Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Quality Management
Majors Overview February 28, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in quality management and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Quality Management
While schools usually only offer master’s degree programs in quality management, bachelor’s degree programs in quality management are offered by some schools. Students enrolled in quality management (or quality assurance) programs are taught about ways of utilizing assets from a managerial perspective aimed at achieving optimal output.
There are no educational prerequisites for admission to bachelor’s degree programs in quality management, and students can enroll without having to take preliminary courses.
Coursework
Coursework varies by school. A general approach to quality management is taken by some schools, while others adopt a focus on the manufacturing and industry applications. In either instance, completion of a capstone project or internship is required in most schools before students are allowed to graduate. Core coursework in four-year quality management courses may include topic areas such as:
•Quality systems
•Auditing for quality
•Economics of quality
•Statistical process control
•Industrial safety
•Engineering for quality
Career Choices
Students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in quality management are taught skills that are applicable within numerous disciplines. Although additional education or experience would be needed to achieve higher-ranking positions, holding a bachelor’s degree in quality management can help an individual seek positions such as the following:
•Hospital manager
•Managerial consultant
•Production manager
•Quality control inspector
Job and Wage Outlook
Job growth for industrial production managers is expected to decline by 2% over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics). In May 2012, industrial production managers brought home an average annual wage of $89,190 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Students who complete a bachelor’s degree program in quality management may seek continuing education by earning a master’s degree in the field. Alternatively, bachelor’s degree holders could choose to pursue certifications in Six Sigma, a strategy commonly used across industries in business management.
Yellow, green and black belt Six Sigma certification reflects various levels of the depth of understanding of Six Sigma. The American Society for Quality and Motorola are among other organizations that award certification.
