Distance learning program Change Management and Decision Making (M.A.) – HSF

👉 The master's degree programme Change Management and Decision Making is aimed at professionals and managers who wish to understand and shape change processes and decision-making behaviour within organisations. You will learn practice-oriented strategies for implementing change projects, communication methods in the context of decisions, as well as decision theories in the economic environment. The focus is on business psychology, communication, and management, including leadership psychology, crisis communication, and digital transformation. The distance learning course is flexible, requires no NC (numerus clausus) or Abitur (university entrance qualification), lasts 4 to 8 semesters with 120 credit points, and is officially accredited. You can start your studies monthly, and individual support is provided through online supervision.

Change Management and Decision Making (M.A.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Master of Arts (M.A.)
⏳ Duration 4 Semesters, Study effort 20 hours weekly
💶 Fees
from 329 € monthly
from 13176 € total
🏫 Provider Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Idstein (Germany)
Quality since 1848 - also in distance learning! The department onlineplus brings the range of on-campus courses of the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences to an online distance learning format. This way, the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is positioning itself towards the future by embracing the new possibilities of teaching and learning: studies become digital, the campus becomes mobile, and the way of studying becomes more flexible.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Economy & MediaBusiness psychology
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Interdisciplinary Research Perspectives: Theory Development, Research Approaches, Practical Project, Economic Psychology: Intercultural Psychology, Leadership Psychology Social Interaction and Communication, Media Psychology, Communication (2 modules to be selected): Social Media in Internal and External Communication, Crisis Communication with Internal and External Stakeholders, Corporate Communication, Media Planning in Transition, Management (2 modules to be selected): Digital Transformation, International and Intercultural Management, Value-Oriented Corporate Governance, Virtual Working and Leading in International Contexts, Change Management: Designing Change Processes, Success Factors of Change Management, Storytelling in Change Management, Change Management Case Studies, Decision Management: Thinking and Problem Solving, Decision Theories and Decision Behaviour, Decision Behaviour in the Economic Context, Decision Processes in Change …
👥 In-person sessions Online seminars of about 104 hours
✅ ZFU Approval The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Change Management and Decision Making under the number 176718c.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
🔗 More Info https://www.fernstudium-fresenius.de

Who is the Master’s in Change Management and Decision Making suitable for?

This distance learning programme is aimed at professionals who want to actively shape change processes and take on responsibility in leadership or consulting roles. Typical target groups are specialists and managers from business, management, business consulting, as well as employees from areas such as communication, project management, or human resources who want to steer or accompany change projects. People without a traditional degree but with relevant professional experience and a willingness to undertake further training can also access this master’s programme.

What formal and personal prerequisites do you need?

Formal admission requirements:

  • Completed first degree (e.g. Bachelor, Diplom or Magister) with at least 180 ECTS credits. The first degree should be subject-related to the master’s, for example in the fields of business, psychology, communication, or social sciences.
  • Alternatively, a combination of vocational training and qualified professional experience is possible:
    • Vocational training in a study-related field
    • At least 2 to 3 years of relevant professional experience
    • Successful participation in an aptitude test (e.g. term paper, motivation letter, advisory interview)
  • No Numerus Clausus (NC) and no formal university entrance qualification such as Abitur are strictly required, provided the above criteria are met.
Further proof, such as certain credit points in relevant subject areas or an English certificate (B2 level), may be required depending on individual prior education. In case of doubt, an individual assessment is made by the university.

Personal prerequisites:

  • Interest in economic-psychological topics, decision-making, and change processes
  • Self-motivation and discipline for a demanding distance learning programme alongside work
  • Previous experience with change projects, project management, team leadership or communication is helpful
  • Willingness to take on responsibility in leadership roles and actively accompany change
  • Good self-organisation, problem-solving skills and analytical thinking ability
  • Openness to interdisciplinary and practice-oriented working

Which skills do you acquire in the Master Change Management and Decision Making?

In the part-time distance learning programme Change Management and Decision Making (M.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you will gain solid knowledge in dealing with change processes and decision-making within organisations. The content combines economic psychology, economics and communication science approaches to successfully plan, implement and control change projects.

The key subject areas include:

  • Change Management: Success factors for change processes, design of change projects, storytelling in change, practical case studies
  • Decision Theories: Fundamentals of decision psychology, economic decision behaviour, problem-solving methods, decision-making processes in the business context
  • Economic Psychology: Intercultural and leadership psychology, influence of media on communication, social interaction and its role in change
  • Communication: Selection of two modules such as Social Media in internal and external communication, crisis communication, corporate communication or current media planning
  • Management Focus Areas: Digital transformation, international and intercultural management, value-based corporate governance, virtual working

You will develop skills to lead employees in change processes, sharpen your understanding of the impact of communication in change, and learn to make decisions based on scientific evidence. Your knowledge is expanded in a practice-oriented manner through project work and case studies.

How is the distance learning programme Change Management and Decision Making structured?

The programme is designed for flexible 4 to 8 semesters (equivalent to 24 to 48 months) and comprises 120 ECTS credits. Entry is possible every month, allowing you to align your start date with your personal life situation.

Self-study is conducted via a modern online platform (studynet). You gain access to digital course scripts, videos, e-books and interactive learning materials. Optionally, you can also order the study materials as printed booklets. 104 hours of online seminars complement the curriculum, where you can work live with lecturers and other students.

  • Individual Focus Areas: You select two modules each from the fields of economic psychology, communication and management to tailor the programme specifically to your professional and career goals.
  • Practical Projects and Case Studies: The application of what you have learned is central and ensured through practical tasks, project work and case analyses.
  • Examinations: Exams are mainly conducted online and flexibly – for example as term papers, open-book exams, presentations or online tests. In-person exams are rare and minimised.
  • Personal Support: You are personally supported throughout your studies by study coaches and experienced lecturers.

Since you control your own learning pace, the distance learning programme can be excellently combined with work and family, and modules can be studied individually or in parallel depending on availability.

Which career paths are open to you with the Master Change Management and Decision Making?

With the degree Master of Arts in Change Management and Decision Making, you acquire cross-sector qualifications for leadership and consulting roles in organisational change processes. Your skills are in demand in companies, consultancies, public institutions and non-profit organisations.

Typical fields of application:

  • Leadership of Change Projects: Implementation and management of transformation processes in companies, organisations and administration
  • Project and Process Management: Planning, leading and evaluating change and innovation projects
  • Organisational Consulting and Coaching: Supporting teams and executives in strategic change and developing future-proof structures
  • Communication Management: Conception and management of internal and external change communication, crisis communication, storytelling
  • Specialist and Leadership Tasks: Taking on leadership roles in communication, HR, corporate development, innovation or transformation

Graduates work as change or project managers, communications officers, organisational developers, or external consultants. The Master’s degree also generally qualifies you to pursue a doctorate (e.g., for an academic career). With the competencies gained, you position yourself as a central figure in change management and sustainably increase your career advancement opportunities.

What costs should you expect for the distance learning programme and what financing options are available?

The tuition fees amount to 329 euros monthly in the 48-month model, totalling 13,176 euros in a regular course. Several time models are available:

  • 24 months: 549 euros/month (total 13,176 euros)
  • 36 months: 410 euros/month (total 14,760 euros)
  • 48 months: 329 euros/month (total 15,792 euros); possible from 296.10 euros/month during discount period

All fees include learning materials, examination fees, online library and support. Additional costs may arise for:

  • optional in-person workshops or exams (travel, accommodation if required)
  • printed study materials (available on request)
  • basic technical equipment (PC/laptop, internet connection, webcam)

Financing options include, among others, education loans (e.g. from KfW), scholarships (such as the Deutschlandstipendium), tax deductibility as work-related expenses, as well as voluntary support from employers. When registering with the discount code START10, a 10% price reduction on the total tuition fees is currently possible (maximum saving of 1,865 euros; limited-time offer). It is also possible to extend the study duration by up to 12 months free of charge if you need more time.

Thanks to the transparent and manageable fees and flexible models, the programme can be well reconciled with various life situations.

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