Human Resource Management

Are you facing new challenges in human resource management? With this part-time EMBA you will be able to master challenges and demanding tasks.

This EMBA is structured to fit around your busy life. You have the choice between work-study or full-time models. Moreover, they are set in a dynamic, digitally supported learning environment to fit study seamlessly around your work commitments 

The EMBA enables human resources specialists and managers to take the next strategic step on their career path. 

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
  • Duration max. 8 years
  • Schedule Depending on the chosen CAS. Guided distance learning and face-to face- classes are combined.
  • Application deadline Depending on the chosen CAS
  • ECTS credits 60 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs CHF 34,000
  • Teaching language German
  • Location Bern, Schwarztorstrasse 48
  • School Business School
  • Next session According to the individual CAS

For further information and registration, please visit the German website. 

Structure + Content

Portrait

The course is for specialists or managers in human resources who wish to get to grips with the dynamics and changing demands of human resources. This course focuses on actively shaping corporate development from an HR perspective. In addition to consulting skills, contributing to corporate development requires an in-depth understanding of how people successfully cooperate in organizations. The demands placed on HR specialists are diverse and range from knowledge of work and organizational psychology to skills in the areas of new work, employability, modern forms of organization to the design of learning cultures in companies. 

Learning outcomes

With our EMBA, you will acquire the skills you need for a long, successful, professional career in human resource management. In this course you will: 

  • understand the importance of the HR policy as an important success factor for the strategic positioning of your company 

  • actively support change-projects  

  • gain an in-depth understanding of challenges in global corporate environments and accordingly design international human resource management for a company. 

  • develop suitable and innovative HR concepts within agile organizational forms  

  • use data analysis to gain important insights for your transforming workforce or talent management. 

  • know the possibilities of digital technologies in HR and use this knowledge for the improvement of recruitment and HR processes 

  • appreciate the various support functions of HR and design efficient and service-oriented processes

You benefit from a modular programme. Depending on your educational background and your professional experience, you can choose one of the two following study models. 

Both study models conclude with a master’s thesis worth 12 ECTS credits. In total, 60 ECTS credits are required to obtain the EMBA. 

Study model 1

This model is tailored for those looking for a change in career direction to HR and who have at least two years of work experience following their degree. 

  • CAS Human Resource Management
    HR principles and processes
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: spring semester
  • CAS Human Resource Development
    HR strategy, policy and development 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: autumn semester
  • CAS Human Centered Organization
    New working environments: People in focus 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: spring semester
  • CAS Obligatory Free Choice 1)
    General Management, law 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: Frühlings- oder Herbstsemester

1) For the mandatory module, you must choose one CAS from General Management and Law listed below. Admission to an elective CAS is granted on based on your previous experience, qualifications and guidance from a study advisor Some CASs have special admission requirements.

  • CAS Business Administration
  • CAS Advanced Business Administration
  • CAS Strategic Management
  • CAS Digital Organisation
  • CAS Digital Marketing and Transformation
  • CAS Business Law
  • CAS Leadership / CAS Advanced Leadership 
  • CAS Controlling & Consulting
  • CAS Public Management & Politics
  • CAS Advanced Project Management

Study model 2

This study model is tailored to specialists and managers with several years of professional experience in human resource management and an additional specialist qualification. This includes, for example, a Swiss HR pecialist qualification or a completed university degree with a specialization in personnel management. 

  • CAS Human Resource Development
    HR strategy, policy and development 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: autumn semester
  • CAS Human Centered Organization
    New working environments: Focus on people 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: spring semester
  • CAS Wahl-Pflicht 1)
    Free choice of additional deepening 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: spring or autumn semester 
  • CAS Wahl-Pflicht 2)
    General Management, Law 
    12 ECTS Credits, Start: spring or autumn semester 

1)  For the mandatory module, you must choose one CAS from General Management and Law listed below. Admission to an elective CAS is granted based on your previous experience, qualifications and guidance from a study advisor Some CASs have special admission requirements.

  • CAS Business Administration
  • CAS Advanced Business Administration
  • CAS Strategic Management
  • CAS Digital Organisation
  • CAS Digital Marketing and Transformation
  • CAS Business Law
  • CAS Leadership / CAS Advanced Leadership
  • CAS Controlling & Consulting
  • CAS Public Management & Politics
  • CAS Advanced Project Management

2) In study model 2, the fourth CAS can be freely selected from the CASs offered by the BFH Business Schoo.

Thesis

Both study models conclude with a master’s thesis comprising 12 ECTS credits. 

As a professional you learn differently to a full-time student. Not only because you usually study alongside your job or family, but also because your learning needs and methods are strongly influenced by your professional experience. In order to get the most from a module it is essential to prepare much of the material in advance. For this EMBA teaching in the classroom, online distance learning and self-study is combined. Our interactive learning platform keeps you and lecturers in contact even during self-study phases. You can exchange information, clarify questions, receive feedback and submit assignments.  

Therefore, you will benefit from a range of didactic approaches including:   

  • Lectures, workshops, seminars and exchanges of experience  

  • Use of MS Teams as a learning platform  

  • Presentations and technical discussions  

  • Group work and action learning  

  • Study of best practice examples with reflection, case studies  

  • Networking with lecturers and your classmate’s participants 

Assessments are taken in various forms. Traditional written exams are usually the exception. You will demonstrate your acquired competences for example with:  

  • Transfer Reports, papers and case studies 

  • Oral presentations or oral exams 

  • Group work on real world example 

  • Learning groups 

Title + conclusion

Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the Bern University of Applied Sciences in «Human Resource Management» (60 ECTS credits) 

Lecturers

Our lecturers are proven experts with extensive practical and theoretical knowledge in their subject areas. They have at least a university degree plus many years of experience in higher education. 

Eligibility & Entry

The EMBA provides you with the perfect tools and knowledge to achieve your professional goals in HRM.

Our two study models suit both those looking for a new challenge and those who have several years of experience.  

  • Study model 1 for beginners: 
    We offer those newer to the world of HR the opportunity to acquire the fundamentals of HR in an application-oriented manner at university level. If you have at least two years of work experience following a degree in a similar subject, then the study model one is perfect for you. 

  • Study model 2 for experts: 
    Study model 2 is structured for specialists and managers in human resource management with several years of experience. If you have an specialist certificate in HR or a university or college degree with a specialization in personnel management and several years of experience in human resource management, then the study model two is perfect for you. 

To choose the study model that is right for you, please contact the head of the course in advance. 

University degree

You will be admitted to the programme with a degree from a university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or an equivalent foreign university and at least two years of professional experience.

Higher vocational training

If you have a qualification from a higher vocational education institution (Diploma Höhere Fachschule HF, Federal Diploma, Federal Certificate of Proficiency) and several years of professional experience, you will also be admitted to the programme. However, you will be required to attend our Introduction to Academic Study before starting the CAS. Completion of this module is a prerequisite for admission to the CAS.

Exceptions

In exceptional circumstances applicants may still  be admitted. The head of the degree programme will make a decision based upon your application and extenuating circumstances. Please contact us. If you are admitted, you will in any case attend the course «Introduction to Academic Writing» (in German) before the first CAS.

Important notes

There are specific admission requirements for individual CASs.

Professional requirements

Several years of HR-Professional work experience is required.

Exceptions

The head of the programme decides according to your application - "sur dossier" - after you have applied.

Applications from abroad 

Please register with the online registration form or contact the responsible head of programme. 

The course Introduction to Scientific Study is compulsory for all students without a university degree. It provides the students with methodological skills for the successful CAS degree.  

Application + Practicalities

The maximum duration of the course is 8 years. Admission for the program is possible according to the starting dates of the individual CAS. The application deadlines are found in the descriptions for the specific CAS.

Please register directly via the specific CAS.

Documents required for registration

You can register online via registration form. For registration we require following documents (in PDF format, max. 1 MB per document): 

  • Diplomas 

  • Curriculum Vitae 

  • Passport-sized photo (in JPG format) 

Please upload these documents even if you have already submitted them for another application. 

Information about the EMBA

Admission for the program is possible according to the starting dates of the individual CAS programs.

Depending on the chosen CAS. Guided distance learning and face-to face- classes are combined.

CHF 34,000 

All tuition fees for the individual CAS courses total CHF 34,000. Additional costs for the master’s thesis module (CHF 2,500) are not applicable if all ECTS credits have been earned at the BFH or within the framework of our cooperative study programs.  

All compulsory literature, course materials and examinations are included in the costs. 

Information

Study Counselling

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Head of Degree Programme

Organisation of Studies

Location + Facilities