Individuals who are interested in becoming QA managers should complete a two-year associate or four-year bachelor’s degree program in a field such as quality assurance management, business, statistics or engineering. QA managers usually begin as QA specialists before advancing to a management role. Master’s degree programs in quality assurance typically last two years and also prepare students for management positions in this field. Many bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are available online as well.
Courses in a QA management training program cover topics such as business communications, inspection technique, process control, calculus and statistics. Students also study human resources management and the International Organization for Standardization’s official standards for quality. In addition, aspiring QA managers should complete classes in computer-aided design and science. Students additionally study the economics of quality, human factors with quality assurance and Six Sigma business methods that aim to eliminate defects, according to iSixSigma.com.
Training in QA management prepares students to pursue certification in this field. The American Society of Quality offers the credential of a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, which boosts employment opportunities. To earn this certification, individuals who have a two-year degree must complete eight years of on-the-job experience, while four-year degree holders can complete just six years of experience. Those who have a master’s degree only need to complete five years of experience before they can complete a written certification examination. They then must recertify every three years by fulfilling requirements such as professional development participation.
With training in QA management, students can find employment in a wide range of industries. For example, they can work in manufacturing, government, service and health care, according to California State University. In addition, they can focus on the growing fields of bioengineering, pharmaceuticals and even food/chemicals, where they ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations.
The employment of workers involved in quality assurance is projected to decline from 2008 to 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can be attributed to a rising use of automated inspection equipment and the movement of many manufacturing companies to overseas facilities, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quality assurance managers in 2010 earned between $52,283 and $88,599, according to Payscale.com.