SBS-Swiss Business School & AIPMO

The SBS/AIPMO MSc and DBA programme are titled ‘Strategy, Project Leadership and PMOs’ which allows the candidates to select and develop inter-domain topic from an MSc level and if they choose to develop the research further at the doctorate level.

SBS/AIPMO graduates have unique opportunities to select topics that can directly impact the direction of PMOs because AIPMO uses the concept of a ‘leading’ PMO standard. This mean research findings clarify confusion and little understood areas within the PMO management domain will quickly be included into the training materials and/or exercises of AIPMO certification courses. The research findings will be tested in context of the courses and then used as input to the next version of AIPMO’s PMO Body of Knowledge.

Referring to the figure on the left, PMO professionals taking graduate degrees will be guided as to which topics need urgent research and if they choose to select these topics are likely to help contribute to the evolution of PMO management. In addition, they will be contributing in developing building blocks for the PMO management profession.

People who make the biggest impact working in and around PMOs should also be recognized as candidates for the C and n-1 levels. Obtaining  certifications helps to ensure their depth of understanding in PMO management and project management, but there is no substitute for a graduate degree which is typically one of the short list criteria for C-level applications.

The majority of attendees for AIPMO’s IPMO-P and IPMO-E have a degree and around 20% to 40% have an MSc. Approx. 5% have a doctorate and are typically in a PMO director role. AIPMO recognizes the importance of graduate degrees from reputable universities/business schools and therefore partnered with SBS Swiss Business School to create the first MSc and DBA in the world for PMOs professionals in the domain of PMO Management. SBS Swiss Business school is ranked consistently within the percentile depending on the type of ranking. Click here to see their rankings

MSc in Strategy, Project Leadership and PMOs

AIPMO has partnered with the SBS Swiss Business School to offer the first MSc in the world for professionals who need to understand Strategy, Project Leadership, and PMOs.

SBS Swiss Business School is one of the top business schools in Switzerland. The MSc in Strategy, Project Leadership, and PMOs have been created by AIPMO and the program is jointly delivered by professors from both AIPMO and the SBS Swiss Business School.

This unique program uses the top professors in the world to deliver project, leadership and PMOs modules. Professor Ralf Müller, Professor Aaron Shenhar and Professor Robert Joslin teach alongside SBS Swiss Business School professors.

The SBS Swiss Business School Master of Science (MSc) in Strategy, Project Leadership, and PMOs is a part-time, one-year, 90-ECTS program, which provides an in-depth examination of global strategy, PMOs, projects, programs and portfolios ranging from complexity, megaprojects, competencies to cross-cultural leadership. The language of instruction is English.

The SBS Swiss Business School MSc in Strategy, Project Leadership, and PMOs is a direct-entry program requiring no previous professional or work experience. It utilizes an innovative approach to team-based learning which reflects today’s progressive workplace. The SBS Swiss Business School and AIPMO’s joint MSc will open the door to the international career opportunities by allowing you to understand, create and lead complex operational and project related areas at the highest levels.

Aside from the regular in-class sessions and coursework, SBS Swiss Business School also arranges for its students, value-added activities including CV Writing and HR Workshops; Guest Speakers; Language Lessons; Company Visits; Career Opportunities, and more. Students benefit from these activities by learning more about industries, companies and business practices that are involved in these events, and extending their networks and realizing opportunities that are in line with their career goals.

The SBS Swiss Business School’s joint MSc is a one year program:

First Year

In a years’ time, students will complete the academic courses and studies. This period concludes with the submission and defense of a thesis in front of a panel jury. Students are encouraged to choose a business-related subject linked to their prospective career. This project is mentored by an SBS Swiss Business School approved supervisor or instructor.

Students that have taken and successfully passed AIPMO’s Master certification (IPMO-M) will receive 3 credits to the MSc.

Students who successfully complete the academic and professional experience requirements will be awarded the degree of Master of Science in Strategy, Project Leadership and PMOs from the SBS Swiss Business School and accredited by AIPMO.

DBA in Strategy, Project Leadership and PMOs

SBS - Europe’s Premier Doctoral Business School

AIPMO has partnered with the SBS Swiss Business School to offer the first Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in the world for professionals who need to understand Strategy, Project, Program, Portfolio Leadership, and PMOs.

The SBS Swiss Business School is one of the top business schools in Switzerland. The DBA in Strategy, Project, Program, Portfolio Leadership, and PMOs have been created by AIPMO and the program is jointly delivered by professors from both AIPMO and the SBS Swiss Business School.

This unique program uses the top professors in the world in the project management area such as Professor Ralf Müller, Professor Aaron Shenhar, Professor Robert Joslin and other members of the AIPMO Advisory Board to be available to be assigned as supervisors.

The SBS Swiss Business School Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Strategy, Project, Program, Portfolio Leadership, and PMOs is an integrated work and research program for management practitioners and professionals, who are oriented towards making a significant contribution to the field of strategy, project, program, portfolio management, and PMOs.

An Overview of the Program

The program may be completed in a minimum of three years.

The coursework component takes place during the first year. Courses are conducted in the classroom in an intensive workshop model with face-to-face seminars. All courses are assessed by written assignments.

The transition from coursework phase to the research phase is by the candidate completing the set of assessed Research Proposals. On satisfactory completion of the coursework, candidates enter the research phase where they undertake individual, supervised research projects.

The output of each research project is a research paper of publishable style and quality. The dissertation is submitted for external examination. Consequently, there will be scope for requisite specialization within a general organizational and management framework. Graduates from the program are expected to make a key contribution to practice, so program work will relate to leadership, change and process management as well as research methodologies.

Program Focus

The world of strategy formation and strategy execution is undergoing rapid and profound changes.

Business models and strategies to execute them in terms of portfolio, program and project approaches are failing today by not having the desired impact nor success that was expected on their outset.

Senior executives, technical and non-technical leaders, and managers are increasingly confronted by novel situations and challenges that demand greater understanding in terms of theories, methods, and approaches.

The SBS DBA program takes places on Saturdays and Sundays, every three months. The DBA comprises a total of 108 units and can be completed in a minimum of 3 years part-time/next to the job study. The program is taught in a classroom format based on the use of intensive workshops and includes coursework and research.