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Thunderbird School 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. 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.
The MGM is a specialized global management degree for professionals seeking a career in international management, business, or leadership roles across global organizations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. The program builds on a strong foundation of traditional business administration courses, such as finance, marketing strategies, and data analytics. In addition, the MGM offers a specialized curriculum of cross-cultural communications, languages, industry 4.0, and transdisciplinary concentrations, that prepare our students to work across borders, cultures, industries, and sectors anywhere in the world. As the world's most global and digital leadership, management, and business school, Thunderbird prepares global leaders who help organizations manage and stay ahead of the disruption and changes that characterize this era of rapid technological transformation.
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 world-wide network of 46,000 amazing Thunderbird alumni across 140+ countries!
This full-time master prepares graduates with the skills necessary to lead diverse, international teams in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
Thunderbird Difference:
Global Mindset
Transdisciplinary Skill Set
Cross-sectoral Approach
4th Industrial Revolution Leadership
At a Glance
Applied learning opportunities
Degree earned
Master of Global Management
Average work experience
4.4 years
Alumni chapters
in 143 countries
Diversity
60+ countries represented in student body
Who should attend
Leaders whose organizations operate in a global context, or who want to work for a global organization
Functional managers in HR, finance, marketing, supply chain, and operations who want to be more involved in their global business strategy
Leaders who want to drive growth and proactively respond to social, political, regulatory, and natural forces that impact their business
Professionals from the public and nonprofit sectors who want greater knowledge of global business
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 managerial responsibilities 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 like-minded mentors and friends across our global network of 45,000 alumni.
Thunderbird’s 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 is offered throughout the academic program to help students prepare to compete in the global job market. A summer internship may even be registered for academic credit as a planned option to satisfy the minimum required credit hours for the MGM program, thus offering a mutual benefit of work experience and education.
Recent graduates have been hired by top organizations in the following roles:
- Chief of Global Sales
- Senior Financial Analyst
- Global Marketing Manager
- Global Project Manager
- Innovation Officer
- CSR Manager
- Impact Investing Manager
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)
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
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited university degree program
- Competitive TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores (if you did not graduate from an English-speaking university in a native English-speaking country)
- International experience
- Submission of online application, including:
- Resume documenting professional and academic history
- One (1) essay responding to an application question
- Contact information for one (1) professional or academic reference
- Official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions
- Admissions interview(s)
MGM Criteria for GRE/GMAT Waiver Exceptions |
Status |
| 8+ years of professional work experience | Waived |
| 3.25+ cumulative undergraduate GPA | Waived |
| Below a 3.25 cumulative undergraduate GPA + professional work experience | Reviewed by Application Committee an waived on case-by-case basis; if meets criteria |
| Current ASU/NAU/UofA undergraduate student with a 3.25 cumulative GPA at time of application and a Letter of Recommendation from a current professor | Waived |
| ASU/NAU/UofA alumnus within 12 months, at time of initiation of application, with a 3.25 cumulative GPA | Waived |
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. On average, our students have five years of professional experience before entering the program; however, 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.
International students
The application process for international students is the same as for domestic students, with the exception of submitting proof of English proficiency (for students whose native language is not English). After admission, you will also be required to obtain a U.S. visa, which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee. All international transcripts must be submitted in their original language accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation. Photocopies and notarized transcripts are not acceptable.
English proficiency requirements
Applicants are required to meet certain English proficiency standards for acceptance. If your English proficiency scores are below acceptance standards, you may be required to take pre-degree English instruction to ensure you meet the level of English proficiency needed to succeed in your graduate studies. Learn more.
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 |
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial Assistance
There are many different options available to help you finance your graduate education at Thunderbird. More than 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance through loans, scholarships or other awards. Arizona State University’s Financial Aid team works with you hand-in-hand to find the financing solutions for your unique situation.
Scholarships
Apply for a Thunderbird Alumni Scholarship using the Scholarship Form in the application. On average, applicants receive up to $21K for the four (4) terms it takes to complete the Master of Global Management. The award is based on merit, financial need, GPA, GRE/GMAT scores (if applicable), and international experience.
Program Curriculum
Course Outline
| Thunderbird flagship global leadership courses | 18 credits |
| Thunderbird Global Challenge Lab The GCL is a short-term consulting project for a real-world client and is a required, applied learning component of the program |
6 credits |
| Courses in your chosen concentration | 12 credits |
| 12 credits of graduate level electives relevant to career, which may include a planned internship or language courses to fulfill program requirements | 12 credits |
| Career-preparation courses | 1 credit |
| Total | 49 credits |
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
