Certificate in Board Governance (CAS)

Get to know your Program Directors and cohort, and begin your learning journey. 

• Introduction to board practice 
• Board duties and responsibilities 

• Finance for boards

• Best practices for the audit committee and outlook 

• The role of investors and holding governance 
• SME governance 

• Entrepreneurial governance 

• Family governance

• Strategy & ESG 
• M&A 

• AI & cyber security 

• Geopolitics 

Participants continue working on their final assignments and may request additional tutorials. They also develop a first draft of their board CV and board USP, guided by an experienced Executive Search professional via an asynchronous recorded session. 

• Board resilience 

• Measuring success 

• Executive compensation 

• Board effectiveness 

• Navigating the search process 

• Your board CV 

• CEO & board succession planning 

• Review of succession cases 

• Final group presentations 

• Individual USP pitches 

Graduation ceremony, followed by an apéro shared with family and peers. 

The Certificate in Board Governance awards 10 ECTS credits as a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) within the Swiss higher education framework. It follows clearly defined learning objectives and assignments, in line with European credit and quality standards.

Yes. While the CAS is formally rooted in the Swiss and European system, IMD’s executive qualifications are internationally recognized by boards, executive search firms, and employers worldwide.

No, the Certificate in Board Governance is designed as a coherent, end-to-end journey: you progress through the five modules with the same cohort, allowing you to build deep relationships with your peers, faculty, and experienced board professionals over time.

Currently, the Certificate in Board Governance runs with one carefully selected cohort per year.

Upon completion, you will receive the IMD Certificate in Board Governance (CAS, 10 ECTS) and become part of the IMD board community – joining a growing global network of board members and senior executives – as well as the broader IMD alumni community.

The program supports participants in making a successful transition from executive to non-executive roles. While many will have engaged with boards – whether reporting to them as executives or serving on smaller boards – no prior dedicated non-executive experience is required.

The Certificate in Board Governance is designed for senior leaders, C-suite executives, accomplished entrepreneurs, and partners in major professional services firms preparing to step into non-executive positions.

Admission is selective to ensure a strong, diverse cohort of senior leaders. The application typically includes a professional CV and a brief statement of motivation outlining your board ambitions, as well as your geographic industry and focus. Suitable candidates may also be invited to a short conversation with the program team to confirm a mutual fit.

The tuition fee covers program participation across all five modules, all learning materials, and most on-campus meals during the program days. Participants should plan separately for travel to Lausanne, Basel and Zurich, accommodation, and any personal expenses.

For more details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Yes. A range of hotels is available near all program locations, and our program coordinators will provide recommended accommodation options to participants ahead of each module. Accommodation is typically booked and paid for individually.

As a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), the IMD Certificate in Board Governance awards 10 ECTS credits. This corresponds to a total of 300 hours of learning, comprising roughly 150 hours of (physical or virtual) contact learning and 150 hours of self-study over the duration of the program.

The program offers a rich platform for peer exchange and networking with governance thought leaders as well as seasoned chairs and board members from leading companies. The majority of faculty and speakers involved in the program hold extensive board experience. Throughout the program, participants will have numerous opportunities to connect in both formal and informal settings, enabling them to broaden and deepen their board networks.

Information regarding our cancellation and postponement policy is outlined in our full Terms & Conditions.

The Certificate in Board Governance is an accredited CAS, designed specifically for senior leaders preparing for board roles in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and the wider European context. It offers an end-to-end journey through governance fundamentals, regional board practice and professional positioning, experienced with one cohort culminating in an accredited 10-ECTS qualification.

The Board Readiness Diploma is a flexible, modular pathway to board readiness for aspiring board members, senior executives, and executive board members preparing for a non-executive role. It combines core governance foundations with three thematic programs of your choice, allowing you to deepen your expertise in key areas, and learn alongside different peer groups across your journey.