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Leadership and Management, MLM

Leadership and Management, MLM

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Leadership and Management, MLM

Business, Global, International, International Business, Management, Multinational Organization Leadership, global business, global leadership, international leadership, leadership

Join the prestigious Thunderbird alumni network and earn a flexible graduate degree designed for busy professionals. This program combines Thunderbird's eminent 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.

Program description
Degree awarded: MLM  Leadership and Management

The Master of Leadership and Management program is designed to deliver mastery in leadership and management principles and practices in just 12 months. It prepares leaders to take on additional managerial responsibilities in global organizations or to make a career change across industries or sectors.

Created to empower graduates with well-rounded, future-ready skill sets, this transformational master's degree provides a strategically choreographed progression through every facet of international management. Courses span the gamut of Thunderbird School of Global Management's online offerings, from accounting and data-driven decision-making to global finance and marketing. Students also receive hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in practical situations through elective courses that enable them to apply their full range of professional skills acquired during their studies, preparing them to lead in all sectors: government, private enterprise, nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits.

Specializations
Thunderbird's MLM degree program offers optional specializations. Students can focus their coursework in artificial intelligence, analytics and financial technology innovation delivered in English, and global business delivered in Mandarin.

About Thunderbird
Thunderbird School of Global Management has produced world-class leaders for more than 75 years. The ideal Thunderbird student is curious, globally minded, and eager to develop and advance their careers in leadership and management within the global and digital landscape. Upon completion of this degree, graduates join a thriving global alumni network nearly 50,000 strong, managing some of the world's largest institutions, companies, nonprofits and NGOs.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.

Degree requirements

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)
TAM 582 Communicating and Negotiating in a Dynamic Global World (3) or
TGM 506 Communicating and Negotiating Across Cultures (3)

Electives (24 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
TAM 541 Strategy in a Competitive World (3)

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

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 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. professional resume
  4. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Two years of work experience is preferred but not required.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • 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.
Global opportunities
Global experience

Students in the MLM program have the opportunity to apply their learning in an international setting. Some options include:

Global Field Seminars --- 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 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.

Thunderbird Global Challenge Laboratories --- This client-facing, project-based course involves a one-week immersion in-country. Projects are tailored to the business needs of the client and provide sophisticated data and market analysis; strategy recommendations; and practical, effective plans for sustained growth. For more information, students should visit the Global Challenge Lab website.

Career 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
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

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. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.
What are concurrent programs?
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.
What are joint programs?
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.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
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.

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