The life sciences industry is highly regulated by governmental agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Industry professionals must have a working knowledge of the regulatory environment in which they work and a commitment to repeatedly producing safe, effective and reliable products.
While many college science graduates understand concepts surrounding repeatability, they don't necessarily know that there is an entire body of knowledge employed to ensure safety of pharmaceuticals and medical device products, even at the discovery stage. The American Society of Quality Biomedical Division 
provides training and education programs and networking opportunities to help professionals advance their careers.
A wide range and number of job openings for quality professionals in the life sciences industry can be discovered using typical web search tools.
Advanced Certificate in Biomedical Quality Systems (Online)
This certificate provides a background in quality systems principles and practices for the development, testing and manufacture of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device products with the additional training necessary for compliance with regulatory requirements. Visit the program website.
Biotechnology Project Management Certificate in Quality Assurance (Online) - Program on hiatus.
This certificate is jointly offered by CSU Channel Islands, CSU Dominguez Hills and San Diego State University. This graduate certificate focuses on the tools required of professionals to successfully manage product development and quality assurance projects in the biotechnology related industries such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biopharmaceuticals. Participants will learn the importance of leadership and effective communications in managing and implementing process changes and improvements, while complying with regulatory requirements. This quality assurance certificate was co-developed with biotechnology professionals from the American Society of Quality and incorporates case studies and examples from life sciences companies.
For more information contact CSUPERB (619-594-2822) or visit the program webpage.
General Quality Management Certificates
The CSU also offers specific programs in quality management for those new to this discipline and/or for those seeking to further expand their business knowledge and skill sets.
Quality Management Certificate (Online)
California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in cooperation with the Los Angeles Section 0700 can help you prepare for the ASQ Certification. CSUDH offers non-credit refresher courses that are designed to aid the Quality Practitioner pass the ASQ professional certification examination. This certification is a recognized professional accomplishment bound to enhance your career and personal marketability.
For more information contact: (310) 243-3880 (MSQA office) or msqa@csudh.edu or visit the program website .
Quality Management Certificate Program
The California State University, East Bay Certificate in Quality Management prepares engineers, scientists, engineering managers and other technical professionals to initiate and manage quality improvement projects. It is designed for those currently in quality management roles as well as those who expect to assume them.
Those who earn Cal State East Bay's Quality Management Certificate will acquire the knowledge necessary to initiate supply chain management programs and quality improvement programs such as Six Sigma. Courses will provide a thorough grounding in quality improvement tools and techniques such as Statistical Process Control (SPC), Statistical Quality Control (SQC), Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Design of Experiments (DOE) and Total Quality Management (TQM).
For more information contact: Janice Bruett Program Coordinator at janice.bruett@csueastbay.edu or (510) 885-2321 or visit the program website .
General Lean and Six Sigma Certificates
Lean and Six Sigma are approaches that are commonly used in heavy manufacturing industries to improve operational efficiencies, but have been adapted and and deployed by many biotech and pharmaceutical companies today. There are several CSU programs available that provide students with training in lean management and six sigma principles. To see a listing of the job opportunities in these areas click here.
Introduction to Six Sigma for Managers Certificate (Online)
The students of the Introduction to Six Sigma for Managers course will be able to understand and communicate with Green and Black Belts after completion of the course. They will learn critical success factors in the implementation of Six Sigma within their organization. They will also learn the strategies and benefits of Six Sigma that can lead to organizational cost saving. In this course, students will be trained on the fundamentals of Six Sigma, how to align it with business goals, the financial management of the project and the role of a Six Sigma manager.
For more information or to apply contact: Rebecca Pang at rpang@csupomona.edu at
(909) 869-4495 (Code: 8SIXMGR-WT
) or visit the program website .
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate
The Six Sigma Program consists of five separate certificates including Introduction to Six Sigma for Managers (Online), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Six Sigma Green Belt: Manufacturing, Six Sigma Green Belt: Service and Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate: l & ll. These certificate programs can be taken separately or as a series, and are instructor-led with theory, examples and hands-on training. The Six Sigma Program will help students understand the philosophy and methodologies for creating continuous improvement in manufacturing or service industry.
For more information or to apply visit the registration and course information page .
Six Sigma Green Belt: Manufacturing Certificate
The Six Sigma Green Belt: Manufacturing Certificate, part of our Six Sigma program, is a 40-hour course designed to reinforce the principles of Six Sigma from a manufacturing point of view. The techniques acquired in this course can be used to increase product quality, customer satisfaction and set successful track records.
For more information or to apply visit the registration and course information page .
Six Sigma Certificate Program (Online)
The California State University, East Bay Six Sigma Certificate offers professionals the choice of two nationally recognized Six Sigma training programs.
Cal State East Bay's Six Sigma Green Belt program encompasses all aspects of running a Six Sigma greenbelt business, including management, service delivery, design, production and customer satisfaction. It will appeal to anyone wanting to learn the fundamental skills necessary to contribute to a Six Sigma team as a Green Belt. Six Sigma Champions will find it valuable as well.
Cal State East Bay's Six Sigma Black Belt program encompasses the Green Belt curriculum and much more. It is an excellent option for those who seek to lead Six Sigma teams using the DMAIC methodology and advanced statistical tools.
For more information contact: Janice Bruett Program Coordinator at janice.bruett@csueastbay.edu or (510) 885-2321 or visit the program website .
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate is an opportunity to experience the tools and methods that are necessary to successfully lead and contribute to Lean Six Sigma projects. In the foundation of the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training, you will develop the tools to identify improvement projects, measure results, and analyze performance data.
For more information contact: Mimi Lawson at mlawson@fullerton.edu or (714) 278-3313 or visit the program website .
Six Sigma, Black Belt Certificate
Six Sigma is a quality management methodology that uses data and statistical analysis to eliminate defects and improve effectiveness and efficiency. Six Sigma relies on both Green Belts and Black Belts who each have a role in the successful completion of a project. The Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate builds on the foundation of our Green Belt Certificate, which is a prerequisite for this program.
For more information contact: Mimi Lawson at mlawson@fullerton.edu or (714) 278-3313 or visit the program website .
Six Sigma, Yellow Belt Certificate
For the most efficient utilization of Six Sigma improvement methodology, there is a need for wide-spread knowledge concerning the overall process and the basic process improvement tools. The Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certificate will prepare you to work more efficiently with the Green Belts and Black Belts and contribute to Six Sigma projects.
For more information contact: Mimi Lawson at mlawson@fullerton.edu or (714) 278-3313 or visit the program website .
Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate (Online)
This nationally recognized Six Sigma Greenbelt online course and training program encompasses all aspects of running a Six Sigma Greenbelt business, including management, service delivery, design, production and customer satisfaction. Six Sigma is one of the highest standards for companies and individuals to achieve. This interactive online training provides the skills needed to master this highly valuable skill. All materials included. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers.
For more information visit the program website .
Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate (Online)
The Six Sigma Black Belt Online Training Program integrates Six Sigma with hands-on data analysis. The program material provides you with an in-depth look at the Six Sigma Black Belt problem-solving methodology, DMAIC: Define the problem, Measure key aspects, Analyze data, Improve the process, Control the future process. You'll also learn about deployment and project development approaches.
All materials are included. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers.
For more information visit the program website .
Professional Certificate in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Streamline your workflow. Cut your overhead. Boost your quality. Significantly impact your bottom line.
Are you interested in tangible results? Do you want to ensure your competitive edge in the market place? We will combine the best practices of Six Sigma and Lean by integrating the practical tools of Lean with the science of Six Sigma in our Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification program.
This program can be offered at your site and tailored to your organization. For more information contact: (619) 594-1153 or lss@sdsu.edu or visit program website .
Professional Certificate in the Lean Enterprise
Earn a Professional Certificate in the Lean Enterprise, and gain practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to your work place. During this 13-week program, you and your project team will implement Lean concepts to your business, improving quality while decreasing costs. Whether you work in service, transactional activities, or manufacturing processes, your organization will benefit from the experience of our seasoned instructors.
The Lean philosophy is a strategy for achieving significant improvement in performance through elimination of waste in the total business process.
The Lean program introduces class participants to the Lean philosophy by incorporating learning tools that include simulations, exercises, lectures, and assignments.
Throughout the program, participants work in project teams applying the Lean concepts to their own work places. Participants also tour San Diego companies to see Lean principles in action. At the conclusion of the program, participants receive a certificate of completion.
To bring all or part of this program to your organization, call (619) 594-3986. For more information contact: (619) 594-1138, or lean@sdsu.edu or visit program website .
