Faculty of TheologyManagement, Ethics and Innovation in the Non-Profit Sector – Diaconal Leadership and Governance – Master

Nowadays, social enterprises act as professional service providers within the framework conditions of the welfare state. Specific skills and knowledge are required for executive positions in these types of companies. Students learn to manage complex social, diaconal and ecclesiastical organisations and to shape the community in non-profit organisations.

Facts & Formalities

DegreeMaster of Arts
Type of programmeContinuing
Start of programmeWinter semester only
Standard period of study5 semesters
Language(s) of instructionGerman
Fees and contributions1,860.00 € / Semester
Application procedureContinuing-education master’s programmes and Law - Legum Magister
Application deadlinesInformation about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
Special characteristicSince winter semester 2014/2015 the programme starts in a two-year cycle only in the winter semester.

Course Content

The academic programme conveys core topics associated with achievement behaviour in non-profit organisations. These include the religious and ethical foundations of helping that are reflected upon from a Christian perspective and an openness toward other worldviews, fundamentals of non-profit management as well as provision of help in the subsidiary and welfare-oriented areas of the welfare state’s assistance system. A special characteristic is the focus on development of social services through innovation. 

Students can select their areas of specialisation according to their interests from the following compulsory elective modules: scientific innovation and project-based research, management of organisations in social contexts, and systematic organisation development / diversity management.  

The academic programme conveys the skills and knowledge required to develop a scientifically substantiated leadership style in the specialised modules that focus on organisation and personality development.

Course Structure

The academic programme is divided into stage 1 studies, two areas of specialisation (in which students can select their own special fields) as well as an advanced semester: 

Stage 1 studies diaconal studies (Heidelberg University) 

  • Spirituality and religiousness as the foundation of social commitment  
  • Transformation processes in the non-profit sector  
  • Foundation of non-profit management 
  • Interdisciplinary study and research competencies 

Compulsory elective focus Organisational management in social contexts (EH Darmstadt) 

  • Basics of stakeholder management 
  • External stakeholder management 
  • Internal stakeholder management 
  • Stakeholder management practice 

Compulsory elective focus Social innovation and project-related research (EH Freiburg)  

  • Research and innovation 
  • Social work and social change 
  • Innovation and strategic management 
  • Structuring and governance of organisations 

Compulsory elective focus Systemic organisation development / diversity management (EH Ludwigsburg) 

  • Basics of systemic organisation development and diversity management 
  • Change management  
  • Change management in practice 

Advanced semester Leadership and leadership personalities (Heidelberg University) 

  • Innovation and social transformation  
  • Leadership and governance 
  • Basics of management law 

Master's thesis 

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