Who is the Master’s in Sustainable Human Resource Management (M.A.) suitable for?

This degree programme is aimed at professionals who already hold a first university degree and have professional experience in the fields of human resources, economics, or sustainability management. You will benefit from the programme if you want to build solid knowledge in human resource management and implement sustainable strategies within organisations. Typical participants are HR officers, managers, HR generalists, business consultants, as well as beginners who want to specialise in sustainable HR processes or plan a career change into this field.

Admission and personal requirements: What do you need?

Formal admission requirements:

• Completed first degree (Bachelor, Diploma or Magister) with at least 180 to 240 Credit Points (CP).
• For admission to the 60-CP master’s, usually 240 CP from a first degree are required, of which at least 25 CP must be in the field of human resource management. Alternatively, you can compensate missing CP through professional experience, certificates or preparatory courses.
• At least 1 year of qualified professional experience in Human Resource Management, economics, or sustainability management.
• Admission without a first university degree is possible if you can prove a completed relevant vocational training, at least two years of relevant professional practice and a passed aptitude test. In this case, a letter of motivation and evidence of training certificates and professional experience are required.
• In individual cases, further evidence may be requested (for example proof of English at B2 level, CP evidence in specific subject areas, admission interview or preparatory courses).

Personal requirements:

• Interest and understanding of sustainable business practices and corporate responsibility.
• Practical experience or strong interest in personnel development, change management and digitalisation.
• Self-organisation, self-motivation and willingness to learn in distance learning.
• Teamwork skills, conflict resolution competence and strong communication skills.
• Critical thinking ability as well as the capacity to reflect on social-ecological interrelations in the business context.

Course Content in Detail: Focus on Sustainable Human Resource Management

In the distance learning programme Sustainable Human Resource Management (Master of Arts) at Hochschule Fresenius, you engage intensively with the connection between sustainability and modern HR work. The programme imparts specialist knowledge and methodological skills to align personnel processes in organisations in an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable way.

• Sustainable Human Resource Management: You learn how to develop and implement long-term personnel strategies that focus on sustainable value creation and corporate social responsibility.
• Personnel Risk Management and Controlling: You analyse personnel-related risks, evaluate them systematically and build competences in personnel controlling.
• Leadership in the Age of Digitalisation and New Work: The course covers modern leadership approaches, strengthened by digital transformation processes and flexible working arrangements.
• Digital Learning & Development: You acquire knowledge in the area of digital learning, talent management as well as the development of employee competences and digitally supported further training.
• Corporate Health: Content on occupational health management, prevention and sustainable health strategies within companies is the focus.
• Academic Work: You train analysis, research and writing techniques for scientific projects and the Master’s thesis.
• Digital Methods & Tools in Human Resource Management: Application of relevant software, tools and analytical methods for digital HR work and HR analytics.
• Elective Area: Here you can sharpen your individual focus through modules such as change processes, labour law for management and leadership, talent management & leadership development, or personnel selection.
• Master’s Thesis: In the final module, you apply what you have learned in a research- and practice-oriented manner to a question of your choice.

Upon completion of your studies, you will be capable of developing holistic sustainable HR concepts, implementing measures and taking responsibility for new focal points such as work-life balance, digitalisation and health.

Study Structure: Flexibly Organised and Digitally Supported

The Master’s programme Sustainable Human Resource Management is designed as a distance learning course and offers you maximum temporal and spatial flexibility. The programme comprises 60 ECTS and is designed for a study period of 24 months (4 semesters), with alternative time models with longer duration available.

• Individual Study Start: You can begin on the 1st of any month and adapt your study model (e.g. duration) to your needs.
• Learning Platform studynet: All materials, teaching videos, study magazines (Studymags) and e-books are available digitally on the online campus.
• Self-Directed Learning: You complete the modules in any order you choose. For each module, digital learning units, practical examples and multimedia content are provided.
• Examination Formats: Exams, term papers, open-book exams, presentations and online tests – many examination requirements can be completed independently of location and flexibly.
• Personal Support: Study coaches and subject lecturers accompany you throughout your studies and are available for questions via digital consultation hours, forums and webinars.
• Optional: SaturdayOnly Workshops: You can participate in voluntary face-to-face workshops that enable practical group work on site (not compulsory).
• Cooperation with ASU: Access to free international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University® for further profile development.

The final thesis (Master’s thesis) marks the end of your studies. You deepen a practice-relevant topic and demonstrate your competence in scientific work.

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities: Future Field Sustainable HR

With the Master’s in Sustainable Human Resource Management, you qualify for demanding positions in personnel management, especially in the context of sustainable corporate management. Graduates are enabled by the multidisciplinary orientation both for classic HR roles and specialised consulting, leadership or interface functions.

• Strategic Human Resource Management: Development and implementation of sustainable HR strategies in companies and organisations.
• Change Management: Leading and supporting change processes, especially in the context of digitalisation, New Work and diversity.
• Corporate Health Management: Establishment and management of occupational health management programmes.
• Talent Management & Personnel Development: Designing and implementing sustainable personnel development measures.
• Labour Law and Compliance: Advising executives on labour law issues in the area of sustainability.
• Personnel Controlling & HR Analytics: Evaluation and management of personnel indicators with a sustainability focus.
• Consulting and Self-Employment: Working as a consultant or coach for sustainable HR management, founding your own consulting company.

Across sectors, graduates are sought after in corporations, medium-sized enterprises, NGOs, consulting firms or public institutions, for example. The topics of sustainability, digitalisation, corporate responsibility and modern HR management open up varied development opportunities and career paths.

Costs and Financing: Your Study Investment Transparently Explained

The tuition fees for the Master’s in Sustainable Human Resource Management (M.A.) via distance learning at Hochschule Fresenius are as follows:

• 24 months: €455 per month (total cost: €8,340)
• 18 months: €545 per month
• 12 months: €695 per month

With the discount code “START11”, the monthly rate is reduced accordingly (e.g. €404.95 for 24 months). Included in the price are:

• All digital teaching materials and access to the learning platform
• Support from study coaches and lecturers
• Access to online libraries and e-learning tools
• All examination fees including certificate and transcript
• Participation in international certificates and masterclasses of ASU®

Optional costs may arise for:

• Voluntary print versions of the Studymags
• Travel to a few possible on-site examinations or face-to-face workshops
• Own technical basic equipment

Various financing models are available to you, including educational loans (e.g. KfW student loan), scholarships (such as the Deutschlandstipendium), employer funding or tax deductibility as work-related expenses. The university offers flexible payment plans and allows adjustments to your instalments by choosing the study duration model.