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Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU
ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus, Phoenix United States
# =82World University Rankings - Masters In Management
4Undergraduate programs
7Postgraduate programs
AvailableScholarship
About Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU
Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University is ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) International Trade Rankings (2023, 2024), scoring 100 out of 100 points and ranking ahead of Harvard, Penn (Wharton) and IMD. As part of Arizona State University, ranked No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for ten years in succession, Thunderbird draws on a vast spectrum of disciplines of excellence to empower leaders across sectors with future-ready skills. Thunderbird advances inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide by educating and influencing global leaders and managers who maximize the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for business, government, society, and the environment.
Thunderbird 1.0: Founded in 1946 on the grounds of a deactivated airbase (Thunderbird Field No. 1), Thunderbird was the first graduate management school focused on global business.
Thunderbird 2.0: The 1960s proved to be a time of global expansion for the institution. Thunderbird enjoyed steady growth and with that came a sense of identity in the world of international education.
Thunderbird 3.0: By the 1980s, Thunderbird had risen to become a major player in the corporate and academic arenas, ranking No. 1 in the world for international management.
Thunderbird. 4.0: In 2014, Thunderbird joined Arizona State University, bringing the world’s No. 1 ranked Master of Global Management program under the umbrella of the No. 1 ranked most innovative university in the United States. With the opening of Thunderbird’s new global headquarters building on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, Thunderbird is now strategically focused on delivering the world’s finest leadership and management education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Thunderbird 4.0 @ ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management became a unit of the ASU enterprise in 2015, bringing with it nearly 75 years of excellence in global leadership and management education as well as international accolades for executive education. The original Thunderbird campus was situated on the grounds of Thunderbird Field No. 1, a World War II-era pilot-training base in Glendale, Arizona. The School occupied contemporary buildings as well as award-winning renovations of some of the base’s historic landmarks. For seven decades, students from around the world flocked to the suburban campus, walking past the multilingual greetings of the Thunderbird Welcome Wall to nurture the global mindset, business skills, and social responsibility that empowered them to become leaders in their organizations and communities.
The School and its internationally acclaimed graduate programs relocated to ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus in early 2019. Thunderbird’s rich tradition as a premier global institution is stronger than ever today as part of ASU. Thunderbird remains home to a renowned faculty of instructors who carry on the traditions that have placed it among the top-ranked global business education institutions and earned the School the perennial support of loyal alumni. Thunderbird’s new location in ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus offers valuable access to corporate, state, cultural and recreational resources throughout metropolitan Phoenix.
Our global alumni network
Thunderbird’s worldwide community of graduates is uniquely equipped to make a difference in this era of rapid change and disruption. The School leverages the resources and talent of our alumni to guide, advocate and support Thunderbird in achieving our mission.
Our regional centers of excellence
Thunderbird is the world’s only truly global and multinational school. With more than 50,000 distinguished alumni in 145 countries and a rapidly-expanding network of satellite Centers of Excellence in all regions, Thunderbird delivers cutting-edge and fit-for-purpose programs across the globe. Our expanding network of Centers of Excellence from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and Bogota to Nairobi provides a global presence that sets Thunderbird apart by facilitating academic offerings in major commercial centers around the world, connecting and engaging our worldwide alumni network while supporting international recruiting.
Our global headquarters
At the center of Thunderbird’s global network of Centers of Excellence is our state-of-the-art Global Headquarters, a home that connects us to the rest of the world. Located in the heart of ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, it will provide greater community embeddedness and enhanced resources for Thunderbird students and faculty. The new building will bring the School closer to key organizations across the public and private sectors in this center of international commerce and state government. As the fifth-largest city in the U.S. with the fastest population growth of any city in the nation, the Phoenix location of our new facility also offers many opportunities for innovation and recreation.
Our new Global Headquarters will leverage the latest cutting-edge learning technology to enable Thunderbird students to experience in real-time what they seek to study and learn. We will unlock all that digital technology has to offer within our formal learning environments with truly active and multi-dimensional learning spaces that fully immerse our students in their disciplines while allowing them to collaborate on a global scale. Construction of Thunderbird’s new building was completed in time to welcome students in August 2021 and includes a rooftop Thunderbird Pub designed in the spirit of the iconic original.
visit thunderbird.asu.edu to learn more.
About Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU
Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University is ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) International Trade Rankings (2023, 2024), scoring 100 out of 100 points and ranking ahead of Harvard, Penn (Wharton) and IMD. As part of Arizona State University, ranked No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for ten years in succession, Thunderbird draws on a vast spectrum of disciplines of excellence to empower leaders across sectors with future-ready skills. Thunderbird advances inclusive and sustainable prosperity worldwide by educating and influencing global leaders and managers who maximize the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for business, government, society, and the environment.
Thunderbird 1.0: Founded in 1946 on the grounds of a deactivated airbase (Thunderbird Field No. 1), Thunderbird was the first graduate management school focused on global business.
Thunderbird 2.0: The 1960s proved to be a time of global expansion for the institution. Thunderbird enjoyed steady growth and with that came a sense of identity in the world of international education.
Thunderbird 3.0: By the 1980s, Thunderbird had risen to become a major player in the corporate and academic arenas, ranking No. 1 in the world for international management.
Thunderbird. 4.0: In 2014, Thunderbird joined Arizona State University, bringing the world’s No. 1 ranked Master of Global Management program under the umbrella of the No. 1 ranked most innovative university in the United States. With the opening of Thunderbird’s new global headquarters building on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, Thunderbird is now strategically focused on delivering the world’s finest leadership and management education for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Thunderbird 4.0 @ ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management became a unit of the ASU enterprise in 2015, bringing with it nearly 75 years of excellence in global leadership and management education as well as international accolades for executive education. The original Thunderbird campus was situated on the grounds of Thunderbird Field No. 1, a World War II-era pilot-training base in Glendale, Arizona. The School occupied contemporary buildings as well as award-winning renovations of some of the base’s historic landmarks. For seven decades, students from around the world flocked to the suburban campus, walking past the multilingual greetings of the Thunderbird Welcome Wall to nurture the global mindset, business skills, and social responsibility that empowered them to become leaders in their organizations and communities.
The School and its internationally acclaimed graduate programs relocated to ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus in early 2019. Thunderbird’s rich tradition as a premier global institution is stronger than ever today as part of ASU. Thunderbird remains home to a renowned faculty of instructors who carry on the traditions that have placed it among the top-ranked global business education institutions and earned the School the perennial support of loyal alumni. Thunderbird’s new location in ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus offers valuable access to corporate, state, cultural and recreational resources throughout metropolitan Phoenix.
Our global alumni network
Thunderbird’s worldwide community of graduates is uniquely equipped to make a difference in this era of rapid change and disruption. The School leverages the resources and talent of our alumni to guide, advocate and support Thunderbird in achieving our mission.
Our regional centers of excellence
Thunderbird is the world’s only truly global and multinational school. With more than 50,000 distinguished alumni in 145 countries and a rapidly-expanding network of satellite Centers of Excellence in all regions, Thunderbird delivers cutting-edge and fit-for-purpose programs across the globe. Our expanding network of Centers of Excellence from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and Bogota to Nairobi provides a global presence that sets Thunderbird apart by facilitating academic offerings in major commercial centers around the world, connecting and engaging our worldwide alumni network while supporting international recruiting.
Our global headquarters
At the center of Thunderbird’s global network of Centers of Excellence is our state-of-the-art Global Headquarters, a home that connects us to the rest of the world. Located in the heart of ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus, it will provide greater community embeddedness and enhanced resources for Thunderbird students and faculty. The new building will bring the School closer to key organizations across the public and private sectors in this center of international commerce and state government. As the fifth-largest city in the U.S. with the fastest population growth of any city in the nation, the Phoenix location of our new facility also offers many opportunities for innovation and recreation.
Our new Global Headquarters will leverage the latest cutting-edge learning technology to enable Thunderbird students to experience in real-time what they seek to study and learn. We will unlock all that digital technology has to offer within our formal learning environments with truly active and multi-dimensional learning spaces that fully immerse our students in their disciplines while allowing them to collaborate on a global scale. Construction of Thunderbird’s new building was completed in time to welcome students in August 2021 and includes a rooftop Thunderbird Pub designed in the spirit of the iconic original.
visit thunderbird.asu.edu to learn more.
Available programs
Bachelor UG
Master PG
PHD
Thunderbird offers a variety of undergraduate degree programs that position students for success as global professionals, ready to adapt and thrive in a dynamic world.
Bachelor of Global Management (BGM)
Online option available .
Bachelor of Science in International Trade (BSIT)
Online option available .
Hiroshima University Global Initiative
Entry requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits for both the Bachelor of Global Management and the Bachelor of Science in International Trade.
BGM requires 30 credits of Thunderbird specific courses.
BSIT requires 39 credits of Thunderbird specific courses.
First-year students must have a 3.00 GPA.
Transfer students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
The estimated base tuition for international students is $36,425 USD. The estimated base tuition for Arizona residents is $12,388 USD and $32,338 USD for out-of-state tuition (tuition only; excludes additional fees, housing, etc).
ASU offers merit-based scholarships to international students who demonstrate high academic achievement.
Business and Management (1)
Bachelor of Global Management
Bachelor of Science in International Trade
Online Bachelor of Global Management
Online Bachelor of Science in International Trade
Master’s degrees
Thunderbird offers five specialized global graduate degrees and programs:
Master of Global Management (MGM)
Master of Leadership & Management (MLM)
Master of Leadership and Management: Financial Integrity (MLM-FI)
Master of Leadership and Management: Global Creative Industries (MLM-GCL)
Executive Master of Global Management (EMGM)
Executive Master of Global Management (Specialization in Space Leadership) (EMGM- Space)
Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management (EMAGAM)
Accelerated Master of Global Management
Entry requirements
To earn a place in a program, applicants will need the following:
Undergraduate degree from an accredited university degree program.
Competitive TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores (if required).
Official GMAT/GRE score (waivers available).
International experience.
Submission of online application, including:
Resume documenting professional and academic history.
Essay answering an application question.
Contact information for a professional or academic reference.
Official transcripts from all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions.
Admissions interview(s), if applicable.
The program cost for the MGM is $70,000 USD + fees. There are a number of scholarships available. Students can also apply for TA/RA and student worker positions during their program up to 20 hours per week. Similarly, students who take on leadership roles in student clubs or activities and maintain good academic standing at Thunderbird GPA 3.5 or higher are highly encouraged to re-apply for scholarships during their second year.
Tuition for the other degree programs are below:
Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management = $60,000 USD
Executive Master of Global Management = $67,207 USD
Executive Master of Global Management (Specialization in Space Leadership) = $67,207 USD
Master of Leadership and Management: Global Creative Industries = $60,000 USD
Master of Leadership & Management = $39,000 USD
Business and Management (1)
Accelerated Master of Global Management
Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management
Executive Master of Global Management
Executive Master of Global Management: Space Leadership, Business, and Policy
Master of Global Management
Master of Leadership and Management
Business and Management (1)
Doctor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership and Management
University information
Connect with our admissions team
Wherever you’re at in your consideration process, Thunderbird’s admissions team is here to help. If you would like to speak to an admissions team member, you may call directly at: +1 602 978-7100.
The admissions team is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, MST.
You can also email the team at: [email protected].
General
Bachelor
Master
The F. Francis & Dionne Najafi Thunderbird Global Headquarters building, which spans 110,000 square feet over five floors on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. The building is designed to bring the world’s leading technology directly to the hands of Thunderbird students and faculty. The facility enables students to connect with the world and experience what they seek to learn and study in real time.
Thunderbird’s global footprint has also grown over the years, with operations now in over 15 locations, including Geneva, Dubai, Tokyo, Seoul, Nairobi, Jakarta, Thunderbird’s regional Centers of Excellence ensure that the School is now the world’s first truly “global multinational business school,” committed to training the next generation of global leaders.
Student life
Thunderbird School of Global Management brings people from around the world to Arizona’s sunny capital city of Phoenix and to its many surrounding suburbs such as Scottsdale and Glendale, part of the fifth-largest and fastest-growing US metropolitan area. As a large, diverse, and rapidly growing hub for global trade and commerce, Phoenix provides students with a broad spectrum of rich internship and job opportunities within multinational corporations, global nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, as well as access to eminent thought leaders and innovators from across sectors and industries.
In addition to being a dynamic center of government, international trade, and technological innovation, Phoenix enjoys a warm desert climate and is surrounded by wonders of the natural world as well as popular travel destinations. Thunderbird’s Phoenix headquarters is approximately a six-hour drive from Los Angeles and San Diego, California and under five hours to Las Vegas, Nevada. Life at Thunderbird also includes short but unforgettable adventures to places such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon, just to name a few.
Outside the classroom on a typical day on campus, students can take advantage of events, speakers, and culturally enriching activities while networking with Thunderbird’s robust alumni network. Their learning journey is full of opportunities to participate in hands-on entrepreneurial and public service opportunities, contributing to the economic, cultural and overall health of a diverse community while gaining skills and experience for careers that can take them anywhere in the world after graduation.
Through a wide range of student clubs, student life at Thunderbird is built around social, professional and cultural activities. Take Regional Nights Thunderbird’s global tradition for example, or the Student Leadership Organizations.
Thunderbird students also have full access to ASU’s Sun Devil Fitness facility, where they can optimize health through a variety of recreational, fitness and sport opportunities.
Thunderbird’s Career Management Center provides on-site visits to local companies such as Honeywell and On Semiconductor, oversees career development, and student mentorship by Thunderbird alumni.
Thunderbird’s Career Management Center (CMC) offers career events and workshops throughout the academic year to enhance your career development. The CMC develops Thunderbirds for life-changing global careers, partnering with students, alumni, faculty, and staff to foster a career focused community. The CMC works to provide guidance and resources to Thunderbirds for strategic career planning, and connect employers to global talent.
Thunderbird's globally- minded programs require both applied learning and internship experiences. The Global Challenge Lab sends teams of students to complete consulting projects for organizations in the U.S. and abroad.
Tuition fee and scholarships
One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.
In this guide you will find:
Where to look for scholarship opportunities
How to apply to scholarships relevant to you
A list of available scholarships around the world
A scholarship application checklist
Thunderbird seeks individuals whose global mindset and personal mission align with our own—and we make generous scholarships available to those whose passion for international management, cultures, and world relations is seen in both their words and their actions.
There are many different options available to help you finance your graduate education at Thunderbird. In fact, more than 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance through loans, scholarships or other awards. Learn more.
Rankings & ratings
Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU is one of the top universities in Phoenix, United States. It is ranked #=82 in World University Rankings - Masters In Management 2025.
World University Rankings - Masters In Management
QS International Trade Ranking - Masters and MBA
World University Rankings - Masters In Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU
Videos & media
Videos & media
Campus locations
open the map
FAQs
Graduate students pursuing an advanced degree in global management at Thunderbird seek to further their business, leadership, and management studies on a global level or broaden the scope of their knowledge and skills internationally. The program empowers graduates who hold bachelor’s degrees in other fields to change careers or advance in their current paths by opening new doors of opportunity worldwide.