CAS Social Policy

This CAS explains why the post-war welfare state is under pressure today: population ageing and slower growth complicate its financing, while changes in family structures and the world of work increase uncertainty and the need for protection—fueling a polarised public debate. Drawing on recent research and international comparisons, the CAS seeks to depoliticise the discussion and provide the key tools to understand, analyse, and steer the transformation of the welfare state.

The course is open to anyone with a university degree or equivalent professional experience.

This CAS strengthens capabilities for impact-oriented roles at the intersection of social policy, labour market, and public administration, for example:


Strategic and programme leadership for welfare-state reforms
Management of reintegration and activation programmes
Public policy analysis, monitoring & evaluation
Innovation and pilot projects in social policy
Social and budget planning in administrations and social insurance bodies
Stakeholder management & dialogue processes
Regulation & compliance
Data and impact analysis
Public communication & change management around reform initiatives

Objectively examine the principal challenges facing the welfare state;
Identify how scientific social-policy research can help us in practice;
Understand the challenges to the future development of a welfare state and evaluate Switzerland’s path in that direction;
Situate and evaluate Switzerland’s position relative to the European and international contexts;
Identify examples of best practices in different domains of social policy, in Switzerland and abroad;
Suggest potential elements to aid the transformation of social management.

Students studying for the MAS in Public Administration;
Political representatives and administrative managers in the social and employment sectors;
Social action and social welfare professionals;
Representatives of political parties, interest groups and not-for-profit organisations.