the application of the Lean Six Sigma approach by running of your own LSS Black Belt Project
• Be able to successfully complete high-impact projects that result in tangible benefits within any organization
• Earn 9.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

DMAIC Model

The DMAIC model is an essential problem-solving strategy in Six Sigma initiatives. It provides a five-step structure to follow when working on an improvement project.

• Define the problem
• Measure the data
• Analyze the data to identify the root cause
• Improve the process
• Control improvements

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Project

This certificate is underpinned by a course-long project. The project allows students to directly apply their learning and use their course time to address an issue relevant to their organization. They can choose to follow a Lean track or a Six Sigma track.

Projects can be conducted either for a learner’s current employer or for a nonprofit organization with which the learner has a close association. Instructors work with each learner to identify a suitable project and assist with advice and troubleshooting throughout. Learners can even consult with a program advisor before enrolling in the Black Belt course to brainstorm and select the best project for their needs.

Learners should plan to spend about 15 hours per week on this course, which includes time spent on the final project. Weekly assignments are directly connected to and will contribute to the project deliverables.

The Purdue University Online Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Difference

• Instead of a single-week crash course, this program builds a lasting foundation that includes continuous coaching from the instructor. Learners will better understand and apply what they learned, while still enjoying the flexibility offered by a convenient online format.
• This is not just a series of videos: these are robust, instructor-led courses that feature optional interactive sessions.
• Our experts bring more than 45 years of combined industry experience and have spent more than two decades teaching concepts of Six Sigma Black Belt online for Purdue. They are willing to jump on a phone call or talk over email with their learners when needed.
• All LSS topics are presented with extensive supplemental materials and enhanced documentation so that learners are fully supported as they become experts.

Who Can Benefit From a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

We recommend that professionals have at least two years of work experience and require that they have taken either Purdue’s Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or the Green Belt Refresher and Lean Principles.

Black Belt students include:

• Anyone with an understanding of team leadership, dynamics and the ability to assign roles and responsibilities to team members within a Lean Six Sigma organization
• Anyone who seeks to drastically improve an organization’s financial performance
• Anyone who is ready to take their Lean Six Sigma expertise to an advanced level

What Can I Do With a Purdue Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate?

Black Belts are project leaders who work to fulfill Lean Six Sigma process improvements through the DMAIC methodology. Those with this certificate excel in the following careers, but LSS skills are widely applicable to a variety of roles and industries:

• Systems engineer
• Project manager
• Business operations analyst
• Process improvement analyst
• Quality improvement specialist

Schedule and Time Commitment

The 100% online Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate spans 16 weeks. It includes pre-work, weekly learning modules and breaks. The breaks provide students with additional time to collect data, present gate reviews to management teams at their organization and prepare assignments.

Students have the opportunity to participate in online discussions with classmates about their project deliverables and receive real-time coaching from the instructor via live WebEx sessions, a discussion forum, email or phone call.

Students who successfully complete the course typically devote 95 hours of study during the 16 weeks of learning modules. Instructors recommend planning on spending six to 10 hours each week on learning activities.

The online format enables students to do their coursework when and where they want, but there are weekly reading assignments, project deliverables and quizzes that must be completed on schedule.