1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Health Professions
  3. Continuing education at the School of Health Professions
  4. Public Management
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Public Management

Do you work at the convergence of administration, politics and the public? Then this EMBA in Public Management is the perfect match for you.

Do you work in the public administration or in a non-profit organization? In this EMBA you will: 

  • become qualified for demanding management positions in the public sector. 

  • deepen your understanding of special tasks and mechanisms in the public sector  

  • refine your management skills and acquire basic business management knowledge. 

  • learn how to approach complex issues methodically. 

  • be able to apply the practical cases you study during this course  

  • network with experienced managers. 

  • be able to structure the duration and intensity of your studies, thanks to the modular structure of this EMBA 

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
  • Duration max. 8 years
  • Schedule Depending on the chosen CAS
  • Application deadline Depending on the chosen CAS
  • ECTS credits 60 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs CHF 34,000
  • Teaching language German
  • Location Bern, Schwarztorstrasse 48
  • School Business School
  • Next session According to chosen CAS

Contact

Downloads (in German)

Structure + Content

Portrait

The EMBA strives to create public sector managers who are productive and lead their organisations effectively. In this work-study EMBA you will benefit from our fundamental knowledge of the public sector. After your leadership training, you will be able to cope with a variety of complex tasks. Furthermore, you will become familiar with the mechanisms of public administration and approach the challenges they entail positively. You know how to approach and implement business management in administration. 

With your knowledge of the public sector, you will be able to foresee difficulties and approach them systematically to minimise risks and achieve the best results possible. This will demonstrate your technical and management competence and a positive attitude towards personal development to any prospective employer. 

Goals & Competencies

This EMBA in leadership and management provides you with the necessary tools and expertise to face the continuous modernization process in public administration. 

  • You acquire fundamental business management knowledge, master leadership tools and develop an in-depth understanding of the special tasks and mechanisms of the public sector.  

  • You develop a methodical approach to complex issues.  

  • You gain the qualifications necessary for demanding management positions in the public sector. In particular for line management positions as a departmental manager, social services manager, office manager, project manager etc. Your future employers are the government, cantons, cities and larger municipalities, state companies and non-profit organizations, as well as private sector contractors for the public sector. 

This EMBA is modularly structured: Four CASs and the subsequent master’s thesis will lead you to an EMBA degree. You are free to choose the order of the CASs. 

Core Studies

The core studies focus on business management issues. You complete one CAS business administration and one CAS in leadership: 

  • CAS Business Administration or CAS Business Administration for experienced professionals (compulsory CAS 1) If you already have several years of experience in public management then you should attend the CAS Business Administration for Advanced Students. 

  • CAS Leadership or CAS Leadership for Advanced Managers (compulsory CAS 2). Again, if you have some management experience then you should attend the CAS Leadership for Advanced Students. 

Advanced studies 

You complete two of the following CAS: 

  • CAS Public Management & Politics 
  • CAS Public Management & Development
  • CAS Public Affairs & Lobbying
  • CAS Digital Organisation*
  • CAS economic law*

The CAS Public Affairs & Lobbying is offered by the BFH Business School in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences in Neuchâtel. 

* CAS Digital Organisation and CAS economic law cannot be combined.

Do you have a sound educational background? Then you can choose from additional CASs. Please contact the head of the programme who will advise you about your options.   

You benefit from innovative teaching and working methods: 

  • Expert lectures, discussions and exchanges of experience  

  • Business games, group work, action learning  

  • Company simulation  

  • Study of best practice examples, case studies  

  • Learning and working groups, intervision  

  • E-Learning, learning platform   

  • Development Centre, development meetings, individual coaching 

The practical nature of the course complimented by the types of assessment, which are very much geared to operational and practical situations. The primary form of examination is a “transfer report”, in which course content is applied to the student’s own organisation, experience etc. The type of assessment and didactics used in each CAS varies according to the learning objectives of the course. 

Title + conclusion

Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from the Bern University of Applied Sciences with a major in Public Management (60 ECTS credits) 

Lecturers

Our lecturers are proven experts with extensive practical and theoretical knowledge in their subject areas. They have at least a university degree plus many years of experience in higher education. 

Eligibility & Entry 

Are you an ambitious specialist or manager? Then we will be happy to guide you along your chosen career path. If you want varied subject matter and individual freedom, this EMBA is perfect for you. 

University degree

You will be admitted to the programme with a degree from a university, university of applied sciences, university of teacher education, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or an equivalent foreign university and at least two years of professional experience.

Higher vocational training

If you have a qualification from a higher vocational education institution (Diploma Höhere Fachschule HF, Federal Diploma, Federal Certificate of Proficiency) and several years of professional experience, you will also be admitted to the programme. However, you will be required to attend our Introduction to Academic Study before starting the CAS. Completion of this module is a prerequisite for admission to the CAS.

Exceptions

In exceptional circumstances applicants may still  be admitted. The head of the degree programme will make a decision based upon your application and extenuating circumstances. Please contact us. If you are admitted, you will in any case attend the course «Introduction to Academic Writing» (in German) before the first CAS.

Exceptions

The head of the programme decides according to your application - "sur dossier" - after you have applied.

Applications from abroad 

Please register with the online registration form or contact the responsible head of programme. 

Application + Practicalities

The course Introduction to Scientific Study is compulsory for all students without a university degree. It provides the students with methodological skills for the successful CAS degree.  

Course «Introduction to Scientific Study» (in German)

The so-called "passerelle" is a special bridging course for graduates of the canton of Bern’s municipality training programme that allows them to study for this EMBA without previous academic qualifications.

"Passerelle BEGEM"

Application + Practicalities

The maximum duration for completion is 8 years. Admission for the program is possible according to the starting dates of the individual CAS. The application deadlines are found in the descriptions for the specific CAS.

Please register directly via the specific CAS.

Documents required for registration

You can register online via registration form. For registration we require following documents (in PDF format, max. 1 MB per document): 

  • Diplomas 

  • Curriculum Vitae 

  • Passport-sized photo (in JPG format) 

Please upload these documents even if you have already submitted them for another application. 

Information about the EMBA

CHF 34,000 

All tuition fees for the individual CAS courses conclude to a total of CHF 34,000. Additional costs for the master’s thesis module (CHF 2,500) are not applicable if all ECTS credits have been earned at the BFH or within the framework of our cooperative study programs.  

All compulsory literature, course materials and proof of competence are included in the costs. 

The continuing education regulations of the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the implementation regulations for the continuing education regulations apply. The right to make changes is reserved. In case of doubt, the wording of the legal provisions and regulations shall prevail.

Continuing Education Regulations of Bern University of Applied Sciences (WBR) (PDF, 133 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations WBR in the Business School (PDF, 81 KB)
Implementation Provisions for the Continuing Education Regulations (PDF, 77 KB)
Framework Study Regulations at Bern University of Applied Sciences (PDF, 127 KB)
Regulations on Scientific Integrity at Bern University of Applied Sciences (WissIR) (PDF, 140 KB)
Legal foundations

Information

Study Counselling

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Head of Degree Programme EMBA Public Management

Organisation of Studies EMBA Public Management

Location + Facilities

Bern Schwarztorstrasse 48