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 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 |
Month | Date | Event |
July 2023 | 10 - 21 | Business, Communications, and Culture Program [optional, unless required by Admissions] |
14 | Business Computer Applications course opens, Online Modules [mandatory], first day of classes | |
17 - 21 | Math Review Course [optional, unless required by admissions] | |
23 - 28 | Health Sector Management (HSM) Boot Camp [required for HSM Certificate] | |
31 | CEI Innovator's Spark [optional] | |
August 2023 | 1 | International Students Welcome Day |
2 - 4 | First Year MBA Student (Class of 2025) Orientation | |
7 | First Day of Classes for First-Year Daytime MBA Students | |
7 - 29 | First Year Daytime MBA Student Classes [no classes on weekends] | |
30 - 31 | Class of 2024 C-Lead Course | |
Aug - Sept 2023 | 30 - 1 | First Year Daytime Student Exams |
September 2023 |
5 |
Pre-Term Accounting Review [optional] |
5 - 6 |
Career Management Center Programming | |
7 | FALL 1 SESSION BEGINS | |
October 2023 | 17 | Fall 1 Session Ends |
19 - 21 | Fall 1 Exams | |
22 - 29 | FALL BREAK | |
30 | FALL 2 SESSION BEGINS | |
November 2023 | 22 - 24 | THANKSGIVING BREAK |
December 2023 | 12 | Fall 2 Session Ends |
14 - 16 | Fall 2 Exams | |
17 | WINTER BREAK BEGINS | |
January 2024 | 8 - 12 | Managerial Improvisation Course (optional Winter Term) |
18 | SPRING 1 SESSION BEGINS | |
February 2024 | 27 | Spring 1 Session Ends |
Feb - March 2024 | 29 - 2 | Spring 1 Exams |
3 - 17 | SPRING BREAK | |
18 | SPRING 2 SESSION BEGINS | |
April 2024 | 26 | Spring 2 Session Ends |
Apr - May 2024 | 29 - 1 | Spring 2 Exams |
11 | Class of 2024 Daytime MBA Commencement Ceremony | |
12 | Class of 2024 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony |