Online Education for Working Professionals
Learn SPC, Lean, and DOE tools and techniques for process and product quality and
productivity improvement.
Build quality engineering skills for a career in a variety of manufacturing and non-manufacturing
sectors.
The certificate provides the conceptual and mathematical foundations of the tools
and techniques used in the field of quality engineering. Learn to wield control charts,
descriptive data, graphical data, concepts of lean manufacturing, process capability
analysis, design of experiments, and more. Solve real-world product, process, and
quality- and productivity-related problems. The average quality engineer salary is
$75,351 per year (Payscale).
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How to Apply
3 courses in 3 semesters.
| Length |
3 courses in 2-3 semesters |
| Effort |
3 hours per credit per week |
| Each course |
3 credits |
| Total credits |
9 |
| Course type |
Online or on-campus |
| Modality |
Watch class recordings on demand |
| Cost |
Based on credits and course type |
| Already enrolled? |
Speak with your advisor |
Curriculum
Progress quickly with a compact curriculum. Work with the program advisor to select
courses that fit your interests and pre-requisite skills.
Required Courses
Take 6 credits of required courses.
MA 5701 - Statistical Methods
Introduction to design, conduct, and analysis of statistical studies, with an introduction to statistical computing and preparation of statistical reports. Topics include design, descriptive, and graphical methods, probability models, parameter estimation and hypothesis testing.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
ME 5650 - Advanced Quality Engineering
Introduction to the concepts and methods of quality and productivity improvement. Topics include principles of Shewhart, Deming, Taguchi; meaning of quality; control charts for variables, individuals, and attributes; process capability analysis; variation of assemblies; multi-variate situations; and computer-based workshops.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate;
Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering
Electives
Take a 3 credit elective course.
ME 5655 - Introduction to Lean Manufacturing
Introduces lean manufacturing tools, techniques, and practices. Topics include Muda, 5S, visual factory, VSM, theory of constraints, standardized work, pull system, SMED, TPM, and lean assessment. Additional case studies and manufacturing process simulation-based projects are also used for assessing and improving processes.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate;
Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering, College of Business
ME 5670 - Experimental Design in Engineering
Review of basic statistical concepts. Models for testing significance of one or many factors. Reducing experimental effort by incomplete blocks, and Latin squares. Factorial and fractional factorial designs. Response surface analysis for optimal response.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Summer
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering
- Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 4901(C) or ME 4901(C) or ENT 4950(C) or Graduate Status >= 1
Typical Schedule
The minimum completion time is one semester.
On-campus
The minimum completion time for on-campus students is one semester if ME 5670 is selected
as the elective course. Here is a typical schedule.
| Fall |
MA 5701
ME 5650
ME 5670 |
Online
The minimum completion time for online students is two semesters. Here is a typical
schedule.
| Fall |
Spring |
MA 5701
ME 5655 |
ME 5650 |
Application Process and Admissions Requirements
Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out
our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required
for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.
Graduate School Admissions Process
Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application
process involves three easy steps.
See Admissions Steps
Graduate School Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:
- have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
- be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous
degree and your scholastic record.
See additional application requirements, including required materials:
Program Specific Requirements
Program Specific
- Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0
scale
- GMAT/GRE: Not required
- Preferred major: Mechanical Engineering or closely related technical field - Students
with degrees in other fields may be required to take preparatory courses
International Students
- TOEFL: Recommended Score of 79 iBT
- IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5
Admissions Decisions
Made on a rolling basis.
Prospective Students
- Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate
certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
- Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have
achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan
Tech (less than two years).
- The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.
Current Graduate Students
- Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.
International Student Requirements
International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.
See International Applicants
Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.
Upon completion of the Certificate the student should be able to:
- Apply statistical process control for continuous improvement.
- Apply quality engineering tools for process and product quality and productivity improvement.
- Analyze data and display professional communication skills (written and oral) of engineers
working in the quality engineering field.
Michigan Tech was founded in 1885.
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and widely respected
by fast-paced industries, including automotive development, infrastructure, manufacturing,
and aerospace. Michigan Tech graduates deliver on rapid innovation and front-line
research, leaning into any challenge with confidence.
The College of Engineering fosters excellence in education and research.
We set out as the Michigan Mining School in 1885 to train mining engineers to better
operate copper mines. Today, more than 60 percent of Michigan Tech students are enrolled
in our 17 undergraduate and 29 graduate engineering programs across nine departments.
Our students and curriculum embrace the spirit of hard work and fortitude our founders
once had. Our online graduate courses are the same, robust classes taken by our doctorate
and masters candidates, taught directly by highly regarded faculty, with outstanding
support from staff. We invite working professionals to join these courses, bring their
own experience and challenges as part of the discussion. Leverage the national reputation
of Michigan Tech to advance your career in tech leadership.
Online Certified Instructors
Meet the online certified instructors. Students have the flexibility to review class
recordings later.
Teaching Statement
Dr. Johnson teaches introduction to lean manufacturing.
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