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Continuing Education Programs

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate Program

Earn your Green Belt in just one week at USC Columbia or in just one month online!

Program Structure

Our Green Belt certificate program is based on a case study approach so participants apply training directly to real-world examples.

5-Day Intensive Boot Camp

The 5-day intensive classroom format includes a total of 40 hours of training taught by an expert instructor with over 20 years of extensive leadership experience in employee and organizational development, business strategy development, product and process development, engineering management, strategic supply chain management, and product line management. 

Six Sigma Green Belt Classroom Course Outline*
Meets Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Topics

  • Agenda, Introductions and Expectations
  • Understanding Processes, Systems, and Improvement Methodologies
  • Chartering the Right Projects
    • Project Identification  
    • Project Scoping
  • Developing a Project Charter 

Tools

  • The Project Charter
  • High Level Process Map
  • SIPOC 

Topics

  • Understanding Data and Variation
  • Making Data Based decisions
  • What data do I need to take?
  • Are my data sources valid? 

Tools

  • IPO Diagram
  • Families of Variation Tree
  • Measurement System Analysis 

Topics

  • Determining Process Current State
    • Are my processes predictable?
    • How well does my Process Meet Customer Expectations? 

Tools

  • Statistical Process Control
  • Process Capability 

Topics

  • What Systemic Relationships Drive My Process Performance?
  • Graphical Analyses
  • Intro to Statistical Analysis
  • Managing Risk in Projects and Processes 

Tools

  • Process Mapping
  • Comparative Plots
  • Scatter Plots
  • Failure Mode Effects Analysis 

Topics

  • How can I improve and control my Process
  • Lean Methods
  • Control Methods 

Tools

  • 5S/Standardized Work
  • Value, Waste and Flow
  • Mistake Proofing
  • Control Plans

*This agenda is flexible.  Instructor led modules may shift as necessary based on class needs and focus. Case studies and simulations will be used throughout the program to enhance learning

 

Online Format

Meets Monday - Friday
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Six Sigma Green Belt program includes a total of 40 hours of online education with approximately 20 hours of self-paced learning and 20 hours of live instructor-led online sessions. Instructor-led sessions are conveniently scheduled during evening hours to better fit into your busy professional schedule.

Week 1: 13-26 hours of self-paced online modules with 6-12 hours of optional modules
Week 2: 10 hours of instructor-led online class sessions
Week 3: 10-21 hours of self-paced online modules
Week 4: 10 hours of instructor led online class sessions

The online modules are designed to help you establish a base knowledge with the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) methodology; learn simple principles and tools; and gain a broader understanding of lean topics. Work at your own pace, any time of the day. During your instructor-led online training, you’ll use data-based tools to make complex analyses, making sense of the Six Sigma structure and methodology. You’ll meet as a class, live online in our custom virtual classroom.   There will be one final examination. This is to determine whether students have mastered the topics necessary to receive their Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate.  

Six Sigma Green Belt Online Course Outline

Self-Paced Online Training Modules

  • Introduction to Lean Six Sigma
  • Define I – Starting a project and leading teams
  • Define II – Voice of the customer
  • Define III – Mapping the process
  • Measure I – Measurements and basic statistics
  • Measure II – Measurement system analysis
  • Measure III – Charting process behavior 

Instructor-Led Live Online Training

  • Agenda, Introductions, and Expectations
  • Understanding processes, systems, and improvement methodologies
    • Are my processes predictable?
    • How well does my process meet customer expectations?
    • What systemic relationships drive my process performance?
  • Understanding data and variation
    • What data do I need to take? Are my data sources valid? 

Self-Paced Online Training Modules

  • Analyze I – Potential root causes
  • Improve phase
  • Control phase 

Instructor-Led Live Online Training

  • The Pie Problem – A simulated project
    • Identifying and chartering the project
    • VOC / CTQ
    • Studying the process
    • Identifying relationships
    • Exploiting the relationships
    • Maintaining the gains
  • Wrap-up and presentations 

What You'll Be Equipped to Accomplish

As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, you will support organizational change through project management, communication, and technical process improvement. You will be able to quantify deliverables to an organization in terms of cost, quality, cycle time or safety improvements with a USC Six Sigma Certificate. Green Belts have a basic understanding of all aspects of the DMAIC model in accordance with Six Sigma principles.

I learned so many new ways to view procedures at my work place. The information learned in this class will help me during the team building process at my mill especially when working on projects in production and quality.

- Spring 2024 participant

Registration and Fees

Please note: Space is limited, and your seat in the course is not confirmed until payment is received. Additionally, payment must be received at least seven days before the start of the course by Noon EST on the seventh day.

Continuing Education and Conferences (CEC) is committed to supporting learning and engagement for all program participants by providing appropriate accommodations. If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at accessibility@sc.edu.

Dates / Sessions Times Fees
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate - Online
03/09/2026 - 04/03/2026
Meets Monday - Friday
10 Sessions

Register Online

Notes: Online instructions will be emailed approximately one week before the course starts.
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM $3,400.00
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate - Classroom
04/13/2026 - 04/17/2026
Meets Monday - Friday
5 Sessions

Register Online

Notes: Course orientation information will be emailed approximately one week before the course starts.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM $3,400.00
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate - Online
08/03/2026 - 10/02/2026
Meets Monday - Friday
10 Sessions

Register Online

Notes: Online instructions will be emailed approximately one week before the course starts.
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM $3,400.00
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate - Classroom
09/28/2026 - 10/02/2026
Meets Monday - Friday
5 Sessions

Register Online

Notes: Course orientation information will be emailed approximately one week before the course starts.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM $3,400.00

 

Expectations of a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, you will learn to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of Six Sigma tools and processes
  • Analyze and solve quality problems
  • Operate in support of or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt
  • Have active involvement in, but not lead, quality improvement projects
  • Have the necessary skills and experience to move on to the Black Belt

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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