info@stedvarn.ch
Chamerstrasse 172, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
Advance communications and public-relations practice through original, ethically grounded professional research.
This professional doctorate is for experienced communications, public-relations, media and public-affairs practitioners who want to investigate how professionals and organisations learn, exercise judgement and lead communication practice. The EdD framing places emphasis on professional learning, leadership, capability and evidence-informed practice within communications and PR contexts.
Follow the modules that make up this programme, from foundational theory through to independent research.
Advanced Perspectives in Communications and Public Relations
Theory, institutions, power, legitimacy and evolving professional practice.
Professional Learning, Leadership and Capability
How communication professionals develop judgement, expertise and standards.
Reputation, Publics and Organisational Responsibility
Stakeholders, trust, ethics, identity and accountability.
Researching Communication Practice
Qualitative, quantitative, digital and mixed-method research.
Research Ethics, Data and Platform Governance
Privacy, consent, digital traces, AI, risk and integrity.
Doctoral Proposal and Confirmation
A defended proposal demonstrating originality, coherence and feasibility.
Professional Research Thesis
Supervised research and a thesis normally in the region of 35,000-50,000 words.
Viva Voce and Practice Impact Plan
Oral defence, corrections and dissemination to professional and scholarly audiences.
Assessment is developmental and cumulative. It may include critical essays, evidence reviews, research-methods work, reflective analysis, a proposal and confirmation review, progress reports, a thesis or approved doctoral project, and a viva voce. The final submission is examined against published doctoral criteria, with independent input in accordance with Stedvarn's academic regulations. Attendance or professional seniority alone is not sufficient for an award.
See where this programme can take your career next.
The programme supports advanced practice in communications leadership, consultancy, professional education, public affairs, reputation, research and policy. It does not confer a regulated licence or automatic eligibility for academic employment or professional-body status.
Advance communications leadership, consultancy and public-affairs practice through doctoral research.
Strengthen reputation, trust and stakeholder practice with original evidence.
Lead standards, capability or organisational change in professional communication education.
To be considered for this programme, applicants should meet the following requirements.
A relevant Master's qualification in communications, public relations, media, marketing, education, leadership or a related field
Normally at least five years of relevant professional experience, including significant leadership, specialist or advisory responsibility
A researchable issue linked to communications or PR professional learning, leadership, capability or practice
Appropriate access to participants, organisations, professional evidence or public data
Applicants whose prior education or professional work has not been conducted substantially in English should normally provide evidence equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, or another form of evidence accepted by Stedvarn. The Institute may require an interview, writing sample or additional language support. Acceptance of alternative evidence is an admissions decision and is not an external language-test equivalence.
Relevant prior certificated or experiential learning may be considered through an individual academic assessment. Verified evidence is evaluated against the applicable doctoral outcomes and used to determine the applicant's route and assessment plan. Stedvarn may require further portfolio, written, research, oral or other assessment before confirming that the award outcomes have been met.
What this programme costs, what is included, and how payment works.
Fees are charged according to the programme and period of study. Where a programme is completed within the initial study period, no further tuition fee is payable beyond the applicable programme fee.
Annual Tuition Fee
The annual tuition fee covers up to 12 months of registration, academic supervision, assessment and access to Stedvarn Institute's learning resources. Candidates requiring additional time beyond their initial study period may continue their registration subject to the applicable continuation or extension fee.
Any additional fees applicable to a student will be communicated in advance.
Stedvarn Institute may offer approved students the opportunity to pay their tuition fees in agreed instalments. Payment arrangements are confirmed before enrolment and may vary according to the programme, study route and individual circumstances.
Important Information
What happens between submitting your application and receiving a formal offer.
Complete the online application form and select the exact programme title.
Upload the required academic, identity and professional documents.
Submit a 1,000-1,500 word outline covering the professional problem, provisional question, key literature, possible method, ethics/access and intended contribution.
Attend an online admissions interview if invited.
Respond to any verification, RPL or proposal-development request.
If successful, review the written offer, individual study conditions, fee schedule and private-award disclosure before accepting.
Fees & Payment
CHF 25,000 / £22,000 annually — Professional Doctorate / DBA
See the full fee breakdown, inclusions and payment options above under Tuition Fees & Payment.
Answers to some of the most common questions about this programme.
Private award — read before applying: This programme leads to a private institutional award issued by Stedvarn Institute, an independent Swiss-based private institute. Stedvarn is not institutionally accredited under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA), and the award is not a Swiss federally recognised higher education qualification. Recognition and title use vary by employer, institution and jurisdiction. Applicants must check suitability for their intended purpose before enrolling.
Join our community of scholars and pursue advanced private doctoral-level research within an internationally oriented academic environment. Applications are open year-round.