Change management and transformation
At a glance
Faculty
Academic degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Form of study
Consecutive Master
Standard period of study
3 semesters (incl. Master's thesis), 90 ECTS, extension to 5 semesters possible
Place of study
Language of instruction
German
Start of studies
regular March 15 (for the summer semester),
Lateral entry possible as of October 01
Admission requirements
- University degree or other equivalent qualification in the field of economics or a related course of study
- Generally 210 ECTS including a practical semester; for degrees with 180 ECTS, missing ECTS in theory or practice can be made up before the start of studies or within one year after the start of studies. Recognition is possible.
- You can find more information in the study and examination regulations
- For international applicants: all information about the application including an overview of the required language certificates here
Costs
Semester fee (incl. semester ticket)
Semester abroad
Possible as a theoretical or practical semester
Studying with a practice partner
Accreditation
accredited
Registration
from November 15 – March 14 (for summer semester),
from May 02 – September 30 (for winter semester)
Profile of the degree program
Companies are facing major challenges today: Digitalization and ecological changes are influencing their products, production processes and working methods. In order to successfully master these transformations, they need specialists who can deal with both people and numbers and are able to manage complex change processes. This is precisely where the "Change Management and Transformation" course comes in.
In this degree course, you will combine business knowledge with behavioral science aspects. You will not only learn the theory, but also have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in practice, shape it and reflect on it. You will become adept at initiating and implementing change processes and measuring their success.
"In a world of accelerated change, those who can adapt themselves and their team will be successful. A professional transformation process and the tools of change management can allay fears, increase acceptance and dramatically increase the chances of successful change and the speed of implementation. Coburg University of Applied Sciences is closing a crucial gap in the education on offer here!"Thomas Spangler, Brose Sitech
What we value
Transforming what you have learned into practice
A central component of the Master's degree program is the cumulative thesis. But what does "cumulative" actually mean? It is about putting into practice what you have learned during your studies, trying it out, reflecting on it and adapting it if necessary. You learn not only from successes, but also from possible setbacks. Over the course of your studies, you will develop a concept from an initial project outline, which you will put into practice in the third semester. You will be accompanied by professors who will support you in reflecting and adapting.
PraxisPLUS
Studying with in-depth practical experience in the PraxisPLUS model offers you the opportunity to gain more practical experience during your studies – without extending the duration of your studies. The prerequisite is a work contract with a company/institution. You can apply your knowledge from the lecture directly at work. The work in the company is remunerated. This in turn makes it easier to finance your studies.
Study abroad & double degree
Coburg University of Applied Sciences maintains relationships with numerous foreign partner universities. Students have the opportunity to spend a semester or do an internship abroad. It is also possible to obtain a double degree in the Master's in Change Management and Transformation. This means that students obtain a Master's degree from Coburg University
Four perspectives on change
The course aims to enable young people to see and understand the phenomena of change from different perspectives. Specifically, this involves the perspectives of "the company", "the individual employees", "the departments and teams" and the role of the change manager, i.e. "the self".
First perspective "Company"
- Entrepreneurial thinking and leadership
- Developing business models and strategies
- Understanding strategic decisions
- Further develop organizational structures and processes
- get rigid organizations moving
Second perspective "Employees"
- Communicating changes
- Understanding, motivating and encouraging fears
- Recognize and break patterns
- mediate between people
- Recognizing and understanding obstacles to development
Third perspective "Departments and teams"
- Recognize the professionalism of others
- to work together across projects
- Understanding complexity and ambiguity and turning it into something positive
- Using (management) tools competently and flexibly
- negotiate creatively
- Resolving conflicts of interest
- Understanding emotions and bringing people together
- Classify and interpret information and data
Fourth perspective "Change Manager"
- Combining theory and practice
- Enduring conflicts and helping to resolve them
- Dealing with risks and personal failure
- Lead yourself and understand the interactions with others
- Develop a trusting and optimistic attitude
Course content and procedure
1st semester
- Behavioral sciences 1 and 2
- Methods and instruments in change management 1 and 2
- Corporate development and transformation 1
2nd semester
- Future Skills 1
- Leading Project
- Leading Change
- Corporate development and transformation 2
- Final thesis: Concept
3rd semester
- Leading Team
- Future Skills 2
- Final thesis: testing and mentoring
- Thesis with colloquium
Insights
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More InformationCurriculum and examination regulations
The module plan provides an overview of the structure of the degree program. The module handbook provides information on the content of the individual modules. The study and examination regulations form the legal basis of the degree program. Prof. Dr. Hedwig Schmid, head of the course, will be happy to answer any questions about the content of the course.
FAQs
How is the course structured? How much does the course cost? Where can I find the timetable? You can find the answers to these and similar questions in our FAQs. If you have any further questions, please contact us directly. Further information on the Change Management and Transformation degree program.
Job & Career
Specifically trained specialists who implement innovation and transformation processes in companies are in high demand. The search term "change management" currently produces many hits on online job exchanges in Germany. The special concept of the degree course with its cumulative final thesis provides students with intensive and high-quality contact with practice. The experience they gain enables them to hit the ground running as soon as they graduate.
Do your doctorate now!
After successfully completing your Master's degree, you can further deepen your knowledge with a doctorate at Coburg University of Applied Sciences.
Application and admission
- First degree (Bachelor or Diploma) in the field of economics or a related course of study.
- In the case of a different professional background, a case-by-case assessment is carried out.
- First degree with usually seven semesters (210 ECTS) including a practical semester or
- First degree course with generally six semesters (180 ECTS) without a practical semester, if the practical semester is completed within one year of the start of the course.
Practical activities lasting at least 19 weeks after the first degree course can be recognized as part of the university practical semester under certain circumstances.
A language test is required for a first degree course in a foreign language.
Applicants for the Master's in "Change Management and Transformation" must provide proof of the final overall grade of their undergraduate degree and the grade of their final thesis no later than 6 weeks after the start of their studies.
Why become a change manager?
"I love people! So it's surprising that I initially studied business administration in a colorless way, but it was the classic step towards an HR career back then. Business administration was compulsory, the focus on HR and psychology was my real fuel. When I chose my degree, I had neither imagined nor thought it possible that I would now be accompanying and managing transformation processes as a change manager. Today I know that it is quite simply one of the most effective functions in work organizations.
Whether changes in companies can really succeed depends ultimately on the willingness of the people involved and affected to change. The supposed "soft" factors, as they are often referred to in business studies, can become tough barriers. As a change manager, the task here is to advise and support decision-makers, managers and teams. In addition to knowledge of project management, change architectures and change methods, you also need to know about the psychology of change. And this begins with the willingness of every change facilitator to deal with their own personality and to constantly develop themselves further. Anyone who feels called to the psychology of change can become a powerful driver of successful change as a corporate change manager.
In my role as Change Manager at Porsche Deutschland GmbH, I am delighted to be able to support the Change Management and Transformation Master's program as a practice partner company."
Voices from the field
Dr. Rolf Eberwein, KAESER KOMPRESSOREN
"The ability to deal with change and to coordinate and drive forward projects geared towards this is one of the key factors for the future success of any company. Unfortunately, change projects fail again and again in business practice due to their complexity – after all, many other aspects are critical to success in addition to technical ones, e.g. organizational or psychological ones.
We therefore welcome the fact that Coburg University of Applied Sciences offers the Change Management and Transformation course, which teaches all of these aspects. There is a great need for suitably qualified graduates. The close integration of the course with real challenges in companies offers students the best conditions not only to complete their studies with practical knowledge, but also to grow with the practical challenges and develop as a personality ."
Dr. Rolf Eberwein is Head of Human Resources at KAESER KOMPRESSOREN
Dr.-Ing. Ralf Seidler, SCHWINDT DIGITAL GmbH
"We are a practice partner of the Change Management and Transformation course because it focuses on the close integration of theory and practice. This gives students the opportunity to try out their practical skills in a corporate environment and take on responsibility. At the same time, they are in a protected environment, are allowed to make mistakes and receive valuable feedback through mentoring.
This also has many advantages for us as a company. The practical projects give us new impetus for our daily work in a constantly changing environment – with constantly changing requirements – in the area of digital transformation. Students and companies can learn from each other and grow together. Nothing stands in the way of starting a career straight after graduation."
Dr.-Ing. Ralf Seidler is Managing Director of SCHWINDT DIGITAL GmbH
Franz Seuling, Dr. Schneider Unternehmensgruppe
"The economy urgently needs "problem solvers" or "game changers" who don't "go through butter like a hot knife" but are able to face up to their environment and take it in new directions. In addition, this degree program promotes skills and teaches you how to use new tools… great!"
Franz Seuling is Head of Human Resources at the Dr. Schneider Unternehmensgruppe
Alfons Schieder, Bavarian police
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More InformationLukas Neubauer, Wiegand-Glas
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More InformationWe will inform you!
Would you like to know more about the degree program or do you have any questions? Then take part in our information event:
- Nov. 24, 2025, 11:30-12:30, online via MSTeams
Meeting ID: 375 879 447 799 8, Identifier: vx3FJ2Sj
- Dec. 22, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., online via MSTeam
Meeting ID: 336 285 668 348 5, Identifier: 5RF3w5sM - Jan. 12, 2026, 11:30-12:30, online via MSTeams
Meeting ID: 364 686 542 213 24, Identifier: bo739wt7 - Feb. 09, 2026, 11:30-12:30, online via MSTeams
Meeting ID: 328 134 732 460 03, Identifier: RJ7QE6g2 - 09. Mar. 2026, 11:30-12:30, online via MSTeams
Meeting ID: 330 074 843 193 50, Identifier: 4rE3dp7G
Publications
The article "Learning to implement projects successfully" introduces the Master's degree course in Change Management and Transformation at Coburg University of Applied Sciences, which prepares students for the practical implementation of change processes. Prof. Dr. Hedwig Schmid emphasizes the importance of business and psychological knowledge in successfully shaping change and overcoming resistance.
Read now: Learning to implement projects successfully
The article was published in the magazine "DUZ Wissenschaft & Management", issue 06.2024 (A), www.duz.de.
