To be awarded the Master of Science in Quality Assurance, students must:
MSQA students who have an active American Society for Quality ASQ CQA, SSBB, and/or CMQ/OE certification can be awarded elective unit credits applicable to their MSQA degree. Please ensure you check the number of elective units required for your MSQA track (Manufacturing or Service & Health Care).
Credit for Prior Learning Classes:
QAS 591 Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) (3 units)
Substitutes: QAS 525 – ISO 9000 & The Audit Function (3 units) elective
QAS 592 Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) (3 units)
Substitutes: QAS 527 – Quality Management (3 units) elective
QAS 593 Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (3 units)
Substitutes: QAS 536 – Six Sigma Principles & Applications (3 units) elective
Enrollment in Credit for Prior Learning classes:
Prerequisites:
Credit for prior learning classes offered in the spring and fall semesters.
Registration Process:
Upon completion of the required coursework, MSQA students may elect to take a comprehensive exam or complete a culminating project or thesis. All graduate students who undertake a project or thesis as their culminating experience for a master's degree must use the CSU Dominguez Hills "Thesis and Project Guide," available in the bookstore or online.
Option 1) Students choosing the Comprehensive Exam need 30 credits of coursework from either the Manufacturing or Service and Healthcare concentrations. A comprehensive examination is an assessment of the student's ability to integrate the knowledge of the area, show critical and independent thinking, demonstrate mastery of the subject matter and demonstrate writing skills commensurate with the granting of the master’s degree. The comprehensive examination is equivalent in rigor to the thesis. The exam consists of short answer questions, essay questions (approximately 50% of the exam) and case studies, is to be completed in one sitting with a maximum of 4 hours and is graded by a panel of MSQA Instructors. A grade of 70% is required to pass. In addition to the grade, students must defend their exam verbally before a panel of MSQA Instructors. It is recommended that students take the Case Studies in Quality, QAS 546 course prior to selecting the comprehensive exam option.
Option 2) Students choosing the culminating Project need 30 credits of coursework from either the Manufacturing or Service and Healthcare concentrations. Courses QAS 598 (Directed Research) and QAS 599 (Project) are recommended electives to prepare and complete your project. The topic of the project is to be approved and supervised by the Graduate Thesis Committee Chair, in consultation with the student's Graduate Thesis Committee.
Option 3) Students choosing the culminating Thesis need 30 credits of coursework from either the Manufacturing or Service and Healthcare concentrations. Courses QAS 598 (Directed Research) and QAS 599 (Thesis) are recommended electives to prepare and complete your thesis. The topic of the thesis is to be approved and supervised by the Graduate Thesis Committee Chair in consultation with the student's Graduate Thesis Committee. QAS 599 Thesis and Project Requirements and Due Dates.
Each student must select a comprehensive exam/thesis/project advisor and two faculty to serve as the graduate committee. When additional expertise is required, a member may be from another institution, but at least two committee members, including the Chair, must be CSUDH MSQA faculty.
Each student should contact the MSQA coordinator prior to selecting classes.