Monarch Switzerland · Programme Pathways
Academic &
Professional Pathways
Find the direction that fits your experience,
your ambitions and your contribution.
Begin with your intended contribution
Different purposes.
Appropriate academic expectations.
Choose a pathway by the kind of work you want to undertake—not simply by the degree title. This overview supports your initial exploration; programme placement is confirmed through individual academic review following a non-binding application.
| Pathway | Your intended outcome | Primary emphasis | Programmes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic doctorate | Develop an original theoretical, scholarly or policy-relevant contribution. | Rigorous independent research, literature and methodology. | All PhD programmes DSS |
| Applied doctorate | Address a professional, organisational or leadership challenge. | Practice-based research informed by scholarship. | DBA · DOL · DANM DPS through MMI |
| Executive doctorate | Articulate insights from an extensive executive career. | Experience-based manuscript, reflective analysis and connections to management scholarship. | DOM |
| Master’s-level study | Develop research capability or strengthen management practice. | Research preparation through MA/MPhil, or the MMI MBA in Management Practice. | MA · MPhil MBA in Management Practice (MMI) |
| Post-doctoral study | Extend scholarly work after completing a doctorate. | A substantial manuscript or a coherent portfolio of articles. | D.Litt. (manuscript) Article-publication pathway |
01 · Academic doctoral study
Contribute to scholarly knowledge.
Academic doctorates emphasise critical engagement with literature, rigorous research design and independent inquiry. The PhD in Business Research provides the foundational research framework for Monarch’s named PhD programmes, each retaining its disciplinary focus and degree title. The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) provides a distinct academic doctoral pathway for interdisciplinary inquiry into social, organisational, institutional or policy-related questions.
02 · Applied doctoral study
Advance practice through research.
Applied doctorates bring professional experience and real-world challenges into structured doctoral inquiry. The DBA provides the foundational applied research framework, with specialised pathways in leadership and applied neuroscience.
Interested in the Doctor of Professional Studies? Explore the MMI pathway below.
03 · Executive doctoral study
Turn executive experience into insight.
Doctor of Management
An executive doctorate for senior executives with 20+ years of experience. Candidates develop a manuscript from their own experience and perspective, articulating hard-won management lessons through reflective analysis, managerial storytelling and metaphor. Management scholarship provides illustrative context for these insights.
04 · Master’s-level study
Build your foundation for advanced study.
Master of Arts in Business Research
Develop foundational research literacy, critical thinking, academic writing and methodological skills. The MA may serve as a standalone qualification or preparation for further study, subject to performance and admissions review.
Master of Philosophy in Business Research
Undertake more advanced, supervised research preparation through engagement with literature, research design and scholarly analysis. Progression to doctoral study remains subject to admissions review.
Seeking an MBA in Management Practice? Explore the MMI pathway below.
Monarch Management Institute · MMI
Management practice pathways at MMI.
For those seeking study centred on professional and management practice, the Monarch Management Institute offers dedicated pathways at master’s and doctoral levels. Explore the programmes directly through MMI.
Master’s-level study
MBA in Management Practice
Explore the Master of Business Administration in Management Practice through the Monarch Management Institute.
Doctoral-level study
Doctor of Professional Studies
Explore the Doctor of Professional Studies programme through the Monarch Management Institute.
Programme requirements and next steps are provided on the respective MMI programme pages.
05 · Post-doctoral study
Extend an established scholarly contribution.
For candidates who already hold a doctoral qualification, post-doctoral pathways support further scholarly work through a substantial manuscript or a coherent portfolio of articles. Admission considers the completed doctorate, scholarly background and proposed contribution. This is distinct from continued registration in an unfinished doctorate.
Recognition and advanced degree options
Structured flexibility.
Clearly defined requirements.
Master-in-Passing (MiP)
Awarded automatically upon successful doctoral completion, recognising the master’s-level work embedded within the doctoral pathway. It is not an exit award and does not require separate enrolment or additional work.
Master-in-Exit (MiE)
A separate award for candidates who do not complete the doctorate but meet defined master’s-level milestones. It is not automatic and requires formal academic review and approval.
Approved dual-degree pathways
The only approved combinations are PhD–DBA, PhD–DOL and PhD–DSS. Each requires individual approval, academic feasibility and distinct learning outcomes and assessment requirements for both awards.
Plan your next step
Explore first. Apply without obligation.
Review the programme’s requirements, consider your readiness for its form of study, and consult Admissions if you are unsure. A non-binding application enables an individual review of your qualifications, experience and intended area of study.
Study arrangements, workshop attendance and defence requirements depend on the selected programme. Tuition pathways and minimum registration periods are explained separately; minimum periods are not guaranteed completion times or tuition caps.
Your experience · Your direction
Begin with your ambitions.
Tell us about your background and the contribution you want to make.