GLOBAL MBA ON-DEMAND
Flag ceremony on Thunderbird campus, Arizona, USA
Founded in 1946, Thunderbird was the first school in the
United States focused solely on preparing international
business leaders. Today, Thunderbird is recognized as
the world’s leading global business school.
Thunderbird is built on the idea that for students to be
successful in the global market, they must understand
the intricacies of business and how to conduct it across
cultures, borders and time zones. At Thunderbird, you’ll
learn to conduct business as a citizen of the world.
And in the Global MBA On-Demand program, you’ll be
able to earn a world-class degree from anywhere in the
world, on your schedule.
“Working professionals want to enhance
their careers through education that al- The Global MBA for Working
lows them to continue on the job and at Professionals around the World
home. Thunderbird’s On-Demand pro-
gram offers such opportunity from the
Thunderbird’s online Global MBA On-Demand pro-
leading school in international business
gram is designed specifically for working profession-
and taught by world-class faculty for out- als all over the world. Whether you live in Baltimore,
standing future global leaders. Beijing or Brussels, you won’t have to give up your
job, move your family or start over in a new location.
As the program leader of our On-Demand
This unique program helps you balance what is im-
program, I focus on making this high-tech
portant to you today and what is important for your
program a high-touch program as well. In tomorrow. You can access this top-ranked program
order to create a strong sense of belong- via the Internet no matter where you are,
ing to the school and its community, we at your convenience.
emphasize high interaction between faculty
and students, collaborative learning and on- At Thunderbird, we combine global education with
site seminars to complete this unique MBA global experiences to help future leaders like you
make a positive difference in your life and the world.
program.”
The Thunderbird community respects cultural differ-
Bert Valencia, Ph.D. ences and understands the importance they play in
Vice President Distance Learning and international business.
Associate Professor of Marketing
Student Diversity & Experience
Thunderbird Global MBA On-Demand students are diverse in both their experiences and backgrounds.
You’ll learn with and from your global classmates, who will become your global business partners of tomorrow.
Average age: 31 Average work experience: 7 years Male/Female ratio: 69%/31%
Birthplace or work experience of current and former Global MBA students: Belgium, China, Egypt, Guatemala,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and Venezuela.
Major employers of current and former Global MBA students: Bank of America, Boeing Company, Celerant
Consulting, Dow Chemical Company, GE Consumer & Industrial, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman Sachs, Honeywell
International, Intel Corporation, Microsoft, Nihon Michelin Tire Company, Raytheon and Visa Inc.
Thunderbird Mission Statement
Thunderbird educates global leaders who create
sustainable prosperity worldwide.
“When I started working with people speaking different languages, I knew then that I wanted to travel
the world and work for an international company. Earning a Thunderbird MBA will contribute to that
dream. Other schools are desperately trying to catch up with the globalization aspect of their program,
but Thunderbird is already there, living it. Thunderbird’s on-site global visits and classroom content are
formidable strengths.”
Ekaterina Walter
Global MBA On-Demand ’08
Manager, Worldwide Channel Mobile Demand Creation
Intel Corp.
Ekaterina Walter, Island of Crete, Greece, on personal travel
Thunderbird meets the needs of working
professionals like you, wherever you’re located.
Program Format
Thunderbird’s Global MBA On-Demand program brings you a world-class global business education through
its blended online format over 19 or 28 months. This allows working professionals to engage in coursework
through a virtual format, no matter where they are located. Professionals also have the opportunity to par-
ticipate in on-site learning experiences. The Global MBA curriculum features 46.5 academic credit hours of
coursework in the fundamentals of world business, international studies and both English and cross-cultural
business communication.
Not your typical online degree program, Thunderbird’s On-Demand program offers a blended
curriculum. Consider the following:
• 75% of the program curriculum takes place in a virtual setting through recorded lectures, occasional
live Webcasts and discussion boards. You’ll have consistent access to professors and colleagues in a
collaborative learning setting.
• 25% of the curriculum takes place through study abroad seminars in locations like Asia, Europe, Latin
America and the USA, where you’ll meet your classmates and work together to explore the local business
market and its challenges.
How are virtual courses delivered?
Thunderbird’s On-Demand program uses technology to implement
much of its teaching. This delivery model alone is a benefit to students.
Working across time zones and borders with members of your group
helps teach the useful skill set of working through communication and
cross-cultural barriers. It’s the same way you would work during a typical
business day — but with a global perspective.
Thunderbird implements the following technology in its program:
• Videos and Webcasts of course presentations delivered by
Thunderbird’s world-renowned faculty.
• Discussion boards that Thunderbird Global MBA On-Demand
students use to communicate with each other.
• Real-time “chat sessions” where students and professors can
hold online conversations with one or many people at a time.
What type of on-site learning does Thunderbird offer?
Thunderbird’s Global MBA On-Demand program offers truly global on-site experiences, including one-week
study abroad seminars in cities like Geneva, Switzerland; Prague, Czech Republic; Beijing and Shanghai, China;
Santiago, Chile; and on Thunderbird’s main campus in Glendale, Arizona.
During these modules, On-Demand students participate in lectures and presentations on subjects like the
European Union, Chile’s free trade agreements and Southeast Asia’s cultural traditions. They visit organizations
and companies like Microsoft-China, Nestle, the United Nations and the European Free Trade Associations.
They take cultural trips to historical and local sites like Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China and more.
What students are saying about their on-site learning experiences:
Asia – Beijing:
“Very good balance between classroom learning and a chance to explore China on an individual basis by just
going out and trying things out.”
“I thought the inclusion of cultural activities and guest speakers was very instrumental. I felt like this really helped
me learn the underlying subtleties of doing business in Asia that you don’t get from learning it ‘on paper.’”
Latin America – Santiago:
“Very detailed experience. I learned a lot more about South America than I expected.”
“Provided an in-depth look at the Latin American business environment. Prof. Nelson is an exceptional instructor.”
“Amazing guest speakers, great cultural experience. Dr. Nelson was the highlight of the program.”
Europe – Geneva:
“Held at the heart of Europe. Great to be able to visit international bodies like the WTO. Professor Babarinde’s
extensive experience in the region was invaluable.”
“Three things I loved were spending time on the ground meeting Genovians, experiencing Swiss culture, and
my weeklong crash course in French.”
The Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Photo courtesy of Josh Allen, Class of 2008
Sample 19-Month Global MBA On-Demand
Academic Calendar
Orientation and Term 1
• Global Business Leadership • Global Political Economy
for the 21st Century (Orientation) • Fundamentals of Accounting
• Business and Managerial • Financial Accounting
Communications
Term 2
• Data Analysis • Competing Through People
• Finance Fundamentals • Regional Business Environment*
• Competitive Strategy
Term 3
• Financial Management • Global Marketing
• Global Financial Management • Regional Business Environment*
Term 4
• Managerial Decision Making • Global Economics
• Global Operations Management • Cross-Cultural Communication
• Global Enterprise • Regional Business Environment*
Term 5 and Graduation
• Global Leadership • Global Management for the
• Global Strategy 21st Century (Capstone)
• Global Negotiations
Sample of the one-week Regional Business Environments:
Europe: Geneva, Switzerland (October); Prague, Czech Republic (June)
Asia: Shanghai, China (October); Beijing, China (June)
Latin America: Santiago, Chile (February)
*Students must take at least two Regional Business Environment (RBE) courses from different regions. Actual RBE locations
will be published in the Academic Calendar on Thunderbird’s Web site at www.thunderbird.edu. RBE openings are offered
on a space-available basis. Thunderbird reserves the right to change dates and/or locations prior to enrollment.
“Thunderbird’s Business Com-
munications and Global Political
Economy classes have helped me
enormously in my job with Visa.
One of the greatest take-aways
from all of my classes has been the
coordination of the group—set-
ting up conference calls, sending
the project back and forth and us-
ing chat and e-mail to build one
comprehensive answer. It was very
challenging. However, today’s
cross-border and remote teams
have to learn how to effectively
communicate using such technol-
ogy.
And the Web-based format of the
On-Demand program further
facilitates that learning.”
Thomas Pageler
Global MBA On-Demand ’08
Director, Emerging Risk
Visa, USA
Regional Business Environment Cultural Excursion, Annecy, France
Consider the unmatched benefits
of a Thunderbird education.
Exciting opportunities await you as a Thunderbird Global MBA
On-Demand student. Along with the program flexibility you are
afforded and the global focus of the curriculum of Thunderbird’s
unique distance learning program, there are other reasons students
choose Thunderbird.
Professor Femi Babarinde, Ph.D., and From our reputation as the #1-ranked school in global business
Alsherif Wahdan, Class of 2008, at education to more than 600 local and international companies
Nestle Headquarters, Switzerland
recruiting Thunderbird students annually, being a T-bird sets
you apart from graduates of other programs. You’ll have unique
“I don’t have to wait for graduation experiences and benefit from the following:
to start applying my learning. As
a result of the curriculum – 75 per- At Thunderbird, you’ll learn from world-renowned faculty recog-
cent virtual and 25 percent on-site nized as consultants and groundbreaking researchers with global
– I’m able to continue working best business practices and innovative teaching methods. You’ll
full-time. In fact, I apply what also learn from classmates the world over who have varied work
and cultural experiences. Both help facilitate new ways of thinking
I’ve learned the next day if it is
and applying knowledge.
applicable. My Regional Business
Environment class in Switzerland
gave me the chance to visit execu-
tives at Nestle in the city of Vevey.
It was a fantastic opportunity that
gave me firsthand experience at
knowing if the things I’m learn-
ing
are actually factual and can be
implemented in the real world. Then
I can provide immediate feedback to
professors and have class discussions
about it. It is very rewarding.”
Alsherif Wahdan
Global-MBA students working in the Thunderbird International Business Infor-
Global MBA On-Demand ’08 mation Centre, Arizona, USA
Manager, Real Estate Finance
Concord International Investments
Egypt
Geneva, Switzerland, location of Regional Business Environment Seminar
World-renowned faculty
Thunderbird faculty are global thought leaders recognized for their extensive professional expertise. Having
worked and lived internationally, they incorporate that experience and multicultural approach into their teaching.
Our faculty who have consulted with and researched organizations and companies around the world have a way
of making their real-life experiences come alive in class.
“The On-Demand program at Thunderbird affords students the opportu-
nity to participate in hands-on learning opportunities around the world.
Hands-on learning is always powerful, and that is no exception in this
program. My interest and experience working with nearly a dozen Latin
American countries help me bring my knowledge to students and provide
timely, real-world discussions within the classroom – whether that classroom
is virtual or in person.”
Roy Nelson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of International Studies
Global MBA On-Demand students visit the Lake of the Incas, Portillo, Chile
An immediate global return on investment.
On-Demand students find an immediate return on their investment. As working professionals, students are
enthusiastic when they discover they can implement what they learn in class one day to their job the next.
This is an incomparable way to experience, firsthand, the immediate impact the program offers.
Access to Thunderbird’s Career Management Center.
As a T-bird, you’ll have complete access to Thunderbird’s Career Management Center, where you can learn to
perfect your interviewing, networking, and resume writing skills. You can also attend career fairs and meet with
visiting companies eager to recruit T-birds.
Thunderbird graduates are sought after by international companies such as Accenture, Capital One, Cisco
Systems, Deloitte Consulting, FMC Technologies, Ford Motor Company, Hilti, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and
Unilever. In addition, Thunderbird graduates have been recruited and hired by government agencies such as
the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of State.
An elite worldwide alumni network.
Thunderbird’s alumni network is made up of more than 38,000 people in 141 countries around the world. You
will have the opportunity to connect with successful alumni who work in a variety of businesses and functional
areas. You can also network and socialize with Thunderbird alumni in your local area by attending a First Tuesday
event, monthly gatherings that are a long-standing tradition of Thunderbird alumni chapters worldwide.
Are you ready for global business
success…today?
Take the first step toward advancing your global business career
with a Global MBA from Thunderbird. The online Global MBA On-
Demand distance learning program from the world’s leader in
global business education develops working professionals for
success.
The time to increase your opportunities for professional and
“The beauty of the On-Demand personal success is now. Classes begin in September and January.
program was revealed by the For more information visit globalmba.thunderbird.edu or call
immediate on-the-job application (877) 398-3056.
of material I learned in class,
and the process of applied learning
enhanced my retention. Even
today I am applying nego-
tiation and cross-cultural com-
munication skills I learned at
Thunderbird in many situations
working with peers around the
globe.
The time spent soaking in the
knowledge at Thunderbird
should continue for the rest of
your life. The ability to build Thunderbird Welcome Wall, Arizona, USA
alignment and consensus across
cultures is a skill needed every-
where – within global business
and within global diplomacy.”
Rich Schoener ’07
Director, Market Research
Hilti North America
USA
Diego Mora and Richard Seagraves, Class of 2007 Graduation
Rankings and Accreditations
Thunderbird’s Global MBA On-Demand has been named one of the top
online programs by the Economist Intelligence Unit. This ranking placed
Thunderbird’s On-Demand program #7 overall, #4 for program content and #5 for
quality of students. Thunderbird was one of only two U.S. schools to make the list.
“Distance learning MBAs are becoming an increasingly important sector of business
education, allowing students from around the world to earn degrees from top-quality
schools without having to change jobs or move abroad.” Economist Intelligence Unit
#1 - “International Business” Full-time MBA – The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive
2007 Survey of Corporate Recruiters (7th consecutive #1 ranking)
#1 - “International” Full-time MBA – U.S. News & World Report 2009
(13th consecutive #1 ranking)
#1 - “Best in International Business” Full-time MBA – Financial Times 2008
#7 - “Distance Learning MBA” Economist Intelligence Unit 2008
Your Thunderbird education is recognized worldwide. As an accredited
institution respected around the world, you’re assured a quality educational experience
and a competitive edge in your international business career.
Accredited by:
NCA - North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
(the primary accrediting agency granting institutional accreditation in its region of the United States)
AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
(the accrediting association for schools of business)
Cover photo:
“The Continents” Sculpture, donated by the Class of 1960. Thunderbird campus, Arizona, USA
For additional information or to begin your application online,
visit us at globalmba.thunderbird.edu.
e-mail admissions@globalmba.thunderbird.edu
phone (877) 398-3056
The Global MBA On-Demand Program
Thunderbird School of Global Management
1 Global Place, Glendale, Arizona 85306-6000 USA
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