Program Overview

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Program

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program is designed for Lean Six Sigma team leaders, expanding upon the skill set taught in the Green Belt certification. This program is only offered through distance learning and utilizes the University's Brightspace Learn course management system and Panopto recordings to deliver lectures, notes, and other information.

About the Black Belt Training

• Designed for Lean Six Sigma team leaders.
• Expands upon the skill set taught in the Green Belt certification.
• Only offered through distance learning.
• Uses the University's Brightspace Learn course management system and Panopto recordings.
• Gives valuable business tools to organize, coordinate, and lead organizations in achieving process and operational excellence.
• Emphasizes the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) methodology through analytical and quantitative tools as well as project management, leadership, and organizational methods.
• Instruction on modules in practical DMAIC applications, Failure Mode Effects Analysis, Advanced Lean, Advanced DOE, SPC for non-normal distributions, Optimization, Scheduling & Sequencing, Effective and Efficient teamwork strategies, as well as a variety of other tools and analysis methodologies.
• Completion of lecture material and a grade of 70% or higher on the open-book examination is required to earn the Lean Six Sigma Brown Belt and to proceed with the Black Belt project.
• One year to complete a successful Black Belt Project.
• Certification is not necessary to use the tools and generate improvements.

Open to

• Current Binghamton, non-Binghamton students.
• Binghamton alumni.
• Members of industry, non-profit and government agencies.

Requirements

• Knowledge/education in probability & statistics and/or quality control.
• A Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher) certification from a recognized program.
• Computer/Laptop with Microsoft Excel.
• A trial version (free for 30 days) of the Minitab software.
• Updated version of JAVA.

Materials Provided

• All Instructional Materials.
• Soft copies of slides.
• Access to slides and lectures via Brightspace course management system.
• Support via email, phone, and virtual office hours with instructors.
• Grading of the take-home exam.
• Instructor support towards the Black Belt project.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate of Completion upon successful completion of the exam and project.

Course Outline

The course consists of 26 sessions, covering a wide range of topics including:

• Program Overview, Certification Reqs, Continuous Improvement, Basic Statistics
• Lean Tools
• Process Capability, DPMO (PPM), DMAIC Problem Solving Framework
• DMAIC Problem Solving Framework, Lean Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control
• Project Management, Project Selections, Project Charter
• Stakeholder Analysis, VOC & VOP, Customer Requirements, Business Problem Solving
• Team Management, Leadership Skills, Team Dynamics
• Critical Success Factors, Balanced Scored Toolset, Kano Analysis, Dashboard
• MSA, Gauge R&R Study
• Hypothesis Testing, ANOVA, MANOVA. Nonparametric Tests
• Correlation Analysis, Regression Analysis, Multiple Regression
• Logistic Regression Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, Visual Analysis
• Factorial Experiment, Fractional Factorial Experiment, Minitab
• Reliability Total Productive Maintenance
• Theory of Constraints, Process Balancing, Simulation, Process Forecasting, Process Management Plan
• Visual Analysis, 7 Basic Tools of Quality, 7 New Tools of Quality
• MANOVA with Minitab, Regression with Minitab, Correlation with Minitab
• Systems Engineering, House of Quality
• 2P/3P, A3 Report, Benchmarking, Heijunka, MultiVoting Planning, Hoshin Planning
• Design for Lean Six Sigma, Piloting a Solution, Action Plans, Conflict Management, 6 Sigma Culture
• Change Management, GEMBA, Kaizen, Pitfalls leading to non-successful Kaizen Events
• Best Practice, Lesson Learned, Control Plans, Short Line Charts, Non-Normal Charts
• Advanced Statistical Process Control, Sampling and Power
• Priority Selection Toolset, Financial Analysis, CBA, Progress Review, Improved Tollgate
• Integrated Enterprise Excellence, ISO 9001, Malcolm Baldridge, Job and Market, Exam/Project Discussions

Exam

• The exam is due August 25, 2025.
• An overall score of 70% or greater is required to pass the test.
• 40+ hours needed to complete the exam.
• Late submissions and extensions will NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• Brown Belt certification is conferred upon successful completion of the exam.
• If you fail, you can retake the exam by paying a retake/regrade fee of $200.

Project

• Project Charter due no later than February 1st, 2026.
• Supporting updates (Project Checkpoint Measures) are due on May 1 and July 1, 2026.
• Final project due August 28, 2026.
• Black Belt certification is conferred upon successful review by the Lean Six Sigma teaching staff.
• The Black Belt project should solve a real problem in any industry or non-profit agency.
• The project must not require disclosure of confidential or proprietary information.

Instructors

The course will be led by a team of faculty from the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, as well as graduate students and industry professionals, including:

• Constance (Connie) Dwyer, MS '95
• Michael D. Ford
• Ying Han
• Shuxia (Susan) Lu
• Mohammad Khasawneh
• Nagen Nagarur
• Daryl Santos
• Sang Won Yoon

Fees & Deadlines

• Industry: $1,950
• Government, Non-Profit, Full-Time Non-Binghamton Students, Binghamton Alumni (graduated before May 2024): $1,850
• Full-Time Current Binghamton Students & recent Binghamton Alumni (graduated May 2024 or after): $925 Group pricing may be available upon request.

Making Payments

Arrangements for payment must be made before the start of the program. Payment options include:

• Credit Card/Paypal
• Check

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• All cancellations must be received in writing by 9 am on June 11, 2026.
• Allow up to three weeks to receive your refund.
• No refunds for cancellations or non-completion after the deadline.
• Refunds are not issued after the course has begun; however, substitutions may be made anytime before the beginning of the course.
• If the course is canceled, enrollees will be advised and receive a full refund.
• Cancellations on confirmed registrations are subject to a $50 administrative fee.