Overview

The world needs a new brand of leaders and managers who can navigate the complex systemic and cross-sectoral dynamics of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to develop new strategies, structures, relationships and solutions to address these increasingly pressing challenges. 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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Who should attend?

  • Organization and industry practitioners seeking to develop their leadership and management capabilities for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Anthropocene Epoch 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, 6 hours from graduate-level electives with DPP Faculty and other ASU unit approval, 18 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. 

Course Credits
TGM 705 Philosophies, Theories and Methods of Research 3
TGM 710 Shaping the Future: the Fourth Industrial Revolution & Digital Transformation in a Global Economy 3
TGM 730 Systems Change and Transformation in the Anthropocene 3

Restricted Elective Course - Graduate course selected by student

3

TGM 790 Reading and Conference: Review of Literature 

3

TGM 740 Leading and Managing Global Organizations: Advanced Topics

3
TGM 715 States and Markets in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Global Economy: Applications for Global Leaders 3

TGM 720 Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the Shield - OR -

TGM 745 Data Analysis for Global Leaders

3
Restricted Elective Course - Graduate course selected by student 3
TGM 790 Reading and Conference: Problem Identification and Research Design 3
TGM 792 Research: Project Impact Assessment 3
TGM 792 Research: Applied Field Research 3
TGM 792 Research: Applied Project Draft 3
TGM 792 Research: Applied Project Refinement 3
TGM 793 Applied Project - Final Project & Oral Presentation 3

 

2024-25 Program calendar

Class schedule

Term Dates
 

Fall 2024

TGM 705 Philosophies, Theories and Methods of Research

August 23, 24, 25

September 6, 7, 8

September 20, 21, 22

October 11, 12, 13

TGM 710 Shaping the Future: The Fourth Industrial Revolution & Digital Transformation in a Global Economy

October 25, 26, 27

November 8, 9, 10

November 22, 23, 24

December 6, 7, 8

Spring 2025

GM 730 Systems Change & Transformation in the Anthropocene

January 17, 18, 19

January 31, February 1, 2

February 14, 15, 16

February 28, March 1, 2

TBD Elective Course

Dates Depend on electives selected

Summer 2025

TGM 790 Reading and Conference: Review of Literature*

May 16, 17, 18

June 6, 7, 8

July 20, 21, 22

August 11, 12, 13

*Dates subject to change

Second year

TGM 740 Leading and Managing Global Organizations: Advanced Topics

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 715 States and Markets in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Global Economy

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 720 Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the Field

OR

TGM 745 Data Analysis for Global Leaders

Dates To Be Determined

Spring 2025: Restrictive Elective Course

Dates Depend on Electives Selected

TGM 790 Reading and Conference: Problem Identification and Research Design

Dates To Be Determined

Third year

TGM 792 Research: Project Impact Assessment

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 792 Research: Applied Field Research

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 792 Research: Applied Project Draft

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 792 Research: Applied Project Refinement

Dates To Be Determined

TGM 793 Applied Project: Final Project & Oral Presentation

Dates To Be Determined

 

Financial aid and costs

Program costs

Over 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance.

Fees USD$
Application fee (domestic) $70
Application fee (international) $115
Program deposit $500
Program cost (per credit) $2,500

 

Program FAQ

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

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
Priority decision January 30
Standard decision March 30
Late decision June 30

 

Faculty

Thunderbird Associate Dean, Faculty and Administration Mary Teagarden

Mary Teagarden

Deputy Dean, Thunderbird Knowledge Enterprise 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

Associate Dean of Research, Professor of Global Marketing & Research Faculty, Center for Services Leadership

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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.

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