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Thunderbird School of Global Management
Accelerated 4+1 Master of Global Management
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Overview
Thunderbird School of Global Management is the most global and digital school of international business, leadership, and management in the world. Our #1 ranked Master of Global Management (MGM) is the world's top global management program according to the Wall Street Journal. It combines leadership and management fundamentals, international affairs, economics, cross-cultural communications, and languages, with industry 4.0 (AI, IoT, Blockchain ++), diversity/equity/inclusion, sustainability/circular economy/ESG, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Thunderbird’s accelerated master program offers an accelerated pathway for Arizona State University (ASU) immersion undergraduate students to obtain a Master of Global Management degree in only one year after a student’s undergraduate graduation.
Choose one or two specialty concentrations from Global Business, Digital Transformation, Data Science (all STEM Designated) to Global Affairs, Health Solutions, Public Policy, and more. Our one-of-a-kind Global Challenge Lab takes you into the field for a real-world, client-facing practical group project, and you immediately get linked to a worldwide network of 46,000 Thunderbird alumni across 140+ countries!
This full-time accelerated graduate program prepares students with the skills necessary to lead diverse, international teams in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Through the 4+1 accelerated program, pair your ASU undergraduate degree with a Master of Global Management from Thunderbird and broaden your global mindset, your global skillset, and your global marketability--all through just one additional year of study.
Thunderbird Difference:
Global Mindset
Transdisciplinary Skill Set
Cross-sectoral Approach
4th Industrial Revolution Leadership
At a Glance
Applied learning opportunities
Global Challenge Lab
Degree earned
Master of Global Management
Alumni chapters
in 143 countries
Diversity
40+ countries represented in student body
Thunderbird’s Downtown Phoenix campus
Who should attend
ASU students enrolled in full-immersion campus degree programs
Diverse students that all have a desire to access the global marketplace in the industry of choice
ASU undergrads who want to obtain a global view of organizations and who want to add globally-focused projects, a foreign language, travel, and complementary global business skills to their resume to expand their job opportunities in more than one country
Applicants who are pursuing a foreign language, participating in a study abroad program, or demonstrating an ability to thrive in cross-cultural environments/program should apply
Our Campus
Thunderbird’s new state-of-the-art global headquarters on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus is under construction, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2021 in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the School’s founding. The cutting-edge facility will allow Thunderbird to deliver exceptional leadership and management education for generations to come. Our new state-of-the-art facility will enable Thunderbird students to connect with the world and experience in real-time that which they seek to learn and study.
- Four 60-seat classroom
- Five 40-seat classrooms
- Heritage Lounges
- Total 110,000 sq. ft
- Global decision theater
- LEED certification
- VR/AR language lab
- Roof-top Thunderbird Pub
Testimonials
"Thunderbird’s 4+1 MGM program has been the best decision I could have made for my college career. I am a first-generation college student and struggle to pay for University, and this program has allowed me to save a year of time and money, making a world-renowned graduate degree within reach. I now feel well-positioned and prepared for an international career."
Jurni Anderson., 2021
B.S. Supply Chain Management
W.P. Carey School of Business
United States
"I have gained invaluable connections with peers from around the world, meaningful relationships with world-class professors, mentorship and advice from members of the alumni network, and crucial skills to advance my global career and entrepreneurial ventures. In just a few months, I found myself being part of a tight community of like-minded individuals that I can call family."
Ana Paula Chavarry Pizzorno
Bachelor of Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Peru
"Thunderbird’s 4+1 Accelerated Master’s in Global Management program has allowed me to take a look at the world through the lense of a global citizen. This program has not only saved me time and money, but has also pushed me to really challenge myself and appreciate my final year as an undergraduate student at ASU. The courses, professors, and other members of my cohort make the Thunderbird experience a truly unique opportunity that is meaningful beyond the classroom."
Brittney Fulop
B.S. in Psychology
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
United States
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are leaders across a wide range of organizations in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors around the world. The MGM will prepare you to assume different roles in global organizations or to make a career change across industries or sectors. Our top-ranked global management program will prepare you with the problem-solving skills needed in order to leverage the tools of the digital age to manage change and disruption in your organization.
By developing your Global Mindset, and immersing you in a diverse cohort of students from around the globe, we help develop your global perspective, strategic decision-making, and management skills through on-campus instruction, hands-on experience in the field, and by connecting you with like-minded mentors and friends across our global network of 45,000 alumni.
Thunderbird’s coursework includes Career Coaches provide assistance with self-assessments, resume and cover letter development, building a LinkedIn profile, finding and applying for job and internship opportunities, interview preparation, and negotiating an offer. Individualized career support and professional development are offered throughout the academic program to help students prepare to compete in the global job market.
Recent graduates have been hired by top organizations in the following roles:
- Foreign Affairs Analyst
- Project Administrator
- Business Development Consultant
- Social Media Specialist
- User Experience Designer
- Financial /Marketing/ Supply Chain Analyst
- Management Consultant
Top Global Companies Recruiting Thunderbirds include:
- Rakuten
- ExxonMobil
- Johnson & Johnson
- Honeywell
- Intel
- UNICEF
- Amazon
- On Semiconductor
- Saudi Aramco
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
- CIA
- Western Union
Employment:
94%
Secured summer internships
91%
secured employment 6-month post-graduation
Concentrations - Your Degree. Your Way.
Take at least 12 credits in your area of concentration.
Global Business
(STEM Certified)
Global Affairs
Global Entrepreneurship
Global Digital Transformation
(STEM Certified)
Sustainability Solutions
Public Policy
Public Administration
Nonprofit Leadership
and Management
Sustainable Tourism
Legal Studies
Creative Industries and Design Thinking
Digital Audience Strategy
Development and Innovation
Integrated Healthcare
Healthcare Delivery
Data Science
(STEM Certified)
Application Requirements
Accelerated 4+1 MGM students will partake in 12 credits of graduate course electives during their senior year before applying to the master’s program.
JUNIOR YEAR
- Consult with a Thunderbird enrollment advisor about program details and the application process before starting the admissions process. Please contact admissions.tbird@asu.edu
- Consult with an undergraduate academic advisor to ensure the college has a 4+1 agreement with Thunderbird and have the undergraduate advisor complete the advisor checklist form.
- Submit the online Thunderbird Candidacy form. Students can apply for the 4+1 program after they accumulate 75 credit hours.
- Complete the Thunderbird Admissions Interview.
SENIOR YEAR
- Enroll in 12 credit hours (4 classes) of 500 level MGM graduate coursework. These 4 classes will be taken as undergraduate elective courses and will be charged at the bachelor’s degree tuition rate. These classes will also count towards the first year of the MGM degree requirements.
- Apply to Thunderbird's 4+1 Accelerated MGM online application(maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA). After graduation, continue one more year of study at Thunderbird School of Global Management to complete the Master in Global Management degree.
Entry requirements of the Accelerated 4+1 MGM include:
- Good standing with Arizona State University
- Cumulative of 3.0 GPA (GMAT or GRE required)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (no GMAT or GRE required)
- International experience (preferred)
- Submission of the online application, including
- Resume documenting professional and academic history
- 1 essay answering an application question
- Contact information for 1 professional or academic reference
- Official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Admissions interview(s), if applicable
Transcripts
Transcripts for graduate admissions must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Services department at the main Arizona State University campus. To expedite the processing of your application, please write your application reference number on all documents and envelopes submitted to ASU. Materials submitted without your application reference number will delay the processing of your application.
Global leadership and management potential
Our Admissions team will consider both your professional and personal experience when assessing your fit for the program. Each candidate’s global leadership potential—and his or her ability to bring global experience and cultural insight into the classroom—is of utmost importance to our Admissions team. We seek to fill our program with globally-minded students whose professional or personal experiences will add value to the diverse cultural and social Thunderbird experience.
Application Deadlines
Fall (August start)
| October 30 | Early consideration deadline |
| November 30 | First-round deadline |
| January 30 | Second-round deadline |
| March 30 | Third-round and international student deadline |
| June 25 | Final deadline |
Spring (January start)
| June 7 | First-round deadline |
| July 26 | Second-round deadline |
| October 4 | Third-round and international student deadline |
| November 29 | Final deadline |
Program Curriculum
Senior year: Core coursework (12 credits):
- TGM 506 Communicating and Negotiating Across Cultures (3 credits)
- TGM 557 Global Data and Marketing Analytics (3 credits)
- TGM 517 Global Accounting & Finance Management (3 credits)
- TGM 545 Leadership & Strategy (3 credits)
Summer: Applied Learning Experience (6 credits)
Thunderbird’s Global Challenge Lab is a six-credit, client-facing, project-based capstone course that involves a three-week immersion in an advanced or emerging market around the world. Projects are tailored to the business needs of the client and provide sophisticated data and market analysis, strategy recommendations and practical, effective plans for sustained growth.
- Spend three-weeks working with a team of 3-6 classmates
- Receive support from Thunderbird faculty and staff.
- Work for a real client (such as a multinational, local business, non-profit, university or government agency)
- Manage a professional relationship with client executives, present analysis and solutions and receive and incorporate feedback
- Experience cultural immersion and professional growth
Second year: Electives, Concentrations and Language Lab (optional) (31 credits) - Design Your Own concentrations
- Join intensive language lab courses or test out of existing foreign language (s)
- Complete capstone course
Online Accelerated Program Option
Arizona State University students who major in the online Bachelor of Science in Technological Entrepreneurship and Management can accelerate their degree program and obtain their bachelor and master’s degree with Thunderbird’s online Master of Applied Leadership and Management program in as little as five years. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply. Contact us for more details: MALMadvising@thunderbird.asu.edu | 602-496-7100
Our faculty
29
Full-time faculty members
22 males 76% | 7 females 24% in 2019
More than
100
Research and teaching nominations, recognitions and awards were obtained by the faculty (2013-July 2019).
100%
PhD
