Self-test: Is continuing education, further training in public administration with Federal Diploma of Higher Education right for you?

Public administration specialist: What does your day-to-day work look like?

Public administration specialists with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education work in municipal administrations, cantonal administrations, the federal government or in government-related companies.

They carry out administrative work, support and advise the executive, e.g. the municipal or government council, provide secretarial services for parliaments and answer questions from the public about various public services. Depending on their position, they are also involved in invoicing, archiving documents, organizing meetings and assemblies, compiling voting registers for votes, etc.

Public administration specialists also maintain contact with other authorities. As the point of contact for the authorities, they listen to the concerns of the public, provide assistance and respond appropriately. In the event of conflicts, they take measures to clarify the matter and, if necessary, pass it on to other persons or authorities.

Who is continuing education, further training in public administration aimed at? What qualities and skills do you need?

The continuing education, Federal Diploma of Higher Education in Public Administration is aimed at people who

• work in a public administration and would like to demonstrate their administrative knowledge and skills with a federal specialist certificate
• work in public administration and would like to take on more responsibility and become an administrative professional.

As a public administration specialist, you need the following qualities:

• Service awareness
• Enjoy administrative work
• Organizational skills
• Independent way of working
• Social competence
• networked thinking and acting

Requirements for admission to the preparatory courses

Some schools define the conditions for admission to their preparation courses themselves. You definitely need:

• Conclusion on(at least)Upper-secondary level (Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (VET Diploma), Matura or equivalent qualification). Some schools require a Federal VET Diploma in commerce or a state-recognized commercial diploma.
• Employment and professional experience in a public administrationor an administration-related company (you must have gained 2 years of professional experience by the time you take the Federal Professional Examination). Some schools require a minimum of experience, e.g. 1.5 or 2 years, before starting continuing education, further training.

Subject matter and content of continuing education, further training

The continuing education, further training for public administration specialists teaches important skills in the areas of law, finance, public management, communication and conflict resolution. It prepares students specifically for the Federal Professional Examination and is divided into five modules:

• Module 1: Dealing with stakeholder groups
• Module 2: Dealing with the political system
• Module 3: Design and support processes
• Module 4: Administrative processes/administrative law
• Module 5: Public finances

Each module concludes with an examination. The modules can be completed in any order.

Most providers of preparatory courses for the Federal Professional Examination in Public Administration adapt their course content to the legal and organizational conditions of their canton or region.

Successful graduates of continuing education, further training are able to take on demanding administrative tasks, including in the role of team leader and project manager, and can thus play an active role in shaping the future of public administration.

Costs of continuing education, further training in public administration

• TheCourse costsvary and are mostly between around CHF 8,000-12,500, of which up to half of the course costs will be reimbursed by the federal government upon application after passing the Federal Professional Examination (max. CHF 9,500; so-called subject funding for the promotion of higher vocational education and training). If you have a good educational background, you may be able to take a shorter preparatory course at a correspondingly lower cost.
• Depending on the school and the offer, there may also beAdditional costsfor training documents, online platforms, etc.
• TheFee for the Federal Professional Examinationis approx. CHF 2200.

Duration and scope

The continuing education, further training ismodularandpart-timedesigned and usually lasts2-3 semesters. If you wish, you can also extend your training over a longer period of time: The module qualifications are valid for 5 years, i.e. you can take a maximum of 5 years from completing the first module to taking the Federal Professional Examination.

TheLessonstakes place mainly at2-3 half days per weekin face-to-face lessons; some schools offer hybrid lessons.

TheSelf-learning timeis individual. Expect about the same amount of self-study time as class time.

Degree, diploma and title

For theAdmission to the Federal Professional Examinationfor public administration professionals you need:

• Completion of secondary schoolII (Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Matura or equivalent)
• after completion of upper-secondary levelat least 2 years working in a public administrationor in an administration-related company
• Module completions 1-5or certificates of equivalence

Federal Professional ExaminationSpecialist in public administration consists of two equally weighted parts:

• Project work:You must prepare this before the exam. In it, you must show that you can present an initial situation and question in writing, demonstrate plausible, legally supported solutions and reflect on your approach. You must present the project work in the examination and answer questions about it (20 minutes).
• Expert discussion:In this part of the exam, you have to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge from the five module areas (30 minutes).
  Federal certificate and title

If you pass the Federal Professional Examination, you will receive theFederal certificateand are entitled to the followingProtected titleto lead.

• Specialist in public administration with a federal diploma
• Spécialiste en administration publique avec brevet fédéral
• Specialista in amministrazione pubblica con attestato professionale federale

The English translation is (this is not a protected title, but a recommendation):

• Specialist in Public Administration, Federal Diploma of Higher Education