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CAS Business Transformation & Strategy

Driving strategic innovation and change

In a world of constant transformation, standing still means falling behind. As a successful executive, you need oversight, a bold vision, strategic clarity, and the ability to drive innovation and change. Moreover, impact is based on a thorough understanding of financial policies, efficient structures and open-minded leadership, all key to shaping the future.

The CAS Business Transformation & Strategy gives you a solid understanding of above mentioned topics and encourages immediate application in your own context as well as active exchange with faculty and peers from other industries.

Overview CAS Business Transformation & Strategy →

Program details →

Study modules →

Overview of the CAS

Icon of a Location Pin – Venue
Venue
Bern, Switzerland
Icon of a Stopwatch – Duration
Duration
5 – 13 months
Depending on elective chosen.
Icon of a Clock in front of a Schedule – Application Deadline
Application Deadline
January 8, 2026
Late applications considered if seats are available. The courses will only be held if there are enough registrations.
Icon von drei Sternen – ECTS Punkte
ECTS
15 ECTS Points
All ECTS points can be accredited to the International Executive MBA or the DAS in General Management.
Icon of a Speech Bubble – Language
Program Language
English
Icon of a Wallet – Program Fees
Program Fees
CHF 14,800

Program Details

Structure

The CAS Business Transformation & Strategy consists of five Master Classes of 2.5 days each. Four Master Classes are mandatory, the fifth can be chosen from three electives.

Preparation starts 10 days before each class. The purpose of the preparations is to ensure that all participants have a certain level and understanding of the basic concepts of the class. Moreover, preparation gives you time to pre-read materials (e.g. cases) that will be used for discussion in class.

Classes take place from Thursday morning to Saturday lunchtime. Their focus lies on interaction with faculty and peers as well as on application of the prepared concepts to real-life cases. They are set up for on-site participation but will be recorded for later reference and occasional online participation. Group work will not be recorded.

After class, participants have 14 days to complete an exam or applied transfer task (paper).

Goals & Benefits

After the program, you will understand how to develop, sustain, and capture the value of a superior strategic position based on a solid overview of the global economic environment. Moreover, you will know how to master technological change and implement innovation. To finance your plans and mitigate risk, you will get to know useful financial instruments. In the elective modules, you can (a) develop practical tools for successful leadership in a transformational environment, or (b) deepen your knowledge of organizational transformation, or (c) understand how to use financial data internally as a basis for sound business decisions.

You will benefit from renowned academics from different business schools, as well as exchanges with a group of established business leaders in your class. The knowledge you gain can be applied immediately in your professional environment. If desired, you may complete additional CAS programs after the CAS Business Transformation & Strategy to obtain a DAS in General Management or the International Executive MBA.

Modules, Dates & Professors
Mandatory Master Classes
Global Economic Environment
17.09. – 19.09.2026
Aymo Brunetti
Professor Aymo Brunetti
University of Bern, Switzerland
Corporate Financial Policy
15.10. – 17.10.2026
Urs Wälchli
Professor Urs Wälchli
Simon Business School, University of Rochester, U.S.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
05.11. – 07.11.2026
Marc Gruber
Professor Marc Gruber
College of Management of Technology der EPFL, Switzerland
Corporate Strategy
10.12. – 12.12.2026
Filip Caeldries
Professor Filip Caeldries
TIAS Business School, University Tilburg, Netherlands
Elective Master Classes
Managerial Accounting
19.02. – 21.02.2026
Filip Roodhooft
Professor Filip Roodhooft
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Vlerick Business School, Belgium
Leadership & Empowerment
09.07. – 11.07.2026
Organizational Transformation
18.03. – 20.03.2027

Please note that courses and dates can be subjects to change.

Applied Assignments

Each of the five courses will be assessed through applied assignments that incorporate your own work-related projects, delivering immediate added value for you and your company.

Upon successful completion of all assignments, you will be awarded the degree CAS Business Transformation & Strategy from the University of Bern.

Target Audience/Requirements

We appreciate diversity and welcome executives and project managers from all industries and roles into our programs.

To qualify for the CAS Business Transformation & Strategy, you should meet the following criteria:

  • Over 5 years of experience in a responsible position and a university degree (or equivalent),
    or
    over 10 years of management experience and an alternative education (admission sur dossier)
  • Potential to take on further responsibilities
  • Alignment with the values of Rochester-Bern: respect and fairness, trust and loyalty, curiosity and openness
  • Fluency in English and strong time management skills
Program Fees

The CAS program consists of a total of 5 Master Classes, one of which you can choose from three available electives. The participation fee is CHF 14,800.

This includes tuition fees, all required preparatory materials, coffee breaks and water on regular course days, as well as registration and examination fees. The invoice will be issued at least 6 weeks before the start of the program.

Application

Icon of an Application Form with a pencil next to it
Step 1
Online Application

Please download the application package and complete the three forms (application form, recommendation forms 1 and 2). Include the following documents:

  • CV
  • Copy of the diploma for your highest degree
  • Letter of motivation
  • Portrait photo (for the photo list)
  • Copy of your passport or ID card (for registration with the University of Bern)

Kindly send your application to recruiting@rochester-bern.ch.

Icon of two Speech Bubbles – Initial Meeting
Step 2
Admissions Interviews

We will contact you to schedule two interviews, one with an alumnus/a of the program and one with a member of the RoBe management. By then at the latest, you should let us know which Elective Master Class you would like to attend. A decision regarding your admission will be made within one week of the interview.

Icon of an Application Form with a Check Mark – Admission Decision
Step 3
Confirmation and Preparation

Along with the written confirmation of admission – at the latest 6 weeks before the start of the program – you will receive the invoice for the program fee. Once payment has been received, we will send you the preparatory materials for the first Master Class.

Your Study Journey

Mandatory Master Classes

Global Economic Environment Aymo Brunetti

This Master Class aims to provide the main tools for understanding the macroeconomic environment in which a company operates. It covers the key concepts for addressing a wide range of macroeconomic questions. We emphasize intuition and application of the concepts. Furthermore, we try to give an overview that covers the most important macroeconomic areas and topics such as growth, business cycles, monetary policy, exchange rates, and financial crises.

 

Corporate Financial Policy Urs Wälchli

In this course, you learn how firms interact with capital markets and why that is relevant. At the core of our considerations are three financial policies:

  • Financing policy: How should firms finance their business activities?
  • Investment policy: Which factors should guide a firm’s investment activities?
  • Payout policy: How much and how should firms return capital to their investors?

You learn how financing instruments can be used to bridge disagreements, make deals more valuable, set the right incentives, and even serve as a “truth serum”. You discover the power of these tools in financing decisions throughout the lifecycle of a firm, including seed financing, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, and initial public offerings. Finally, we extend this logic to financial risk management and learn how different financial instruments can be used to mitigate risk.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Marc Gruber

More than ever before, technological innovation and disruption affect the way business is conducted and new wealth is created. How to master technological change and profit from innovation are therefore key questions for business leaders. They are essential for developing a competitive advantage and boosting performance in all company types – new and old, large and small – across all industries. In this course, you will not only be exposed to the latest thinking about entrepreneurship, technological change and innovation but also apply new business tools that allow you to master technological disruption. Furthermore, you will develop an individual strategic innovation project for your company.

 

Corporate Strategy Filip Caeldries

Strategic management takes the perspective of the general manager involved with managing a business unit in its totality. The Corporate Strategy Master Class focuses on the underlying conditions that permit a firm to develop, sustain, and capture the value of a superior strategic position. At the end of the course, you will have gained an actionable understanding of the strategy concept, enabling you to participate confidently in the strategic dialogue within your organization.

 

Elective Master Classes

Please choose one of the three elective courses to complete your CAS Business Transformation & Strategy.

Managerial Accounting Filip Roodhooft

The Managerial Accounting Master Class uses case studies to show how managers can apply internal information within companies to make better decisions and create value. One of the key contributions of the finance function in companies is strategic decision-making and strategic performance measurement. After the course, you will understand how reports prepared by financial managers can help other managers make better decisions and how financial managers can measure the strategic process of a company.

Leadership & Empowerment Katharina Lange

The Leadership & Empowerment Master Class takes you on a transformative journey from Leading yourself to Leading Teams and Leading Change in organizations. You will learn how to lead with greater impact, authenticity, and effectiveness. Starting with self-discovery, you’ll use a personality assessment to enhance self-awareness and understand your strengths, gaps, and motivational drivers, setting the stage for more authentic leadership. Experiential learning will deepen your understanding of team dynamics and organizational culture, while the course concludes with ambidextrous leadership, a proven strategy for leading dual transformations and driving enterprise-level success.

 

Organizational Transformation Katharina Lange

This Master Class prepares you to manage organizational transformation across structural, cultural, and technological dimensions. You will explore the key drivers and success factors of change management and examine the roles and dynamics that drive transformation. Drawing on organizational design frameworks, you will develop effective structures and processes that support lasting change. With a strong focus on practical application, you will evaluate how emerging technologies such as AI can enable innovation and generate value.

All participants are eligible to join the optional international trip together with the participants of the parallel EMBA program at the SimonBusiness School in Rochester (New York, U.S.).

Class Statistics

In our classes, we seek to combine a diversity of profiles to provide you with the most beneficial classroom experience and professional network possible. Here you can find the statistics of a typical class.

Origin

Functional Background

Industry Background

Gender
(female students)
Average
Age
Average
Work Experience
Average
Management Experience
22% 39 16 9

Your Benefits

Icon of a Trophy on Top of a Book – Course Curriculum
Well-Aligned Curriculum
Strengthen your transformation and strategy skills with courses in Strategy, Innovation, Leadership and Organization as well as an elective and participate actively in the development of your organization.
Icon Puzzle Pieces – Modular Program Structure
Individuality and Flexibility

Add additional CAS Programs to your CAS Business Transformation & Strategy and achieve a Diploma of Advanced Studies or International EMBA degree within five years.

International Excellence

#2
for ROI among top-25 business schools

Bloomberg Businessweek 2024

#60
Best MBAs in the world

Financial Times 2025

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