Six Sigma is a series of tools and strategies that helps businesses improve and streamline their processes, and getting a Six Sigma certification can really help you stand out in a sea of job applications. Online Six Sigma certification courses are the most popular because they let you study from anywhere and review the materials at your own pace. Still, with so many options out there, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
There are several levels of Six Sigma certification, and we wanted our recommendations to suit individuals at all levels. So we focused on the variety of courses each company offers, the comprehensiveness of their resources, and what methods of support they provide to their students. We also looked at student reviews to get a sense of how well they felt the courses prepared them for the real test.
We liked Management and Strategy Institute’s programs the most because they were comprehensive, flexible, and affordable. But everyone learns a little differently, so we also suggested three alternative picks. You can read about all of them below to decide which one is right for you.
Full Reviews of the Best Online Six Sigma Certification Courses
1. Management and Strategy Institute Review
Best for comprehensive and affordable courses
The Management and Strategy Institute is one of the best-known Six Sigma certification course providers because it offers a wide variety of programs tailoring to different levels and budgets, realistic simulations and a money-back guarantee. It’s not the best choice for those who want an instructor to guide them through the course material, but self-driven students usually have nothing but positive things to say about the company’s courses.
What to Expect
The Management and Strategy Institute offers a variety of self-paced Six Sigma courses, including options rarely found with its competitors, like Master Black Belt certification and TPM Concept and 5S Concept certifications. It’s also one of the few companies to offer a free White Belt program to those who are new to Six Sigma. Each course is self-paced, and you have access to the materials for one year from the date that you purchase them.
Your course includes all of the training materials you’ll need in order to pass the Six Sigma exam for your level. However, the Management and Strategy Institute also maintains a list of additional study materials for those who want to dig deeper into a particular topic. Part of what helps the company’s courses stand out is the project simulations, which give you a chance to test your skills against real-world problems. You can also purchase some simulations separately if you’d like more practice with these.
The Management and Strategy Institute doesn’t offer instructor support to those in its self-paced courses. However, this doesn’t appear to be too much of an issue because the courses have received largely positive reviews from former students. They’re also backed by a satisfaction guarantee, so if you don’t like the course, you can request a refund within 30 days, and the Management and Strategy Institute will give you your money back, no questions asked.
Management and Strategy Institute Details
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified | Free |
| TPM Concept Certified | $49.95 |
| 5S Concept Certified | $49.95 |
| Six Sigma Champion Certified | $99.95 |
| Certified Kaizen Facilitator | $99.95 |
| Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certified | $99.95 |
| Design for Six Sigma Certified | $199.95 |
| Six Sigma Lean Professional | $199.95 |
| Six Sigma Green Belt Certified | $199.95 |
| Six Sigma Lean Green Belt Certified | $199.95 |
| Dooey Six Sigma Black Belt Training | $199.95 |
| Dooey Six Sigma Green Belt | $199.95 |
| Six Sigma Black Belt Professional | $299.95 |
| Six Sigma Lean Black Belt Professional | $299.95 |
| Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt | $299.95 |
2. Dooey Six Sigma Training Online
Description:
Dooey’s Six Sigma courses, encompassing both Black Belt and Green Belt training, offer a comprehensive journey into the world of process improvement and quality management. These courses are meticulously designed to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and tools essential for driving significant improvements in any business process. Centered around the DMAIC framework – Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control – these courses empower individuals to make data-driven decisions and implement lasting change.
Pros:
- Comprehensive training with a combined 43 hours of content and over 100 engaging course videos.
- In-depth coverage of the entire DMAIC model.
- Prepares learners for both the Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt exams.
- Provides a deep understanding of statistical and analytical methods.
- Courses go beyond training, offering exam preparation and practice materials.
Cons:
- Requires prior knowledge and experience in Six Sigma for maximum benefit, especially for the Black Belt course.
- Might be intensive for beginners without a foundational understanding of Six Sigma.
Features:
- Combined 43 Training Hours
- Over 100 Videos
- 45+ Topics
- 100+ Practice Questions
Bottom Line:
Dooey’s combined Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt training courses provide a holistic approach to mastering the art of process improvement. Whether you’re a novice looking to understand the basics or a professional aiming for advanced expertise, Dooey’s courses cater to all levels, ensuring a robust and comprehensive learning experience in the realm of Six Sigma.
3. Lean Six Sigma Corporation Review
Best for lifetime access
Lean Sigma Corporation’s Six Sigma courses give you lifetime access to comprehensive study materials and useful statistical software if you’re willing to pay a little extra. Though the courses are primarily intended for self-study, they include access to chat features so you can get assistance when you need it, and every course is backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
What to Expect
Lean Sigma Corporation offers Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma courses at the yellow, green, and black belt levels. Its courses are a little more expensive than some of its competitors. Still, in addition to quality instruction, you get lifetime access to its programs, so you can review your materials months or even years later. All of its courses take place entirely online, including lessons, quizzes to test your learning, and certification exams.
The green and black belt courses include the opportunity to purchase a perpetual license of SigmaXL or six months of access to the Minitab software. Not everyone will have use for this statistical software, but this could be a money-saver if you plan to use them often compared to paying for a separate Six Sigma course and the software.
Most students are happy with the education they get from the Lean Sigma Corporation, but those who are not can request their money back thanks to the company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee. All of its courses include access to group and private chat services as well, which is great news for those who are struggling with certain concepts. You won’t find this with many other Lean Six Sigma courses, so it’s a great option if you want a self-study course that still offers support when you need it.
The Most Important Features: Accessibility, Content Coverage, Course Materials, and Student Support
The four most important factors when choosing an online Six Sigma certification course are accessibility, content coverage, course materials, and student support. They’re each discussed in detail below.
Accessibility
We aim to recommend courses that are useful to anyone, no matter where they live, which is why we focused on online Six Sigma certification courses. We preferred companies that offer self-paced as well as live online courses so that students whose schedules can’t accommodate live online courses would still be able to complete the program. All three of our top picks offer self-paced courses to anyone in the world.
Content Coverage
When evaluating each Six Sigma certification course provider’s comprehensiveness, we focused on the comprehensiveness of each course as well as the variety of courses offered. Most Six Sigma certification course providers offer yellow, green and black belt certifications and the best courses, including the Aveta Business Institute and the Management Strategy Institute, offer industry-specific certification courses as well.
Course Materials
A typical Six Sigma certification course includes a series of live online or prerecorded video lectures. It may also include a textbook. Once you’ve reviewed the course material, you can test your knowledge with practice questions and tests. Some course providers also include additional online resources, like study guides, so you can review the most important information from the course at a glance.
Student Support
Live online Six Sigma certification courses may include access to instructor office hours where you can ask questions about any materials you don’t understand. You can also ask questions during the class itself. Students in self-paced courses usually don’t get as much assistance, but there may still be email or phone support available if you run into problems.
Choosing the Right Type of Online Six Sigma Certification Course for You
You have two options when choosing an online Six Sigma certification course. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. They are:
- Self-Paced: You purchase the course materials and then review them at your own pace.
- Live Online: You log into an online classroom on a regular schedule and are taught by a remote instructor.
Self-Paced
Pros
- Most affordable courses
- Works with any schedule
- You choose how much time to spend on each topic
Cons
- Lessons aren’t personalized
- Student support is limited
- Must be disciplined to stay on track
Who It’s Best For
Self-paced online Six Sigma courses are best for independent learners and those whose schedule does not permit them to attend a live online course.
Live Online
Pros
- Learn from anywhere
- More interaction than self-paced courses
- Opportunities for personalized assistance
Cons
- Technical issues can arise
- You can’t control the schedule
Who It’s Best For
Live online Six Sigma certification courses are best for those who prefer learning in a more traditional environment and those who like the idea of having an instructor there to answer questions when needed.
The 5 Best Online Six Sigma Certification Courses
Frequently Asked Questions About the Six Sigma Certification Exam
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about Six Sigma certification exams.
What requirements do I need to meet to take the Six Sigma certification exam?
Requirements vary depending on the Six Sigma exam you’re taking. Yellow Belt certification exams don’t have any work or education requirements while Green Belt certification exams require at least three years of qualifying work experience. Those hoping to take the Black Belt certification exam must have two completed projects with signed affidavits or one completed project with a signed affidavit and three years of qualifying work experience.
You don’t technically have to take a Six Sigma course in order to take the exam, but it’s a good idea to do so because these courses will give you a thorough grounding in the materials and help you understand what to expect when the time comes for you to take the exam.
How do I apply for the Six Sigma certification exam?
When you’re ready to take a Six Sigma certification exam, you can apply online on the American Society for Quality (ASQ) website or down an exam application and mail or fax it to the company’s headquarters. You’ll need to submit your resume and you must pay the exam fee, which varies depending on which exam you’re taking and whether or not you’re an ASQ member.
Once you’ve done this, you can choose your testing date and the location nearest you to complete the exam. Then, all you have to do is show up and pass the test.
How is the Six Sigma certification exam structured?
The Six Sigma certification exams are multiple-choice tests. You may take them online or on paper, depending on your preferences. The online exams are currently only available in English while the paper tests are also available in Spanish and Mandarin.
All examinations are open book, but you are responsible for bringing your own study materials. The number of questions depends on which level certification you’re going for and which type of test you take. The online exams usually include more questions than the paper tests because there are a few unscored questions that the test makers are considering for use in future exams.
What if I fail the Six Sigma certification exam?
If you take a computer-based test, you’ll see your results on the screen immediately after the test is over and you’ll receive your official results in the mail in about a week. Paper tests may take about two weeks to grade.
Those who didn’t pass can view their test results and study the areas where they did poorly. When you feel ready, you may retake the exam again. There is no limit on how often or how many times you may retake a Six Sigma certification exam, but you must pay the retake fee every time you do so.
Six Sigma certified professionals can also benefit from earning a PMP certification. Our team has also researched the best PMP certification courses if this is another certification you are looking to tackle.
The Other 10 Online Six Sigma Certification Courses We Considered
| Course | Learn More |
|---|---|
| 6Sigma.us | Visit Site |
| Acuity Institute | Visit Site |
| ExpertRating | Visit Site |
| GoLeanSixSigma.com | Visit Site |
| Lean Six Sigma Institute | Visit Site |
| Purdue University | Visit Site |
| Pyzdek Institute | Visit Site |
| San Diego State University World Campus | Visit Site |
| SimpliLearn | Visit Site |
| Dooey Six Sigma Black Belt Training | Visit Site |
| Dooey Six Sigma Green Belt Training | Visit Site |
Bryce Welker is an active speaker, blogger, and regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, and Business.com where he shares his knowledge to help others boost their careers. Bryce is the founder of more than 20 test prep websites that help students and professionals pass their certification exams.
