Masters in Business Psychology & Management

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Master of Science in Business Psychology and Management (M.Sc.) in Germany

Start an international career with a Master’s degree in Business Psychology

Our Master of Science programme “Business Psychology and Management” is one of the few programmes in Germany that offers the professional orientation of business psychology in English. It has been specially tailored to the requirements of executives in international companies: Students not only receive excellent professional training, but also qualify in the areas of self-, project and team management, international project management and reflected leadership behaviour.

Masters in Business Psychology - What will you learn?

In the first semesters you will focus mainly on topics from strategic management and international business, which will be conveyed in a practice-oriented manner using various case studies. These include seminars and lectures such as:

Innovation Management and Digital Transformation
Strategic Analysis and Management
International Economics
Applied Management Accounting

Learn more about business psychology, and why it is important!

Business Psychology and Management (M.Sc.) at a glance

Campus

Cologne

Start of Studies

Winter

Semester

ECTS

120

Study Fee*

5.730 €

All facts in detail

Language English
Type of Study Full-time
Degree Master of Science
Internship Integrated
Semester Abroad Optional

Start of Studies Winter Cologne

*The displayed prices are semester fees. For non-EU students' fees please check the tuition fees information page. Status: January 2024.

Study Course Plan

Some information about the study plan for the study programme Masters in Business Psychology:

General business teaching units

Business Economics3 ECTS

Analysis of demand, supply, and market equilibrium
Theory of consumer choice
Theory of the firm, production and cost analysis
Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, contestable markets
Game theory
Pricing strategies
Factor markets, labor economics
Economics of information
Industrial organization
Limitations of markets and interventions by the government
Econometric techniques related to these topics

Empirical Research Methods3 ECTS

Development of a research question
Primary vs. secondary data
Steps of research process
Research designs
Quantitative and qualitative data
Structured methods of data collection: questionnaire and structured interview
Un- and semi-structured methods: qualitative interview and focus group
Quantitative and qualitative content analysis
Ethical considerations of data collection
Sampling
Data analysis using statistical software programs (SPSS)
Univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (crosstab and correlation), multiple linear regression
Writing a research report – structural and other formal requirements

Strategic Analysis & Management3 ECTS

Strategy making process and strategic reasoning: cognitive process of strategy
creation through the prism of logic and intuition
Setting strategic purpose in the context of responsible stakeholder management
Advanced external environment analysis: markets, industries and competitive
landscapes in static and dynamic perspective in the domestic and international
context
Diagnosing and managing strategic capability through national borders over time
Cultural and institutional context of strategic management: concepts, frameworks
and analytical tools
Generic and interactive business strategies, inside-out and outside-in perspective on
achieving and sustaining competitive advantage internationally
Network-level strategies
Corporate development and configuration: strategic options and portfolio matrices
Strategy formation
Strategic change and corporate restructuring
Strategic renewal
Strategy evaluation and strategic controls: tools and methods
Organizing for success

Innovation Management & Digital Transformation3 ECTS

Diagnosing the change context: diffusion and dynamics of innovation
Sources & types of innovation
Product/service, process & business model innovation
Individual and corporate creativity
Strategic innovation management & the innovation process incl. New Product Development (NPD)
Introduction to digitalization, digital age & digital divide
Digital drivers & disruptive forces
Technological drivers of digital transformation
Socio-technological change associated with the adoption of the mentioned drivers
Introduction to the digital organization & digital business models
Impact of digitalization on the value chain (Industry 4.0)
Digitalization-related innovation theories & technology management
Digitalization leadership & organisational transformation concepts
Change management & transformational leadership
Agility and VUCA world
SCRUM and Design Thinking

Programme specific teaching units

General Psychology3 ECTS

Foundations of Psychology
Perception, Attention, Cognitions, Thinking, Awareness, Ideas, Emotions, Motivation, Memory, Intelligence, Self-concept
Memory structures and memory processes
Heuristics as a special form of social information processing
Overview of business psychology topics
Overview of research methods

Psychological Decision Making & Responsibility3 ECTS

Conducting psychological interviews
Psychological negotiation techniques
Crisis and conflict counselling
Phases of escalation
Phase-specific intervention
Decision-based management: managerial decisions from a psychological point of view

Psychological Testing, Assessment & Statistics3 ECTS

Methods of data collection
Descriptive data analysis: proportions, frequency distributions
Correlation tin order to calculate relationships
Inferential statistical statements on context and difference hypotheses
Differences between groups: t-test and analysis of variance
Test procedures for nominal or ordinal scaled data
Effect sizes
The concept of test strength

Interdisciplinary competencies

International Project Management2 ECTS

Social competence: Communication, motivation, groups and team structures, leadership, conflict management
Methodological competence: Structural aspects, time management, cost management, human resource management, creativity and problem solving
Organisational competence: Quality management, documentation, risk management, project start and closure

Language & Communication Skills2 ECTS

The “Scholarly Writing and Analysis” course is offered for German native speakers. German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers.

Experimental Research3 ECTS

Psychological experimentation as an application of the scientific method
Identifying the problem and defining the research question
Formulating a testable hypothesis
Operationalisation of the dependent and independent variable
Planning and conducting an experiment
Choosing the right experimental plan (experimental and quasi-experimental)
Different experimental designs (e.g. randomized or matched groups; factorial designs; within or between subject designs, …)

General business teaching units

Corporate Social Responsibility3 ECTS

Cornerstones of sustainable management
CSR as management approach
Practical approaches of organizational effectiveness
Tools for CSR implementation
CSR and financial performance
Life cycle assessment

Corporate Governance3 ECTS

Historical developments around the world
Directors and board structures in different parts of the world
Family business governance
Role of institutional investors
Corporate governance in mergers and acquisitions
Socially responsible investments
Corporate governance in different regions

Programme specific teaching units

Advertising Psychology & Sales Management3 ECTS

advertising and advertising impact
Targets of advertising
Information processing of advertising
Emotional effects
Applying psychology to advertising and marketing
Implicit associations and attitudes as well as their measurement
Subliminal influencing
Intra- and interpersonal influences on attitudes, preferences and behaviour
Psychological principles of conscious and unconscious decisions

Market Research & Marketing Psychology3 ECTS

Introduction to market research in the consumer goods sector
Phases and methods of market research and buyer behaviour
Selected methods of data acquisition, data preparation and data analysis various types of market research studies
Special benefit potential of data scanning for market research and buyer behaviour research
Different methods of data scanning acquisition
Market research activities

Business Project6 ECTS

The overall objective of this course is to provide students with possibility of applying their business knowledge on concrete business situation, related to the field of their specialization.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

Define project goals for the “client”.
Work under the set timeframe and agreed project scope.
Cooperate in the international project teams.
Evaluate markets/ industries/ competitive landscapes.
Develop possible strategic directions for the “client” business.
Formulate recommendations.

Value Based Management3 ECTS

Value maximization and corporate objectives, shareholder value and stakeholder value approach
Financial measurement of corporate strategies and competitive advantage: the principles
Shortcomings of traditional profitability ratios for a value-based management
Economic Value Added, Cash Value Added
Identifying the drivers of value creation and investment decision-making
Management compensation and incentives for value creation

Sustainable Supply Chain Management3 ECTS

Defining the state of a sustainable supply chain based on actual trends
Discussion of various theoretical concepts (e.g. Stakeholder Theory, Slack Resource Theory) and their implications for sustainable supply chain management
Defining a “New Normal” of how to do business (e.g. circular economy, regenerative business models, carbon literacy training)
Sustainable Marketing (definition, Green Marketing Strategy Mix, Green Washing and Sustainable Consumer Buying Behaviour)
Sustainable Procurement (definition, Sustainable Procurement Process Model with a focus on sustainable supplier relationship management; new trends like circular procurement)
Sustainable Logistics
Sustainable Design
Carbon Emission / Human Rights in global supply chains

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS

A business elective is a business or management-related elective course.By choosing Business Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Applied Qualitative Research2 ECTS

Differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research
Designs of qualitative research
Data collection methods
Processes of data preparation
Data evaluation criteria

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS

By choosing Interdisciplinary Electives in the second and third semester you can personalize your degree course and extend your management knowledge. An interdisciplinary elective is an elective from another discipline than your own specialization.

Programme specific teaching units

Work & Organisational Psychology3 ECTS

Models of labour practices
Work analysis and evaluation
Job design
Work motivation, satisfaction and performance
Complaints management
Self-management: definition and techniques
Selected examples of work and organisational psychology in professional practice

Human Resource Development & Coaching3 ECTS

Performance appraisal
Human resources development
Needs analysis and various forms of training and personnel development
Transfer and evaluation of personnel development measures
International posting
Employee appraisals and target agreement
Customer orientation
Social skills
Development of coaching

Modern Trends of Applied Business Psychology3 ECTS

Aptitude diagnostics and personnel selection
Recruiting / recruitainment
Shared economy
SMART working
Talent management
Performance management
Diversity management
Leadership in virtual teams

Business Simulation Game3 ECTS

In a business simulation game participants have to manage their own virtual company which operates in the same market as other participant-operated competitors. This involves making typical management decisions in realistic environments. Beside the deepening and active examination of subject-specific knowledge the simulation games also include the team environment, where interaction, communication and prioritization are of paramount importance. Participants learn how to manage risk and uncertainty while time is limited and information constrained. Group-reflections help to take over different perspectives and to discuss pros and cons of content- as well as behavior-related actions.

Psychology In Digital Leadership & Agile Management3 ECTS

Leadership Theories
Theoretical concepts for communication with employees
Methods of agile management
Technological development effecting leadership
Instruments and methods of digital leadership

Venture Lab4 ECTS

Discovering and evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities
Developing business ideas from opportunities (e.g. based on using Design Thinking, Personas and User Stories).
Feasibility analysis of business ideas
Transferring the idea into a Business Model
Business Model and its building blocks (value proposition, customers segments, channels, customer relationships, revenue model, key partners, key activities, key resources, cost structure)
Business Plan: Introduction, Sample Case and General Outline
Developing the details of the business plan
Finding sources of financing: Business angels; Private equity; Start up financing; Venture capital investors
Preparing a pitch deck for successfully presenting the new venture business plan

Integrative Case Studies3 ECTS

Focused review of the curriculum content
Pre-assessment quiz/ content area assessment as benchmark for students’ status quo
Guide and Strategic Plan to Case Study Analysis
Writing a proper Case Study Analysis report
Developing proper answers to Case questions, applying the relevant theoretical knowledge and frameworks
In-depth Case Study Analysis with focus all subject areas of the curriculum
In-depth Case Study Analysis with special focus on Strategic Management

Elective area

Business Elective3 ECTS

Interdisciplinary competencies

Interdisciplinary Elective3 ECTS

Applied Quantitative Research2 ECTS

Strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research
Criteria of Measurement Quality (Reliability, Validity, Objectivity)
Levels of Measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)
Scales of Measurement (e.g. Likert, Guttman, semantic differential…)
The logic of sampling (populations and sampling frames)
Obtaining quantitative data (observation studies and survey research)
Questionnaire construction and interview techniques

Programme specific teaching units

Master Thesis Tutorial2 ECTS

During the Master Thesis Tutorial you will learn the fundamentals for your Master thesis: Defining the topic as well as structuring the thesis and you will learn the theoretical knowledge for scientific working.

Master Thesis18 ECTS

During your 4th semester you are working on your Master thesis. You have 19 weeks to complete your thesis and the subject is freely selectable. A supervisor from CBS will support you and you can write the thesis in collaboration with a company as well. Or you can write your thesis in connection with a stay abroad.

Internship or Study Abroad10 ECTS

You can choose between an internship (lasting at least eight weeks) or a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

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What can I do with a master's in business psychology?

A Master of Science degree in Business Psychology and Management in Germany offers you numerous career opportunities in international companies – whether as a freelance consultant or as an employee in middle and upper management. Alumni of a Master of Business Psychology with a focus on management will find employment:

in recruiting, personnel selection and aptitude diagnostics
in people team management
in personnel and organisational development
in coaching
in strategy consulting
in marketing management
in communication and advertising management
in agile or change management
in market and opinion research

As a further option, a doctoral programme in this subject area at our university is open to you following your master’s degree in business psychology.

Build up your expertise with a graduate degree

Take your next step

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Three disciplines in a course of study in business psychology

It is not possible to predict or calculate how consumers will react in the economic cycle or how employees will react in change processes. Business psychologists play an important role in these questions due to their sound academic, interdisciplinary training: First, they possess the psychological expertise to positively influence and steer employees or customers. Second, they have a deep understanding of business administration, which helps them to shape change processes in the organisational structure in a sustainable way. Third, their management know-how enables them to manage internal restructuring particularly efficiently. Business psychology and management are essential for a sustainably growing company.

A Master’s degree in Business Psychology and Management qualifies you for high-level management positions in marketing, advertising and strategy as well as in leadership and human resources.

Expertise in business management & psychology

Starting in the second semester, the focus will change to business psychology research on customers and digital business: In courses such as “Advertising Psychology & Sales Management” or “Market Research & Marketing Psychology”, you will learn how you can better understand and positively influence the purchasing decision processes of customers using psychological analysis methods. Further courses with an emphasis on business psychology await you:

Psychology in Digital Leadership & Agile Management
Work and Organisational Psychology
Human Resource Development and Coaching
Modern Trends of Applied Business Psychology

Practical and diverse: Masters in Business Psychology and Management

During your business psychology master’s degree, you will gain important practical experience within the context of our business projects, where you will work together with business partners on real or realistic business cases, aswell as during an eight-week internship at home and abroad. If you wish, you can write your Master Thesis in the fourth semester as a project in a company of your choice.

This is what our students say

Philip Kollmann

Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

"Especially the soft skill courses have been of great help for my performance in job interviews. Through my work in the Finance and Business Club I have built up a broad network and acquired project management skills that have enabled me to score points with companies."

Katrin Rieger

Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

"The practical learning in small groups prepared me optimally for today's project and team work. The CBS provided me with the decisive soft skills and current knowledge from the world of business."

Christopher Rosenbaum

Manager
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

"The Management Studies programme prepares you thoroughly for the tasks of a consultant. In particular, the development of presentation techniques as well as analytical thinking is of enormous importance in the everyday life of a consultant."

Oliver Kiderle

EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

"The focus on internationality and practical skills have had a very positive influence on my development at Google. Especially the structured and very versatile project work, which is often found at a private school, was extremely helpful."

Kalle Kenkel

Commercial Excellence Manager
GE Healthcare

"My studies at CBS prepared me for a career in today's dynamic, global work environment. As one's origin and physical location become less and less decisive, it has become increasingly important to have a multinational network and adapt quickly to various cultures and environments."

Neil Jordaan

Global Digital Content Manager
Elanco

"Many professors shared their professional business experience with us in class and were able to illustrate dry theory with practical examples. I also enjoyed the international atmosphere on campus."

Patrick Stein

Head of Human Resources
Boston Consulting Group

"The strongly practice-oriented studies and the international orientation of the CBS, as well as the lectures held in English, were an absolutely necessary basis for starting a career with a renowned, international company."

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