Auburn ISE launches international Lean Six Sigma study abroad program
Published: Nov 3, 2025 10:30 AM
By Carla Nelson
Auburn University engineering and business students now have the opportunity to study abroad and earn an internationally recognized credential through a new partnership between Auburn, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) and Schaeffler, a leading global manufacturer headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany.
Through the International Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Program, junior, senior and graduate students will complete coursework with Auburn University faculty before traveling abroad to apply their learning in an international setting.
“This program is truly unique because students don’t just gain valuable international experience, they also earn a credential that will set them apart in job interviews and future career opportunities,” said Tom Devall, professor and director of automotive manufacturing initiatives in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.
The three-week experience combines online and in-person learning with hands-on project work. Students will first complete asynchronous instruction in Lean Systems through Auburn University’s Tiger Motors lab. Once in Germany, they will study Six Sigma methodologies in the classroom at THWS and apply those principles directly inside Schaeffler’s manufacturing facility by working on real-world improvement projects.
“By partnering with THWS and Schaeffler, we’re giving students a powerful combination of academic, cultural and industry experience,” Devall said. “They’ll learn from global experts, collaborate with German engineering students and work inside one of the world’s leading manufacturing companies.”
The program includes cultural excursions throughout Germany’s historic Franconia region, offering students a chance to experience the country’s rich history and traditions alongside their academic work.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Auburn students to experience German culture, collaborate with global industry professionals and strengthen their mastery of Lean and Six Sigma principles, all while earning an internationally recognized certification,” Devall said.
The program fee is $5,450 and includes tuition for one three-credit course, hotel, breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, Green Belt certification and a LinkedIn badge. Click here to apply.
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-844-1404
The program includes cultural excursions throughout Germany’s historic Franconia region, offering students a chance to experience the country’s rich history and traditions alongside their academic work.
