Our Faculty
All of our degree programs are taught by Fuqua’s top-ranked faculty, who are recognized for excellence in teaching and industry-shaping research. The courses they teach are academically challenging and relevant to the business world today. Despite world-class credentials, our faculty is highly accessible—they emphasize an open-door policy that encourages both collaboration with students and interdisciplinary thinking. Often, these teachers become your mentors for life.
Our Teaching Methods
Fuqua’s professors use lectures, case studies, strategic games, simulations, visiting executives, and their own research to create a dynamic learning experience that pushes you to think and work in new and different ways. The result? You get a deep and broad understanding of current business topics.
Making Theory Real
1. Case Studies
Case studies are real examples of corporate challenges that give you the opportunity to put theory to work. You gain industry knowledge and an appreciation for the management, operations, and leadership challenges that companies face every day.
2. Strategic Games
We've all played games before, but in an MBA classroom, they take on a whole new meaning. Fuqua teaches you to recognize patterns and understand the basic nature of games. You’ll learn to identify those that are happening around you and that you’re part of, so you can see the big picture, your options, and possible outcomes.
3. Realistic Simulations
The use of sophisticated business simulation teaches you how to run a company in a realistic business environment. You’ll get hands-on experience that goes way beyond what you’d learn in a textbook.
4. Research Centers
Our research centers are vital links between academic inquiry and real-world business. They create insights, dialogue, and curricula that change the course of business and enrich the Duke MBA student experience. Each research center draws on faculty from across Fuqua's academic areas, experienced practitioners, and students to address current business problems.
In the first year, students complete approximately 14 core courses and choose four or more electives.
- Orientation (3 days)
- Summer (4 weeks)
- Core classes (3)
- Fall 1 (6 weeks)
- Core classes (5)
- Fall 2 (6 weeks)
- Core classes (4)
- Winter
- Optional elective workshop in Managerial Improvisation
- Spring 1 (6 weeks)
- Core class (1)
- Electives (2)
- Spring 2 (6 weeks)
- Core class (1)
- Electives (2)
In the second year, students take electives (typically three per term) that allow them to tailor their course of study to meet their educational and career objectives.
- Re-orientation and Consequential Leadership II (4 days)
- Fall 1 (6 weeks)
- Electives (3)
- Fall 2 (6 weeks)
- Electives (3)
- Spring 1 (6 weeks)
- Electives (3)
- Spring 2 (6 weeks)
- Electives (3)
Month | Date | Event |
July 2021 | 5 - 16 | Business, Communications, and Culture Program [optional, unless required by Admissions] |
12 - 16 | Math Review Course [optional, unless required by admissions] | |
15 | Business Computer Applications course opens, Online Modules [mandatory], first day of classes | |
17 | CEI Innovator's Spark [optional] | |
18 - 23 | Health Sector Management (HSM) Boot Camp [required for HSM Certificate] | |
27 | International Student Welcome Day | |
28 - 30 | First Year Daytime MBA and Accelerated Daytime MBA Orientation[mandatory] | |
August 2021 | 2 | First Day of Classes for First Year MBA and Accelerated Daytime MBA Students |
2 - 23 |
First Year MBA and Accelerated Daytime MBA Student Classes | |
14 | Day in Durham [optional] | |
24 | First day of classes for Second Year Students [virtual, mandatory] | |
24 - 27 | First Year and Accelerated MBA exams and deliverables | |
27 - 28 | Pre-Term Accounting Review [optional] | |
31 | CMC Overviews [optional] | |
August - September 2021 | 31 - 1 | Class of 2022 Second Year Re-Orientation & C-LEAD programming [in-person, mandatory] |
September 2021 | 1 | CMC Overviews [optional] |
2 | Fall Term 1 classes begin | |
22 | Class of 2022 Second Year C-LEAD programming [in-person, mandatory] | |
October 2021 | 12 | Fall Term 1 classes end |
14 - 16 | Fall Term 1 exams | |
17 - 24 | FALL BREAK | |
25 | Fall Term 2 classes begin | |
November 2021 | 24 - 26 | THANKSGIVING BREAK |
December 2021 | 7 | Fall Term 2 classes end |
9 - 11 | Fall Term 2 exams | |
12 | WINTER BREAK BEGINS | |
January 2022 | 4 - 7 | Managerial Improvisation Course [optional Winter Term] |
13 | Spring Term 1 classes begin | |
17 | Martin Luther King Holiday [no classes] | |
18 | M/TH classes held on Tuesday | |
19 | T/FR classes held on Wednesday | |
February 2022 | 22 | Spring Term 1 classes end |
24-26 | Spring Term 1 exams | |
February - March 2022 | 27 - 13 | SPRING BREAK |
March 2022 | 14 | Spring Term 2 classes begin |
April 2022 | 22 | Spring Term 2 classes end |
25 - 27 | Spring Term 2 exams | |
May 2022 | 7 | Class of 2022 Daytime MBA and Accelerated MBA Commencement Ceremony |
8 | Class of 2022 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony |
Month | Date | Event |
July 2022 | 11 - 22 | Business, Communications, and Culture Program [optional, unless required by Admissions] |
15 | Business Computer Applications course opens, Online Modules [mandatory], first day of classes | |
18 - 22 | Math Review Course [optional, unless required by admissions] | |
24 - 29 | Health Sector Management (HSM) Boot Camp [required for HSM Certificate] | |
August 2022 | 1 | CEI Innovator's Spark [optional] |
2 | International Students Welcome Day | |
3 - 5 | First Year MBA Student (Class of 2024) Orientation | |
8 | First Day of Classes for First-Year Daytime MBA Students | |
8 - 30 | First Year Daytime MBA Student Classes [no classes on weekends] | |
Aug - Sept 2022 | 30 - 1 | Class of 2023 C-Lead Course |
30 - 1 | First Year Daytime Student Exams | |
September 2022 |
2 - 3 |
Pre-Term Accounting Review [optional] |
6 - 7 |
Career Management Center Programming | |
8 | FALL 1 SESSION BEGINS | |
October 2022 | 18 | Fall 1 Session Ends |
20 - 22 | Fall 1 Exams | |
23 - 30 | FALL BREAK | |
31 | FALL 2 SESSION BEGINS | |
November 2022 | 23 - 25 | THANKSGIVING BREAK |
December 2022 | 13 | Fall 2 Session Ends |
15 - 17 | Fall 2 Exams | |
18 | WINTER BREAK BEGINS | |
January 2023 | 9 - 13 | Managerial Improvisation Course (optional Winter Term) |
19 | SPRING 1 SESSION BEGINS | |
February 2023 | 28 | Spring 1 Session Ends |
March 2023 | 2 - 4 | Spring 1 Exams |
5 - 19 | SPRING BREAK | |
20 | SPRING 2 SESSION BEGINS | |
April 2023 | 28 | Spring 2 Session Ends |
May 2023 | 1 - 3 | Spring 2 Exams |
13 | Class of 2023 Daytime MBA Commencement Ceremony | |
14 | Class of 2023 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony |