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Requirements and Target Group
The master's programme in Applied Psychology for Managers is aimed at individuals who are already in a leadership position or who specifically wish to prepare for a management role. The target group includes professionals from business, administration, social services, or health management who want to deepen their psychological competences in the areas of leadership, change management, or organisational development. Both graduates of a first degree with an interest in management tasks and experienced professionals with leadership responsibilities who want to apply psychological methods and leadership tools in practice are addressed.
Which admission requirements do you have to meet?
There are three possible admission routes for the master's programme in Applied Psychology for Managers at Hochschule Fresenius:
- Direct admission with a first degree (consecutive): You need a bachelor's, master's, or diploma degree with at least 180 credit points (CP). A specific field of study is not necessarily required; depending on your previous qualifications, you will take additional foundation modules at the start of the master's programme.
- Further education admission with professional experience: With a bachelor's degree (any subject, at least 180 CP) plus at least 1 year of relevant professional experience in the related field, you can choose the further education admission route.
- Professional admission without higher education: Admission is also possible with a completed vocational training, at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, and a passed aptitude test (e.g. term paper, letter of motivation, admission interview). Proof of training, professional experience, and advisory interview must be submitted.
Depending on prior education, entry or supplementary qualification modules, e.g. in business or psychological fundamentals, may be necessary. In individual cases, proof of English language skills (e.g. B2) or credit points in specific subjects may be requested. The final decision is made by the university after individual assessment.
You should have an interest in psychological issues in everyday leadership and be willing to transfer scientific methods into practice. Important personal requirements are a high level of self-reflection, communication skills, as well as openness to other perspectives and feedback. Experience in (project) management, basics in business administration or human resource management, and an affinity for change processes in organisations are advantageous. For the online programme, self-motivation, time management, and digital competences are required.
Course Content in Detail
In the Master's programme Applied Psychology for Executives, you will systematically acquire psychological expertise with a clear application focus for management and leadership. The course content includes both fundamental psychological theories and concrete tools for leading and advising people in organisations. You will engage with topics such as cognitive foundations of behaviour and experience, self-reflection and self-leadership, inter- and intrapersonal resources as well as psychological conversation techniques and communication. Intensive modules in applied psychology and leadership psychology prepare you to lead teams effectively, resolve conflicts and competently support change processes.
Through the elective areas, you can set individual priorities, for example in:
- Management of complex leadership situations
- Physical and mental health
- Organisational consulting and change management
- Recruitment and personnel development
- Leadership and organisation in the digital age
- Decision making
The final phase includes a colloquium and the Master's thesis, in which you will work on an independent, practice-oriented project within your field of interest. Optionally, you can choose international certificates and masterclasses from Arizona State University® (ASU) to complement your profile with international content.
Course Structure: Flexible Distance Learning for Work and Career
The programme is designed entirely as flexible distance learning to enable you to balance work and private life. You decide when and how you learn: All course contents are available digitally on a modern learning platform.
The regular duration spans 4 to 8 semesters (depending on individual learning pace, typically 4 semesters for full-time study). Exams can be taken online around the clock. Complementary two-day block seminars support you in developing your leadership skills through exchange with fellow students and lecturers.
During the course, three specialisations can be chosen individually. Additionally, you have access to international certificates and practical training through the cooperation with Arizona State University®. Course and project work promote practical relevance. You can write your Master's thesis on a company-related topic.
Career Opportunities & Professional Prospects: Where Does the Degree Open New Doors for You?
With the Master of Science in Applied Psychology for Executives, you are qualified to take on leadership positions in various economic sectors, organisations or non-profit institutions. Typical fields of application are:
- Leading teams, departments or business units
- Personnel development and business consulting
- Coaching, change management and organisational development
- HR management, especially recruitment and leadership
- Consulting activities related to psychological aspects of corporate management
You are also in demand in the field of occupational health promotion, workplace reintegration management or supporting transformation processes with sound psychological expertise. Graduates often choose further academic paths such as a doctorate in leadership or organisational psychology.
Study Location: Online Study with an International Perspective
The programme takes place completely online. This means you are location-independent and can start from anywhere. The learning and communication platform allows you flexible access to all study materials, online lectures and exams. Hochschule Fresenius provides extensive digital services, including online libraries, virtual study coaches and forums for exchange with fellow students.
Within the framework of the cooperation with Arizona State University®, you can additionally acquire international perspectives and certificates. The degree from Hochschule Fresenius is officially recognised and internationally compatible.
Costs and Financing: What Does the Distance Learning Programme Cost and What Support Is Available?
The fees for the Master's programme Applied Psychology for Executives range, depending on the chosen duration of study, between 315 euros (48 months) and 525 euros (24 months) per month. The total costs amount to 12,600 euros for a study duration of 24 months.
Included in the fees are all learning materials, individual access to the learning platform, support by study coaches and participation in the international masterclasses of ASU. Exam fees are included. Additional costs may arise for travel and accommodation for a few in-person events or exams.
With discount codes you can receive permanent reductions on the tuition fees (reduced monthly rates; discount confirmation is provided separately by student advisory services). Various options are available for financing:
- KfW student loan and individual bank loans
- Support programmes such as Aufstiegs-BAföG
- Applications for scholarships, e.g. the Deutschlandstipendium
- Possibility of (partial) cost coverage by your employer within the scope of professional development
Hochschule Fresenius offers personal advice to jointly find the appropriate financing strategy.
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