Program Overview

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University Program Information

The University of St.Gallen offers a range of programs for individuals looking to further their education and careers.

Board Programmes

The St.Gallen Board Programmes connect participants with experienced board members, scientists, and like-minded individuals from the University of St.Gallen.

• __St.Gallen Board Conference
• __Your Path to a Board Seat
• __St.Gallen Board Certificate CAS HSG
• __Board Essentials
• __International Board Program
• __St.Gallen Board Academy
• __St.Gallen Board Retreat

Leadership & Development

The Leadership and Development programs provide professionals with scientific insights and practical tools for personal development and career success at all stages.

• __Aiming Higher – Karriereentwicklung für Assistenzärztinnen
• __Aiming Higher Women's Leadership Programme
• __C-Future Tech Day
• __HSG Highlights
• __NEXT
• __Women Back to Business

Politische Programme

The political programs provide the most important competencies for engagement in politics, associations, administrations, and public affairs departments.

• __Digitale Präsenz in der Politik
• __Interessenvertretung | Lobbying und Kommunikationstraining
• __Ökonomie in der Politik
• __Politische Führung
• __Politische Verhandlungsführung
• __Strategische Kommunikation und Zusammenarbeit in der Politik
• __Weiterbildung für Politik – CAS Kommunikation und Politik
• __Weiterbildung für Politik – CAS Wirtschaft und Politik
• __Weiterbildung für Politik – St.Galler Diplom für Politik (DAS)

St.Galler Diplom für Politik

The St.Galler Diplom für Politik (DAS) is a diploma program that strengthens competencies for politics and public affairs.

Program Overview

The program is designed to provide participants with the relevant core competencies and specific knowledge for a successful political appearance – compact and practical.

• The program is berufsbegleitend (part-time) and modular.
• It consists of 30 ECTS points.
• The duration is 35 days.
• Flexible entry is possible.
• The program is held in various locations throughout Switzerland (St.Gallen, Zurich, Bern).
• The language of instruction is German.

Target Group

The diploma course is aimed at current and future politicians, as well as persons who deal with politics in their daily work – from Switzerland and neighboring countries.

• Amtierende und künftige Politikerinnen und Politiker auf nationaler, kantonaler und kommunaler Ebene sowie «High Potentials»
• Mitarbeitende von Verbänden, Parteien, non-governmental (NGO) und non-profit (NPO) Organisationen, Public Affairs Abteilungen und öffentlichen Verwaltungen
• Mitglieder von Parteien, öffentlichen Gremien, Organisationen und Vereinen
• Politikinteressierte

Benefits

Participants gain comprehensive tools for their political activities or work in the field of public affairs:

• Professionalization of their political overall appearance
• Strengthening of their political credibility through the recognized HSG degree
• Sharpening of their political profile
• Increase of their electoral and career opportunities in politics and business
• Access to a supra-regional and supra-party political network
• Specialization in freely selectable areas

Program Structure

The Diploma of Advanced Studies consists of:

• CAS – Wirtschaft und Politik (compulsory modules)
• CAS – Kommunikation und Politik (compulsory modules)
• DAS – Vertiefung (specialization)

CAS - Wirtschaft und Politik

Modules: Wirtschaft | Führung | Interessenvertretung

CAS - Kommunikation und Politik

Modules: Digitale Präsenz | Verhandlungsführung | Zusammenarbeit

DAS - Vertiefung

For an ideal deepening of individual competencies, over 25 specialization modules from the Executive School were selected. Currently, elective modules from the following areas are available:

• Recht & Management
• Unternehmerschule
• KMU
• Two elective modules must be completed from two areas.
• Alternatively, three specialization modules can be completed (resulting in an additional cost of CHF 1,000).
• A diploma thesis must also be written (at least 2 ECTS).

Specialization Modules

The specialization modules are offered by independent institutes of the HSG. For each module, specific requirements and different admission criteria apply.

Recht & Management

From the area of "Recht & Management", specialization modules are available from the following areas:

• Wirtschaftsrecht für Manager (WRM-HSG) – 6 specialization modules
• Management for the Legal Profession (MLP-HSG) – only for lawyers – 6 specialization modules
• Compliance Management (CM-HSG) – 3 specialization modules
• Nachhaltigkeit (ESG) für Kontroll- und Supportfunktionen – 2 specialization modules
• Cyber Security für Führungskräfte – 1 specialization module
• A maximum of one specialization module can be credited.

Unternehmerschule

From the "Unternehmerschule", the following specialization modules are available from two areas:

• Leadership Development Program (LDP)
  • Strategie und Prozesse – 1 specialization module
  • Führung von Teams/ Burnout-Prävention – 1 specialization module
  • Digitalisierung – Aktuelle Entwicklungen – 1 specialization module
• Advanced Management Program (AMP)
  • Sich selbst und andere führen – 1 specialization module
  • Selbstkompetenz und Unternehmenskultur – 1 specialization module
  • Resilienz in der Führung – 1 specialization module
  • Existenzielles Leadership – 1 specialization module

KMU

From the "KMU", seminars are available from the following area:

• St. Galler Management Seminar für KMU
  • Grundlagen der Unternehmensführung – 3 days
  • Strategische Ausrichtung – 3 days
  • Marketing – 2 days
  • Organisation und Strukturierung des Unternehmens – 2 days
  • Arbeitsrecht und Personalmanagement – 3 days
  • Finanzmanagement I – 2 days
  • Finanzmanagement II – 2 days (only bookable after Finanzmanagement I)
• 1 specialization module = at least 5 days and a maximum of 6 days
• The following combinations of seminars are possible: 3 x 2 days, 3 + 2 days, or 2 x 3 days.
• Please note the locations – the seminars take place throughout Switzerland.

Diploma Thesis

As a conclusion to the further education, a diploma thesis must be written:

• The topic and form of the diploma thesis are freely selectable.
• Participants are accompanied and supported during the writing of the thesis.

Testimonials

The program has received positive feedback from various individuals, including:

• Viola Amherd, Bundesrätin
• Michéle Albrecht, Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung Pro Senectute Luzern und Kantonsrätin Die Mitte Luzern
• Mathias Früh, Leiter Gesundheitspolitik & Public Affairs, Helsana

Useful Information

• The course is designed to be part-time and modular.
• It is possible to spread the visit of the modules over several years.
• Entry into the course is possible at the beginning of each module.

Registration

Registrations for this Diploma of Advanced Studies are possible at any time.

• You can register via the green "Anmeldung" button on the right-hand side of the screen.
• The number of participants is limited.
• Registrations are considered in the order of receipt.

Costs

The course fee includes all course materials and break catering.

• Travel, accommodation, and other catering costs are at the expense of the participants.
• Already paid course fees will not be refunded.

Next Dates

The following dates are available:

• 09.04.2026
• 28.05.2026
• 27.08.2026
• 01.10.2026
• 22.10.2026

Customer-Specific Further Education

If you are interested in a customer-specific further education in the field of politics and public affairs, the University of St.Gallen offers a tailored training program for your party, association, NGO, administration unit, or company.

• Please contact us for more information.