Question 1

What is an MAS – Master of Advanced Studies?

Accepted Answer

This title refers to the completion of extensive, practically oriented, in-service continuing education programmes. MAS programmes are based on a skills profile and are aimed at managers and professionals with a university degree (or equivalent) and professional experience, who require specific expertise for upcoming professional challenges and who intend to broaden or deepen their existing knowledge or acquire new knowledge. Anyone enrolling on a continuing education programme of this nature (minimum 60 ECTS credits) should allow for a duration of at least two years.

Question 2

What is an MBA – Master of Business Administration?

Accepted Answer

MBA programmes (at least 90 ECTS credits) are part-time continuing education programmes for managers that provide professionals from a wide range of disciplines with the necessary management tools to enable them to perform their duties responsibly and effectively. The programmes are based on a skills profile and are between two and three years in length. They differ in terms of their majors, their formats (proportion of in-person teaching to online learning), the language (German or English) and the place where they are taught.

Question 3

What is a DAS – Diploma of Advanced Studies?

Accepted Answer

DAS programmes (at least 30 ECTS credits) are based on a skills profile and conclude with a diploma upon successful completion of the qualification requirements.

Question 4

What is a CAS – Certificate of Advanced Studies?

Accepted Answer

The numerous CAS programmes at the FHNW offer participants well-founded, practically oriented specialist expertise in a field relevant to them within a short period of time. These subject-specific programmes are the basic building blocks of the continuing education offering in the Advanced Studies area and are often part of a MAS or DAS programme. CAS programmes (at least 10 ECTS credits) are based on a skills profile. At the FHNW, they take around six months to complete on a part-time basis and conclude with a certificate upon successful completion of the qualification requirements.

Question 5

What is an SAS – Short Advanced Studies?

Accepted Answer

SAS continuing educations are short continuing education classes over a couple of days. Participants receive the latest knowledge on a clearly defined topic. SAS allow to quickly learn new skills or update your knowledge. Participants receive a certificate (generally 2–6 ECTS credits) which can be credited for a continuing education programme such as CAS, DAS or MAS.

Question 6

What are continuing education courses or seminars?

Accepted Answer

The duration of continuing education courses or seminars is usually between one and several days. They can be attended individually, and some count towards CAS programmes as part of the elective offering. An attendance certificate is issued for continuing education courses.

Question 7

What are conferences?

Accepted Answer

Conferences are generally short (usually half a day to two days) and support participants in refreshing their knowledge on a specific topic, familiarising themselves with action approaches and discussing experiences with colleagues. A confirmation of attendance can be issued for conferences.

Question 8

What are ECTS points?

Accepted Answer

In the MAS, DAS, CAS and SAS continuing education programmes of the FHNW, the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) applies. One ECTS point corresponds with average independent work performance (proper term) of approx. 25–30 hours (contact tuition, guided and independent self-directed study, time spent on performance monitoring, project work, MAS theses, etc.).

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