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Doctor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership and Management

Location:
Online
Start dates:
Aug
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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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36-48 months

Duration

8

Minimum years of experience

Degree earned

Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP)

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. 

Term Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Fall A TGM 705
Philosophies, Theories and Methods of Research		 TGM 715
The Dynamics of Global Markets and Policy
or
TGM 730
System Change and Transformation		 TGM 792
Research: Project Validation
Fall B TGM 740
Leading and Managing Global Organizations: Advanced Topics		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Field Research
Spring A TGM 745
Data Analysis for Global Leaders		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Project Draft
Spring B TGM 720
Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the Field		 Elective TGM 792
Research: Applied Project Refinement
Summer TGM 710
Shaping the Future: Digital Transformation in a Global Economy		 TGM 790
Reading and Conference: Problem Identification, Research Design and Review of Literature		 TGM 793
Applied Project – Final Project & Oral Presentation

2025-26 Program calendar

Class schedule

Course Course Name Weekend 1 Weekend 2 Weekend 3 Weekend 4
Orientation August 21
Fall 2025
TGM 705 Philosophies, Theories and Methods of Research August 22, 23, 24 September 5, 6, 7 September 19, 20, 21 October 10, 11, 12
TGM 740 Leading and Managing Global Organizations: Advanced Topics October 24, 25, 26 November 7, 8, 9 November 21, 22, 23 December 5, 6, 7
Spring 2026
TGM 745 Data Analysis for Global Leaders January 16, 17, 18 January 30, 31, February 1 February 13, 14, 15 February 27, 28, March 1
TGM 720 Qualitative Analysis for Systems Thinkers: Learning from the Field March 13, 14, 15 March 27, 28, 29 April 10, 11, 12 April 24, 25, 26
Summer 2026
TGM 710 Shaping the Future: Digital Transformation in a Global Economy May 15, 16, 17 June 5, 6, 7 June 19, 20, 21 July 10, 11, 12

Financial aid and costs

Financial aid

There are many different options available to help you finance your education at Thunderbird. More than 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance through loans, scholarships, or other awards. Arizona State University's Financial Aid team works with you hand-in-hand to find the financing solutions for your unique situation. 

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for this program. 

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

 

Information Sessions

DPP Information Session

04/25/25
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
MST
Info session

Program FAQ

Does the DPP provide international students with an opportunity for a F1 visa?

This program is not eligible for F1 visa issuance. 

Is ASU Sync an online degree or may I attend classes in person?

The DPP’s ASU Sync is delivered fully online with synchronous classes held every other Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Classes are not held in person.

Is this a PhD. program or a doctorate program?

Graduates of Thunderbird’s Doctorate of Professional Practice will not receive a Ph.D. 

Does ASU sync grant F1 visa ?

No, ASU sync does not provide grant for F1 visa.

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

Required application documents
  • Graduate admissions application and application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Official transcripts
  • Professional resume
  • Two letters of recommendation 
  • Select interview(s) with Thunderbird faculty and staff
  • Proof of English proficiency
Entry requirements
  • Applicants to the DPP program are expected to have earned an accredited master’s degree. Exceptional individuals with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered.
  • Applicants should possess a global perspective and a desire for an applied focus in their program. This information should be reflected in their application personal statement.
  • Eight years of senior-level work experience is preferred for admission to the program. This information should be reflected in the applicant's professional resume.
  • Although students holding degrees in any field may be accepted, all applications are reviewed to ensure that students have the optimal academic background required to be productive in the program. Deficiency courses may be added if the committee deems this necessary for student success.
Credit transfers

*15 credit hours from an accredited masters program, graduate certificate, or graduate level course work are required and must be approved as part of acceptance into the program.

English proficiency requirements

Applicants are required to meet certain English proficiency standards for acceptance. If your English proficiency scores are below acceptance standards, you may be required to take pre-degree English instruction to ensure you meet the level of English proficiency needed to succeed in your graduate studies. Learn more. View the minimum and direct entry scores here.

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

Executive Director and Professor of Global Strategy

Lena Booth

Deputy Dean, Thunderbird Academic Enterprise and Finance Professor
Thunderbird Associate Dean and Professor Mary Sully De Luque

Mary Sully de Luque

Professor of Global Management
Thunderbird Associate Dean Sophal Ear

Sophal Ear

Associate 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

Professor of Global Marketing
Thunderbird Professor Kanan Ramaswamy

Kannan Ramaswamy

William D. Hacker Chair Professor of Management

Charla Griffy-Brown

Director General, Dean, and Professor of Global Digital Transformation

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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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