Course Content
Master in Strategic Management
The program offers you a perfect balance of theory and practice. Elective courses, Certificates and numerous academic opportunities throughout the program allow you to customize the curriculum to your needs and aspirations.
Laurence Lehmann-Ortega
Objectives
The HEC Paris Master in Strategic Management is an exciting intellectual challenge building upon the specific knowledge and experience that our academic team brings to the program, but also upon the students’ qualities. The program is very intense and demanding and is comprised of mandatory core courses, workshops with firms, a Business Project, but also elective courses and a master thesis which allow students to tailor their curriculum according to their interests and career goals.
- Fundamentals of Business and Corporate Strategy (Summer Online Course)
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Decarbonization Strategies
- Strategic Analysis of Negotiation Games
- Strategic Financial Decisions
- Successful Strategy Mobilization
The MSc Strategic Management also provides students with the following mandatory activities:
- 2-day business simulation
- Research and writing tools for thesis
- Workshops on how to Integrate Consulting Firms and Master Case Cracking. These workshops, conducted by an expert, aim to bring students an overview of the consulting recruitment process and give them directions on how to prepare for it.
In case students should require additional learning in a subject area to meet the required standards, HEC offers extra courses that take place during the summer. These include cross-knowledge courses on Digital Marketing and Finance, as well as an online Strategy course.
There is also an advanced Accounting class, which takes place in September.
General Theme
- Behavioral strategy
- Odyssey 3:24 - (Re)Invent Your Business Model (blended)
- People and Business Performance
- Strategic Branding and Portfolio Management
Industry Specific Elective Courses
- Energy Strategies
- Private Equity Strategies (fully online)
- Strategy and Managemnent in Professional Service Firms
CSR and Sustainability Elective Courses
- Impact Investing and Social Finance
- Sustainable Urban Development: Key Strategic and Organizational Challenges
- Values Based Strategy
- Green Accounting and Finance
- Companionship: Starting a Purposeful Career
Data & Digital Elective Courses
- AI: Effects and Applications Across Industries
- Data Analytics for Strategy
- Strategy in the Age of AI
- Data Science and AI for Strategic Decisions
- Making Digital Transformation Happen
- Reshaping a Business Strategy and Delivering Massive Impact: The Power of AI
A 2-day business simulation during which teams of 5 participants are in charge of managing virtual companies that compete in international markets. Teams will have to make multiple strategic decisions in different areas, e.g. product portfolio, pricing, advertising, marketing, international expansion and innovation.
The optional ten week part-time company project is designed for students to face a company’s real-life, concrete strategic issue. They work hand in hand with companies’ representatives and deliver their recommendations to the firm’s top management, like a real consulting mission.
Students have the opportunity to go on a study trip during the program including company visits and networking events.
Students must write a master thesis to graduate from the program. The objective of the master thesis is to explore how cutting-edge research is being implemented in the daily practice of strategy in a highly competitive environment. More than 100 topics are offered to students each year.
The professional experience requirement is satisfied when the student completes a professional experience of at least 4 months in fields related to their coursework at HEC Paris. It is, however, important to stress that this professional experience may not be an internship per se.
Our policy at HEC Paris is that the best type of internship is a full-time job! We strongly encourage our students to look for permanent hiring as soon as the academic year starts.
As an international business school, HEC Paris welcomes students from all over the world. Almost one hundred nationalities live on the campus. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover other cultures and to share exceptional moments, and it's important that students can communicate as much as they wish.
HEC Paris Learning Center of Languages aims at helping students to learn or strengthen any language they would like, providing a wide range of I.T. and print resources.
Students do not need to speak French to enroll in the program as all core courses and most electives are offered in English. However, some knowledge of French can be useful to enjoy the full HEC experience, become professionally bicultural and optimize networking with French students and alumni. This is why HEC Paris offers optional French language classes.
Prior to their studies, students may also register for a two week French language course (TEF certificate – all levels) in August. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn French before joining the Campus (extra fees are applicable).
Certificates
Sponsored by a company, Certificates are a set of interdisciplinary courses corresponding to approximately 100 contact hours as well as business projects and other types of field work related to a given sector. Each student selected (in the 1st semester) for a certificate will be awarded an additional HEC certificate if he/she validates all the requirements of the course.