Gain the skills to take the lead

The structure of the Master of Management Studies program is designed to ground you in each of the functional areas of business, while helping you explore different industries or opportunities you may want to pursue. Here, you’ll find classes and experiences that help you take initiative, push your limits, and develop the skills you’ll need to launch a career you love.

Getting started

The 10-month format is a jump start on your future. In mid-July your program starts in Durham, NC with a launch experience and set of workshops that prepare you for the curriculum. It’s an exhilarating introduction to the international peer group you’ll be working closely with—in your section, and on your learning team. 

The rest of your program is organized into five 6-week terms. In less than a year, you’ll be ready to start your career in finance, marketing, consulting, or general management.

Our Faculty

All Fuqua degree programs are taught by the same world-renowned faculty, scholars recognized for excellence in both teaching and research. The classes they teach are academically challenging and relevant to business today. Despite world-class credentials, your professors are highly accessible—with an open door policy, they’re often happy to continue a classroom debate over coffee or lunch.

Team-Based Learning

What sets Fuqua apart is the way we structure our programs—as learning teams. You’ll collaborate on coursework and projects with a team of 4–6 students hand-picked to ensure you learn from people with different backgrounds. Replicating a corporate environment, you’ll learn as much from your team experience as you do from your courses—gaining an understanding of the ways drawing strength from others leads to better results.

Over five terms you’ll complete 15 courses: six in accounting, economics, and finance; two in analytics and critical thinking; two in communication and leadership; and five in markets, strategy, and management. You’ll take multiple subjects each term, with each class meeting twice a week for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Here is a sample structure:

Orientation and Workshops (3 days)
Summer Term (6 weeks)
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • Business Communication I
  • Quantitative Business Analysis
Fall Term 1 (6 weeks)
  • Introduction to Marketing Analysis
  • Foundations of Corporate Finance
  • Fundamentals of Business Economics
Fall Term 2 (6 weeks)
  • Foundations of Capital Markets
  • Business Communication II
  • Principles of Strategy
Spring Term 1 (6 weeks)
  • Spreadsheet Modeling and Decision Analysis
  • Fundamentals of Market Intelligence
  • Principles of Cost and Managerial Accounting
Spring Term 2 (6 weeks)
  • Foundations of Management and Organizations
  • Fundamentals of Financial Analysis
  • Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management

Print Calendar

Month Date Event
July 2024 8-11 Business, Communication, and Culture (as required by Admissions)
  9 CMC Career Day (optional)
  11 Student Athlete Orientation (as required)
  12 Orientation (mandatory for all students)
  15 Summer Term classes begin
August 2024 23 Summer Term classed end
  26-28 Summer Term EXAM PERIOD
September 2024 5 Fall 1 classes begin
October 2024 15 Fall 1 classes end
  17-19 Fall 1 exams
  20-27 FALL BREAK
  28 Fall 2 classes begin
November 2024 27-29 THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 2024 10 Fall 2 classes end
  12-14 Fall 2 exams
  15 WINTER BREAK BEGINS
January 2025 15 Team Changeover (mandatory for all students)
  16 Spring 1 classes begin
  20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes)
  21 M/Th classes held on Tuesday
  22 T/Fr classes held on Wednesday
February 2025 25 Spring 1 classes end
February-March 2025 27-1 Spring 1 exams
March 2025 2-16 SPRING BREAK
  17 Spring 2 classes begin
April 2025 25 Spring 2 classes end
  28-30 Spring 2 exams
May 2025 9 Class of 2025 MMS Commencement Ceremony
  11 Class of 2025 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony

Calendar subject to change.

Print Calendar

Month Date Event
July 2025 7-10 Business, Communication, and Culture (as required by Admissions)
  10 CMC Career Day (optional)
  11 Orientation (mandatory for all students)
  14 Summer Term classes begin
August 2025 22 Summer Term classes end
  25-27 Summer Term EXAM PERIOD
September 2025 4 Fall 1 classes begin
October 2025 14 Fall 1 classes end
  16-18 Fall 1 exams
  19-26 FALL BREAK
  27 Fall 2 classes begin
November 2025 26-28 THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 2025 9 Fall 2 classes end
  11-13 Fall 2 exams
  14 WINTER BREAK BEGINS
January 2026 15 Spring 1 classes begin
  19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes)
  20 M/Th classes held on Tuesday
  21 T/Fr classes held on Wednesday
February 2026 24 Spring 1 classes end
  26-28 Spring 1 exams
March 2026 1-15 SPRING BREAK
April 2026 24 Spring 2 classes end
  27-29 Spring 2 exams
May 2026 8 Class of 2026 MMS Commencement Ceremony
  10 Class of 2026 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony

Calendar subject to change.

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MMS: FOB Quick Facts

Start Date: July 2025
Duration: 10 months
Location: Durham, N.C.
Style: Cohort-based
Curriculum: Business fundamentals
Format: Full-time 

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Top Tip

We're a STEM-designated Program!

International students whose jobs meet certain requirements may have a total of up to 36 months to gain work experience in the U.S.

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What a Day at Fuqua Looks Like

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MMS: Foundations of Business

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