Arizona State University (West Valley Campus)

Speciality

Available online

Additional information

Program description

The BGM program offers two tracks: the international business, language and culture track, in which two years of foreign language is required, and the international business and culture track, with no foreign language requirement and more emphasis on management-related courses. Students who select the foreign language track may complete coursework in a variety of languages. The international business, language and culture track is offered to on-campus students only. Online students may pursue only the international business and culture track.

Thunderbird's elite faculty and strong relationships with global enterprises enable students to develop and hone the skills needed to thrive as leaders in today's globally interconnected economy. Everyone in the program has the opportunity to explore the politics, cultures and economics of different countries around the world while putting the skills they have learned into practice in real-world settings through a required international internship. Although students are strongly encouraged to pursue internships outside their home country, they may satisfy this requirement by doing a local internship with an international component.

Students often choose to apply their electives toward a minor or certificate offered by another department. This allows the student to specialize in a second area of interest that complements their major. Electives may include areas such as communications, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital media, languages, nonprofit leadership, political science, psychology, public relations, risk management, sales and marketing, and sustainability. The minor and certificate search can be found in Degree Search.

Students also complete a senior capstone project that draws on the unique skills they have developed throughout the program. In the capstone project, students work together in consulting teams to provide recommendations for a global organization on a challenge it faces internationally. The internship and the capstone project allow students to demonstrate their skills and work experience for potential employers as part of their professional development plan.

Thunderbird's Bachelor of Global Management is also offered in a flexible online format.

Concurrent program options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

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:

• Applied Leadership and Management, MALM
• Communication Studies, MA
• Global Management (Creative Industries and Design Thinking), MGM
• Global Management (Digital Audience Strategy), MGM
• Global Management (Global Affairs), MGM
• Global Management (Global Business), MGM
• Global Management (Global Development and Innovation), MGM
• Global Management (Global Digital Transformation), MGM
• Global Management (Global Entrepreneurship), MGM
• Global Management (Global Health Care Delivery), MGM
• Global Management (Global Legal Studies), MGM
• Global Management (Nonprofit Leadership and Management), MGM
• Global Management (Public Administration), MGM
• Global Management (Public Policy), MGM
• Global Management (Sustainability Solutions), MGM
• Global Management (Sustainable Tourism), MGM
• Global Management, MGM
• Leadership and Management, MLM
• Technology (Management of Technology), MSTech

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.

Global opportunities
Global experience 

As globalization continues to impact the way people live and work, international experiences have become vital to success in every field of business, especially global management.

Through international study and internships, students gain skills employers value highly, including communication and interpersonal skills, flexibility, motivation and a global perspective on business applications worldwide. Completing their required Thunderbird internship abroad positions students to thrive in leadership roles globally upon graduation.