Graduate Business Services

Thunderbird Dual Degree Program

MBA students may greatly enhance their international skills by participating in the dual degree program with Thunderbird University. Under this program you may earn both an MBA (UT Arlington) and the Master of International Management (Thunderbird) degrees. This program normally allows the student to apply 12 hours of advanced coursework and all core requirements towards both programs.** Students wishing to participate may obtain detailed information about the program by attending the Forum for Graduate Business Programs.

Procedures for Dual Degree Program with Thunderbird

Part I: Admissions and Program of Work

1. Step One: Gain admission to the UT Arlington MBA program.
2. Step Two: Apply to Thunderbird and Dual Degree Acceptance Form
3. Step Three: Prepare and gain advisor’s approval for MBA GMAP (use suggested waiver list).
4. Step Four: Submit to Thunderbird Admissions a copy of the MBA GMAP and Thunderbird’s Waiver and Academic Planning Sheet to obtain waiver approval.
5. Step Five: Student reads and signs UT Arlington statement of understanding.

Part II: Transition and Approval of Transfer Courses

1. Step One: When student has only 12 semester hours remaining they may transition to Thunderbird. The student must notify the Graduate Business Services Office of their impending transition to Thunderbird and obtain a copy of the Transfer Credit Approval form used to gain approval for their transfer credits. The student will also complete a Leave of Absence Request at this time.
2. Step Two: After determining their program of work at Thunderbird, the student should prepare the Transfer Credit Approval form and forward it to the Director of MBA Programs at UT Arlington. Students are asked to attach to the form copies of syllabi for each course being transferred.

Part III: Graduation from UT Arlington

1. Step One: After the student has successfully completed all transfer work at Thunderbird they should submit the official Thunderbird transcript reflecting grades for those transfer courses to the UT Arlington Graduate School. These courses (totaling 12 semester hours) normally include WB 4464 & 4468 (1.5 hours each) and three electives (3 hrs) that follow the MBA rules of concentration/specialty**.
2. Step Two: The student should request in writing that the Graduate Business Services Office prepare a final GMAP containing the transfer work and mail it, along with the required application for graduation. These forms must be completed and returned to the Director of the MBA Programs no later than the semester preceding their last semester at Thunderbird.
3. Step Three: The student must enroll in a one semester hour credit course (MANA 5182) at UT Arlington for the purpose of qualifying for MBA graduation during their final semester at Thunderbird. Each student will be required to complete a quality 5-7 page paper on the benefits of the dual degree program and how it can be improved.
4. Step Four: The Graduation at Thunderbird will recognize the dual degree earned at UT Arlington. The student may also participate in the UT Arlington graduation ceremony during their last semester or the following semester.

**Students having a 30 Semester hour advanced program may transfer up to 6 semester hours from Thunderbird: Students having a 33 semester hour advanced program may transfer up to 9 semester hours from Thunderbird.