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
    Month Date Event
    July 2022 7-13 Math Review (optional, unless required by admissions) Exact schedule communicated in spring 2022.
      11-14 Business, Communication, and Culture (as required by admissions)
      13 CMC Career Day (optional)
      15 Orientation (mandatory for all students)
      17 Accounting Review (optional)
      18 Summer Term classes begin
    August 2022 26 Summer Term classed end
      29-31 Summer Term exam period
    September 2022 8 Fall Term 1 classes begin
    October 2022 18 Fall Term 1 classes end
      20-22 Fall Term 1 exams
      23-30 FALL BREAK
      31 Fall Term 2 classes begin
    November 2022 23-25 THANKSGIVING BREAK
    December 2022 13 Fall Term 2 classes end
      15-17 Fall Term 2 exams
      18 WINTER BREAK BEGINS
    January 2023 18 Team Changeover (mandatory for all students)
      19 Spring Term 1 classes begin
    February 2023 28 Spring Term 1 classes end
    March 2023 2-4 Spring Term 1 exams
      5-19 SPRING BREAK
      20 Spring Term 2 classes begin
    April 2023 28 Spring Term 2 classes end
    May 2023 1-3 Spring Term 2 exams
      12 CLASS OF 2023 MMS COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
      14 Class of 2023 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony

    Calendar subject to change.

    Month Date Event
    July 2023 7-13 Math Review Course (optional, unless required by admissions)
      10-13 Business, Communication, and Culture (as required by admissions)
      12 CMC Career Day (optional)
      13 Student Athlete Orientation (as required)
      14 Orientation (mandatory for all students)
      16 Accounting Review (optional)
      17 Summer Term classes begin
    August 2023 25 Summer Term classed end
      28-30 Summer Term EXAM PERIOD
    September 2023 7 Fall 1 classes begin
    October 2023 17 Fall 1 classes end
      19-21 Fall 1 Exams
      22-29 FALL BREAK
      30 Fall 2 classes begin
    November 2023 22-24 THANKSGIVING BREAK
    December 2023 12 Fall 2 classes end
      14-16 Fall 2 exams
      17 WINTER BREAK BEGINS
    January 2024 17 Team Changeover (mandatory for all students)
      18 Spring 1 classes begin
    February 2024 27 Spring 1 classes end
    February-March 2024 29-2 Spring 1 exams
    March 2024 3-17 SPRING BREAK
      18 Spring 2 classes begin
    April 2024 26 Spring 2 classes end
    April-May 2024 29-1 Spring 2 exams
    May 2024 10 Class of 2024 MMS Commencement Ceremony
      12 Class of 2024 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony

    Calendar subject to change.

    MMS: FOB Quick Facts

    Start Date: July 2023
    Duration: 10 months
    Location: Durham, N.C.
    Style: Cohort-based
    Curriculum: Business fundamentals
    Format: Full-time 

    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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