Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Monday, May 8 through Thursday, May 11, 2006

Registration Deadline: Friday, March 31, 2006

Exclusively for QMM Students and Alumni

Penn State's Quality and Manufacturing Management (QMM) program is offering a Six Sigma Black Belt certification program for QMM alumni and current students. The certification program consists of two parts:

1. The first part covers the "body of knowledge" for black belt certification not covered in the QMM program.
2. The second is facilitation of an approved six sigma black belt project.

The project will be supervised by a master black belt. The black belt knowledge course and the formal project facilitation are separate in that the former is taught by QMM faculty and the latter is supervised by another source (to be determined). QMM alumni and current students can register for the "body of knowledge" part only and receive a Penn State QMM blue belt certification or register for both parts and receive a six-sigma black belt certification conferred jointly by Penn State and the other source.

The "Body of Knowledge" Course

The "body of knowledge" course is scheduled for eight full days and addresses the "black belt" required knowledge that was not covered in the QMM curriculum or acquired as a QMM entrance prerequisite. (A gap analysis of QMM courses and prerequisites revealed that 84% of the black belt "body of knowledge" was taught in the QMM program.)

The "body of knowledge" course will revisit some previous QMM knowledge material based on its criticality to black belt working knowledge. The course will culminate in a comprehensive examination covering all elements of "black belt" knowledge and requiring a minimum of 70% as a passing score. With a passing score, the candidate will be awarded a Penn State "blue belt" certification.

Review an outline (.pdf 19Kb) *Acrobat of the PSU six sigma "body of knowledge" requirements. The information is color coded to indicate the knowledge status:

• blue—prerequisite knowledge for the "blue belt" course (knowledge the candidate should already know)
• green—knowledge previously covered in QMM and revisited in the course
• red—new knowledge to be covered by the course

Diagnostic Exam

As a condition for enrollment in the "blue belt" course, each candidate should use the Internet-based diagnostic exam below to determine his/her proficiency in the prerequisite knowledge and identify key knowledge elements that must be re-learned by the candidate prior to the start of the course.

• Internet-based diagnostic exam (.pdf 83Kb) *Acrobat
• answer sheet (.pdf 7Kb) *Acrobat
• answer key (.pdf 10Kb) *Acrobat (use the answer key to grade your diagnostic exam)

The Project Requirement

If a candidate elects to proceed with the six sigma project requirement, Penn State will arrange—at an additional charge—for six sigma project facilitation supervised by a master black belt. A passing score on the "black belt body of knowledge" exam and successful completion of the project will result in a candidate being awarded a Penn State six sigma "black belt." Project facilitation will occur over the average project length of four to six months. Initial project selection and validation, project chartering, project plan, and final report including virtual coaching will be provided by the Master Black Belt.

Session Dates and Times

The sessions will be conducted over a period of two weekends. The first session will start on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. and end on Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 12:00 noon. The second session will begin on Monday, May 8, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. and end on Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. Both sessions will be held in 122 Business Building on the University Park Campus. The new Business Building is on the corner of Park Avenue and Shortlidge Road. The Business Building has wireless access so it is recommended that you bring your laptop computer (a VPN is needed). There are no computer labs in the new building. The three-hour project facilitation kick-off will be on Thursday, May 11 following the conclusion of the second session.

Costs

Tuition includes instruction and the textbook. Meals are not included. There is a minimum capacity of 10 candidates for the course and project facilitation. Please complete the appropriate registration form and follow the submission instructions on the form. Registration forms are due by Friday, March 31, 2006.

Registration

Registration for Alumni (.pdf 43Kb) *Acrobat
Registration for Current Students (.pdf 42Kb) *Acrobat

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made in writing (E-mail or fax preferred) to Corena Breon at clp8@psu.edu . Please send a copy of your cancellation to Cindy Winkelblech at ckb2@psu.edu or 814-863-5803 (fax).

QMM 2 Session (May Seminar)

Full refund for cancellations received by 3/31/06
50% refund for cancellations received by 4/14/06
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 4/14/06

QMM Black Belt Program-Project Facilitation

Full refund for cancellations received by 3/31/06
50% refund for cancellations received by 4/14/06
No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 4/14/06

Note: In the event that the sessions are cancelled, the participant is responsible for any fees incurred (penalties, airlines, hotel, etc.) .

Course Questions: Frank Chelko at flc105@psu.edu
Registration Questions: Angela Moore at alm251@psu.edu or Corena Breon at clp8@psu.edu
Hotel Information: View a listing of local hotels

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