Lean Manufacturing, M.S.

Lean Manufacturing, M.S.

The Only Lean Manufacturing Program of Its Kind in North America – Developed in Partnership with General Motors

Kettering University Online is proud to be the only school globally to offer a lean manufacturing master’s degree, made possible because of our partnership with General Motors. Lean Manufacturing applies Lean principles and practices, Six Sigma philosophy, and other tools to solve organizational challenges, reduce and eliminate waste and create a more efficient process, effectively reducing time, cost, and errors

Why Study Lean Manufacturing at Kettering University?

Make an impact right away - our Learn Today-Use Tomorrow philosophy combines theory with practice, allowing you to apply your classroom learning directly to the job.

  • $965 per credit hour – Financial aid and military benefits are available for qualified applicants
  • 100% online, 40 credit-hour curriculum – Seven core courses plus your choice of one of the following three-course graduate certificates: Global Leadership, Lean Principles for Healthcare, Operations Management, Management & Leadership, Foundations of Data Science, Supply Chain Level I or Supply Chain Level II
  • Finish in as few as 18 months
  • No GRE/GMAT required
  • Multiple intakes per year – Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer
  • Become well-versed in Six Sigma and lean enterprise development, value stream mapping, Pareto charts, fishbone diagrams, etc
  • Two Degrees in Two Years – Earn a second master’s degree with only 5 additional courses to further boost your credentials and increase your competitive edge. Choose from MBA, MS Operations Management, or MS Engineering Management.

Lean Manufacturing is a continuous improvement process that took root in the manufacturing world, with a significant presence in the automotive industry. The lean approach embodies a commitment to the relentless pursuit of efficiency and quality. It has seamlessly integrated Six Sigma concepts to bolster its range of methodologies.

The core principle of Lean Manufacturing revolves around minimizing waste while maximizing value and emphasizing a streamlined process that eliminates unnecessary steps and resources. This holistic approach, honed through years of application in industries such as automotive manufacturing, has transcended its origins to find applications in various sectors, offering a robust framework for organizations to thrive and continually improve their operations.

What You'll Learn

Instead of acquiring skills solely on the job and tailored to a specific role, our approach is to equip you with the ability to apply lean manufacturing principles across various professions. The journey begins with a foundational understanding of assessing and enhancing quality in different processes and contexts. This is followed by a data-driven process that enables the identification of actionable steps for improvement.

Our lean manufacturing course curriculum includes:

  • Latest research and Lean methods
  • Critical thinking about Lean and different ways it is/can be utilized
  • In-depth understanding of the impact of projects based on real-world situations
  • Real-world business situations, problems, and decisions
  • Enhanced teamwork collaboration, as well as enhanced focus on individual leadership training in the industry.

FAQ's

Domestic Students

  • An Undergraduate degree with 3.0 on a 4.0 grading system, or the international equivalent (85 overall grade point average on a 100-grade-point scale.)  A 2.5-2.99 GPA will be considered on a provisional basis.
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose - Indicate your reason(s) for pursuing a graduate degree at Kettering University
  • Three Professional Letters of Recommendation (one must be from a supervisor)
  • Official transcripts from a regionally accredited U.S. university or an international equivalent
  • Up to 8 hours of transfer credits may be available
  • No GRE or GMAT is required

International Students

In addition to the Domestic requirements, international students also require:

  • International students are required to submit educational documentation to an evaluation service such as Educational Perspectives, which is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). This will be at the expense of the student. Kettering University undergraduate students need not submit their Kettering transcripts but are required to submit transcripts from any other university.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Our minimum score requirements are:

  • TOEFL: Paper-based: 550
  • Computer-based: 213
  • Internet-based: 79
  • IELTS: Minimum Band score of 6.0

Admissions

Our knowledgeable and supportive Admissions Advisors help you understand KUO's program structure, mission, core values, and goals. They help you understand how the program you are interested in pursuing aligns with your career goals and assist you in preparing a strong file for the Admissions Committee.

Student Support

Online students enrolled with KUO receive individual guidance from a Professional Advisor. KUO is committed to helping you thrive as an online student —that is why we offer support from the start of your classes until graduation, ensuring you stay connected to the university.

We provide a unique option for you to enroll in just five extra courses to earn your online MBA, MS Operations Management, or MS Engineering Management. As a lean manufacturing professional, your business acumen will complement the technical skills you bring to the job every day.

Get your MBA as a second degree by taking just four additional courses
Get two master’s degrees plus your customized certificate to add weight to your resume
No need to complete a 2nd certificate course; get your 2nd master’s degree in record time

All courses need to be within 6 years.

Additional Information

  • MFGO 601 | GLOBALLY INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING COMPANY
  • MFGO 619 | SIX SIGMA: INTRODUCTION TO DMAIC
  • MFGO 633 | LEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
  • MFGO 639 | QUALITY ASSURANCE AND RELIABILITY
  • MFGO 635 | WORK ANALYSIS FOR LEAN PRODUCTION APPLICATIONS
  • MFGO 649 | METRICS FOR LEAN PRODUCTION APPLICATIONS
  • MFGO 659 | INTEGRATIVE CAPSTONE PROJECT

The Master of Lean Manufacturing Online curriculum includes 7 core courses plus your choice of one of the 3-course graduate certificates listed below.

  • Global Leadership
  • Operations Management
  • Lean Principles for Healthcare
  • Management and Leadership
  • Supply Chain – Level I
  • Supply Chain – Level II
  • Foundations of Data Science

Participating in structured assessments, we proactively identify and address issues while harmonizing them with lean manufacturing principles. This involves the analysis of institutional data, prioritization of actions with stakeholder support, and a commitment to ongoing reevaluation to uphold quality standards in domains like customer service and quality control. These competencies in lean manufacturing equip individuals with problem-solving, data analysis, collaborative, and continuous improvement skills that are highly sought-after in the professional world, ensuring a competitive edge and facilitating career advancement. Those pursuing a career in lean manufacturing can work in various industries, including aerospace, agriculture, apparel, automotive, construction, consumer products, forestry, healthcare, government, sports, retail, service, and technology.

Salary Expectations for Master’s Professionals

  • VP, Director, Manufacturing/Production/Supply Chain: $180,400
  • Corporate/Executive Management: $179,900
  • COO: $167,243
  • CTO: $167,243
  • VP, Director, Purchasing/Procurement/Sourcing: $157,750
  • R&D/Product Development Management: $131,917
  • Automotive Plant Manager: $125,694
  • Lean/Continuous Improvement Management: $124,500
  • National Service Director (or Executive Director): $124,500
  • Hospital Administrator: $114,118
  • Consulting/Education: $107,400
  • Quality Management: $100,375
  • Retail District Manager: $96,000

Next Steps

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