THINK DIFFERENTLY. REIMAGINE SYSTEMS. FOSTER CHANGE.
Franklin Switzerland's Master of Arts in Sustainability and Transformation (MAST) is more than a degree; it’s a launchpad for changemakers. In a world facing deep, interwoven crises, such as climate disruption, social injustice, and environmental collapse, we need bold new ways to think, lead, and act. MAST blends liberal arts traditions with cutting-edge sustainability practice to equip you to lead meaningful transformation.
Through immersive learning, interdisciplinary coursework, and real-world projects, you will build the skills and insights to navigate complexity and shape the future, from policy and education to business and community leadership.
Ready to shape sustainable futures?
APPLY NOW
(August 2026 - July 2027)
With Optional 4th Semester: 60 Credits / 120 ECTS
With Retreats in Zurich and Geneva
Why choose MAST?
MAST prepares students to understand complex sustainability challenges and create meaningful change across sectors. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students explore how environmental, social, economic, political, and cultural systems interact, and learn how to transform ideas into action.
With MAST, you will gain a broad understanding of sustainability studies, real-world experience, an international professional network, and a global perspective. You will graduate with the confidence and skills to map out change wherever you go, supported by a degree fully accredited in both Switzerland and the U.S., opening doors to global opportunities.
What makes the program distinct:
- Learn from experts and practitioners in Switzerland, one of the world’s most sustainability-forward countries.
- Gain interdisciplinary insight into sustainability challenges within their broader political and cultural contexts.
- Develop skills in communication, governance, design thinking, and systems thinking.
- Engage in project-based learning rooted in critical thinking and real-world application.
- Build a professional portfolio through hands-on projects and partnerships with NGOs, corporations, and international organizations.
- Explore sustainability across diverse fields, including education, fashion, food systems, health, culture, and social innovation.
- Experience sustainability in practice through retreats in Zurich and Geneva.
- Benefit from small cohorts, personalized mentorship, alumni guidance, and career development support.
- Build an international professional network and apply your knowledge in diverse settings.
- Graduate ready to lead with strategic insight and human understanding.
Why Study Sustainability in Switzerland
Switzerland offers an exceptional environment for studying sustainability, not only as a place to live, but as a real-world laboratory where sustainable solutions are developed, tested, and refined. Known for its political stability, strong institutions, and forward-looking approach to policymaking, the country provides unique insights into how societies address challenges related to energy, mobility, education, land use, finance, and social cohesion.
Through Franklin's MAST, Switzerland becomes an extension of the classroom. Students engage directly with cities, organizations, and institutions that are shaping sustainable futures, gaining firsthand exposure to how ideas are translated into action. Rooted in Switzerland and enriched by Franklin’s global perspective, the program connects local innovation with global challenges, empowering students to understand, and contribute to, the transformations needed for a more sustainable world.
Degree structure
MAST is a one-year, three-semester program (August to July) totaling 45 credits (90 ECTS), with an optional fourth semester for an additional 15 credits (for a total of 60 US credits or 120 ECTS).
The fourth semester offers two tracks:
Research Track: This track is designed for students who wish to deepen their analytical and intellectual engagement with sustainability challenges. Supervised by a faculty member in the student’s area of interest.
Application Track: This track is designed for students who wish to investigate a real-world sustainability challenge through applied and research-informed inquiry with a Franklin partner organization.
The Master of Arts in Sustainability and Transformation is Based in Lugano, Switzerland, and enriched by retreats in Zurich and Geneva, the program offers a unique international learning experience. In the optional fourth semester, students can complete their applied research thesis through immersive learning placements with partner organizations in Lugano, Costa Rica, or Madagascar
Accelerated Program: 3+1 Pathway into the MAST
Eligible students completing a 120-credit BA at Franklin Switzerland or a partner institution with a formal agreement may apply to transition into MAST. Students complete their final 15 undergraduate credits during their first semester of MAST, accelerating the move from undergraduate to graduate study while maintaining academic rigor.
Interested students should consult their academic advisor and contact MAST Academic Director Caroline Wiedmer (cwiedmer@fus.edu) to confirm eligibility.
Want to develop a deep understanding of sustainability and how to apply it in practice? Combine Franklin’s Bachelor’s degree in Social Justice and Sustainability with the Master of Arts in Sustainability and Transformation (MAST) through the 3+1 pathway.
Career Paths After Graduation
Graduates of this program are not only equipped to work in sustainability — they are prepared to lead it. They bring systems fluency, ethical depth, and real project experience to a wide range of fields, such as:
- Sustainability Consulting
- Public Policy & Governance
- ESG Strategy & Corporate Responsibility
- Nonprofit Leadership & Advocacy
- Urban Planning & Regenerative Design
- Sustainability Communication & Media
- Social Entrepreneurship & Circular Economy
- Education & Curriculum Development
- Community-Based Organizing & Ecological Restoration
- Cultural Institutions such as Museums and Educational Institutions
Eligibility & Admissions
MAST uses a holistic admissions process that considers applicants’ academic preparation alongside professional experience, interdisciplinary interests, and motivation for engaging with sustainability and transformation.
Unless a prior institutional agreement establishes a 3+1 pathway, applicants must meet the following standard eligibility requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, completed by the time of enrollment
- A recommended GPA of 3.2 (or equivalent). This is not an absolute cut-off; please address reasons for a lower GPA in your personal statement.
- Two letters of recommendation. If you completed your BA or BS more than 4 years ago, we recommend an academic letter and one professional letter.
- A concise personal statement (1-2 pages)
- English proficiency required if previous degree was not in English
(CEFR B2 / IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 / Cambridge 160–179)
In addition to academic credentials, the admissions committee values:
- Relevant professional, volunteer, or research experience
- Interdisciplinary curiosity and openness
- Evidence of critical thinking, communication skills, and commitment to sustainability in your area
- Applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines are encouraged to apply
Personal statements that speak both to your previous experience, your personal interest in sustainability, and what you hope to achieve with this program.
Enrollment Deadlines
Applications to the Master in Sustainability and Transformation are reviewed on a rolling basis. We admit students until the cohort for Fall 2026 (up to 22 students) is full. Beginning February 15, applications will be reviewed in bi-weekly admissions rounds, with shortlisted candidates invited to an interview with the Academic Director.
- Applicants who require a student visa (non-EU, non-Swiss, non-EFTA):
We strongly recommend applying by May 15 to allow sufficient time for visa processing. - Applicants who do not require a student visa:
Applications will be accepted until August 1, subject to availability.
Because spaces are limited, we encourage early applications. If you are unsure about your application timeline or requirements, we encourage you to reach out to the MAST admissions representative, Nika Kozar, for guidance: nkozar@fus.edu.
Franklin students and alumni, as well as students from Franklin’s partner institutions, may contact the Academic Director, Caroline Wiedmer, regarding streamlined application pathways: cwiedmer@fus.edu
MAST is designed as a clear progression from understanding sustainability concepts and challenges to actively shaping change. Across three core semesters, and an optional fourth, you move from foundations, to transformation skills, to hands-on collaboration with real organizations.
Semester 1: Foundations of Sustainability
You build a shared intellectual foundation across environmental studies, economics, social thought, and the environmental humanities. Through interdisciplinary methods and shared case studies, you learn how different forms of knowledge approach sustainability, and how to connect them to understand what each area of knowledge contributes to the bigger picture.
Semester 2: Skills for Transformation
Here the focus shifts from understanding systems to changing them. You develop practical skills in communication, design, leadership, and policy, while learning to work with stakeholders across organizations. Immersive retreats and practitioner engagement connect theory to real-world transformation.
Semester 3: Praxis and Collaboration
You apply what you have learned through a collaborative Master’s project with external partners. Supported by faculty and partner mentors, you work on concrete sustainability challenges and present your work in a public forum, culminating in a practice-based Master’s thesis.
Optional Semester 4 · Defining Your Trajectory
An optional fourth semester allows you to extend your studies in one of three directions: an individual research thesis, an internship in Madagascar or Costa Rica, or the creation of your own sustainability-focused startup. Completing this semester extends the degree to 60 credits / 120 ECTS.
Founding Cohort Pricing (Fall 2026)
- CHF 25,500
Three-semester program (45 credits / 90 ECTS) - CHF 8,500
Optional fourth semester (15 credits / 30 ECTS), extending the degree to 60 credits / 120 ECTS
Please note: internal scholarships are not available for this program.
Students are encouraged to finance their studies through a combination of external funding sources, which may include:
- Government-sponsored loans or scholarships
- Private education loan providers
- Employer sponsorship
- National or private foundations
Eligibility and availability depend on a student’s country of citizenship and/or residence.
For U.S. students, the MAST program is approved for Title IV U.S. Federal Student Aid through the U.S. Department of Education. Approved private lenders include Sallie Mae.
Swiss students should consult with their cantonal offices for educational funding.
Students from other countries are encouraged to consult funding providers directly. Once an offer of admission has been made, the MAST program team is happy to support external funding applications by providing:
- Official admission letters
- Tuition and fee confirmation
- Program descriptions and accreditation details
- Enrollment verification documentation
A Message from the Academic Director
What does it mean to think across disciplines, design for complexity, lead with empathy, and act for impact? These questions lie at the heart of MAST, Franklin’s new graduate program launching in Fall 2026.
Learn more about the thinking behind MAST from the person who helped shape it.
Professor Caroline Wiedmer, Academic Director of the MAST shares the vision, structure, and goals of Franklin’s new graduate program.
