Developed in partnership with future employers.
Prepare yourself to be the business leader of tomorrow. From day one, you will be immersed in a simulated working environment where your learning journey is at the center. You will learn on campus, online, peer-to-peer, in teams, through personal coaching and mentoring, and finally on the job, all in one internationally-focused Master's degree program. Work side-by-side with executives from top global organizations and obtain certificates for specific skills in your concentration.
Structure
Franklin's MSIM leverages the best practices of in-class, online and on-site learning. Courses taught on the Franklin campus address contemporary managerial topics, are taught seminar-style in small groups, involve diverse international students from a variety of backgrounds and are delivered by experts with years of managerial experience. The online courses cover the latest, most relevant and most-applicable topics students can study and are designed and taught by industry leaders who work at organizations such as Google, the United Nations, Amazon and many others. The practical experiences give students the opportunity to work and network in an international organization. Working on actual projects, students get the knowledge, experience and credentials to launch into the next phase of their careers.
The Master is made of 3 main blocks:
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Courses and Individual Learning Journey (Fall – September to December, Lugano)
During this term students will learn leadership and management in a participative and collaborative setting. The pace of this term is intense, and the experience provides the foundation for transformation. At the end of the term students will begin to be empowered as change agents. Faculty and instructors, many who are pioneers in their spheres of competence, share their expertise with students.
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Concentrations and Practical Experience (Spring and Summer – January to July, Lugano and Off-site)
In the Spring and Summer term, students will deepen their expertise in collaboration with UNITAR in Geneva and a six-week practical experience. This term will allow students to develop the skills necessary to be competitive in their fields.
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Thesis (Summer – July, Lugano)
Students will be challenged in writing and presenting a capstone thesis under the supervision of Franklin faculty.
Fall (Aug–Dec) Engage in 21st century leadership and management: a total immersion |
Spring/Summer (Jan–Jul) Engage in course concentrations and six-weeks of practical and fulfilling experience |
Summer (Jul) Apply your learning in a capstone thesis project |
Seminars, in-class learning, and executive workshops | Experiential learning component with company visits, conferences, career workshops, guest lectures and seminars |
Climate Action: Working with a UN Agency team on a solution for a climate issue important to you |
Professional and Personal Coaching |
The Program
The experience you gain in this interdisciplinary Master's program conceived in partnership with the United Nations will enable you to develop ways to bridge the gaps between the goals of NGOs and the challenges of industry and government.
The Master of Science in International Management with an emphasis in Responsible Management and Climate Action will prepare you to work with organizations worldwide that are engaged in dealing with the realities of addressing climate change. Individuals who can find solutions to NGO issues from a business perspective that spans many sectors are in high demand. You will become part of and help to build a virtuous circle that leverages educational, social and business innovation for the benefit of humanity.
This international, cross-cultural and inter-generational program will give you the opportunity to collaborate directly with people from multiple backgrounds, work directly at the UN through the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and apply systemic thinking to business and organizational solutions. You will experience transforming environmental goals into functional solutions through practical projects and strategies. When you complete your Master’s, you will be prepared to apply new skills and perspectives to any organizational context, and you will be primed to influence the hearts and minds of new generations toward a green economy.
Practical Experience and Employability
Practical Experience
UNITAR and Climate Action
Students will work with a coach and a professor on a self-directed program of study that combines online study with a practical field experience with one of the UN agencies. The online part introduces students to key pieces of the UNITAR agenda, including modules on climate change and how it relates to development, cities, human health, the environment, and global warming. Other course modules include the 2030 Agenda, the UN system, the green economy and leadership. While learning online, students will also visit the UN in Geneva once a month to join global conferences and learn under the supervision of a UN coach.
Working with UN Project Teams - Geneva, Switzerland
Students will work on an applied project/internship mandated by an existing agency team at the UN that includes working between Lugano and Geneva for a period of approximately 6 weeks. Students will be asked to write up a final report on the field study and practical experience that discusses how the UNITAR course work informs their final project and how the experience functions as a capstone to the entire MSIM experience.
Employability
Graduates from this program will have a practical experience with the United Nations on their CVs. While you are a student in this Master's program, not only will you have the chance to work with leading professionals and entrepreneurs, but after completing the UNITAR component, you will also join a project team working on Climate Change Action directly at the UN in Geneva. You will live in culturally diverse environments and will learn multi-stakeholder collaboration at an international level. You will be challenged to find practical, sustainable solutions to real problems facing industry, government and NGOs in the area of Climate Change.
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition for the Master of Science in International Management is paid in Swiss Francs.
2022 - 2023 Tuition | CHF 25,000 |
See additional estimates for direct and indirect expenses for Master's students
A merit scholarship is available for qualifying students admitted to the Master of Science in International Management program. See Responsible Leadership Scholarship for details.
These skilled learning facilitators are experts and innovators that offer you multiple lenses through which to view and solve problems. Each individual on this list will be an important influence as you construct your path toward new ideas and career opportunities.
Faculty
Curriculum
This participative and collaborative curriculum is designed to provide students with an intensive path of study that gives you a strong background in leadership, creates situations that build experience in collaboration and project management, and launches the next phase of your career through internships working on real ongoing projects. Each of the courses and workshops in the program is a facet of a complete perspective that will help you to be an effective agent of innovation.
LIFESTYLE
Franklin University Switzerland was founded on the idea that where you learn is as important as what you learn. It makes a difference to study paths to global solutions in a variety of cultural crossroads such as Franklin campus, where students come from nearly 50 different countries; Switzerland, where multiple languages and cultures find common ground; or the United Nations, where countries work together to resolve issues that go beyond national borders. Take advantage of these learning environments that are not only a learning opportunity in themselves, but that are also perfectly positioned for expanding your perspectives through European travel.
Living Accommodations
Graduate students at Franklin are provided quiet, off-campus, apartment-style housing on their own floor at the Alba Residence. With panoramic views of Monte Bre and the historic center of Lugano, this building is a 10-minute walk from campus, and directly across the street from the Lugano Central Train Station. It is close to the main shopping district, and many cultural attractions.
Life in Lugano, Switzerland
Lugano provides an interesting, safe, and diverse setting for graduate students to learn and thrive. Italian in culture, but influenced by Swiss efficiency and quality, Lugano is an important Swiss city for finance, tourism and consumer goods. Switzerland is rated one of the highest in terms of quality of life thanks to its stable political scene, sustainable social system, and strong economy. It is often rated as one of the most innovative nations in the world. With one of the highest GDP per capita, Switzerland also has one of the lowest crime levels anywhere. Moreover the quality of food, as well as goods and services are very high quality, and Switzerland offers a wide range of opportunities for free time, leisure, culture and sport.
Partnership

Our Master of Science in International Management (MSIM) includes several courses developed and facilitated by UN staff. Students enrolled in this Master will work with UN professionals at the Geneva headquarters in Switzerland. UNITAR is known worldwide for training the best professionals in their careers with NGOs, government and business organizations.