Degree Requirements

MSQA Degree Requirements

To be awarded the Master of Science in Quality Assurance, students must:

• Complete 30 units of approved graduate course work.
• Successfully complete the required courses as listed with a grade of "C" or better.
• Complete all course work with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (B).
• Complete the Capstone Requirement.

MSQA Students choose from one of the following two programs: 

Credit for Prior Learning

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)

• Requirements: Demonstrate ASQ certification is current during the semester the class is scheduled.
• There is no fee for this course or required class activities.
• Substitutes: QAS 525 – ISO 9000 & The Audit Function (3 units) elective

QAS 592 Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) (3 units)

• Requirements: Demonstrate ASQ certification is current during the semester the class is scheduled.
• There is no fee for this course or required class activities.
• Substitutes: QAS 527 – Quality Management (3 units) elective

QAS 593 Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) (3 units)

• Requirements: Demonstrate ASQ certification is current during the semester the class is scheduled.
• There is no fee for this course or required class activities.
• Substitutes: QAS 536 – Six Sigma Principles & Applications (3 units) elective

Enrollment in Credit for Prior Learning classes:

Prerequisites:

Student must have completed at least 9 units in the MSQA program and be in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

Credit for prior learning classes are offered in the spring and fall semesters.

Registration Process:

1. Contact Karla Martinez (310-243-3965 • kmartinez@csudh.edu) with enrollment request.
2. Provide document of proof of certification that includes certification period dates are current.
   Acceptable documents (Any one of the following):
   
   • Official notification letter of certification from ASQ
   • ASQ Certification Card
   • ASQ Certification Badge with dates included
3. Upon satisfying the perquisite requirements and proof of certification, a permission number for class enrollment will be provided.

MSQA Capstone for Degree Completion Options

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.

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