degree of university continuing education

You will find four levels of university continuing education in Switzerland:

1. Courses of continuing education 

The courses last between one and several days and require a presence (for validation). A university degree is not always necessary. After the course, you don't recieve a diploma but a certificate of participation. You generally don't have to do research job, exept for some specific courses or fields. If you have to valid your course by doing a research job, you generally recieve an attestation that gives you the right to some credits. This kind of courses are generally for specific professional groups, unless the themes are general.

2. Certificat of Advanced Studies (CAS)

150 houres and 10 credits at least. Possibly a research job. The CAS are the first level of diploma that is proposed in Switzerland. They offer specific knowledge on a subject. They allow to acquire a supplementary qualification in a particular field. The CAS last generally some months or one year. You generally study for your CAS while working.

3. Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)

300 hours and 10 credits at least. Possibly a research job. The DAS is a new kind of formation. The DAS offers a deepened education in a specific field. They allow to acquire a supplementary qualification in its own business sector or in a new professional specialization. The duration of a DAS is generally situated between one year and two years. You generally study for your CAS while working.

4. Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) 

60 credits at least and you have to do a research job, possibly a training course. The MAS is the higher level you can obtain in Switzerland.  allow to acquire a supplementary qualification in its own business sector, or then to open doors towards a new professional field. The MAS last generally two years or more and ask, besides the presence in the courses and the personal job, a diploma work. You generally study for your CAS while working. The MAS does not open the access to a doctorate. 

Take care not to confuse the diploma of Master's degree with the Master of Advanced Studies. The diploma of Master's degree is considered as being a part of the initial education and concerns Bachelor's students. The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) concerns graduates students who already have a Master's degree and a work experience. In the high schools, the Bachelor's degree is however often sufficiant to do a MAS.