Content and structure

Strategic design combines the key principles, methodology and tools of design. The approach is suitable for orchestrating strategic, organizational, cultural, technological and social change processes.

MAS Strategic Design

The Master of Advanced Studies teaches the skills and approaches of today's living and working environment to a diverse audience. Graduates lead transformation projects and innovation teams with integrative expertise, carefully orchestrate change in companies, or act as strategic consultants from multiple perspectives.

Modular programme

The Master of Advanced Studies in Strategic Design (MAS) consists of a total of six Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS). Participants choose which programmes they want to attend and freely select the order. Over a period of three to six years, three CAS programmes can be completed in order to receive the MAS degree.

CAS Design Thinking
Attitude and method behind entrepreneurial and social innovation

CAS Facilitating Innovation
From the idea to implementation โ€“ supporting teams and organisations effectively

CAS Design Leadership
Leadership skills for strategic designers and creative leaders

CAS Crafting Futures
Imagining futures, creating spaces of possibility and moving organizations

CAS Design Cultures
Immersion in foreign design cultures, acting in unfamiliar contexts

CAS Culture Change (ZHdK/ZHAW)
Mindset for new working worlds โ€“ organizational culture as a factor of success

MAS Strategic Design
Simple principles for complex challenges

Individual options

The three CAS programmes for the MAS degree are chosen in close consultation with the Director of Studies. The specific previous specialist training, professional career and intended career progression of participants are all taken into account. It is possible to complete one of the three required CAS programmes at a different university and to receive the credits for it. The equivalence review will be carried out by the Director of Studies for the MAS Strategic Design.

Example of a combination of CAS

The sequence in which the CAS programmes are completed can be freely chosen. However, depending on the participant's disciplinary background and professional career, a particular sequence will be recommended by the Director of Studies. Participants do not at any stage have to commit themselves to taking the MAS degree qualification. All the CAS programmes can be attended separately. The time required to complete the continuing education programme, through to successfully gaining the MAS degree qualification, varies but is generally three to six years.

Structure of the programmes

The individual CAS programmes (15 ECTS points = 450 hours) generally consist of 21 teaching days, divided into seven workshop modules of three days each. The private study time spent on preparatory and follow-up work for the teaching days generally amounts to about 100 hours. The remain of the time is available for individual project work. Ideally, this is carried out in the context of the participant's own field of work.

Teaching and learning setting

Given in hybrid settings, the input from lecturers and guest speakers consists of a range of theory and practice, group exercises and reflections in a whole-class format as well as teamwork. The transfer and specific application of the programmes content is guaranteed with a range of project work (assessments). Guiding principles are teaching on an equal footing, personal interaction and transparency.