Degree, diploma and title
The higher professional examination for Head of Human Resources is held annually if at least 40 candidates meet the admission requirements after the announcement, otherwise at least every two years. Candidates can take the examination in German, French or Italian.
Candidates are notified at least 3 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (location, time of the examination, permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The higher professional examination consists of three parts:
1) Shaping strategy and cultural work (case study, written, 120 minutes)
In this part of the examination, candidates are presented with a holistic, complex and innovative strategic case from the environment of a medium-sized company. Candidates work on the case using the steps "Situation analysis", "Central question", "Formulation of objectives" and "Consideration of next steps".
2) Acting in the role
2.1) Critical incidents, oral, 30 minutes
The term "critical incidents" refers to challenging and complex real-life situations in which the intervention of measures is crucial in order to deal with the situation successfully. The candidates are presented with three such situations. They must describe the procedure for the critical incidents and justify the measures taken.
2.2) Role play, oral, 30 minutes (incl. preparation and reflection)
The candidates carry out a role play based on a given written description of the situation. An examination expert takes on the role of the employee. The role play is followed by a reflection discussion in which the candidates are questioned by the examination experts about the discussion (e.g. self-assessment of the discussion, justification of statements, etc.).
3) Design and implement HR concepts
3.1) Case study concept, written 180 minutes (incl. 60 minutes preparation and presentation)
In this part of the examination, candidates draw up an HR concept for the initial situation, including possible variants, budget and procedural planning.
3.2) Presentation, oral, 15 minutes
This simulates a management meeting in which the candidates present their concept to the management.
3.3) Technical discussion, oral, 30 minutes
Subsequently, the HR concept presented is discussed from different perspectives and variants are developed (e.g. finance, sales, marketing).
Diploma and title
Successful graduates of the higher professional examination receive a federal diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Head of Human Resources with a federal diploma".
In French: "Directrice des ressources humaines avec diplôme fédéral / Directeur des ressources humaines avec diplôme fédéral"
In Italian: "Direttrice delle risorse umane con diploma federale / Direttore delle risorse umane con diploma federale"
In English (This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title): "Human Resource Manager, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"