Study Corporate Communication with specializations in Public Relations, Internal Communication and Social Media: Master Corporate Communication Management at the Business School in Pforzheim in Germany
Join our unique Master’s program for corporate communication management. Experience the comprehensive focus on communications studies with a focus on internal communication & change management, public relations & CSR communication, and digital marketing & social media. Study at the public Business School Pforzheim – Germany’s no. 1 business school among universities of applied science (Eduniversal Ranking 2023) and part of the world’s top 5% business schools according to the AACSB accreditation. In 3 semesters and with no university tuition fees.
The M.Sc. in Corporate Communication Management (MCCM) covers communication of and in organizations, with a specific focus on corporate communication and its three pillars.
What you can expect:
- Fundamental understanding and in-depth knowledge of communication management
- Comprehensive approach to the three pillars of corporate communication: internal communication, public relations, and current topics in marketing communication
- Applied skills in communication methods, techniques and leadership training
- Research-based view on current developments and trends, e.g. through a teaching research project
- Communications studies with core and elective subjects from the field of contemporary management, embedded in the comprehensive range of courses offered by the Business School Pforzheim
The elective courses in semester 1 and 3 draw from a wide range of courses offered by the Business School Pforzheim. This selection provides students with a variety of course options to choose from and shape a personal profile for a successful career in the field.
Interested? Apply for our three-semester Master of Science (M.Sc.) by June 15, to start your Master’s journey next winter semester!
Starting in winter semester 2024/25, the Master's program in Corporate Communication Management will be taught entirely in English. It is aimed at prospective students from Germany and around the world who want to take the next step in their career. The program prepares students for the German job market, but also for international careers.
Upcoming Events
Digital Master's information session of the Business School
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 5.15 pm, prospective students will have the opportunity to get to know the 12 Master's and MBA degree programs offered by the Business School during an online information event.
The MCCM will also be there to introduce itself!
Further information and the link to register can be found here.
We look forward to meeting you!
Safe the date: On-Site Master's Information Session of the Business School
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025 prospective students will have the opportunity to get to know the 12 Master's and MBA degree programs offered by the Business School and our campus at an information event.
The MCCM will also be there to introduce itself!
More information will follow.
We are look forward to meeting you!
Top reasons for studying Corporate Communication Management at Business School Pforzheim.
The MCCM offers the comprehensive academic understanding of corporate communication and management that is important for tackling the challenges of practice. You will gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of corporate communication within the three pillars of internal communication, public relations and marketing communication. You can shape your individual profile in applied courses and research projects, seminars and electives. In a small group of 25 students per batch, collegial teams and with professors who know you by name.
The MCCM combines the best of two worlds: communication and management. Expand your knowledge in electives on Strategic Management or Leadership and discover business management from the perspective of top managers. At a business school that has been awarded the renowned international AACSB accreditation. As the Business School Pforzheim is a public university, there is no university tuition fee apart from a small fee per semester (including admission and enrolment, student services and public transportation). Please note: The Federal State of Baden-Württemberg is charging non-EU citizens with a tuition fee of EUR 1,500 per semester. This applies to all universities in Baden-Württemberg and for all degree programs.
The MCCM as a compact program enables graduate students to complete a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in three semesters – including their thesis. Personal interaction with our professors as well as lecturers from companies and consultancies happens face-to-face in the classroom. The applied teaching is theoretically well-rounded and interactive. We are convinced that you learn the most from mistakes. That's why we offer a sheltered space in our courses where you can share knowledge, discuss and practise. Clearly defined learning objectives and regular course evaluations make sure that our curriculum is up to date.
Located in the strong economy of the southwest of Germany, we work closely with major international companies and well-known SMEs. Case studies, company projects and empirical studies bring practice into the classroom. We also train you in methods that reach beyond communication (e.g. design thinking) to provide you with tools for a long and successful career. Our professors and lecturers have both academic and practical experience: They know practice from practice. This is one of the reasons why MCCM alumni have a successful start to their careers and successfully enter the job market after less than three months.
With courses taught in English, internationally experienced professors and lecturers as well as visiting professors from abroad, the MCCM prepares you for national and international job profiles in the communications sector. The renowned AACSB accreditation allows you to spend a semester abroad at one the world's top 5% business faculties - without tuition fees, from Mexico to Indonesia, from Portugal to Scandinavia. 60% of our students go abroad for the first time or again.
What's in for you with our Master in Corporate Communication Management.
Three fundamental modules and one practical module are covered in the first semester:
Module 1: The introductory module "Corporate Communication" (7 ECTS) provides the fundamentals of communication of and in organizations. The focus is on issues of organization, communication and the public sphere. This module is supplemented by a selection of hands-on communication training courses.
Module 2: In the "Reputation Management" module (7 ECTS), the focus is on corporate media management and communicative competence. The course on innovation, trends and digital transformation focuses on future challenges for corporate communication management - from both a theoretical-analytical and practical perspective. In addition, there is a course on communication tools and techniques.
Module 3: In the compulsory elective module "Contemporary Management" (6 ECTS), students can choose from a wide range of courses on communications, business administration, management or leadership with a national or international focus. Each elective course is open for graduate students coming from different Master’s programs, in order to have an interdisciplinary focus and to enrich your network with fellow students.
Module 4: The applied module "Strategic Communication" (9 ECTS) imparts application-oriented knowledge of strategy, communication planning and value creation. Participants develop strategic concepts for the corporate communication of a genuine client company from real life, including the use of qualitative empirical methods.
The second semester comprises three focal modules that focus on the three pillars of corporate communications, as well as a research module and an applied module:
Module 5: The advanced module "Internal Communication and Change Management" (6 ECTS) covers internal corporate communication, employee and management communication in the context of organizational change. Identity, culture and the goal of orientation form the framework for a closer examination of communication in organizations.
Module 6: The module "Digital Marketing and Social Media Communication" (6 ECTS) deals with in-depth questions on marketing communication and brand management in the context of current issues. Key variables such as image, brand and persuasion are examined in more detail and reflected on in terms of their theoretical and practical relevance for digital marketing and social media.
Module 7: The "CSR and Stakeholder Communication" module (6 ECTS) focuses on issues of public relations, corporate social responsibility communication and stakeholder management. Key parameters such as legitimacy, responsibility and trust are key here.
Module 8: In the practical module "Communication Research" (9 ECTS), participants learn about research design, methods and processes in theory and practice. They design and implement a research project that deals with a current issue in the field of corporate communication management.
Module 9: The module "Leadership" (6 ECTS) spans an entire academic year with the second and third semester. Students have the opportunity to work on a topic of their choice from theory, research or practice (design or consulting) as part of an individual project ("Innovation Lab"). The aim is to provide an opportunity for creativity and innovation. Students also acquire knowledge and practical skills in the areas of leadership communication and international and intercultural communication management.
In the third semester, students attend courses from the compulsory elective area and write their final thesis:
Module 10: The "Advanced Electives" module (9 ECTS) is a compulsory elective module. Students choose from a wide range of subjects geared towards the profession, e.g. Issues Management and Crisis Communication, Campaigning and Narrative Communication or Current Trends in Corporate Communication Management, as well as from a supplementary range of Business Administration courses. Alternatively, there is the option of earning these credits at one of the partner universities abroad.
Module 11: The Master's thesis (18 ECTS) is an integral part of the third semester. The thesis period is four months. It is accompanied by a thesis course on corporate communication (1 ECTS) that is held in hybrid mode, if necessary.
The program leads to the title "Master of Science".
Internal communication has become more important in recent years and is increasingly recognised as a central component of corporate communication in business practice and academic theory. The stakeholder approach focuses on employees and their needs as the target group of internal communication: internal communication can only be considered effectively and successfully if the channels, formats and content of a company's internal communication are aligned with the needs and preferences of its employees. However, employee needs are by no means static conditions, but rather dynamic constructs that change depending on internal and external influences. These influencing factors include, in particular, far-reaching economic and social changes and unforeseen crises such as the Covid pandemic in 2020, during the peak phase of which the investigation and processing period of this thesis fell. With the help of an empirical study, in which 20 qualitative guided interviews were conducted with employees from various companies, new insights were gained into employee needs before and during a crisis. Overall, it was found that employees have cognitive and social-interactive needs in particular, but that these can only be partially met by internal communication. In times of crisis, these needs intensify and social-interactive needs also become more relevant. However, internal communication also changes as a result of the crisis, which means that cognitive needs in particular are better satisfied than before. Nevertheless, key employee needs remain unfulfilled both before and during the crisis, which provides starting points for the further development of internal communication. (Author: Annika Rensch)
The thesis "Social networks as an instrument of external corporate communication: A comparison of the strategic communication of leading PR agencies in social networks" analyses the strategic communication of the most successful PR agencies in social networks.
On the basis of the literature analysis, it is worked out that content in agency communication must also take into account both the achievement of the company's communication goals and the needs of users for information, entertainment and interaction.
Based on this finding, the social media posts of the top 5 PR agencies according to Pfeffer's PR ranking (fischerAppelt, mcGroup, Edelman, Ketchum and Serviceplan) were analysed in terms of content. The guiding research question was "How does strategic communication in social networks differ between the leading PR agencies in terms of the communication goals pursued and the consideration of user needs?
The results of the work are three agency types, which show the different communication of the agencies, as well as two usage types, which represent the different use of the analysed social networks.
(Autorin: Sissy Genth)
A semester abroad offers students the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally and to gain important intercultural experience. Pforzheim's AACSB accreditation opens the door to the best business schools in the world.
"I have gained an incredible amount of impressions and experiences from my exchange semester in Finland. I not only have fond memories of the impressive nature, but also think back to many unforgettable experiences inside and outside the university with new friends. The time went by far too quickly."
Eileen Müller
"It was absolutely the right decision to study abroad as part of the MCCM program. Mexico exceeded all my expectations. The country offers countless white sandy beaches, impressive jungle landscapes and a wide range of cultural activities to discover. The Mexicans are welcoming, communicative and some of the warmest people I have ever met."
Felix Wiedemann
With their own careers firmly in sight: the 8th MCCM class on an excursion to Munich
In May 2024, the MCCM made its way to Munich to gain practical insights into the diverse world of communication and gather valuable ideas for their own career planning. The varied excursion program reflected the range of career opportunities available to students after graduation. The program included visits to Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG, Serviceplan Group SE & Co. KG and PwC.
To gain direct insights into communications practice and inspiration for their personal career paths, the MCCM students went to Munich in May 2023. The program of our excursion was just as varied as the fields of activity open to our students after graduation. From corporate communication in the age of AI to successful CEO positioning and the varied day-to-day life of an agency to holistic consulting for change processes, everything was included.
Corporate communication, consultancy, sightseeing - Berlin!
The report on our excursion with exciting visits to public affairs, crisis, marketing, science and stakeholder communication at Klarna Bank SE, Brunswick, KekstCNC, the Futurium and the Neue Nationalgalerie. From corporate communication in the age of AI to successful CEO positioning and the varied day-to-day life of an agency to holistic consulting for change processes, everything was included.
Career opportunities in corporate communication management.
"The MCCM was my stepping stone into corporate communications. Even after several years in the job, I still benefit from the international experience, the applied teaching approach, the management perspective and the in-depth communications training - a formula that, in my experience, is highly valued by employers."
Annabelle Nink has completed a Bachelor's and Master’s degree at Business School Pforzheim and now works as a speaker corporate communications at the Deutsche Leasing Group.
"The MCCM not only offers a first-class communications education, but also opens up new perspectives through its affiliation with the business school. After several years on the job, I appreciate this unique selling point more and more."
Robin Hagenmüller enrolled at the MCCM after completing his Bachelor's degree at the University of Tübingen and is now Head of Corporate Communications at Vantage Towers.
"The applied, wide-ranging course contents of the MCCM really prepared me for my career start and helped me to think outside the box. Thanks to the small size of the course and the networking among students, you quickly become part of the MCCM community and also make valuable contacts with practice."
Salome Becker joined the MCCM program from the University of Passau and is now a Manager Internal Communications at Novartis, putting the topic of her Master's thesis - "Inclusive Internal Communications" - into practice.
"In the MCCM, I learned how versatile and multi-layered communication is today. In my job, I now realize every day how relevant this integrated understanding of public, internal and marketing communication is."
Felix Fürst studied at the German Sport University Cologne before joining the MCCM and now works in marketing for the company bike leasing provider JobRad.
"The MCCM offered me exactly the combination of practice and theory that I was looking for. In addition to the lectures, I was able to get to know different topics from both a practitioner's and an academic perspective with an additional internship semester and a semester abroad before starting my career."
Cara Freiin von Beust joined the MCCM after completing her Bachelor's degree at HdM Stuttgart and is now Team Lead New Market Launches, Market Extension at Klarna.
"Marketing communication, internal communication and public relations - as a marketing manager of a medium-sized company, I am required to cover the entire spectrum of corporate communication. Thanks to the practice-oriented MCCM program, I felt perfectly equipped for this responsible task as soon as I started my career."
Nico Ziesel joined the MCCM after completing his Bachelor's degree at the University of Tübingen and is now Senior Manager Marketing and Communication at Marabu Inks.
"The MCCM prepared me perfectly for my current career in the consultancy sector: In a wide variety of lectures and applied projects, you get acquainted with the entire spectrum of corporate communications, so that you start your job with a wide set of skills."
Sissy Genth enrolled at the MCCM after completing her Bachelor's degree at HdM Stuttgart and is now Accout Manager / Influencer Relations Brand at the global communications agency BCW Germany.
The Master's program in Corporate Communication Management (MCCM) qualifies students for
- Managerial positions in corporate communications in large and medium-sized companies, non-profit organizations, the public sector and in strategic communications consultancies and agencies
- Expert positions in communications management, e.g. in specialist functions such as internal communications, PR, sustainability or change management
- Research positions in industry where analytical skills are required or for a PhD projects, as the Master of Science opens graduates the doors to a dissertation
The changing nature of the profession: new requirements
Organizations are increasingly under public scrutiny. They are responding to the increasing pressure to legitimize themselves by expanding and professionalizing corporate communications, which has long since developed into a management function. In times when mass media channels have multiplied, PR, marketing and internal communication are increasingly merging as formerly separate disciplines. Content is planned for convergent media in a topical manner and planned, designed and evaluated for specific target groups according to new reception patterns. This leads to new demands on the qualifications of communication specialists:
- Corporate communication managers who can plan, advise and evaluate in an integrated manner are increasingly in demand. Prospective communicators need communication and business skills for this. They need to be able to think in a holistic way and manage communication regardless of the boundaries between disciplines.
- Communication managers should be able to work as broadly trained generalists with specialist knowledge. This requires training in specific media as well as cross-disciplinary skills. At the same time, specialists are needed for fields of activity that are currently being expanded or will be systematically developed by Corporate Communication in the coming years.
Authentic Insights: Our MCCM blog
Find out more. Our students talk about their semesters abroad, practical projects and student life outside the lecture hall. In our degree program blog, we provide insights into the Master's in Corporate Communication Management.
Discover more on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Follow our study program account @mccm_business_pf on Instagram and LinkedIn. There you can get a first taste of what you can expect from the MCCM degree program.
