6sigma - worth it? with ASQ certificate?

[Maltus]

Since I'm enrolled at a regular state university I could take the first six sigma-step (yellow belt) for free. As an Add-on I could get a AQS-certificate for EUR 180 (about 200 USD). I'm really interested in learning about this method and the yellow belt only takes 8 hours. Of course they want to sell you the green and the black belt as well
Has anyone ever done 6sigma at all? What do you use it for?

And ist the yellow belt on its own worth it - even if I decide not to take the green and black belt?
Does the ASQ-certificate make a huge difference on my resume or is it just a waste of money?

[bjcheung77]

Basically, the white and yellow belts should be freebies, it doesn't teach you too much in those 8 hours, these are for the basics and is geared as an introduction. How much is university charging for the other colored belts? Are they also free plus $200 USD?

[Maltus]

Naw, not free. It's offered by a commercial institute, which offers a free yellowbelt to enrolled students.

But TU München and TH Deggendorf (both regular German universities) offer special discounts for enrolled students.
Green belt at TH Deggendorf for students of any university: 949 € which is about 1100 USD. Sounds like a good deal.

Info only in German - english page is not up-to-date :-((( 
https://www.th-deg.de/de/weiterbildung/h...green-belt

[FireMedic_Philosopher]

As far as what they are...

Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma are both methodologies focused on process improvement, but they differ in their primary focus and tools. Six Sigma concentrates on reducing process variation and defects, aiming for near-perfect quality.

Lean, on the other hand, emphasizes waste elimination and streamlining processes to improve efficiency and speed.

Lean Six Sigma combines the strengths of both approaches, seeking to reduce waste and variation simultaneously.

I did the program up through the Green Belt during graduate school while serving as an intern and project manager with my state health department.

I can't say I saw the value as a government intern, but perhaps it is more valuable with assembly line type industry or the commercial sector.

[bjcheung77]

Some institutions provide credit for their Green and Black belt, I recall a few were worth graduate credit... For the cost of graduate credit, I think it would be worth it.

[Maltus]

Some institutions provide credit for their Green and Black belt, I recall a few were worth graduate credit... For the cost of graduate credit, I think it would be worth it.

Ah - I think I gonna do the yellow belt for free, trying to figure out if the green belt is of any value to me. I'm thinking of specialising in organizational development with my master studies - so it might be useful.

[bjcheung77]

Here's an example, many colleges that accept ACE should take these ASQ belts. ACE evaluated the Green Belt certificate as 3 Upper Level Process Management at the undergraduate level. It expired a few days ago 7/31/2025, but should be renewed or extended at the very least. Link: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...65f38bf0e1

[Maltus]

Well it expired in 2022 - but they even used to give a credit for that yellow belt - so I guess 190 USD for the ASQ certificate could be a deal ;-)
https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...65f38bf0e1

[Mems88]

Some institutions provide credit for their Green and Black belt, I recall a few were worth graduate credit... For the cost of graduate credit, I think it would be worth it.

Ah - I think I gonna do the yellow belt for free, trying to figure out if the green belt is of any value to me. I'm thinking of specialising in organizational development with my master studies - so it might be useful.

Hi, that's a good approach – go ahead and do the Yellow Belt. I wouldn’t spend the €180, though. It’s enough if you just list it on your CV.

I did the Green Belt myself, and the current offer looks really good. You could also ask your employer if they’d be willing to cover the cost? I did that with my employer in Austria 13 years ago – and back then, it actually cost even more.

Best regards to our neighbor country!
Mems

[Maltus]

Some institutions provide credit for their Green and Black belt, I recall a few were worth graduate credit... For the cost of graduate credit, I think it would be worth it.

Ah - I think I gonna do the yellow belt for free, trying to figure out if the green belt is of any value to me. I'm thinking of specialising in organizational development with my master studies - so it might be useful.

Hi, that's a good approach – go ahead and do the Yellow Belt. I wouldn’t spend the €180, though. It’s enough if you just list it on your CV.

I did the Green Belt myself, and the current offer looks really good. You could also ask your employer if they’d be willing to cover the cost? I did that with my employer in Austria 13 years ago – and back then, it actually cost even more.

Best regards to our neighbor country!
Mems

Naw, my employer won't do that... and I know since I'm the Administrative Director :-P...

6sigma college is really pushing about that ASQ-cert for 180 €... I guess that way they make at least some money, even so they give the course to students for free...
But I see no need to buy a cert for a one-day course and some e-learning.