Six Sigma Certification Eligibility
Today we will discuss Six Sigma certification eligibility requirements and what you need to know before selecting a certification provider.
Your Six Sigma certification eligibility will depend heavily on the company through which you decide to get certified. Since there is no single certification body for Six Sigma, you have many different companies to choose from.
Some people choose to get certified through a college or university, some will get certified through their employer, while others will go through a private certification body. The choice is entirely up to you.
Let’s look at each option individually to help bring the eligibility requirements into focus:
College / University
Eligibility requirements for Six Sigma certification at colleges or universities can vary significantly depending on the institution and the level of certification being pursued (e.g., Yellow Belt, Green Belt, Black Belt). Generally, these programs may require applicants to have a minimum level of education, such as a high school diploma or an undergraduate degree, depending on the complexity of the certification.
Some institutions also expect a certain amount of professional experience, particularly for advanced certifications like the Black Belt, where a practical understanding of business processes and project management can be crucial.
Moreover, colleges and universities might mandate the completion of prerequisite courses, especially for those without a background in business or engineering, to ensure that all candidates have a foundational knowledge of the principles that will be advanced in the Six Sigma training.
Additionally, for certifications that include a project component, such as a Black Belt, candidates may need to demonstrate access to a suitable project through their employment or have an arrangement for a project that meets the program’s criteria. These requirements are designed to ensure that participants are prepared for the program’s rigor and can effectively apply the methodologies taught.
Through Your Employer
One of the most common ways to get a Six Sigma certification is through your employer. This, of course, assumes your employer offers a certification program. Many companies that have an existing process improvement project actively in process will offer their employees the opportunity to get certified.
They may have eligibility requirements such as your job function (manager or above) or length of time with the company. It’s unlikely that they would have a completed project requirement, but they may require you to work on any existing projects that are currently being done with the company.
Private Certification Body
Certification organizations are where you will find the widest variety of Six Sigma certification eligibility requirements because each company sets the standard to which they certify someone. Some companies will base their certification strictly on your ability to pass a certification exam. Others have many requirements, such a having a degree, proof of completed projects, etc.
The Management and Strategy Institute sets its standard through its Six Sigma Body of Knowledge. MSI certifications are based on the ability to prove your fundamental understanding of Six Sigma principles by passing a timed certification exam. MSI specifically avoids the project requirement because MSI standards dictate that “knowledge” and “experience” are two different things. A certification demonstrates knowledge, not practical application of skills within a project.
Other certification bodies have different requirements. Some require a project because in their view you should have training and experience before getting certified. There is nothing wrong with this thought process and requirement, and companies are free to require it if that is what their standards dictate.
Some organizations go even further by requiring a bachelor’s degree, usually in business management, statistics, or another relevant field. The reasoning is that Six Sigma is a business process and therefore you should have a degree in business to ensure you have the base-knowledge required for Six Sigma.
Do Your Research
When you’re ready to get your Six Sigma certification, the key will be to do your research. There are many certification companies available to choose from. Think about how you plan to use your certification and exactly why you want to get it. Is it just to help build your resume or do you plan to work full time with Six Sigma principles? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide which certification body is best for you.
MSI has a list of the top 10 institutes for Six Sigma Certification here.
