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Gain insight into other cultures through the window of language.

Language Requirements

As a professional who may work in many different cultures where different languages are spoken, you must achieve second language proficiency by the time you complete your degree. However, a second language is NOT an admission requirement.

Learn more about Thunderbird Language and Culture Programs »

How to Meet Language Requirements

Second language proficiency is required for all students as a graduation requirement. To meet this you may:

  • Enter the program, already having achieved the required standard by speaking a second language. An oral proficiency interview (OPI) determines language level.
  • RECOMMENDED FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE & MASTER OF ARTS STUDENTS: Enroll in a Thunderbird Intensive Summer Language Program Abroad and complete your 6 credits of language the summer prior to beginning your degree studies. 
  • Gain proficiency through off-site or third-party language programs. OPI is required.
  • Successfully complete six credits of Thunderbird language courses during your degree program. No OPI is required. *Please note that language classes might be offered in the day time or on Saturdays. For MS & MA students, these classes cannot take the place of your "electives."  
  • Enroll in a Thunderbird Intensive Language Program.
  • Submit the Foreign Service Insitute, or Peace Corps language certificate dated within 12 months of starting a degree program at Thunderbird. The scores must be equivalent to Thunderbird's requirement.

Thunderbird Language Courses

If you have not met your language requirement prior to starting your degree program, you may select from these language options offered at Thunderbird:

Elective courses: You may take Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Summer Language Abroad: Mandarin Chinese and Spanish are offered in intensive, six-hour-a-day, two-week sessions on campus and six-week sessions abroad during the summer.

Advanced Chinese or Spanish: Advanced instruction in Chinese and Spanish are available each trimester.

Winterim: Take a Winterim abroad for 3 hours of your Spanish requirement.

Testing Requirements for Native English Speakers

The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).

An OPI rating of intermediate high (Group 1) or intermediate low (Group 2), depending on the language satisifies the language graduation requirement. (Please visit the LTI website for additional languages.)

Languages
Group 1
Group 2
Dutch Arabic Polish
French Cantonese Russian
German Croatian Serbian
Indonesian Czech Slovak
Italian Hebrew Thai
Portuguese Japanese Turkish
Spanish Korean  
Swedish Mandarin  

Testing Requirements for Non-Native English Speakers

To succeed in Thunderbird's program, which is taught in English, non-native speakers must exhibit proficiency in English by meeting admission requirements. You must meet the English language proficiency requirement before you begin the program.

Non-native speakers of English satisfy the admission requirements in the following ways:

  1. Score a 250 or higher on the TOEFL computer-based exam (621 on the paper-based exam, 100 on the Internet-based exam) and 26 or higher on the GMAT verbal.
  2. Successfully complete the Pre-MBA/Master's Intensive English Program, if directed by the Office of Admissions. Students who must complete the Pre-MBA/Master's Intensive English Program are those with scores of 213-249 on the TOEFL.
  3. Complete the two-week English Boot Camp program. Students must complete this course if their TOEFL score is 250-260 and their GMAT verbal score is 25 or lower. The two-week English Boot Camp program is also highly recommended for students scoring between 250 and 267 on the TOEFL, with a GMAT verbal between 26 and 30.
  4. No OPI test is required for non-native speakers of English.