Establishing a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for Undergraduate Engineering Technology Students

Wes Stone; Michael Sean June

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Conference: 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Publication Date: June 26, 2016
Start Date: June 26, 2016
End Date: June 29, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-692-68565-5
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Engineering Technology Division Poster Session
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 6
DOI: 10.18260/p.26736
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/26736
Download Count: 547

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Paper Authors

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Wes Stone Western Carolina University

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Dr. Wes Stone is an associate professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. He earned his bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin, masters degree from Penn State, and PhD from Georgia Tech, all in Mechanical Engineering. His research interests include manufacturing processes and quality techniques. He also serves as the program director for Engineering Technology at WCU.

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Michael Sean June Western Carolina University

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Dr. M. Sean June is an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. He earned bachelor’s degrees from both the State University College at Fredonia NY (Biology), and the Rochester Institute of Technology (Mechanical Engineering), a master’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology (M.E.), and a PhD from North Carolina State University (M.E.). His research interests include electro-hydrodynamic flow, enhancement of heat transfer and propulsion.

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Abstract

The Engineering Technology program at _____________ University has built strong ties with regional industry over the past several decades, producing graduates who are ready to “hit the ground running.” Employers often compliment the ability of these graduates to contribute immediately, especially in a manufacturing setting. During recent industrial advisory committee meetings, it has been noted that the students in this ET program are exposed to valuable Six Sigma quality topics, and that a certification program would be beneficial.

In a separate effort, the Department of Engineering and Technology secured a significant grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, which is funding the development of advanced manufacturing to retrain the state’s workforce, many of whom were displaced by the reform of the tobacco industry. This grant has supported the creation of articulation agreements between regional community colleges and the programs in the department, as well as the pursuit of ABET accreditation for the associates programs in engineering technology fields. Also included in this Golden Leaf grant is the development of a Six Sigma Green Belt certification program within the Engineering Technology program.

This paper details the development of a Six Sigma Green Belt certification program within the Engineering Technology program. Similar to Green Belt certification through the American Society for Quality (ASQ), this certification is available to Engineering Technology students while they are enrolled at the university. The program takes advantage of two existing courses – Quality Systems (ET 331) and Lean Six Sigma (ET 334) – and adds the requirement of an examination covering the body of knowledge in Six Sigma, as well as an industry related project. ET students can accomplish the project through a summer internship or through careful selection of their industry-sponsored senior capstone project. By weaving this Green Belt certification into the academic program, students are able to graduate with additional credentials valuable in industry without incurring the expense of certification typically associated with similar programs outside the university.

In a parallel effort, the department is offering continuing education courses in Six Sigma topics that cover the same body of knowledge. It is anticipated that this same Green Belt certification will be available to non-degree seeking students who show mastery of the same topics, provided that the examination and project are also completed.

Citation
Format

Stone, W., & June, M. S. (2016, June), Establishing a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for Undergraduate Engineering Technology Students Paper presented at 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, New Orleans, Louisiana. 10.18260/p.26736

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - The Engineering Technology program at _____________ University has built strong ties with regional industry over the past several decades, producing graduates who are ready to “hit the ground running.”  Employers often compliment the ability of these graduates to contribute immediately, especially in a manufacturing setting.  During recent industrial advisory committee meetings, it has been noted that the students in this ET program are exposed to valuable Six Sigma quality topics, and that a certification program would be beneficial.

In a separate effort, the Department of Engineering and Technology secured a significant grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation, which is funding the development of advanced manufacturing to retrain the state’s workforce, many of whom were displaced by the reform of the tobacco industry.  This grant has supported the creation of articulation agreements between regional community colleges and the programs in the department, as well as the pursuit of ABET accreditation for the associates programs in engineering technology fields.  Also included in this Golden Leaf grant is the development of a Six Sigma Green Belt certification program within the Engineering Technology program.

This paper details the development of a Six Sigma Green Belt certification program within the Engineering Technology program.  Similar to Green Belt certification through the American Society for Quality (ASQ), this certification is available to Engineering Technology students while they are enrolled at the university.  The program takes advantage of two existing courses – Quality Systems (ET 331) and Lean Six Sigma (ET 334) – and adds the requirement of an examination covering the body of knowledge in Six Sigma, as well as an industry related project.  ET students can accomplish the project through a summer internship or through careful selection of their industry-sponsored senior capstone project.  By weaving this Green Belt certification into the academic program, students are able to graduate with additional credentials valuable in industry without incurring the expense of certification typically associated with similar programs outside the university.

In a parallel effort, the department is offering continuing education courses in Six Sigma topics that cover the same body of knowledge.  It is anticipated that this same Green Belt certification will be available to non-degree seeking students who show mastery of the same topics, provided that the examination and project are also completed.

AU  - Wes Stone
AU  - Michael Sean June
CY  - New Orleans, Louisiana
DA  - 2016/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Establishing a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification for Undergraduate Engineering Technology Students
UR  - https://strategy.asee.org/26736
DO  - 10.18260/p.26736
ER  -