Doctor of Social Science (DSS)

A Dual-Degree Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Applied Social Thought

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) at Monarch Business School Switzerland is a research doctorate devoted to the interdisciplinary examination of complex social, organizational, and policy phenomena. It reflects Monarch’s recognition that contemporary challenges rarely fall within the confines of a single academic field, and that meaningful understanding emerges from connecting perspectives across the social sciences, humanities, and management disciplines.

The program emphasizes the integration of theory, method, and ethical reflection in the pursuit of knowledge that advances both scholarship and practice. Candidates investigate the interrelations of cause and effect that shape human systems—examining how economic, cultural, political, and institutional forces intersect to influence societies and organizations. The DSS fosters inquiry that is critically engaged, methodologically diverse, and directed toward addressing the systemic dimensions of inequality, governance, and social transformation.

Aligned with Monarch’s values of social justice, equity, and governance, the DSS encourages research that contributes to the betterment of communities, organizations, and public institutions. Through interdisciplinary synthesis, candidates develop a doctoral manuscript that expands conceptual understanding while proposing pathways toward more ethical and resilient social systems.

The Doctor of Social Science thus stands as a central expression of Monarch’s mission to cultivate scholars whose work bridges disciplines, illuminates complexity, and seeks to advance human welfare through rigorous and reflective inquiry.

Program Structure

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) at Monarch Business School Switzerland follows a structured sequence of interdisciplinary research milestones designed to guide candidates from initial thematic exploration to the presentation of a completed doctoral manuscript. Each stage combines scholarly rigor with conceptual integration, ensuring that inquiry remains anchored in ethical reflection and social relevance while meeting the highest standards of doctoral scholarship.

This structured progression fosters both intellectual depth and interdisciplinary breadth. Candidates advance through a developmental framework that strengthens their methodological capacity, theoretical synthesis, and ability to engage with complex societal systems. Faculty mentorship and institutional review support each phase, ensuring academic integrity while preserving the flexibility appropriate for senior professionals and scholars pursuing cross-domain research.

The following phases outline the academic framework of the Doctor of Social Science, charting the pathway from the identification of a thematic area to the completion and formal presentation of the doctoral manuscript before the Review Committee.

The Preparatory Phase

The Preparatory Phase establishes the conceptual foundation for doctoral study within the interdisciplinary tradition of the social sciences. Candidates engage in research skills and theoretical integration modules that introduce diverse epistemological frameworks across sociology, political economy, ethics, psychology, and cultural studies. The phase emphasizes critical synthesis, reflective reasoning, and the philosophy of interdisciplinary research, equipping candidates with the intellectual grounding to approach complex social issues from multiple perspectives. By the conclusion of this phase, candidates are prepared to frame research questions that transcend disciplinary boundaries and connect theory with societal application.

Thematic Framing Phase

Candidates begin by identifying a broad area of social concern or inquiry that intersects multiple disciplinary domains. Working with faculty mentors, candidates define the overarching research theme, establish its interdisciplinary boundaries, and articulate the ethical and societal implications of the issue. This stage promotes conceptual clarity and positions the research within Monarch’s human-centered academic ethos.

Proposal Phase

Building upon the thematic foundation, candidates design their doctoral research proposal, refining the central research question and selecting appropriate methodological approaches. The proposal emphasizes integration across theoretical traditions—drawing upon sociology, economics, psychology, history, and related disciplines—to frame a holistic understanding of the chosen phenomenon. Formal approval of the research proposal marks the transition to the principal stage of inquiry.

Interdisciplinary Inquiry Phase

This phase represents the primary research phase. Candidates implement their approved design using interdisciplinary methodologies such as comparative analysis, case study, ethnography, or mixed methods. The focus is on generating original empirical or conceptual insight that bridges multiple levels of analysis—individual, institutional, and systemic. Regular supervisory engagement ensures coherence between research aims, ethical conduct, and interpretive integration.

Manuscript & Synthesis Phase

The synthesis stage involves the integration of findings into a coherent doctoral manuscript that demonstrates theoretical convergence and ethical reflection. Candidates articulate how their research contributes to cross-domain understanding, offering models, frameworks, or recommendations that inform both academic discourse and public or organizational practice. The completed manuscript embodies intellectual synthesis, methodological pluralism, and scholarly independence.

Presentation Stage

The final phase of the doctoral program culminates in the Viva Voce, the formal oral defense of the doctoral manuscript before the Review Committee. This examination synthesizes the research narrative, key findings, and interdisciplinary implications, demonstrating both academic originality and theoretical contribution. Through this presentation, candidates affirm the significance of their work to broader societal challenges and its alignment with Monarch’s values of responsible scholarship, equity, and governance.

The structured progression of the Doctor of Social Science ensures that each candidate develops the capacity to integrate diverse perspectives, conduct ethically grounded research, and produce scholarship that advances understanding across the social sciences. By the conclusion of the program, graduates demonstrate mastery in synthesizing disciplinary insights into unified frameworks that inform sustainable, just, and reflective global development.

Key Program Features

• Milestone-based doctoral structure promoting steady progress and professional reflection.
• Applied social inquiry connecting theory with meaningful practice in public and private contexts.
• Interdisciplinary and mixed-methods options fostering holistic and creative research design.
• Practitioner–scholar orientation emphasizing knowledge creation for leadership and change.
• Focus on ethics, public value, and responsible governance within applied social systems.
• Structured for working professionals through flexible asynchronous study milestones.
• Close faculty mentorship and access to an engaged global research community.

Program Features

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) at Monarch Business School Switzerland is designed to integrate intellectual rigor, ethical reflection, and interdisciplinary synthesis in the study of complex social, organizational, and policy systems. The program reflects Monarch’s belief that genuine scholarly understanding arises from the intersection of disciplines and the exploration of cause–effect relationships that shape human societies.

Delivered through a flexible, mentor-driven structure, the DSS enables candidates to engage in deep theoretical inquiry while addressing real-world challenges that transcend conventional academic boundaries. Each element of the program strengthens the candidate’s ability to connect theory, ethics, and practice in the pursuit of transformative social insight.

Interdisciplinary FocusThe Doctor of Social Science (DSS) emphasizes the integration of perspectives across sociology, economics, political science, management, and ethics to produce scholarship that bridges disciplinary divides and advances systemic understanding of social and organizational phenomena.
Faculty MentorshipCandidates work under the guidance of experienced interdisciplinary scholars who support the development of theoretical coherence, methodological pluralism, and critical engagement throughout the doctoral process.
Flexible Research DesignThe milestone-based framework allows candidates to design studies that draw upon multiple epistemological traditions, accommodating both qualitative and quantitative approaches within a coherent interdisciplinary structure.
Social Justice and Ethical EngagementResearch within the DSS is grounded in Monarch’s commitment to social justice, equity, and governance. Candidates are encouraged to interrogate the ethical implications of their work and to contribute to the development of more inclusive, humane, and sustainable social systems.
Dual-Degree FrameworkThe DSS incorporates Monarch’s integrated degree structure, recognizing progression and completion through the Master-in-Passing  (M.Phil) or the Master in Social Research (M.Soc.Sci.) pathways, reflecting the interdisciplinary and societal focus of the program.
Global Scholarly AccessCandidates join Monarch’s international academic community, gaining access to global research networks, interdisciplinary colloquia, and digital archives supporting comparative, cross-cultural, and transnational inquiry.
Together, these features express Monarch’s vision of the Doctor of Social Science as an advanced research program dedicated to understanding—and improving—the complex interrelations of people, institutions, and societies. Graduates emerge as reflective scholars capable of uniting disciplines, shaping policy, and advancing knowledge for the public good.

Master-in-Passing

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) at Monarch Business School Switzerland incorporates a flexible and academically rigorous dual-award framework that recognizes both progression and completion through the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Research or the Master of Social Science (M.Soc.Sci.). These awards serve as integral milestones within the doctoral journey, affirming Monarch’s commitment to accessibility, academic integrity, and the recognition of scholarly achievement across the social sciences.

Master-in-Passing (Default Award)

Candidates who successfully complete all doctoral requirements are automatically granted the M.Phil. in Research in passing upon conferral of the DSS. This recognizes mastery of interdisciplinary research design, theoretical synthesis, and analytical reasoning achieved throughout the doctoral program, and affirms the integrated nature of Monarch’s dual-degree structure.

Master-in-Exit (Terminal Award)

Candidates who choose to conclude their studies prior to completing the DSS may qualify for the M.Phil. in Research or the M.Soc.Sci. in Social Research as a terminal award. The M.Phil. recognizes scholarly proficiency in theoretical integration and methodological inquiry, while the M.Soc.Sci. emphasizes applied social analysis, policy relevance, and professional engagement. Neither award requires an original contribution to theory but both affirm the candidate’s ability to conduct independent, critically informed research and to produce outcomes of intellectual and social value.

Through both the Master-in-Passing and Master-in-Exit pathways, Monarch Business School Switzerland ensures that every candidate’s academic effort culminates in a meaningful and recognized qualification. This dual framework embodies Monarch’s interdisciplinary philosophy of doctoral education—valuing reflection, ethical inquiry, and social contribution as hallmarks of advanced scholarship within the human and social sciences.

Applied Social Inquiry

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) integrates academic rigor with professional relevance, positioning research as a means of improving practice and advancing public value. Inquiry within the DSS framework emphasizes lived experience, ethical leadership, and the social implications of organizational decision-making.

Candidates are guided to explore complex social phenomena through critical reflection, interdisciplinary integration, and applied analysis. Monarch’s DSS philosophy values inquiry that bridges theory and action—developing scholar-practitioners who contribute meaningfully to responsible governance and sustainable societal outcomes.

Admission & Entry Requirements

Admission to the Doctor of Social Science (DSS) at Monarch Business School Switzerland is based on demonstrated academic ability, intellectual maturity, and research potential. The program welcomes candidates from diverse professional and academic backgrounds who seek to engage in advanced interdisciplinary inquiry across the social sciences, humanities, and management fields.

Applicants must normally hold a recognized master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline and demonstrate the capacity for critical, reflective, and independent research. Prior experience in research, teaching, policy analysis, or social engagement is advantageous but not required.

In certain cases, applicants with a bachelor’s degree and significant professional or research experience may be considered for admission upon the recommendation of the Dean, where such experience provides sufficient evidence of readiness for interdisciplinary doctoral-level study.

Applications are reviewed by the Academic Board to ensure alignment between each candidate’s proposed research area and Monarch’s supervisory expertise. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, ethical awareness, and a clear commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry directed toward social understanding and public good.

Tuition

All doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland follow a milestone-based structure designed to accommodate the research and writing demands of advanced professional and academic inquiry. Tuition is assessed on a quarterly basis for the duration of the candidate’s active registration in the program.

The quarterly tuition fee is €3,250, payable at the beginning of each academic quarter. Candidates may alternatively request a monthly payment schedule to facilitate financial planning and continuity of study. This approach ensures ongoing access to supervisory guidance, academic resources, and institutional services throughout the research process.

Candidates who require additional time beyond the standard 36-month duration may continue their registration on an annual extension basis at 50% of the regular tuition rate. This continuation rate applies for all subsequent 12-month periods, allowing candidates to complete their research and doctoral manuscript at their own pace while maintaining full academic standing.

Detailed information regarding tuition fees, administrative charges, and payment procedures is provided within the Application and Information Package, available upon request.

Who Should Apply

The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) program is designed for reflective professionals, policy leaders, and social innovators who wish to advance responsible practice and create positive impact through applied research. Candidates seek to link organizational leadership with social purpose and ethical governance.

• Public- or private-sector leaders addressing complex social and organizational challenges.
• Professionals working in NGOs, IGOs, or civic organizations committed to ethical leadership.
• Consultants, strategists, and change agents seeking to integrate theory with practice.
• Policy professionals and educators advancing evidence-based governance and sustainability.
• Executives pursuing thought leadership and meaningful societal contribution through research.
Monarch Business School Switzerland crest – PhD in Business Research program