Online Master of Science in Quality Assurance

Online Learning & Degree Programs, Education
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An Online Master of Science in Quality Assurance (MSQA)?

Quality assurance is a field that offers varied employment options. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that quality assurance professionals work as inspectors, weighers, testers, samplers, and sorters. Other job opportunities are found in the call center industry where quality assurance agents rate customer service professionals’ phone performance and work closely with team supervisors, call center managers, and training departments to streamline performance and address training needs.

It is interesting to note that, at this time, the majority of quality assurance professionals are working in the manufacturing sector even though these jobs will eventually become obsolete due to the automation of the process. That being said, a master’s degree in this discipline ensures your ability to compete in the marketplace and also to branch out to other industries when the manufacturing field proves to no longer offer viable employment opportunities.

Schools offering a Quality Assurance Graduate Degree via Distance Learning

California State University_, Dominguez Hills_

This school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Secondary Colleges and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. As outlined previously in the article “Guide to Becoming a Technical Writer with Online Technical Writing Courses,” California State University at Dominguez Hills is a school with a reputation for preparing industry professionals in their desired niches of employment.

This MSQA is available via distance learning and focuses on providing students with the knowledge needed to sit for the Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Manager, Certified Quality Engineer, and Certified Reliability Engineer exams. This program consists of thirty-three units, and applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a technical field are preferred. The school estimates the cost of the degree to be between $6,500 and $7,500.

Southern Polytechnic State University

Southern Polytechnic State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as well as a number of field specific accrediting bodies. This degree requires the completion of thirty-three hours at a rate of $245 per credit hour. Coursework focuses on statistics and analysis against the backdrop of quality assurance and also systems design and reliability. The emphasis of this degree is the engineering field.

Expanding Employability

After earning your online master of science in quality assurance, you may opt to cut your teeth in the industrial sector. According to the BLS, the aerospace manufacturing sector is the highest paying employer in this niche. When you are ready to expand your employability, consider the fields of agricultural inspection, construction safety, fire marshaling, and occupational health code compliance inspector as potential venues for career changes or upward mobility.

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