Master of Science in International Business Administration with Specialization in Leadership and Change

Program Overview

Leadership & Change

The Leadership & Change specialization provides students with a comprehensive organizational perspective, combined with real-world applications. Exposure to individual and group theories and practice will prepare graduates to become well-rounded business professionals. Competencies covered will include ethical decision making, interdependence, inclusion, global perspective, technology with courses focused on the individual leadership, behavior and change dynamics, systems thinking, negotiations and conflict resolution.

Overview

The Master of Science in International Business Administration (MIBA) program at the American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland ensures that our students are fully prepared to lead and manage in today’s competitive and changing global marketplace. We focus on integrating traditional business knowledge with practical decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, and strategic thinking while engaging in real-world projects. We create a practical learning and research environment that emphasizes collaboration and active engagement with industry leaders.

Why AUS?

• Campus: The inspiring, modern campus of the American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland features all you could need, from state-of-the-art learning spaces to cozy corners, an on-site Starbucks coffee machine, and dedicated sports facilities.
• Multiple Specializations Options: You can study an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, and also choose to engage in the Dual Degree Program in conjunction with Tiffin University in the United States.
• Multiple Intakes per Year: We have three admission intakes per year: fall, winter, and spring.
• International Recognition: AUS is chartered under Swiss law and recognized by the Department of Education in the Canton of Vaud as an Institute of Higher Education.
• Soft Skill Development: As an accredited institution with the IBM SkillsBuild Initiative, AUS has a first-hand view of the latest technologies and business trends across several industries. As an Apple Authorized Training Center for Education, students learn how to code, create and build apps.
• Personalized Learning: With a class size of 15 to 20 students and a faculty-student ratio of about 1:7, facilitating a deeper working relationship between students and professors coupled with feedback and coaching.
• Support Services: AUS provides various support services to students such as: Career Support, Dedicated support, Learning Support. All students will meet with the Academic Coordinator each academic term.
• Great Student Life: With our campus located amongst the Swiss Riviera's beautiful scenery, we organize trips to explore the rich cultural heritage and beautiful architecture. Offering plenty of nearby attractions, destinations, and ski resorts or visit local festivals.
• Cultural Diversity: At AUS students from over 50 nationalities from 6 continents come together to learn and share experiences, cultural perspectives, and varied work experiences with students from all over the world.
• Student Housing: AUS has several fully furnished single and shared rooms within a five-kilometer radius of the School campus.

Dual Degree Accreditations

Dual Degree Structure

In order to receive dual degrees, students must successfully complete the required AUS and TU courses. The curricula are mixtures of AUS and TU courses designed to provide students with the maximum exposure to the necessary knowledge and skills for the future workplace, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, research technologies, and multimodal communication methods.

• Duration: 2 years
• Entry Dates: September / January / April
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Credits: 90 CH | 120 ECTS

Program Structure

The Master of Science in International Business Administration (MIBA) is a two-year program during which the student must obtain 90 credit hours | 120 European Credit Transfer System. The two-year program structure comprises six academic terms, with three terms per year (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Each term typically includes ten weeks of instruction and two weeks of examinations.

A standard course of study to complete a MIBA program over two years requires the completion of fifteen AUS core courses, two AUS elective courses, ten TU core courses and four TU specialization courses. In addition, nine credit hours are required for Capstone work which starts during the last academic term and can be completed up to six months after graduation. The MIBA Capstone work can be either a thesis in the form of a research proposal, where the validity of one or more hypotheses is investigated, or in the form of a business plan.

Courses

• AUS Core: 15
• AUS Elective: 2
• TU Core: 10
• TU Specialization: 4
• Capstone: Thesis or Business Plan: 9

Requirements

• Master’s Admission Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Applicants must hold a recognized bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Some programs may require your undergraduate degree to be in a related field.
  • Official Transcripts: Provide certified copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
  • English Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in English through tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or an equivalent, unless you graduated from an English-medium institution.
  • Additional Materials: Depending on the program, you may need to submit: CV/résumé, Letters of recommendation, Statement of purpose, References or other documentation.
• Non-EU/EFTA Applicants: May require a student visa to study in Switzerland. Additional visa requirements may apply, including proof of financial resources, health insurance, and official acceptance from AUS.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The successful MIBA participant will be able to analyze and evaluate (beyond the level of understanding) the performance of a business in the functional areas of general management (accounting, economics, finance, and marketing).
• The successful MIBA participant will be able to analyze and evaluate decision alternatives using theories, tools, and techniques (such as a cash flow statement, market segmentation, and sustainable competitive advantage) applied to the internal and external analysis of a business or industry situation and are able to support and defend their recommendations.
• The successful MIBA participant will be able to create and present advanced oral and written business presentations (such as a research proposal or a business plan) in a supported and scholarly fashion.
• The successful MIBA participant will set an example to other students by conducting their affairs in a businesslike manner (such as respect for their appearance, timeliness, and preparation) and possess the ability to work cooperatively in mixed teams on diverse projects towards a common goal.
• The successful MIBA participant will be able to develop life-long learning skills that will support them to continue their studies in a self-directed and autonomous manner.

Career

The Leadership & Change specialization provides students with a comprehensive organizational perspective, combined with real-world applications. Exposure to individual and group theories and practice will prepare graduates to become well-rounded business professionals. Competencies covered will include ethical decision making, interdependence, inclusion, global perspective, technology with courses focused on the individual leadership, behavior and change dynamics, systems thinking, negotiations and conflict resolution.

A specialization in Leadership & Change Management allows you to progress into the following careers:

• Communication and Leadership
• Risk Management
• Entrepreneurship
• General Management

Tuition & Fees

• Application Fee: CHF 250.-
• Admission Fee: CHF 1,500.-
• Dual Master MIBA + TU Specialization: CHF 8’350.- per term
• 3 Terms per year / 2-Year Master’s Degree Program
• Flexible payment options available
• Fees per year: Dual Master: CHF 25,000.- per year

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science in International Business Administration (MIBA) with a specialization in Leadership and Change at the American Institute of Applied Sciences (AUS) in Switzerland is a two-year, full-time program leading to a dual degree: a Master of Science in International Business Administration (MIBA) from AUS and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Tiffin University (TU). The program aims to prepare students for leadership and management roles in today's global marketplace. It integrates traditional business knowledge with practical decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, and strategic thinking through real-world projects. The curriculum links cutting-edge business theory to practical research and applications, emphasizing collaboration, team building, and healthy competition. The program fosters a practical learning and research environment with active engagement with industry leaders. The curriculum includes experiential learning activities such as simulations, presentations (individual and/or group), case studies, and projects (individual and/or group). The program also actively supports internship placement, on-site company visits, and executive mentoring. Graduates are expected to produce quality and practical business research culminating in a Master's Capstone submission (thesis or business plan). The Leadership & Change specialization provides a comprehensive organizational perspective with real-world applications, covering ethical decision-making, interdependence, inclusion, global perspective, and technology, with courses focused on individual leadership, behavior and change dynamics, systems thinking, negotiations, and conflict resolution.

Outline:

The MIBA program is a two-year program requiring 90 credit hours (120 ECTS) spread across six academic terms (three per year: Fall, Winter, and Spring). Each term consists of ten weeks of instruction and two weeks of examinations. The program structure includes:

• 15 AUS core courses (45 CH | 60 ECTS)
• 2 AUS elective courses (6 CH | 8 ECTS)
• 10 TU core courses (20 CH | 30 ECTS) – these are online courses with videos, discussion rooms, readings, and assignments.
Students will largely be in the same classes as TU students.
• 4 TU specialization courses (12 CH | 16 ECTS)
• Capstone: Thesis or Business Plan (9 CH | 12 ECTS) – This can be a research proposal investigating one or more hypotheses or a business plan.
This begins in the last academic term and can be completed up to six months after graduation. Specific courses within the Leadership & Change specialization include:
• Individual Leadership & Influence:
Focuses on practical principles of leadership, integrating theory and practice to become a better leader of oneself and the organization.
• Leadership Behavior and Change Dynamics:
Uses organizational theory to understand how individual and group behavior develops leadership and transforms change, exploring technical, economic, and social dynamics of change and the leader's role as a change agent. Students develop skills in altering behaviors through negotiation, assessment, diagnosis, action planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Systems Thinking & Innovative Teamwork:
Analyzes organizational leadership and team management, exploring systems thinking and different organizational structures through intellectual, psychological, political, and social sources of leadership. It uses nonprofit, government, and corporate organizations to provide a strategic understanding of leadership elements, examining transformational, transactional, and other leadership styles. Students develop leadership skills through communication, negotiation, role development, and research projects.
• Negotiations and Conflict Resolution:
Explores negotiation strategies for conflict/dispute resolution, labor/management relations, and mediation, evaluating interpersonal skills for positive outcomes.

Assessment:

To receive a MIBA degree, students must meet the following requirements:

• Academic credit requirements: a minimum of 90 CH | 120 ECTS.
• Academic performance requirements: a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Capstone: Thesis (research proposal) or Business Plan.
• Attendance and residency requirements.
Additional credit-earning opportunities may be available through internships and working with professors on research initiatives and program activities related to their specialization.

Teaching:

The program utilizes a combination of on-campus and online teaching methods. AUS courses are taught on campus, while TU courses are delivered online. The class size is 15-20 students, resulting in a faculty-student ratio of approximately 1:7, facilitating a deeper working relationship between students and professors with ample feedback and coaching. The program incorporates experiential learning activities into each course.

Careers:

A specialization in Leadership & Change Management prepares graduates for careers in:

• Communication and Leadership
• Risk Management
• Entrepreneurship
• General Management

Other:

• AUS is chartered under Swiss law and recognized by the Department of Education in the Canton of Vaud as an Institute of Higher Education.
• The Master’s Degrees are ranked in the Top 2 in Switzerland and Top 200 Globally within the Business Masters Category (2025 QS World University Rankings).
• AUS offers multiple intakes per year (September, January, April).
• The campus features state-of-the-art learning spaces, sports facilities, and other amenities.
• AUS provides various support services to students, including career support, dedicated support, and learning support.
All students meet with the Academic Coordinator each term.
• The program emphasizes the development of soft skills through initiatives like the IBM Academic Initiative, which provides students with IBM credentials as digital badges.
• Students come from over 50 nationalities and 6 continents.
• AUS offers student housing within a five-kilometer radius of the campus.

Tuition & Fees Application Fee: CHF 250.-(due before we review the application documents) Admission Fee: CHF 1,500.- (due when you have been accepted to the program) Dual MasterMIBA + TU Specialization CHF 8’350.- per term 3 Terms per year 2-Year Master’s Degree Program flexible payment options available Fees per year Dual Master: CHF 25'000.- per year Dual MasterMIBA + TU Specialization CHF 8’350 3 Terms per year / 2-Year Program flexible payment options available Request a consultation → per term Dual Master: CHF 25,000.- per year Fees per year