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Transition Management (MSc)

Taught in English

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Standard period of study

4 semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Date of first accrediation

30 June 2006

Transition Countries - Transition Studies

Transition countries are characterized by enormous economic and political transformations. Their societies are changing from a state-directed economy to a market economy, from autocracy to democracy. The group of transition countries includes the successor states of the former Soviet Union, the countries of Eastern and South Eastern Europe, as well as recent transition countries in Africa and Asia, for example China.

The Master's Programme "Transition Management" is an interdisciplinary study programme established by five faculties of Justus Liebig University Giessen, headed by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management (Faculty 09). The technical organization is carried out by the Center for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU).

Justus Liebig University Giessen is the first university in Germany addressing the specific problems of transition countries in an international, interdisciplinary study course combining both theory and practical experience.

The Master's Programme will enable students:

to understand the complex processes and specific demands of transition countries
to link the various areas of transition, i.e., economic, legal, political, social, agricultural, and environmental aspects and their interrelation
to gain knowledge as well as practical competences on methods and strategies to enhance the transition process
to train their soft skills by learning and working in international and interdisciplinary teams.

By the end of the course students will be skilled in devising integrative approaches to transition issues applicable to the private and public sector.

Target Group

The Master's Programme is designed for students who are interested in both learning about the complex problems of transition countries as well as developing approaches to overcome these problems by linking economic, political and environmental aspects. A background in related sciences is required. The central target group is primarily graduates from transition countries who want to deepen and broaden their knowledge by attending this further education programme.

Admission Requirements

The Admission Requirements are

at least a Bachelor’s degree with 180 ECTS credit points (or an officially equivalent accepted academic degree); the following subjects are accepted:
agriculture, nutrition, natural or environmental sciences, economics, law, political science

Proof of sufficient knowledge in economics, law, and/or the social sciences, i.e. at least 60 ECTS points in at least one of these subjects. The examination committee can insist that applicants have to catch up on relevant modules or that they have to take an aptitude test (oral examination of 20-30 minutes), if less than 60 ECTS points have been gained.

a very good level of English (written as well as spoken) is mandatory. Accepted proofs of language proficiency are:
- 1. TOEFL-Test iBT (internet-based) 80 points or 6 points in IELTS Academic Test;
- 2. Proof of having gained the school-leaving certificate qualifying the applicant for studying at institutions of higher education in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, UK, South Africa;
- 3. Proof of having successfully completed a Bachelor’s course of study taught in English;
- 4. UNIcert II.

International applicants who have a foreign University Entrance Certificate

Applicants who do not have a German ‘Abitur’ (university entrance certificate) must submit their application to JLU Giessen via uni-assist (details).
No study fees are charged for this study program. However, students have to pay a semester contribution of approx. 300 EUR for administration and semester tickets (details).

For further information you may contact:
Studierendensekretariat: Außenstelle Ausländerzulassung
Erwin-Stein-Gebäude
Goethestr. 58, 35390 Giessen
Tel.: 0641/99-16400
international.admission@uni-giessen.de
Detailed information on the application process

International applicants who have a German ‘Abitur’:

Applications must be received by the JLU Student Secretariat by 15th June. More on this...

Courses start

Winter Semester only (October)

Composition of Degree Programme

The Master’s degree course consists of 14 modules (120 credits):

12 taught modules
- Core - 8 specialist modules (48 credits)
- Profile - 6 optional modules (36 credits)

Internship module (12 credits)

Master’s thesis including colloquium (24 credits)

The overall grade is derived from the arithmetic average of the grades of the passed examinations. The grades of the individual modules are multiplied by the credit points achieved in the respective module and the sum is divided by the total number of credits achieved in the study programme.

The Core Modules (Compulsory Modules) are:
Empirical Research Methods
Transition in Practice
Law in Transition
Economic Development and World Agricultural Markets
Transition and Integration Economics
Power and Democracy
Economics, Organization and Management in Agriculture and Food Industries
World Food Economy

Course Specific Academic Counselling ("Studienfachberatung")

Please refer to:

www.uni-giessen.de/fbz/zentren/zeu/Lehre/Master
Nadine.Ackermann