The original global business school

Educating global leaders since 1946

Overview

Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU prepares leaders from Latin America to excel in a complex, interconnected world. Ranked No. 1 globally for international trade for four consecutive years, Thunderbird develops agile, ethical, and digitally fluent professionals equipped to lead across borders and industries. 


The Master of Global Management (MGM) is the most innovative leadership and entrepreneurship degree for professionals seeking a career in the most exciting global organizations who are disrupting business as usual and redefining or creating entirely new industries. The program builds on a strong foundation of traditional business administration courses and adds Industry 4.0 skills such as digital transformation, sustainability/ESG, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, and innovation.  In addition, the MGM offers over 16 transdisciplinary concentrations ranging from global affairs and public administration, to data science and healthcare delivery. Our graduates emerge from the program prepared to work across borders, cultures, industries, and sectors anywhere in the world.

Request information

Fill out the form below to connect with a recruiter and receive personalized information about how Thunderbird’s graduate programs develop global leaders ready to make an impact.

By providing your mobile phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.

By clicking "Submit" I consent to Thunderbird School of Global Management using the information above to contact me regarding my programs of interest and provide any other information I request. If you are in the European Union or another country or state that has adopted the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or similar privacy protection, please also read the ASU European Supplement to ASU's Privacy Statement

Degree information:

Format: In-person

Duration: 18-24 months

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Start dates: Jan, Aug

16+

96%

86%

Concentrations 

Receive scholarships or financial aid

Employed 6 months post graduation

Future forward, future ready

Thunderbird prepares global leaders and managers equipped with the digital global mindset and hands-on experience that organizations around the world demand in order to seize the immense opportunities arising from this era of technological transformation. Our graduate programs prepare students for global leadership positions in the private, public and nonprofit sectors as we all as start-ups and social enterprises.

Why choose an MGM instead of an MBA?

MGM

MBA

Focuses on global markets, cultural intelligence, and cross-border strategies.

Courses in international trade, geopolitical risk, cultural intelligence, and sustainability, paired with immersive global experiences.

Develops leaders for complex, multicultural environments requiring adaptability and cross-border communication.

Opens doors to careers in multinational corporations, NGOs, global supply chains, and international organizations.

An MBA builds business strength. An MGM builds global business leadership—combining strategy, cross-border insight, and the ability to navigate international systems.

Global experience

Students at Thunderbird have the unique opportunity to enhance their global education by participating in one of the school's immersive Global Field Seminars or Global Challenge Labs. These weeklong programs allow students to travel abroad and engage directly with international businesses, communities, and organizations.

Global Field Seminar

During this course, students experience an intensive one-week immersion in-country. Students enjoy a hands-on learning experience in a focused region of the world, comprising company site visits, high-level meetings and presentations with business, government and cultural leaders, as well as Thunderbird alumni. Through these interactions, students learn the challenges and opportunities that make doing business in the region unique.

Global Challenge Laboratories

Outside of the classroom, Thunderbird students take their coursework global, learning by doing and embarking on interactive capstone projects with businesses and nonprofit organizations around the world. Teams of five to six program candidates spend a semester working on the lab in a hybrid approach, where students work both from campus and spend three weeks on-site with a client in an advanced or emerging market.

Requirements and deadlines

Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited university degree program
  • Competitive TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo scores
  • International experience
  • Admissions Interview(s)
  • Submission of online application

Application

The online application takes about 30 minutes to complete

✓

✓

✓


✓

Professional and academic resume

One (1) essay

One (1) professional or academic  reference

Official transcripts from all previous schools

Deadlines

Apply as soon as possible for priority admissions and financial aid consideration.

August Start

October 30

Early Consideration

November 30

First-round

January 30

Second-round

Third-round and International

March 30

Final Deadline

June 30

Visas

The F-1 visa is the most common student visa and is issued to full-time students enrolled in an academic or language program at a U.S. institution. Any student who is funded either by personal or outside funds, or a combination of the two, is eligible for F-1 status.


For more information about student visas, connect with our recruiters. 

Housing and living in Phoenix

Thunderbird students can choose from on campus ASU graduate housing or a variety of off campus apartments and shared living options in Downtown Phoenix and nearby neighborhoods. On campus housing offers convenience and close proximity to classes, while off campus options provide flexibility in price, amenities, and lifestyle.


Monthly housing costs typically range from $900 to $1,800 depending on location, size, and whether accommodations are shared. Students should also budget for utilities, internet, and transportation. Early planning is recommended, and students are encouraged to use university housing resources and peer networks to explore options and connect with potential roommates.

Explore our featured degrees

Degree information

Format: Hybrid

Duration: 12 months

Location: Washington, D.C.

Experience: 5+ years

Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management (EMAGAM)

Doctor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership and Management (DPP)

Thunderbird Executive Master of Global Management

Degree information

Format: ASU Sync

Duration: 36-48 months

Location: Online

Experience: 8+ years

Degree information

Format:  Hybrid

Duration: 12 months

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Experience: 5+ years

Executive Master of Global Management (EMGM)

Master of Leadership and Management (MLM)

Degree information

Format: Online

Duration: 12 - 24 months

Location: Online

Experience: 0-2 years

Empowering global leaders since 1946

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University is the world’s premier leadership, management, and business school. For nearly 80 years, Thunderbird has empowered leaders to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. Ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade by the QS International Trade Rankings (2023-2026), scoring 100/100 points.

Get in touch to learn more

Fill out the form below to connect with a recruiter and receive personalized information about how Thunderbird’s graduate programs develop global leaders ready to make an impact.

By providing your mobile phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.


By clicking "Submit" I consent to Thunderbird School of Global Management using the information above to contact me regarding my programs of interest and provide any other information I request. If you are in the European Union or another country or state that has adopted the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or similar privacy protection, please also read the ASU European Supplement to ASU's Privacy Statement