Online Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate

Start Your Journey into Understanding the Purpose and Applicability of Lean Six Sigma

If you’re searching for a starting point to begin your (or your team’s) educational path into Lean Six Sigma, completing Yellow Belt training online through SMU Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) is a good first step.

What You'll Learn

  • icon of a lightbulb

    Learn the fundamental concepts of Lean and Six Sigma methodology to support process improvement projects in your organization.

    • Understanding variability

    • The importance of improvement

    • The five phases of DMAIC methodology

    • Common tools associated with DMAIC

    • Lean principles

    • Kaizen events

Program Outcomes

Upon your successful completion of the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt program, you will be able to:

  • Define common Lean and Six Sigma terminology, tools and concepts

  • Identify potential process improvement opportunities in your day-to-day tasks

  • Understand the purpose and process of a Kaizen event

  • Participate in discussions about quality improvement

  • Recognize the differences between Six Sigma and Lean

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Program Details

Program Duration

4 Weeks

Start Date

January 8

Program Format

Online Tuesdays 6 -7 p.m. CT
+4-6 hours of self-paced study per week

Tuition

$495

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

2.0

Professional Development Units (PDUs)

20

Group (3 or more) and corporate tuition reductions are available to those who qualify.

Who should enroll?

There are no prerequisite requirements to enroll in the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt program.

Designed for Lean Six Sigma beginners, Yellow Belt training provides individuals or groups with a high-level understanding of Lean and Six Sigma basics to start making incremental changes that can strengthen an organization’s operational efficiency.

The Yellow Belt program is ideal for entry-level employees through corporate executives who want to learn or sharpen their skills to start putting Lean Six Sigma strategies into practice.

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U.S. respondents who completed any level of Six Sigma training earn nearly $12,000 more on average than those without any Six Sigma training.

Source: 2023 ASQ Salary Survey: The Complete Report, December 2023. National long-term projects may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth or salary potential. Certificate program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.

Why SMU?

  • SMU Continuing and Professional Education has offered noncredit learning programs since 1953.

  • SMU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

  • Lean Six Sigma programs are taught by industry practitioners who have at least a Black Belt certification designation.

  • Live, instructor-led, virtual Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt class sessions are held for one hour every other week.

  • Students who successfully complete the program will be issued a digital Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt badge and certificate through Credly.

Instructor Brian Galli

Instructor Spotlight:

Brian Galli

Brian Galli has earned a doctoral degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University, a BS in industrial engineering from Binghamton University, a MS in engineering management from Missouri University of Science & Technology and a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from Dartmouth College. He also serves as co-editor in chief for the International Journal of Sociotechnology & Knowledge Development and International Journal of Project Management & Productivity Assessment.

Program Content Summary

Week 1: Lean Six Sigma Introduction

  • The Importance of Continual Improvement

  • Project Identification

  • Definition and History of Lean and Six Sigma

  • Economics of Improvement

  • Value

  • Waste

  • Voice of the Customer

Week 2: DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) Methodology

  • 15 Tollgates of Six Sigma

  • Elements of a Project Charter

  • Recognizing Defects

  • SIPOC

  • Flowcharts

  • Business Case, Problem Statement and Project Scope

  • Cost Reduction vs. Customer Impact

Week 3: Defining Lean Methodology

  • 5 Principles of Lean

  • Value Stream Mapping

  • Kanban

  • Identifying Wasteful Activities

  • Spaghetti Mapping

  • Single Piece Flow

  • Total Productive Maintenance

Week 4: Combining Lean and Six Sigma

  • Differences Between Lean and Six Sigma

  • Lean Six Sigma Roles

  • Applying 5S

  • Kaizen and Kaizen Events

  • Standard Work

  • Success Factors for Process Improvement

  • Examples of Successful Lean Six Sigma Implementation

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Badge

Earn a Digital Badge

Complete your certificate and earn a digital badge to add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Ready to Get Started?

Get in touch with a student success representative for more information!

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