Think differently. Design thoughtfully. Lead collaboratively. Foster change.
Franklin University 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 retreats, interdisciplinary coursework, and real-world projects, you’ll build the skills and insights to navigate complexity and shape the future, from policy and education to business and community leadership.
Degree structure
MAST is a one-year, three-semester program totaling 45 credits (90 ECTS), with an optional fourth semester for a research thesis, extending the program to 120 ECTS. The program follows a "3+1" pathway, allowing students to complete a BA and MA in nine semesters. Delivered in-person in Lugano, the curriculum includes two immersive retreats in Zurich and Geneva, fostering experiential learning and collaboration.
Program at a glance:
- Degree: Master of Arts (MA)
- Duration: 12 months (August to August) + optional research semester
- Location: Lugano, Switzerland + retreats in Zurich & Geneva
- Mode of Study: Full-time, in-person, interdisciplinary & experiential learning
- Final Project: Work on sustainability initiatives with external partners
- Credits: 45 Credits / 90 ECTS (or 60 Credits / 120 ECTS with optional research thesis)
- Optional 3+1 program: The program gives Franklin undergraduates in the Social Justice and Sustainability major the option to follow a "3+1" pathway, allowing a seamless complete of both the BA and MA in nine semesters.
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 and Professor of Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, shares the vision, structure, and goals of Franklin’s new graduate program.
Why choose MAST?
This program is for students who see connections others might miss between people and systems, culture and environment, knowledge and justice. If you have concluded that we need to transform systems to tackle complex problems in climate change and social justice, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you come from the humanities, social sciences, environmental sciences, business, the arts, or another field entirely, we welcome the unique strengths you’ve developed in your undergraduate fields and offer the tools, community, and real-world experience to help you make a difference in the real world.
What Sets Us Apart
Inter- and Transdisciplinary by Design
We don’t believe in silos. Our curriculum bridges the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, and design—helping students see systems as interconnected and solutions as collaborative.
Rooted in Liberal Arts and Critical Thinking
We value students' unique academic backgrounds. The program builds on liberal arts strengths such as critical thinking, creative inquiry, and interdisciplinary agility to approach sustainability with nuance and vision.
Immersive, Experiential Learning
Students won’t just sit in classrooms. MAST includes immersive retreats in Swiss cities, hands-on workshops, and projects with external partners. They'll graduate with a portfolio and a network, not just a transcript.
Guided by the SDGs and IDGs
We engage critically with frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), preparing you to challenge, adapt, and shape the sustainability agenda beyond 2030.
Community-Engaged and Future-Oriented
With justice, equity, and transformation at its core, MAST prepares graduate students to lead across cultures, institutions, and sectors.
What you will learn: semester by semester
Semester 1: Foundations of Sustainability
Get grounded in sustainability’s key environmental, economic, and social pillars while exploring how narratives and systems shape decision-making and how cultural representations impact how people think and act. Gain a broad understanding and critical insight into what counts as sustainable and how experts in these areas think and work on sustainability issues.
Semester 2: Skills for Transformation
Learn how change happens—and how to lead it. Develop strategic skills in communication, design, leadership, and policy. Interact with experts leading transformation across a range of organizations. A second retreat connects classroom learning with real-world strategies.
Semester 3: Praxis and Collaboration
Apply what you’ve learned through a hands-on Master’s project with external partners. Supported by faculty and professional mentors, you’ll develop meaningful sustainability initiatives, and you will present your initiatives at the Franklin Sustainability Forum.
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