Amherst College is one of the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the United States. Like the Geneva Graduate Institute, Amherst College has a highly international and diverse student body and shares the Institute’s commitment to interdisciplinary education in an increasingly global and complex world.
A delegation from Amherst College consisting of Janna Behrens, Associate Dean/Director Global Education; Professor Martha Umphrey, Provost and Dean of the Faculty; Kate Salop, Vice President of Strategic Affairs; Matthew Hart, Director of Emergency Management; and Professor Will Loinaz came to visit the Geneva Graduate Institute in March 2026. They met with Institute colleagues and the Student Services team to ensure the harmony of approaches between the two institutions. The visit confirmed the strong synergies, with both sides recognising the value of this opportunity for students.
Amherst College has a remarkable tradition of educating intellectually curious and socially engaged students through one of the world's leading liberal arts programmes. We are proud to establish this new BA/MA partnership, which will create exciting opportunities for Amherst students to pursue advanced studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute and to bring their interdisciplinary perspective to our diverse academic community. Together, we share a commitment to educating thoughtful leaders equipped to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Laurent Neury, Executive Director of Studies, Geneva Graduate Institute
Amherst College has a long tradition of sending students — nearly 50% of the student body — on a semester of study abroad. Our new partnership with The Graduate Institute is the first of its kind; and, having recently visited, I am confident this BA/MA program will attract our very best students and am really excited about its prospects.
Martha M. Umphrey, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Bertrand H. Snell 1894 Professor of American Government, Amherst College
The new pathway BA-MA programme will allow participating Amherst students to spend the autumn semester of their senior year at the Geneva Graduate Institute, before returning to their home university for their final semester and graduation. After graduating from Amherst, students will return to the Geneva Graduate Institute for their master’s degree in their fifth year. The BA-MA programme thus allows students to graduate with two degrees in five instead of six years.
In order to partake in the programme, students must be nominated by Amherst and then apply to the Geneva Graduate Institute. They may apply to any of the Institute’s Master programmes. In any given academic year, up to five Amherst students may be admitted into the BA/MA programme.
Learn more about the Geneva Graduate Institute’s BA/MA programmes.
