FIND YOUR PATHWAY

In this guide

Explore the academic and professional pathways available at Monarch Switzerland. Select a section to go directly to it.

Programme placement is confirmed through individual academic review following a non-binding application.

Pre-Amble

This document, Academic & Professional Pathways at Monarch Switzerland, is intended to help prospective candidates understand the academic and professional pathways and degree options available at Monarch Switzerland. It explains how programs are structured, distinguishes between academic, applied, executive, and research-preparatory pathways, and supports informed self-assessment prior to application. Detailed procedural guidance, tuition information, and admissions steps are provided separately.

This guide is not an admissions decision document and does not replace individual academic review. Final program placement, pathway confirmation, and degree structuring are determined only after submission of a non-binding application, based on a holistic evaluation of academic background, professional experience, and alignment with the intended area of study.

To support clarity and transparency, this document forms part of a broader admissions information framework, which prospective candidates are encouraged to consult in parallel:

• Understanding Tuition Options at Monarch Switzerland (Tuition Policy)
  Explains standard and extended tuition pathways, periodic tuition rates, minimum registration periods, continued registration, and payment arrangements.
• Next Steps: Applying to Monarch Switzerland
  Outlines the application process, documentation requirements, review stages, and typical timelines.
• Your First Year at Monarch Switzerland
  Describes what candidates can expect during the initial phase of study, including academic structure, supervision, progression milestones, and early research development.

Together, these documents are designed to provide clarity, transparency, and reassurance, enabling prospective candidates to engage with Monarch Switzerland’s programs confidently and with a realistic understanding of expectations.

Candidates who, after reviewing these materials, believe that Monarch Switzerland aligns with their academic and professional objectives are invited to submit a non-binding application, after which personalized admissions guidance will be provided.

Note on Program Design and European Academic Alignment

Monarch Switzerland’s programs draw upon the European academic tradition, with reference to the learning-outcomes approach of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The EQF provides a common reference for comparing qualification levels across national systems, emphasizing what learners know, understand, and can demonstrate. Monarch uses this approach to inform program design rather than as a claim of formal EQF recognition or accreditation.

In line with this approach, Monarch’s academic and professional programs emphasize advanced analytical capability, intellectual autonomy, and academic achievement appropriate to the level and orientation of each award. Research pathways emphasize methodological rigor and independent scholarly inquiry, while executive pathways emphasize reflective analysis, professional judgment, and the integration of experience with scholarship. Program design prioritizes progression, coherence, and academic depth, with assessment requirements appropriate to each qualification.

Hybrid and online delivery formats serve as methods of teaching, supervision, and scholarly engagement; they do not replace the academic requirements of the selected program. Candidates remain subject to the applicable learning outcomes, assessment standards, and attendance or defense requirements. This design philosophy supports academic rigor while providing flexibility for experienced international professionals, researchers, and leaders whose studies are undertaken alongside professional and personal commitments.

Section 1. Introduction to Monarch Switzerland

Monarch Switzerland is a private Swiss higher education institution specializing in advanced academic research and professionally oriented doctoral study. The institution is designed to serve experienced professionals, executives, researchers, and practitioners who seek academically rigorous qualifications while remaining active in their professional and leadership roles.

Monarch’s academic model reflects the European research tradition, emphasizing intellectual rigor, independent inquiry, and structured scholarly supervision. At the same time, the institution recognizes that many qualified candidates do not follow linear academic pathways and may have built substantial expertise through professional practice, leadership, entrepreneurship, or public service. Monarch’s program architecture is therefore intentionally designed to accommodate both academic and professional trajectories, without compromising degree integrity or academic standards.

Monarch’s programs support remote study and online academic engagement, complemented by onsite academic workshops in Switzerland. These workshops provide opportunities for face-to-face scholarly exchange within the doctoral and postgraduate learning environment. Attendance and defense requirements depend on the selected program.

An in-person defense is the default for all PhD and Doctor of Social Science (DSS) awards. Academic doctoral candidates who have previously attended at least two doctoral workshops may defend online. An online defense may also be approved due to verified medical constraints, supported by appropriate documentation and faculty agreement. Applied doctoral candidates may defend online.

Admissions at Monarch Switzerland are based on a holistic review of each applicant’s academic background and professional experience. The institution does not require entrance examinations, GMAT, GRE, or standardized language tests. Instead, emphasis is placed on prior academic performance, demonstrated professional maturity, and alignment between the candidate’s background and the intended program of study.

Section 2. Understanding Program Pathways at Monarch

Monarch Switzerland offers a structured yet flexible academic architecture designed to accommodate candidates with differing professional backgrounds, career objectives, and academic aspirations. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, Monarch organizes its offerings into distinct program pathways, each aligned with a specific orientation toward research, practice, or executive development.

At a high level, Monarch programs fall into five primary pathways:

• Academic Doctoral Programs
• Applied Doctoral Programs
• Executive Programs
• Master-Level Programs
• Post-Doctoral Programs

Each pathway reflects a different balance between theoretical research, applied inquiry, professional practice, and scholarly contribution, while maintaining consistent academic oversight and degree integrity.

Academic Doctoral Programs

Academic doctoral programs are designed for candidates seeking to make a theoretical and scholarly contribution to knowledge. These programs emphasize critical engagement with the academic literature, rigorous research design, and independent scholarly inquiry.

Candidates in academic doctoral pathways typically aim to:

• Contribute to disciplinary knowledge
• Publish scholarly research
• Pursue academic, research, or policy-oriented careers

The PhD in Business Research provides the foundational academic framework upon which Monarch’s other PhD programs are modeled. Each named PhD retains its own disciplinary focus and degree title. The Doctor of Social Science (DSS) provides a distinct academic doctoral pathway for interdisciplinary inquiry.

These programs require strong academic preparation and a demonstrated capacity for sustained research activity.

Applied Doctoral Programs

Applied doctoral programs are intended for experienced professionals and senior practitioners who wish to integrate their professional expertise into a structured doctoral-level research project. Research in these programs is grounded in real-world organizational, leadership, or systemic challenges, while remaining analytically rigorous and methodologically sound.

Candidates in applied doctoral pathways typically seek to:

• Advance professional practice through research
• Examine leadership, management, or organizational issues in context
• Produce research with direct practical relevance

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) provides the foundational framework for Monarch’s applied doctoral programs. Professional experience is regarded as a central asset, informing both the research focus and analytical perspective.

Executive Programs

The executive pathway at Monarch Switzerland is designed for senior leaders who wish to deepen their strategic perspective, governance insight, and professional judgment through structured reflection on management practice.

This pathway emphasizes:

• Strategic leadership and organizational understanding
• Reflective analysis of substantial managerial experience
• The articulation of hard-won professional lessons
• Illustrative connections between executive insight and management scholarship

The Doctor of Management is an executive doctorate for senior executives with 20+ years of experience. Candidates develop a manuscript drawing upon their own managerial experience, perspectives, and lessons learned. Managerial storytelling and metaphor typically provide a connecting thread throughout the manuscript, with management scholarship used to illustrate and contextualize the insights presented.

The program supports candidates in transforming accumulated executive experience into a coherent contribution to management understanding and practice. Academic expectations and assessment focus on the depth of reflection, clarity of argument, integration of experience with scholarship, and quality of the completed manuscript.

The MMI MBA in Management Practice is presented under Master-Level Programs and is offered through the Monarch Management Institute.

Master-Level Programs

Master-level programs at Monarch Switzerland provide opportunities for research preparation, academic development, and the advancement of management practice.

The Master of Philosophy in Business Research (MPhil) and Master of Arts in Business Research (MA) support candidates seeking to strengthen their academic foundation, research skills, or readiness for doctoral study. These programs are especially appropriate for candidates who:

• Seek structured preparation before entering doctoral programs
• Require further development in research methodology and academic writing
• Wish to pursue a standalone research-oriented master’s qualification
• Hold vocational or non-traditional academic qualifications and require an appropriate academic progression pathway, subject to admissions review

These research-oriented master’s programs may function as standalone qualifications or as progression routes toward doctoral study, subject to performance and admissions review.

The MMI MBA in Management Practice is offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI) and provides a practice-oriented alternative for candidates seeking to develop their management capabilities. Its program structure and admissions information are presented on the MMI MBA in Management Practice page.

Selection between research-oriented and practice-oriented master’s study depends on the candidate’s background, professional objectives, and intended academic progression.

Post-Doctoral Programs

Post-doctoral programs provide pathways for candidates who already hold a doctoral qualification and wish to develop a further scholarly contribution through a manuscript or a portfolio of articles.

These pathways support:

• Continued scholarly development beyond the doctorate
• The development and synthesis of advanced academic ideas
• Scholarly contribution through sustained writing and publication

Monarch offers manuscript and article-publication routes, with requirements and assessment appropriate to the selected post-doctoral award. These are distinct from continuation within an unfinished doctoral program.

Choosing the Appropriate Pathway

Selection of the appropriate pathway depends on several factors, including:

• Academic background and prior qualifications
• Depth and nature of professional experience
• Intended academic, professional, or scholarly outcomes
• Readiness for the research, reflective writing, or assessed work required by the selected program

Final pathway placement is confirmed following application review to ensure alignment between the candidate’s profile and the academic expectations of the selected program.

The following sections of this document provide more detailed descriptions of each program pathway to support informed decision-making.

Section 3. Academic Doctoral Programs

Academic doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland are offered through the Monarch Global Research Institute (MGRI) and are designed for candidates seeking to undertake rigorous, research-intensive doctoral study grounded in theory, methodology, and scholarly inquiry. These programs follow the European doctoral tradition and are intended for candidates whose primary objective is to contribute to academic, theoretical, or policy-relevant knowledge.

Academic doctoral study is appropriate for candidates who aim to:

• Conduct sustained independent research
• Engage deeply with disciplinary and interdisciplinary literature
• Produce original theoretical or analytical contributions
• Publish or disseminate research at an academic or professional level

At Monarch Switzerland, academic doctoral programs are offered within a coherent and unified research framework, ensuring consistency of academic standards across disciplines. Doctoral candidates engage in structured supervisory dialogue designed to support scholarly independence while ensuring methodological and theoretical rigor.

The PhD in Business Research as the Foundational Doctoral Framework

The PhD in Business Research serves as the core academic rubric upon which Monarch’s other PhD programs are modeled. It establishes the shared institutional framework for:

• Research design and methodology
• Theoretical engagement
• Supervisory structure
• Doctoral-level academic rigor

Each named PhD builds upon this framework while retaining its own disciplinary focus and degree title. The common framework establishes consistent academic expectations; it does not mean that all candidates receive a PhD in Business Research.

Within the PhD in Business Research itself, candidates may pursue doctoral research across a wide range of management and business-related domains, including:

• Leadership and organizational studies
• Strategy and governance
• Human resources and organizational behavior
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Operations, project management, and systems thinking

Where a specific domain of management study is not offered as a standalone PhD program, candidates may pursue their research within the PhD in Business Research, subject to academic review and supervisory suitability. In such cases, the degree awarded is the PhD in Business Research.

The available PhD titles are outlined below, followed by the Doctor of Social Science (DSS), which provides a distinct academic doctoral pathway for interdisciplinary inquiry.

PhD Program Offerings

Within the shared doctoral framework described above, Monarch Switzerland offers the following PhD programs through the Monarch Global Research Institute (MGRI). Each program retains its own disciplinary focus and degree title while following common institutional expectations for research quality, supervision, and assessment.

• PhD in Business Research — Supports doctoral inquiry across business and management domains, including strategy, governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, operations, and organizational studies.
• PhD in Leadership — Supports scholarly inquiry into leadership theory, ethics, influence, and the relationships between leaders, organizations, and society.
• PhD in Economics — Supports theoretical and analytical research into economic systems, markets, policy, and development, including macroeconomic and microeconomic questions.
• PhD in International Relations Theory — Supports theoretical and conceptual inquiry into international relations, diplomacy, governance, global systems, and international order.
• PhD in CSR & Sustainability — Supports research into corporate responsibility, sustainability, business ethics, and the relationships between business, society, and the environment.
• PhD in Finance — Supports theoretical and analytical research into financial systems, corporate finance, investment theory, and financial decision-making.
• PhD in Organizational Neuroscience — Supports interdisciplinary scholarly inquiry into the relationships between neuroscience, cognition, behavior, and organizational life.

Selection of the appropriate PhD program depends on the candidate’s academic background, proposed research focus, and supervisory suitability. Individual program pages and brochures provide further information on each field of study.

Doctor of Social Science (DSS)

Alongside its PhD programs, Monarch Global Research Institute (MGRI) offers the Doctor of Social Science (DSS) as a distinct academic doctoral award. Designed for candidates seeking to undertake rigorous research into complex social, organizational, institutional, or policy-related phenomena, the DSS provides an academically grounded pathway for interdisciplinary doctoral inquiry. The program is suited to candidates whose research interests cross disciplinary boundaries and who require conceptual flexibility while maintaining doctoral-level rigor.

Doctoral research within the DSS emphasizes engagement with social science theory, interdisciplinary literature, and appropriate methodological frameworks. Candidates may draw upon perspectives from sociology, political science, leadership studies, public policy, international studies, or organizational research, depending on the nature of the inquiry. Its interdisciplinary orientation makes it particularly suitable for research addressing systemic, societal, or institutional challenges.

Academic Doctoral Expectations and Admissions Considerations

Admission to Monarch Switzerland’s academic doctoral programs is based on a rigorous, holistic evaluation of academic readiness and scholarly capability. These expectations apply across the PhD programs and the Doctor of Social Science (DSS), with consideration given to the disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus of the proposed inquiry.

Academic doctoral admissions considerations include:

• The level and quality of prior academic qualifications
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking ability
• Evidence of research aptitude or scholarly engagement
• Alignment between the candidate’s academic background and the proposed area of doctoral inquiry

While professional experience may inform research interests and contextual understanding, academic doctoral pathways place primary emphasis on the candidate’s ability to engage deeply with theory, literature, and research methodology. Candidates are expected to demonstrate intellectual independence, academic discipline, and the capacity for sustained research leading to an original scholarly contribution.

Final admission and program placement decisions are made following submission of a non-binding application and review of the candidate’s academic record and supporting documentation, ensuring appropriate alignment between the individual’s profile and the academic expectations of the selected doctoral pathway.

Section 4. Applied Doctoral Programs

Applied doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland are designed for candidates whose doctoral objectives are closely aligned with professional practice, leadership development, and applied inquiry. These programs retain doctoral-level rigor while explicitly integrating the candidate’s professional experience, organizational context, and practical challenges into the research process.

Applied doctoral study is appropriate for candidates who seek to:

• Advance professional and leadership practice through research
• Examine real-world organizational, managerial, or systemic challenges
• Produce applied research with practical relevance and scholarly grounding
• Integrate reflective practice with structured doctoral inquiry

Monarch Business School (MBS) provides the institutional home for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Leadership (DOL), and Doctor of Applied Neuroscience in Management (DANM). These programs share a coherent applied research framework, ensuring consistency of academic standards while allowing program-level specialization.

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) is offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI). Its specific program structure and requirements are presented separately within the MMI offering.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) as the Foundational Applied Doctoral Framework

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) serves as the core applied doctoral rubric within Monarch Business School (MBS). It establishes the shared institutional framework for:

• Applied research design
• Integration of professional practice into inquiry
• Reflective and analytical depth
• Supervision within practice-oriented doctoral contexts

The DBA framework provides the foundation upon which the Doctor of Leadership (DOL) and Doctor of Applied Neuroscience in Management (DANM) are modeled. These programs build upon the same underlying applied research principles while allowing domain-specific emphasis in leadership, neuroscience, decision-making, and management practice.

Each program retains its own disciplinary focus and degree title while following shared expectations for doctoral-level rigor, supervision, and assessment. The Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS), offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI), is described separately.

Applied Program Offerings

Within the shared applied doctoral framework described above, Monarch Business School (MBS) offers the following programs. Each retains its own disciplinary focus and degree title while following common expectations for research quality, supervision, and assessment.

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) — Supports practice-based doctoral research into business and management challenges, including strategy, governance, operations, innovation, and organizational performance.
• Doctor of Leadership (DOL) — Supports applied doctoral inquiry into leadership practice, ethics, decision-making, and organizational influence across corporate, public, nonprofit, and community settings.
• Doctor of Applied Neuroscience in Management (DANM) — Supports applied doctoral inquiry into decision-making, leadership behavior, learning, and organizational dynamics through the integration of neuroscience-informed perspectives with management practice.

Selection of the appropriate applied doctorate depends on the candidate’s professional experience, academic readiness, proposed area of inquiry, and supervisory suitability. Individual program pages and brochures provide further information.

Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) — Monarch Management Institute

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) is offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI). It provides a professional doctoral pathway for experienced practitioners seeking to develop a contribution grounded in their professional context.

The program’s specific structure, academic requirements, and admissions information are presented on the MMI Doctor of Professional Studies page.

Applied Doctoral Expectations and Admissions Considerations

Admission to the applied doctoral programs within Monarch Business School (MBS) is based on a holistic assessment of professional experience and academic readiness, including:

• Depth and relevance of professional practice
• Demonstrated leadership or senior responsibility
• Prior academic qualifications
• Alignment between professional context and doctoral focus

Applied doctoral pathways place particular emphasis on the candidate’s capacity to integrate professional experience into structured doctoral research, while maintaining analytical rigor and academic coherence.

Final admission and program placement decisions follow submission of a non-binding application and review of the candidate’s qualifications, professional background, and proposed area of inquiry. Admissions requirements for the Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) are presented separately through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI).

Section 5. Executive Programs

The executive pathway within Monarch Business School (MBS) centers on the Doctor of Management, an executive doctorate for senior executives with 20+ years of experience. It is designed for candidates who wish to formalize, deepen, and communicate their executive knowledge within a structured academic framework.

Executive study is appropriate for candidates who:

• Hold substantial experience in senior managerial, executive, or leadership roles
• Seek advanced strategic, organizational, or governance insight
• Wish to reflect critically on their managerial experience and articulate hard-won lessons
• Seek to contribute to management understanding through experience-based writing connected to scholarship

The program emphasizes strategic thinking, reflective practice, and systems-level understanding. Candidates draw upon their own experience and perspective to develop a manuscript, typically using managerial storytelling and metaphor to connect themes throughout the work. Management scholarship provides illustrative context for the lessons and insights presented, supporting a contribution that is academically grounded and professionally relevant.

1. Doctor of Management (DOM)

The Doctor of Management (DOM) is an executive doctorate for senior executives with 20+ years of experience who seek to consolidate and advance their understanding of management and organizational leadership. The program is particularly suited to candidates whose careers encompass strategic oversight, governance, and complex decision-making across organizations or systems.

The DOM emphasizes executive synthesis, integrating accumulated managerial experience, reflective analysis, and illustrative connections to management scholarship. Candidates develop a manuscript from their own experience and perspective, articulating hard-won lessons and considering their relevance to broader management practice. Managerial storytelling and metaphor typically provide a connecting thread throughout the manuscript, helping candidates communicate the context, challenges, decisions, and consequences that have shaped their professional judgment.

Candidates may draw upon their leadership experience to examine strategic challenges, organizational design, governance, and long-term performance. Management concept and scholarly literature serve to illuminate and contextualize these insights. The program supports candidates in transforming substantial executive experience into a coherent, critically reflective contribution to management understanding and practice.

2. Master of Business Administration in Management Practice

Candidates seeking master-level study in management practice may consider the MMI MBA in Management Practice, offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI). This program is described in Section 6, Master-Level Programs.

Executive Program Expectations and Admissions Considerations

Admission to the Doctor of Management is based on a holistic review of professional experience, leadership responsibility, and readiness for advanced reflective writing, including:

• At least 20 years of professional experience, including substantial senior executive responsibility
• Seniority of role and scope of managerial responsibility
• Professional trajectory and depth of leadership experience
• Prior academic qualifications appropriate to executive study
• Capacity to articulate managerial lessons and connect professional insights with management scholarship

The program prioritizes practical relevance, strategic maturity, and reflective depth. Candidates are expected to develop a coherent manuscript that draws upon their own experience and perspective, using managerial storytelling and illustrative connections to scholarship to communicate a meaningful contribution to management understanding and practice.

Final admission decisions follow submission of a non-binding application and review of the candidate’s academic and professional background.

Section 6. Master-Level Programs

Master-level programs at Monarch Switzerland provide distinct pathways for research development and the advancement of management practice. These include the Master of Philosophy in Business Research (MPhil), the Master of Arts in Business Research (MA), and the MMI MBA in Management Practice, offered through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI).

As a doctoral-focused institute, Monarch Switzerland places strong emphasis on the development of research capability across the academic lifecycle. Its research-oriented master’s programs strengthen academic foundations, research literacy, and methodological competence. They may serve as standalone qualifications or as developmental, preparatory, and transitional pathways toward doctoral study, subject to performance and admissions review.

The research-oriented programs are particularly appropriate for candidates who:

• Hold vocational or non-traditional academic qualifications and seek an appropriate academic progression pathway, subject to admissions review
• Require structured preparation for doctoral research
• Seek to develop academic writing and research methodology skills
• Wish to pursue a research-oriented master’s qualification or progress toward advanced research degrees

The MMI MBA in Management Practice provides a practice-oriented alternative for candidates seeking to develop their management capabilities through engagement with professional practice. It serves a distinct purpose from the research-preparatory master’s pathways, with its program structure and admissions requirements presented through MMI.

1. Master of Philosophy in Business Research (MPhil)

Designed for candidates who already possess a strong academic foundation and seek advanced research preparation, the Master of Philosophy in Business Research is a research-intensive master’s program. It is intended for candidates who are nearing doctoral readiness and wish to demonstrate research capability through structured, supervised inquiry.

The MPhil emphasizes advanced engagement with academic literature, research design, and scholarly analysis. Candidates undertake substantive research work that develops the intellectual independence and analytical depth needed for further scholarly study, while meeting the academic requirements of a master-level qualification.

The MPhil may serve as a standalone research qualification. Successful completion may also support progression into doctoral study, subject to admissions review and alignment with the intended doctoral pathway.

2. Master of Arts in Business Research (MA)

Designed for candidates who seek to develop foundational academic and research skills, the Master of Arts in Business Research provides structured preparation in business studies, research methodology, and academic writing. The program is particularly suited to candidates whose prior education may be vocational in nature or whose professional experience has not previously required formal academic research training, subject to assessment of their qualifications and readiness for master-level study.

Study within the MA emphasizes critical thinking, structured inquiry, and engagement with business and management literature. Candidates are guided in developing research literacy, analytical clarity, and academic discipline, enabling them to approach advanced study with confidence and competence.

The MA in Business Research may function as a standalone academic qualification or as a preparatory pathway toward doctoral study, subject to performance and admissions review.

Master-Level Expectations and Admissions Considerations

Admission to master-level programs is based on a holistic review of academic background and professional context, including:

• Prior qualifications and academic performance
• Relevance of professional or organizational experience
• Readiness for structured academic study
• Alignment between the candidate’s objectives and the research-oriented or practice-oriented focus of the selected program

For the MPhil and MA in Business Research, particular consideration is given to readiness for academic writing, engagement with scholarly literature, and the development of research capability. Admissions requirements for the MMI MBA in Management Practice are presented separately through the Monarch Management Institute (MMI).

Master-level pathways are designed to be supportive yet rigorous, offering candidates opportunities for academic and professional advancement while respecting diverse educational and professional trajectories. Final admission and program placement decisions follow submission of a non-binding application and review of the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Section 7. Post-Doctoral Programs

Post-doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland are intended for candidates who already hold a doctoral qualification and wish to develop a further scholarly contribution through sustained writing, analysis, and publication. These programs provide opportunities to extend an established area of expertise, develop new scholarly perspectives, or bring related work together into a coherent academic contribution.

Post-doctoral study is appropriate for candidates who seek to:

• Advance scholarly work beyond their completed doctorate
• Develop a substantial manuscript or a coherent portfolio of articles
• Integrate established expertise with further critical analysis
• Contribute to academic debate and the dissemination of knowledge

Manuscript and Article-Publication Pathways

Monarch offers post-doctoral pathways through a manuscript or a portfolio of articles. The manuscript pathway supports the development of a sustained scholarly argument within a substantial written work. The article-publication pathway supports a body of related scholarly articles connected by a coherent academic focus.

Both pathways emphasize intellectual depth, critical engagement with relevant literature, and a clearly articulated scholarly contribution. The scope of the proposed work and the applicable assessment requirements are determined according to the selected post-doctoral award.

Post-Doctoral Expectations and Admissions Considerations

Admission is based on a review of the candidate’s completed doctoral qualification, scholarly background, and proposed area of work. Consideration is given to the coherence and feasibility of the proposed contribution, the candidate’s readiness for advanced scholarly writing, and alignment with the selected pathway.

Post-doctoral study is distinct from continued registration within an unfinished doctoral program. It builds upon a completed doctorate and involves further scholarly work assessed against the requirements of the selected post-doctoral award.

Candidates are invited to submit a non-binding application, after which individualized guidance on pathway suitability and academic requirements will be provided.

Section 8. Pathways, Flexibility, and Advanced Degree Options

Monarch Switzerland’s academic model is intentionally designed to provide structured flexibility while preserving academic integrity. As a doctoral-focused institute serving experienced professionals and international candidates, Monarch recognizes that advanced study often unfolds within complex professional and personal contexts. In response, the institution has developed formal mechanisms that support progression, recognition, and advanced academic structuring without compromising standards.

These mechanisms include embedded and exit degree recognition models, as well as formally approved dual degree pathways. Together, they reflect Monarch’s commitment to transparent academic governance, proportional recognition of scholarly achievement, and carefully structured flexibility within doctoral education.

Two distinct degree-recognition concepts, the Master-in-Passing (MiP) and the Master-in-Exit (MiE), operate alongside approved dual degree arrangements. Each serves a different academic purpose and is governed by clearly defined criteria, ensuring that all qualifications awarded accurately reflect completed academic work.

Master-in-Passing (MiP) within Doctoral Programs

A distinctive feature of Monarch Switzerland’s doctoral programs is the inclusion of a Master-in-Passing (MiP) as an embedded academic degree.

The Master-in-Passing is awarded automatically upon the successful completion of a doctoral degree. It formally recognizes that the candidate has completed the master-level academic and research components embedded within the doctoral program.

Key characteristics of the Master-in-Passing include:

• It is not an exit award.
• It is conferred only when the doctoral degree is successfully completed.
• It acknowledges the completion of advanced coursework, research training, and approved scholarly milestones completed during the doctoral journey.
• It reflects the integrated structure of postgraduate education within a doctoral institute.

The Master-in-Passing does not require separate enrollment or additional work beyond the doctoral program itself. It exists to formally recognize academic achievement already completed within the doctoral pathway.

Master-in-Exit (MiE): Recognition of Completed Master-Level Work

The Master-in-Exit (MiE) is a separate and distinct academic award, applicable only in cases where a candidate does not complete the doctoral program but has nevertheless achieved defined academic milestones at the master’s level.

The Master-in-Exit:

• Is not automatic.
• Is subject to formal academic review and approval.
• Is awarded only where the required coursework, research training, and assessed outputs meet Monarch’s master-level academic standards.

The MiE serves to ensure academic fairness and proportional recognition of completed postgraduate work, while maintaining a clear distinction between partial doctoral progress and full doctoral completion.

Dual Degree Pathways

In selected cases, Monarch Switzerland permits formally approved dual degree pathways, allowing candidates to pursue two complementary doctoral qualifications within a coherent and academically governed structure. Dual degree arrangements are limited, intentional, and subject to strict academic oversight to ensure that the integrity and standards of each qualification are preserved.

At present, the approved dual degree pathways at Monarch Switzerland are:

• PhD – Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• PhD – Doctor of Leadership (DOL)
• PhD – Doctor of Social Science (DSS)

These dual pathways are designed for candidates whose academic and professional objectives span theoretical scholarship and applied or interdisciplinary inquiry. Each degree within a dual pathway retains its own learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and academic expectations. Any overlap in learning or research activity is permitted only where it is academically justified and formally approved.

Dual degree pathways are not automatic and are considered on a case-by-case basis following admissions review. Approval depends on academic feasibility, candidate readiness, and the ability to maintain a clear and defensible distinction between the two degree awards.

No other dual degree combinations are currently approved outside the pathways listed above.

Closing Notes

Monarch Switzerland is founded on the principle that advanced academic study should be rigorous, purposeful, and realistically aligned with the professional contexts of its candidates. The academic and professional pathways described in this document are designed to support diverse scholarly and professional trajectories while maintaining clear standards of academic quality and integrity.

Program structures, progression pathways, and degree recognition mechanisms at Monarch are intentionally designed to strengthen alignment between candidate profiles and program expectations, supporting sustained progress and successful completion. This design philosophy recognizes the importance of bringing academic ambition, professional context, and program structure into alignment from the outset.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to reflect carefully on the pathways outlined, considering not only academic interests but also professional objectives, readiness for advanced study, and long-term aspirations. Monarch’s admissions process combines individualized guidance with a holistic assessment of academic and professional suitability, helping candidates identify pathways that are academically appropriate and professionally sustainable.

Those who believe that Monarch Switzerland aligns with their intellectual ambitions and professional direction are invited to submit a non-binding application, after which individualized academic guidance and pathway clarification will be provided.

General inquiries may be directed to the Administration at administration@umonarch.ch.

Important Links

For further information and detailed guidance, prospective candidates are encouraged to consult the following resources:

• Academic & Professional Programs Overview – Monarch Switzerland
  https://umonarch.ch/program-overview/
• Understanding Tuition Options at Monarch Switzerland (Tuition Policy)
  https://umonarch.ch/tuition-fees/
• Scholarships: https://umonarch.ch/scholarships/
• Non-Binding Application
  https://umonarch.ch/apply/
• Admissions & Administrative Information
  https://umonarch.ch/contact/
• European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
  https://europa.eu/europass/en/european-qualifications-framework-eqf

The European Qualifications Framework provides a reference framework for understanding how qualifications relate across European education systems and supports transparency in academic level alignment.

CONTINUE YOUR EXPLORATION

Monarch’s academic approach

The following existing webpages provide further institutional background. They complement this pathways guide and can be consulted according to your interests.