Part-Time Masters in HR Management & Business Leadership

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Part-Time Master's Degree in HRM & Leadership (M.A.) in Germany

Start a career in Human Resources with the part-time HR master's

A company is only as good as its employees. HR managers take on the crucial task of recruiting the best minds for their company in times of a shortage of skilled workers. In the part-time master’s degree “ HRM & Business Leadership” you will learn the latest specialist and leadership knowledge with which you can successfully face the challenges of human resources management.

What will you learn in the part-time HRM degree?

This part-time Master's in HR Management offers you insight into personnel management in a globalised world from the very first semester. In addition to general business knowledge, you will be introduced to strategic management and the topics of diversity and business ethics, amongst others.

In the third semester, a focus is placed on strategic human resources management, corporate development, and business transformation. As part of the integrated practical module "Business Project", you will then advise a real customer by working on the problem of a CBS cooperation partner in a team and deriving recommendations for action. You can then put your entrepreneurial skills to the test together with fellow students in the Business Simulation Game. In this virtual business game you make complex business decisions on which the profit or loss of "your company" depends.

You will learn how to convince investors, partners and managing directors in the Innovation Lab - Business Plan Writing and Pitching and advance skills in the Capstone Simulation Game. In this digital business game, you take business decisions with your team and put your business know-how into practice.

In the last semester, you will then concentrate on writing your master's thesis, which you can of course base thematically on a current project of your employer.

Human Resources and Leadership Master at a glance

Campus

Cologne

Start of Studies

Winter

Semester

ECTS

120

Study Fee*

3.210 €

All facts in detail

Language English
Type of Study Part-time
Degree Master of Arts

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 Human Resources and Leadership:

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

Intercultural HR & Diversity Management3 ECTS

Introduction to Intercultural HRM, International HRM and Comparative HRM
Meaning of Culture & Cultural Transmission
Models of Culture: Traditional Models
Models of Culture: Developments & Debates
Intercultural Communication and Negotiation
Leadership & Multicultural Teams
Motivation and Exchange in a Cross-Cultural Context
Theoretical Foundation on Diversity Management
Intercultural Diversity Management Concepts
The Social Identity Perspective on Diversity
Privilege and power in the workplace
The Ethics or Workplace Diversity
Conducting a Diversity Audit

International Labour Law & Business Ethics3 ECTS

Introduction to International Labour Law and Business Ethics
Key facts – labour costs as an economic key factor, labour as a basis of a stable income, dissimilar working conditions
Labour law in the EU – different models in different member states
The concept of free movement of workers in the EU
EU wide principles of non-discrimination, safety, working-time
Posted workers in the EU – responsibilities of the host states
International Labour Organization
ILO’s key objectives and principles
Focus: Safety and security at work
Focus: Forced Labour - ILO’s objectives and companies’ responsibilities
Focus: Child Labour – ILO’s objectives and companies’ responsibilities
Focus: Non-discrimination
Focus: Maritime Labour – seafarer wages
Current challenges

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

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

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

Critical Reflection6 ECTS

Programme specific teaching units

HR Development & Coaching3 ECTS

Introduction to HR training & development
Needs analysis and various forms of further training and personnel development
Instruments and planning of HR development
Transfer and evaluation of personnel development measures
Performance & Staff appraisals and agreement on objectives
The psychology of potential and competence
Customer orientation
Social competences
Group and team dynamics
Counselling formats
Development of coaching
Evaluation and effectiveness of coaching
Development phases and intervention methods of coaching
E-coaching
Anamnesis in the initial interview
Typical coaching occasions
Dramaturgy of a coaching session and a coaching process
Social interactions in the coaching process
Methods of coaching

HR Research Techniques & Metrics 3 ECTS

HR research objectives
Planning the HR research process
Types of research and information sources
HR research quality evaluation criteria
HR metrics
Predictive HR analytics
Benchmarking studies
Collecting, recording and analysing qualitative HR-related data
Collecting, recording and analysing quantitative HR-related data
HR surveys
HR information systems and software for statistical analysis
HR Balanced Scorecard
Summarizing and communicating research findings and making recommendations

Interdisciplinary competencies

Emotional Intelligence 3 ECTS

Different Inteligencies – IQ vs EQ
The role of emotions – daily and work life
The construct of Emotional intelligence
Emotionally intelligent competencies & skills
Skills acquisition – Experiential/action learning
Reflection & reflexion
Encouraging engagement
Developing trust

Programme specific teaching units

HR Consulting & Project Management Techniques3 ECTS

The course “HR Consulting and Project Management Techniques” introduce students to the main challenges of the modern HR management consulting profession and includes e.g. key problem solving as well as decision making techniques, constituting the main elements of the “advanced toolkit”, commonly used by HR consultants in diverse contexts.

HR Management consulting as a management activity
Controversies and ethics of HR management consulting
HR Consulting engagement as problem solving exercise
Analytical and interactive data processing and forecasting methods
Analytical problem solving approaches and techniques
Creative approaches to problem solving and decision making
Evidence-based decision making methods
Structured and logical report writing techniques
Effective communication techniques
Application of different instruments and methods of agile HR work and instruments

Experience Lab: HR Innovation Café3 ECTS

Introduction to HR innovations and the philosophy of “New Generation HR”
Overview of Contemporary and future HRM
Implementation innovative HR approaches, tools, and techniques
Best Practices discussions (topics depending on the involved HR practitioners)
Impact analysis of selected HR innovations on the company's performance
Conditions for a successful implementation (culture, acceptance, etc.)
Ethical considerations & sustainability of HR innovations
Creating own and new ideas of innovative HR approaches, tools, etc.

Strategic Human Resource Management & Leadership3 ECTS

Theory of strategic HRM
Strategic HRM and business strategy
Strategic HRM and organisational performance
Strategic HRM in a complex and uncertain environment
Strategic HRM in MNEs vs. SMEs
Strategic Staffing
Strategic Training and Develop Management
Strategic Compensation and Rewards
Strategic HRM and Sustainability
Leadership Theories / Models and Leadership Traits
Leadership Styles
Cognitive, Behavioural, and Emotional Explanation for Human Motivation
Performance Management and Controlling
Leadership Tools

Corporate Development & Business Transformation3 ECTS

Organisations and Organisational Effectiveness
Organisational Theory
Basic Challenges of Organisational Planning and Development
Organisational Design
Management in Organisational and Ethical Culture
Organisational Life Cycle
Organisational Decision Making
Organisational Development and Change
Change Management in Mergers and Acquisitions

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.

Critical Reflection 26 ECTS

Programme specific teaching units

Sustainable Leadership & Employee Relationship Management3 ECTS

Main Concepts in Employment Relations
Leadership construct and different perspectives
Leadership relationships (leader, led)
Interactional, personal and situational aspects of leadership
Leadership effectiveness
Theoretical explanations of the development of the leadership relationship (e.g. leader-member exchange theory)
Selected fields of leadership
Work-life balance
Different approaches to leadership styles & different leadership tools
Significant and current developments in organizational practice and corresponding consequences for leadership in organizations
Strategies of Employee Relationship Management (ERM), employees as internal customers
Importance of emotional intelligence in employee relationship management (ERM)
International and comparative employment relations
Employee relations and CSR

New Work & Digital HRM3 ECTS

Image of humanity
Changing (social) values
Forms of New Work
Self-direction, Self-control, Self-Guidance
Holacracy
Big Data and HR Analytics
Digital competences
Digital technologies and their significance for HR
Active Sourcing & Social Media Recruiting
Use of software and mobile applications in further selected HR functions (HR training & development; HR compensation & benefits, HR service)

Venture Lab6 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

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.

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.

Interdisciplinary competencies

Organizational Storytelling3 ECTS

The evolution of storytelling
What storytelling looks like in a variety of organisational contexts
Criteria for successful storytelling
Case studies and successful storytelling campaigns
Character development
What do you want to say?: guidelines for taglines, quotes and copy
Storyboarding and plot development

Programme specific teaching units

Master Thesis24 ECTS

During your 5th semester you are working on your Master thesis, 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.

Part-time HRM degree - holistic view on HR Management

During this part-time human resources master's degree, you will take a holistic look at human resources management. You will learn how to motivate employees and to what extent globalization affects human resources management. In addition, you will deal with the following questions, among others:

How can training and further education be optimally implemented through personnel development?
Under which aspects do I select new employees?
What role do culture-specific characteristics play in team composition?
In which cases does a decentralized personnel organization pay off?
What legal aspects need to be taken into account in personnel planning?
How do I mediate in crisis situations in human resources?

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Your path to becoming an HR specialist

After completing the part-time master’s programme “HRM & Leadership” you can take on new positions within the personnel management of national and international companies. Self-employment and the admission to a doctorate also offer further career prospects.

Master Thesis with our partners

In the part-time master’s programme “HRM & Leadership” you will write your thesis in the last semester, if you wish, as part of a company project.

Build up your expertise with a graduate degree

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Business management know-how as a basis in the part-time HRM & Business Leadership master's

The part-time master’s degree “HRM & Leadership” is based on sound business education. You will acquire all the skills and abilities of a master’s degree in business administration, supplemented by specialized courses in human resources and elective subjects. You will attend seminars on “Business Economics”, “Corporate Governance” and “Sustainable Supply Chain Management”.

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This is what our students say

Philip Kollmann

Project Manager
Wayne´s Coffee

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Katrin Rieger

Bereichsdirektorin Reisevertrieb Deutschland / Vice President Sales
HanseMerkur Krankenversicherung

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Manager
Ernst & Young GmbH
Wirschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

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EMEA Regional Product Expert
Google Inc.

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Kalle Kenkel

Commercial Excellence Manager
GE Healthcare

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Global Digital Content Manager
Elanco

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Head of Human Resources
Boston Consulting Group

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