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Master of Science

Maximize the value of your Post-MBA Masters in Global Management Degree. Take advantage of special advising available through the Thunderbird Admissions Office by using the "Contact Us" link to the right.


How to apply


Index of Contents:

1. Required Application Documentation
2. Transcripts
3. Letters of Recommendation (2)
4. TOEFL or IELTS Scores
5. Personal Essays
6. Submit Your Completed Application
7. Application Fee Payment
8. Application Review Periods


1. Required Application Documentation

To start the process, you may wish to contact the Office of Admissions to answer any questions you may have. After that, prepare and submit the following documents:

  • A completed application form (apply online).
  • Personal essays answering specific questions.
  • Test scores: TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable). GMAT is not required.
  • Reference letters: two letters, preferably from a professional colleague or supervisor.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions you attended to complete your undergraduate and graduate degrees (or equivalent). Your MBA degree must be from an AACSB accredited institution.
  • A resume: a current, chronological (uninterrupted) summary of the period between completing your undergraduate degree and now. Include your professional experience, accomplishments and education.

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2. Transcripts

Your undergraduate transcript should show that a degree was awarded to you after completing four (or more) years of university study. If your degree was completed in fewer than four years of undergraduate study, clarify your situation with the Admissions Office before applying.

Your graduate transcript should show that an MBA degree was awarded from an AACSB accredited school.

  • A transcript from every college or university you attended must be sent directly to Thunderbird.
  • Each transcript must list the courses you took, grades received and, if applicable, the date and title of the degree you received.
  • Each transcript must carry the official seal or imprint of the institution.
  • Applicants with education credentials from outside the U.S. must submit all documents in both the original language and a certified English translation.

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3. Letters of Recommendation (2)

  • Each letter must come directly from the person who recommends you to Thunderbird.
  • Recommendations must be from your current or previous supervisor and accurately comment on your management and leadership ability. If it's not possible to obtain a letter from a past or current supervisor, please explain why.
  • Recommendations from sources not qualified to evaluate you on a professional basis are not acceptable.
  • Letters of recommendation aren't considered part of a matriculated student's permanent record and are not accessible or subject to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

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4. TOEFL or IELTS Scores

If you are not a U.S. citizen/resident, you must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of your application packet. The only exceptions are:

  • English is the legal native language of your country or citizenship.
  • You completed an undergraduate degree at a school where the instructional language was English, in a country where English is the native language.

Thunderbird courses require excellent English language abilities in reading, writing and speaking proficiency.

Applicants whose native language is not English and who did not receive the qualifying degree in a country where English is the native language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS).

Non-native English speakers can satisfy the Post MBA program English requirement be receiving a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (internet-based). For the IETLS, you must receive a score of 8.0 or higher. TOEFL scores are valid for two years, and must be sent directly to Thunderbird (Code 4003) by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

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5. Personal Essays

You are required to write personal essays. Your admissions packet provides questions you should answer and explains how to present information about yourself. Please limit your essays to 2,000 words each. Topics are located on the application.

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6. Submit Your Completed Application

You can submit your completed application form online (apply online).

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7. Application Fee Payment

Your non-refundable, non-waivable $125.00 application fee may be paid by credit card online with your application, or by check, money order, a cashiers check, (in the U.S.) payable to Thunderbird School of Global Management.

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8. Application Review Periods

You are encouraged to submit applications within the review period for each trimester. Once your completed application is received, it is presented to the Executive Admissions Committee. Decisions take four to six weeks and official decisions are e-mailed to you.

If you receive a letter of acceptance, you should submit your tuition deposit as soon as possible to reserve your space. Admission is granted for the designated term only. Admission deferrals are discouraged. A non-refundable deposit is required on the rare chance that a deferral is granted.

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