MA in Business Research
A Dual-Award Pathway Cultivating Applied Research Competence and Doctoral Progression
- PROGRAM DETAILS
- Program Structure
- Program Features
- Master-In-Passing
- Admissions
- Tuition
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- POST-DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
- Post-Doc: DLitt. By Manuscript
- Post-Doc: By Published Articles
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- ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
- PhD in Business Research
- PhD in Economics
- PhD in International Relations
- Doctor of Social Science
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- APPLIED PROGRAMS
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Leadership
- Doctor of Management
- Doctor of Professional Studies
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- MASTER PROGRAMS
- MPhil in Business Research
- MA in Business Research
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- APPLICATION & ADMISSIONS
- Online Application
- Admissions Contact
The Master of Arts – MA in Business Research forms the foundational stage of Monarch’s European research pathway, providing candidates with the methodological grounding, analytical discipline, and reflective perspective required for applied doctoral study. Designed for professionals and aspiring researchers seeking to strengthen their ability to interpret, design, and conduct research within complex organizational settings, the program emphasizes practical application of scholarly methods to real-world management challenges.
Drawing upon the European tradition of the Lizentiat and Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA), the MA integrates Monarch’s distinctive Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.) as an embedded qualification. Rooted in Swiss academic heritage, the Lic.Res. represents the historic role of the Lizentiat as a formal attestation of research competence and readiness for advanced study. This dual-award structure confirms the candidate’s ability to apply research methodology to practical management inquiry, while preparing graduates for progression within Monarch’s continuum of applied research programs.
Graduates who successfully complete the Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.) are eligible to matriculate directly into Year 2 of Monarch’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Leadership (DOL) programs, subject to administrative approval. This progression maintains academic continuity within Monarch’s integrated framework of applied scholarship and mirrors the traditional Swiss model of sequential professional and research formation leading to the doctorate.
The MA in Business Research stands as a formal recognition of applied research competence and professional scholarly development within Monarch’s European academic tradition. The award affirms the candidate’s ability to design, interpret, and present methodologically sound research that links theoretical insight with managerial application. It marks a significant stage in the progression from professional experience to research-informed practice, preparing graduates to engage confidently in the applied doctoral environment and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of management and organizational understanding.
Academic Purpose & Positioning
The MA in Business Research serves as Monarch’s foundational research degree, positioned at the intersection of academic inquiry and professional application. It provides candidates with the methodological and conceptual tools necessary to translate managerial issues into structured research problems and to interpret data-driven insights within the realities of organizational life. The program thus functions as the first stage in Monarch’s European research pathway, enabling candidates to build confidence in academic reasoning, scholarly writing, and ethical analysis before progressing to applied doctoral study.
At its core, the MA reinforces Monarch’s belief that rigorous research should both inform and be informed by professional practice. The degree emphasizes applied inquiry, guiding candidates to integrate academic frameworks with managerial experience to produce research that is relevant, actionable, and grounded in evidence. Through this approach, candidates learn to bridge the gap between theory and practice, a hallmark of Monarch’s applied research philosophy.
Academically, the MA culminates in the awarding of both the Master of Arts (MA) and the Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.), confirming competence in research design, methodological application, and reflective practice. This dual-award structure validates the candidate’s readiness for advanced applied research and progression into Year 2 of Monarch’s applied doctoral programs—the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Leadership (DOL).
Program Structure & Progression Pathways
The MA in Business Research follows Monarch’s structured four-phase model of scholarly formation, guiding candidates through the progressive stages of research design, applied inquiry, and formal thesis defense. The program is normally completed within 24 months of part-time study under the supervision of Monarch faculty. Its asynchronous format accommodates working professionals while maintaining the academic rigor and research depth expected within Monarch’s European academic framework.
The MA is designed to cultivate applied research capability—training candidates to transform managerial problems into structured research questions, conduct ethically grounded studies, and present findings that inform real-world decision-making. The program’s four phases mirror the sequence of Monarch’s doctoral model, ensuring continuity and progression within the institution’s integrated research system.
Preparatory Phase
Introduction to research philosophy, management theory, and applied research design. Emphasis on understanding organizational contexts, epistemology, and problem formulation. This phase results in the readiness to conceptualize and articulate an applied research question.
Proposal Phase
Development and submission of the formal Monarch Research Proposal outlining the study’s objectives, methods, and ethical considerations. This phase results in the approval of the research proposal and progression to supervised research.
Thesis Phase
Independent research and analysis under faculty supervision. Focus on applied data collection, critical evaluation, and integration of findings with management theory and practice. The outcome of this phase is the submission and approval of the MA Thesis and the conferral of the award of Master of Arts (MA) in Business Research.
Presentation & Defense Phase
Following written approval of the thesis, candidates present and defend their work before an academic committee. This presentation demonstrates methodological competence and applied insight. The outcome of the phase is the successful presentation and defense of the thesis resulting in the conferral of the award of Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.).
Graduates who successfully complete the Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.) are eligible to matriculate directly into Year 2 of Monarch’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Leadership (DOL) programs, ensuring a seamless continuation within Monarch’s applied research continuum. This progression model preserves academic coherence across programs and reflects the Swiss tradition of sequential professional and scholarly formation leading to the doctorate. The MA may also serve as a stand-alone professional research qualification, signifying mastery of applied inquiry and the ability to contribute to organizational advancement through methodologically sound, evidence-based research.
Key Program Features
| • | Applied research degree emphasizing methodological competence and analytical reasoning. |
| • | Integrates the Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.) as a foundational Swiss-style qualification in research methodology. |
| • | Focus on research design, academic writing, and theoretical framing of management concepts. |
| • | Milestone sequence: preparatory coursework, research proposal, and thesis submission. |
| • | Prepares candidates for progression into the DBA or DOL programs (Year 2 entry). |
| • | Designed for working professionals; 24-month part-time format with flexible pacing. |
| • | Faculty mentorship ensures academic rigor and readiness for doctoral-level study. |
Program Features
The MA in Business Research emphasizes practical research application, accessibility for working professionals, and continuity within Monarch’s integrated research system. Designed for those entering academic research from managerial or professional backgrounds, the program focuses on transforming experience into evidence-based insight. Each feature of the MA reinforces Monarch’s mission to bridge theory and practice, ensuring that graduates emerge with the research literacy, methodological competence, and ethical awareness required for doctoral progression and professional impact.
| Dual Academic Award | Graduates receive both the Master of Arts (MA) and the Licentiate in Research (Lic.Res.). The MA is conferred upon successful submission and approval of the thesis, while the Lic.Res. follows the oral defense before an academic committee, confirming readiness for applied doctoral study. Candidates completing both the MA and Lic.Res. receive formal recognition of research competence at the pre-doctoral level, equivalent to the traditional Swiss Lizentiat.” |
| Four-Phase Scholarly Structure | The program follows Monarch’s four-phase research formation model—Preparatory, Proposal, Thesis, and Presentation/Defense—ensuring structured academic progression and intellectual development aligned with doctoral expectations. |
| Applied Research Orientation | The MA emphasizes the translation of managerial and organizational problems into structured research projects, enabling candidates to apply theoretical frameworks within professional contexts. |
| European Academic Heritage | Rooted in the Swiss research tradition of the Lizentiat and Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA), the MA continues the heritage of structured academic formation leading to professional and scholarly advancement. |
| Flexible Professional Format | Delivered asynchronously to accommodate professional schedules, the program combines independent research with guided supervision, maintaining academic depth and flexibility for global participants. |
| Pathway to Applied Doctoral Study | Graduates who complete the Lic.Res. may articulate directly into Year 2 of Monarch’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Leadership (DOL) programs, ensuring academic continuity within the applied research stream. |
| Scholarly Mentorship | Each candidate receives personalized guidance from a faculty supervisor and research mentor, ensuring academic rigor, methodological discipline, and ethical integrity throughout the research journey. |
Together, these features embody Monarch Switzerland’s philosophy of applied research education—one that integrates methodological precision with practical insight and professional relevance. Graduates of the MA in Business Research emerge as reflective practitioners and capable researchers, equipped to design and defend applied studies that inform leadership practice and organizational improvement, while forming the essential bridge to Monarch’s applied doctoral programs.
Research Orientation
The MA in Business Research builds the conceptual and methodological foundation for advanced academic inquiry. Candidates learn to articulate coherent research questions, critically evaluate theoretical frameworks, and construct structured arguments based on evidence and logic.
The program emphasizes disciplined writing, responsible citation, and ethical awareness as cornerstones of scholarly work. Through mentorship and guided reflection, candidates acquire the skills and confidence necessary for progression to applied doctoral study or professional research roles.
Learning Outcomes
The MA in Business Research prepares candidates to engage critically with management problems through the disciplined application of research methodology. The program builds competence in the design, execution, and communication of applied research projects that connect theory to practice. Graduates emerge with the ability to evaluate evidence, construct reasoned arguments, and implement findings that contribute to effective decision-making and organizational learning.
| Applied Research Design | Formulate research questions derived from practical management challenges and design studies that integrate academic rigor with professional relevance. |
| Analytical and Critical Thinking | Critically analyze organizational issues and apply research-based reasoning to develop insights that inform leadership, strategy, and operational improvement. |
| Scholarly Writing and Communication | Demonstrate the ability to present research findings through structured, well-documented, and persuasive written and oral communication appropriate to academic and professional audiences. |
| Ethical and Reflective Practice | Integrate ethical awareness and reflective judgment into the research process, ensuring respect for participants, organizational contexts, and scholarly integrity. |
| Doctoral Readiness | Demonstrate applied methodological competence and professional maturity suitable for entry into Year 2 of Monarch’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) or Doctor of Leadership (DOL) programs. |
Collectively, these outcomes affirm Monarch Switzerland’s commitment to developing research-informed professionals capable of leading evidence-based change. Graduates of the MA in Business Research possess the methodological grounding and analytical acumen necessary to connect scholarly research with organizational practice, establishing a clear foundation for success within Monarch’s applied doctoral environment.
Admission & Entry Requirements
Admission to the MA in Business Research is open to individuals who demonstrate the academic capability, professional experience, and intellectual curiosity required for applied research study. The program welcomes candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who seek to enhance their analytical and methodological competence within Monarch’s European framework of research-based learning.
Academic Qualifications
Applicants should normally hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in business, management, or a related field. Candidates with degrees in other disciplines demonstrating strong analytical or problem-solving capacity will also be considered.
Professional Experience
While professional experience is not mandatory, preference is given to candidates with relevant managerial or professional backgrounds that can inform applied research topics and facilitate the translation of theoretical knowledge into practice.
Admission Evaluation
Admission decisions are based on academic qualifications, research potential, and professional experience. All applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, which may invite selected applicants for an interview or request supplementary documentation to evaluate research readiness.
Successful applicants are formally admitted as MA Candidates in Business Research and assigned a faculty supervisor to guide them through the preparatory and proposal phases. Upon enrollment, each candidate enters Monarch’s structured research formation process, supported by individualized mentorship that combines methodological training with applied relevance.
Tuition
Tuition for the MA in Business Research has been designed to make high-quality research education accessible while maintaining Monarch’s commitment to academic rigor and supervisory excellence. The fee structure reflects the program’s flexible design, accommodating working professionals and international candidates pursuing pre-doctoral formation within the European tradition of research-based learning.
The total tuition for the MA in Business Research is €8,000 for the standard 24-month program, payable in quarterly installments of €1,000 per quarter. This tuition covers full academic supervision, research mentoring, access to Monarch’s digital resources, and participation in academic seminars during the study period.
Candidates requiring additional time beyond the standard duration may apply for a formal program extension. Approved extensions are charged at 50% of the standard tuition rate, equivalent to €500 per quarter. Extension approval is granted on an individual basis and must be academically justified through a revised research timeline endorsed by the supervisory team.
Who Should Apply
The MA in Business Research is intended for professionals and graduates seeking to strengthen their research capability and prepare for applied or doctoral study. It provides the intellectual bridge between managerial experience and formal academic inquiry.
| • | Managers and professionals seeking to translate practical experience into research competence. |
| • | Graduates intending to progress into doctoral study (DBA or DOL) at Monarch or other institutions. |
| • | Consultants, analysts, and educators wishing to reinforce methodological and academic writing skills. |
| • | Professionals interested in developing reflective, evidence-based approaches to management practice. |
| • | Individuals seeking an academically recognized foundation for future research or teaching roles. |
