In April 2009, HEC Paris’ MSc in Management joined the MBA program in launching Certificates programs that have since expanded to cover three of today’s most dynamic industries. In the following interview, Associate Dean of the HEC Paris Master of Science in Management program, Eloïc Peyrache, discusses the program’s objectives and ongoing development.

What are Certificates and how do they complement HEC Paris’ program portfolio?

Certificates are a set of courses, developed in partnership with leading companies, that target specific sectors. They are designed to boost the employability of our graduates by enhancing their specialized expertise in key industries. Each Certificate involves two months of study, including around 100 contact hours, business projects and related fieldwork. Students who successfully complete the course receive a Certificate.

Who can participate in the program?

Certificates are open to students approaching graduation and preparing to enter or re-enter the job market. This includes second-year MSc in Management students and participants in our Specialized Masters and MBA programs.

How do you select which industries to build Certificates around?

We wanted to tackle the sectors that are currently undergoing the most profound evolutions. For example, the Energy and Finance Certificate, which we offer in conjunction with Deloitte and Société Générale, considers how growing concerns about climate change will impact the energy sector. Students who pursue this Certificate will look at key risk areas and explore how energy producers, infrastructure operators and energy-intensive industries are responding to the challenges of climate change.

What other industries do you address?

We offer a Real Estate Certificate, supported by Morgan Stanley and Unibail-Rodamco. This program is designed to prepare students for the challenges of the global real estate or commercial property industry. They look at medium- to large-scale property investment and management, focusing on the complexities of product evaluation, real estate economics and finance.

The Social Business Certificate, which we developed in partnership with Danone, centers on innovative business approaches to reducing poverty. Students explore how new economic models can be applied in both developing and developed countries to bring about positive societal changes. They have the chance to gain hands-on experience and benefit from the involvement of Nobel Prize-winning economist and founder of Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus.

What program developments can we expect in 2010?

This year, we aim to continue expanding the program with certificates in other key sectors, such as luxury.