Leadership and Management, MLM
Join the prestigious Thunderbird alumni network and earn a flexible graduate degree designed for busy professionals. This program combines Thunderbird's tradition of elite graduate education, which focuses on cross-cultural communication, finance, data analytics, marketing and working in diverse, global teams with innovative technology to deliver a transformative educational experience.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The Master of Leadership and Management program is designed to deliver mastery in modern leadership and management principles and practices in just 12 months. It prepares you to take on additional managerial responsibilities in global organizations or to make a career change across industries or sectors.
Built to empower you with a future-ready, cross-disciplinary skill set, the MLM program delivers a strategically choreographed journey through every dimension of international management. Coursework spans Thunderbird's renowned online portfolio, including accounting, data-driven decision-making, global finance, marketing and organizational leadership.
You gain hands-on, experiential learning through electives that connect theory to real-world challenges, applying your skills across sectors including government, private enterprise, nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits. The result is a transformational leadership experience that positions you to lead confidently in an interconnected world.
Specializations
Thunderbird's MLM degree program offers optional specializations. You can focus your coursework in artificial intelligence, analytics and financial technology innovation delivered in English, and global business delivered in Mandarin.
Format option
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. ASU Sync enables you to attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real time with faculty members and peers.
Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status aren't permitted to complete courses via ASU Sync.
If you are seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available on the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
About Thunderbird
Thunderbird School of Global Management has produced world-class leaders for nearly 80 years. The ideal Thunderbird student is curious, globally minded and eager to develop and advance their career in leadership and management within the global and digital landscape of today's interconnected world. After completing this program, graduates join a thriving global alumni network nearly 50,000 strong, managing some of the world's largest institutions, companies, nonprofits and NGOs.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (TAM 541), or
30 credit hours including the required capstone course (TAM 541) - Spanish Pathway
Required Core (3 credit hours) Electives (24 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
TAM 582 Communicating and Negotiating in a Dynamic Global World (3) or
TGM 506 Communicating and Negotiating Across Cultures (3)
TAM 541 Strategy in a Competitive World (3)
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply strategies for adaptive leadership to drive change in diverse organizations.
- Apply global strategy frameworks to assess international market environments.
- Apply data analytics to inform strategic decisions in global organizations.
Apply strategies for adaptive leadership to drive change in diverse organizations. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Two years of work experience is preferred but not required.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 07/31 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 09/20 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 12/15 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 02/20 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 04/30 | Final* |
| Session B | Online | 06/10 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Students in the MLM program have the opportunity to apply their learning in an international setting through a 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 of company site visits and 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 distinct.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
More than ever, today's global organizations need versatile leaders and managers with creative problem-solving skills who can elevate diverse teams across cultures in multiple markets around the world. The MLM program prepares graduates to lead in all sectors: government, private enterprise, NGOs and nonprofits.
Career examples include:
- compensation and benefits manager
- financial analyst
- human resources manager
- logistics analyst
- logistics manager
- management analyst
- marketing manager
- sales manager
- supply chain manager
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
|
TGHB 209
onlinegradadvising@thunderbird.asu.edu
602-496-7100
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
