The Diploma in Advanced Sustainability (DAS) and the Certificate in Business Sustainability (CAS) enable participants to comprehend and respond to global challenges from the perspective of business as a force for good.
Executive Programs Overview
Start & duration
Certificate in Business Sustainability
Diploma in Advanced Sustainability
Every September (see calendar for dates)
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The part-time program lasts 10-months, consisting of 12 modules of 2-days, taught in 10 sessions of 2 days and the kick-off session consisting of 4 days.
Regularly every January or flexibly any time of the year (open date).
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The part-time program can be completed in 10-month or longer depending on your availability.
Study time & location
The program entails 12 modules with 16 hours in-class and about 15 hours of individual reading and post-course work. Plus there are 200 hours of work dedicated to the consulting project.
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Total workload: 600 hours.
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The modules take place across Switzerland in inspiring places.
The program can be completed either by selecting 8 modules, or 5 modules plus a personal impact project (100 hours). A module consists of 16 hours in-class and about 15 hours of individual reading and post-course work.
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Total workload: 300 hours.
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Either on location around Switzerland or online.
Degree & credits
Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)
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The Diploma represents 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
Certificate in Advanced Studies (CAS)
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The Certificate represents 15 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
Program fee
The program costs CHF 18'000
Course material, location expenses and lunches are included.
Individual travel expenses to the locations, overnight stay and dinners are not included.
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No scholarships or discounts available.
The program costs CHF 9'000
Course material, location expenses and lunches are included.
Individual travel expenses to the locations, overnight stay and dinners are not included.
No scholarships or discounts available.
Business Sustainability Leadership Programs
We are offering three types of programs:
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The Diploma in Advanced Sustainability (DAS = 30 ECTS)
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The Certificate in Business Sustainability (CAS = 15 ETCS)
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Online Master classes (without ECTS)
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The two Degree Programs are limited to a carefully selected group of 12-18 participants. The programs typically fills quickly.
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Our Sustainability Leadership programs are endorsed by the World Business Council of Sustainable Development (WBCSD) since its foundation in 2011, and of the UN Global Compact Switzterland & Liechtenstein since 2020. The program has been run in cooperation with different educational institutions such as Business School Lausanne in the early years, and the Institute for Economy and the Environment at University of St.Gallen.
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Learning Perspectives
Rather than looking at sustainability from the business perspective alone, the program approaches business sustainability, change and social innovations from three different perspectives: ​
1. Global challenges
Understanding the sustainability challenges we, as a global community are facing today and in the coming decades.
2. Strategic implications
Evaluating how business can contribute to resolve them through innovative strategies.
3. Business impact
Translating business sustainability strategies across business functions.
Sustainability Modules
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The Big Picture of Sustainability Challenges
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Business Sustainability in Changing Regulatory and Market Environments
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Sustainability Innovation for the SDGs
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Circular Economy Models
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Sustainable Supply Chains
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Sustainability Marketing & Communication
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Measuring Sustainability Performance
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Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing
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Social Entrepreneurship
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DAS participants complete all 9 sustainability modules, CAS participants either select 8 of them, or pick 5 modules plus a personal impact project. DAS participants complete 3 leading change modules that accompany the consulting project work.
This program is for you if you are looking for a high impact, transformational experience.
We seek to open up new avenues of possibilities, preparing participants for a future that is emerging.
Are our programs for you?
Our Sustainability Leadership programs are suitable for experienced professionals with a university degree (or equivalent) and at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
Our participants have an affinity for personal development, social innovations and self-reflection, and are eager to become change agents for a better world.
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Do you want to:
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Develop your skills to work in the sustainability field as a specialist in business, public office or nongovernmental organizations.
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Work in an existing or new business that embraces sustainability through innovative products or services; or independently as a consultant or entrepreneur.
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Integrate sustainability into your existing area of responsibility or into main line functions such as product or project development, sourcing, operations, marketing or communications.
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Become an expert in the field, as a sustainability officer, sustainability analyst, sustainability consultant, in sustainability integrated business development or project management.
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Thereby...
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Gaining exposure to organizations, thought leaders and projects in sustainability.
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Connecting with other professionals in the developing sustainability field.
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Re-orienting your career and prepare yourself for future, emerging jobs.
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Making a relevant contribution through your professional engagement.
Participants Profile
14
years
WORK EXPERIENCE
40
years
AVERAGE AGE
53
% of participants
PREVIOUS SUSTAINABILITY EXPERIENCE
What Alumni say about the programs
What makes this program so unique is the profound project and in-class learning experience in exchange and interaction with the program participants and the professors. An unbelievably beautiful journey, which enriched me in many ways.
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Roman Troxler
The project added important dimensions of learning, allowing to practice the sustainability theory learned in class. Combining the project work with the leading change modules provided invaluable time for reflection. My highest personal learning came from the soft skills of understanding resistance and discussing the “road block”.
Linnea Peterson
Last week I finished the program studies. Today I am proud to be part of the DAS family and the even greater family of change makers willing to steer our transformational journey towards a truly sustainable society.
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Diego Horcajada
I cannot begin to tell you how much this program has changed me.
I feel privileged to have been part of it.
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Ruth Brown
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
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Margaret Mead
Anthropologist