Printed from The Fuqua School of Business Executive MBA web site
Duke University, Durham, NC
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The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions
What is the GMAT score range?
I currently own my own business. Am I eligible for your program, as a self-sponsored student?
I noticed an on-line application feature for the Weekend Executive program. Can all or part of the application requirements be submitted via on-line or is a paper-based application required?
What “type” of student are you looking for?
How closely do you look at undergraduate transcripts?
How do you assess my quantitative skills in the admissions decision process? Is there help available prior to the start of the program?
Is an interview required?
What type of experience or education is required for admission to the Health Sector Management concentration?
Academic
Which of the three Duke Executive MBA programs, Weekend Executive, Global Executive or Cross Continent are used in the Financial Times and BusinessWeek EMBA rankings?
Is The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive degree the same as the other Duke MBA programs?
What electives are offered through this program?
How accessible are the faculty between weekend sessions?
Can group or individual projects be done that are directly related to the sponsoring company?
Does the Weekend Executive Health Sector Management program replace the normal Weekend Executive program?
Are there any international study opportunities through the Weekend Executive program?
Can I speak with a current student or alumnus to hear first-hand about the Weekend Executive program?
Technology
Will I be required to have a laptop or any special software?
How good/reliable does my Internet access have to be?
How technologically savvy do I need to be to succeed in the Weekend Executive program?
Financial
Do I have to have corporate sponsorship to be admitted to The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive?
How do I go about getting corporate financial support?
What if I don’t receive corporate financial support? What are my options?
How will I be billed for the program fees and do you offer special payment plans?
What is NOT included in the tuition of $102,900?
Admissions
Q1. What is the GMAT score range?
A1. The GMAT score range is 550-722. This is the middle 80%
Q2. I currently own my own business. Am I eligible for your program, as a self-sponsored student?
A2. As long as you are working, you are eligible for the program. Students participating in the Weekend Executive program must be employed on a full-time basis.
Q3. I noticed an on-line application feature for the Weekend Executive program. Can all or part of the application requirements be submitted via on-line or is a paper-based application required?
A3. We only accept online applications via ApplyYourself, our online application system. ApplyYourself charges a service fee of $175 to use the web-based application.
Q4. What “type” of student are you looking for?
A4. Applicants to The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive program should have:
  • Minimum five years of professional work experience
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Business managers wanting to fine tune cross-functional expertise
  • Desire to strengthen essential leadership skills required tomaintain a competitive edge in today’s business environment
Q5. How closely do you look at undergraduate transcripts?
A5. We look quite closely at undergraduate transcripts, for both performance and for quantitative coursework. Applicable quantitative coursework includes Calculus, Macro and Micro Economics, Statistics and Intro to Accounting.
Q6. How do you assess my quantitative skills in the admissions decision process? Is there help available prior to the start of the program?
A6. The admissions committee will look closely at your performance at the undergraduate level and in any graduate work you have done, particularly quantitative courses. Also, the committee will consider your career history and the types of quantitative work that you were exposed to. Should there be a question about your quantitative skills, you will be asked to complete a diagnostic test comprised of various quantitative problems. Once this is completed, a faculty member, who is also on the admissions committee, will assess your skills. If review work is necessary, specific recommendations will be made.
Q7. Is an interview required?
A7. Yes. An interview can be conducted in a variety of ways. The applicant can come to the Duke campus, conduct the interview via telephone or videoconference or schedule an interview with a Fuqua representative during a visit to your region.
Q8. What type of experience or education is required for admission to the Health Sector Management concentration?
A8. HSM candidates must meet all criteria and gain admission to Fuqua's Weekend Executive MBA Program. Students must demonstrate the experience in, and commitment to the health care industry.
Academic
Q9. Which of the three Duke Executive MBA programs, Weekend Executive, Global Executive or Cross Continent are used in the Financial Times and BusinessWeek EMBA rankings?
A9. The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive, The Duke MBA – Global Executive and The Duke MBA – Cross Continent are all considered executive MBA programs and are ranked as such.
Q10. Is The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive degree the same as the other Duke MBA programs?
A10. Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business offers 4 MBA programs, each with a different format. However, the same Duke MBA degree is awarded upon completing program requirements.
Q11. What electives are offered through this program?
A11. Weekend Executive students take six elective courses allowing students the opportunity to shape their academic experience based on their interests. Elective courses in the past have included Entrepreneurship & New Venture Management, Venture Capital, Corporate Restructuring, Customer Relationship Management, Dynamics of Bargaining, Corporate Finance and Leadership.
Q12. How accessible are the faculty between weekend sessions?
A12. Faculty members are easily accessible during the program. They offer regular office hours and monitor the bulletin boards with regularity. You can expect that, on average, faculty will respond within 24 hours.
Q13. Can group or individual projects be done that are directly related to the sponsoring company?
A13. There are several opportunities to work on issues facing your company, although it is important to note that these opportunities vary depending on the professor and the course. Regardless of the specific project, the courses are designed so that you can implement course materials in your daily work within a reasonable amount of time.
Q14. Does the Weekend Executive Health Sector Management program replace the normal Weekend Executive program?
A14. No, the Health Sector Management program is a concentration you can earn in addition to The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive degree. Students who pursue the Health Sector Management concentration still complete the full Weekend Executive program.
Q15. Are there any international study opportunities through the Weekend Executive program?
A15. Weekend Executive students have the opportunity to enhance their academic learning by participating in an elective International Management Study course. In this course, students gain hands-on experience as they travel to different countries to visit businesses, meet corporate executives and examine country-specific issues such as anti-trust and financial markets.
Q16. Can I speak with a current student or alumnus to hear first-hand about the Weekend Executive program?
A16. Yes, we will be happy to provide you with the contact information for a current Weekend Executive student or alumnus.
Technology
Q17. Will I be required to have a laptop or any special software?
A17. Every student in The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive program needs a reliable computer as well as a stable Internet Service Provider (ISP). These technology tools are essential for completing the program requirements.
Q18. How good/reliable does my Internet access have to be?
A18. Most Weekend Executive students have DSL or cable lines, which allows them faster Internet connection.
Q19. How technologically savvy do I need to be to succeed in the Weekend Executive program?
A19. Most students are familiar with word processing, e-mail and the World Wide Web, but many have not been exposed to spreadsheets, electronic bulletin boards, chat rooms, and messaging services. There is a wide range of computer skills among the Weekend Executive students, but we recommend that you have some basic skills on the computer (e.g.,Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to succeed.
Financial
Q20. Do I have to have corporate sponsorship to be admitted to The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive?
A20. There are two types of corporate support, one is support for the endeavor itself and one is financial. Your company must endorse your involvement to the program by allowing the time off necessary to attend classes every other weekend and by being flexible about the additional commitment you've made in your daily life. It is not necessary to obtain financial support. As part of the application process, you must have a written agreement from your organization stating their willingness to let you be away from the office for the required period of time. How to categorize that time off (e.g., vacation, paid time off), is a decision that is left to you and your employer.
Q21. How do I go about getting corporate financial support?
A21. Policies vary among companies in terms of how they view educational benefits. Representatives from Fuqua are available to discuss strategies for gaining corporate sponsorship within your organization. We see the Weekend Executive program as a partnership of the student, the organization, and Fuqua, so we are eager to see that you have all of the information you need to garner adequate support from your organization
Q22. What if I don’t receive corporate financial support? What are my options?
A22. Fortunately, scholarship funds from The Fuqua School of Business are available for this program but they are limited. Both merit scholarships and diversity scholarships are available for deserving candidates. Additionally, Weekend Executive students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents have the option of applying for a limited amount of federal loans. Fuqua has a financial aid office that can assist you with this process of borrowing from the U.S. Federal loan program (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/).
Q23. How will I be billed for the program fees and do you offer special payment plans?
A23. If you are admitted to The Duke MBA – Weekend Executive program, a non-refundable $2,000 deposit will be due immediately. The remaining balance will be divided into five separate installments and due prior to each term.
Q24. What is NOT included in the tuition of $102,900?
A24. Any travel to and from the weekend classes, lodging costs, if you come on Thursday nights, incidental costs (phone calls, laundry) and local Internet service provider costs are not included in the program fee.