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Doctor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership and Management

Location:
Online
Start dates:
Jan,
Aug
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Overview

 

Thunderbird School of Global Management has developed a unique and first of its kind program, the Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP) in Global Leadership and Management. Designed to prepare practitioners who are responsive to the opportunities and challenges presented by this unprecedented time of rapid disruption, this program prepares leaders from across industries and sectors and is available online from anywhere in the world. ASU Sync provides students with technology-enhanced, fully interactive remote learning with classes delivered online. This format provides working professionals the greatest convenience and flexibility while still benefiting from the live delivery of courses provided by Thunderbird’s world-class faculty.

 

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36-48 months

Duration

8

Minimum years of experience

Degree earned

Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP)

Who should attend?

  • Organization and industry practitioners seeking to develop their leadership and management capabilities to help organizations transform.
  • Individuals serving as faculty or trainers in organizations and institutions seeking to advance the development of their leadership and management knowledge application and expertise.

Curriculum

Core curriculum

This program will offer opportunities for integrating and customizing the course of study depending on student objectives. The 60-credit program includes 45 credits from DPP courses and 15 transfer credits obtained through a Masters' degree. Of these 45 DPP course credits, 18 come from required Thunderbird core courses, 9 hours from graduate-level electives with DPP Faculty and other ASU unit approval, 15 credit hours of required research courses, as well as 3 credit hours of a required culminating experience. The program will use synchronous approaches, including pro-seminars, colloquia, and flipped classroom delivery, with asynchronous content discussion and application.

Term Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Fall A TGM 705
Philosophies, Theories and Methods of Research		 TGM 715
The Dynamics of Global Markets and Policy
or
TGM 730
System Change and Transformation		 TGM 792
Research: Project Validation
Fall B TGM 740
Leading and Managing Global Organizations: Advanced Topics		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Field Research
Spring A TGM 745
Data Analysis for Global Leaders		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Project Draft
Spring B TGM 720
Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the Field		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Project Refinement
Summer TGM 710
Shaping the Future: Digital Transformation in a Global Economy		 TGM 790
Reading and Conference: Problem Identification, Research Design and Review of Literature		 TGM 793
Applied Project – Final Project & Oral Presentation

2026-27 Program calendar

Class schedule

CourseCourse NameWeekend 1Weekend 2Weekend 3Weekend 4
OrientationAugust 20
Fall 2026
TGM 705Philosophies, Theories and Methods of ResearchAugust 21, 22, 23September 11, 12, 13September 25, 26, 27October 9, 10, 11
TGM 740Leading and Managing Global OrganizationsOctober 23, 24, 25November 6, 7, 8November 20, 21, 22December 4, 5, 6
Spring 2027
TGM 720Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the FieldJanuary 15, 16, 17January 29, 30, 31February 12, 13, 14February 26, 27, 28
TGM 745Data Analysis for Global LeadersMarch 19, 20, 21April 2, 3, 4April 16, 17, 18April 30, May 1, 2
Summer 2027
TGM 710Shaping the Future: Digital Transformation in a Global EconomyMay 14, 15, 16May 28, 29, 30Jun 11, 12, 13Jun 25, 26, 27

Financial aid and costs

Financial aid

There are many different options available to help you finance your 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

Scholarships are available for this program. 

Program costs

Over 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance.

*FeesUSD$
Application fee (domestic)$70
Application fee (international)$115
Program deposit$250
Program cost (per credit)$2,592
Program cost - 45 credits$116,640
Program cost - 60 credits$155,520

 

*Tuition rates are based on 2026-2027 tuition which is subject to change.

Information Sessions

DPP Information Session

05/08/26
8:00 am - 9:00 am
MST
Info session

DPP Information Session

06/12/26
8:00 am - 9:00 am
MST
Info session

Program FAQ

Does the DPP provide international students with an opportunity for a F1 visa?

This program is not eligible for F1 visa issuance. 

Is ASU Sync an online degree or may I attend classes in person?

The DPP’s ASU Sync is delivered fully online with synchronous classes held every other Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Classes are not held in person.

Is this a PhD. program or a doctorate program?

Graduates of Thunderbird’s Doctorate of Professional Practice will not receive a Ph.D. 

ASU Sync

ASU Sync provides students with technology-enhanced, fully interactive remote learning with classes delivered live online. This format provides working professionals the greatest convenience and flexibility while still benefiting from the live delivery of courses by Thunderbird's world-class faculty. 

A Thunderbird students participates in an online learning course on her taptop

Application requirements

Required application documents
  • Graduate admissions application and application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Official transcripts
  • Professional resume
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Select interview(s) with Thunderbird faculty and staff
  • Proof of English proficiency
Entry requirements
  • Applicants to the DPP program are expected to have earned an accredited master’s degree. Exceptional individuals with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered.
  • Applicants should possess a global perspective and a desire for an applied focus in their program. This information should be reflected in their application personal statement.
  • Eight years of senior-level work experience is preferred for admission to the program. This information should be reflected in the applicant's professional resume.
  • Although students holding degrees in any field may be accepted, all applications are reviewed to ensure that students have the optimal academic background required to be productive in the program. Deficiency courses may be added if the committee deems this necessary for student success.
Credit transfers

*15 credit hours from an accredited masters program, graduate certificate, or graduate level course work are required and must be approved as part of acceptance into the program.

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. View the minimum and direct entry scores here.

Application deadlines

The DPP offers three application deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority decision deadline of January 30 in order to receive priority admission and scholarship consideration. Two additional deadlines are offered as well.

Deadline Dates
August start
Early consideration October 30
First-round November 30
Second-round January 30
Third-round deadline March 30
Final deadline July 30
January start
Early consideration June 30
First-round August 30
Second-round deadline October 30
Final deadline November 30

 

Faculty

Thunderbird Associate Dean, Faculty and Administration Mary Teagarden

Mary Teagarden

Executive Director and Professor of Global Strategy

Lena Booth

Deputy Dean, Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and Finance Professor

Mansour Javidan

Najafi Chair Professor in Global Mindset and Digital Transformation and Executive Director of Najafi Global Mindset Institute
Thunderbird Associate Dean and Professor Seigyoung Auh

Seigyoung Auh

Professor of Global Marketing

Charla Griffy-Brown

Director General, Dean, and Professor of Global Digital Transformation
Thunderbird Assistant Professor Joshua Ault

Joshua Ault

Assistant Professor of Global Management
Thunderbird Professor of Practice Monica Kerretts-Makau

Monica Kerretts-Makau

Professor of Practice
Marco Serrato Headshot

Marco Serrato

Vice President Learning Enterprise

Christine Pearson

Professor of Global Leadership

Apply to this program

Why Thunderbird for a degree?

Thunderbird is a global network of future-ready leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs innovating across the private and public sectors to advance inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide.

Learn More
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Jarrod Combs-Harris Headshot

“My DPP experience at Thunderbird has been a transformative journey—grounded in systems thinking, strategic innovation, and global leadership. The program’s high-tech, high-touch approach equipped me to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose, translating cutting-edge theory into practical solutions that drive meaningful change across industries and sectors.”

— Jarrod Combs-Harris, HR Consulting Executive, Accenture

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Sara Zaini Headshot

"What inspires me most in consulting is the opportunity to help leaders turn vision into reality — building solutions that are both deeply human and strategically sound."

— Sara Zaini, Partner, Global Consulting Firm

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Alexander Neubeck Headshot

“Thunderbird’s DPP program challenges my worldview by immersing me in diverse industry and cultural insights and fostering enriching interactions with world-class faculty! I have enjoyed building deep and meaningful relationships with classmates who are industry leaders in their respective fields.”

— Alexander Neubeck, Senior Engineering Program Manager, Global Electronics Company

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