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
2023-2024 MMS: Foundations of Business Academic Calendar
| Month | Date | Event |
| July 2023 | ||
| July 2023 | 7-13 | Math Review Course (optional, unless required by admissions) |
| 10-13 | Business, Communication, and Culture (as required by admissions) | |
| 11 | 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 | ||
| August 2023 | 25 | Summer Term classed end |
| 28-30 | Summer Term EXAM PERIOD | |
| September 2023 | ||
| September 2023 | 7 | Fall 1 classes begin |
| October 2023 | ||
| October 2023 | 17 | Fall 1 classes end |
| 19-21 | Fall 1 Exams | |
| 22-29 | FALL BREAK | |
| 30 | Fall 2 classes begin | |
| November 2023 | ||
| November 2023 | 22-24 | THANKSGIVING BREAK |
| December 2023 | ||
| December 2023 | 12 | Fall 2 classes end |
| 14-16 | Fall 2 exams | |
| 17 | WINTER BREAK BEGINS | |
| January 2024 | ||
| January 2024 | 17 | Team Changeover (mandatory for all students) |
| 18 | Spring 1 classes begin | |
| February 2024 | ||
| February 2024 | 27 | Spring 1 classes end |
| February-March 2024 | ||
| February-March 2024 | 29-2 | Spring 1 exams |
| March 2024 | ||
| March 2024 | 3-17 | SPRING BREAK |
| 18 | Spring 2 classes begin | |
| April 2024 | ||
| April 2024 | 26 | Spring 2 classes end |
| April-May 2024 | ||
| April-May 2024 | 29-1 | Spring 2 exams |
| May 2024 | ||
| May 2024 | 10 | Class of 2024 MMS Commencement Ceremony |
| 12 | Class of 2024 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony |
Calendar subject to change.
2024-2025 MMS: Foundations of Business Academic Calendar
| Month | Date | Event |
| July 2024 | ||
| July 2024 | 8-11 | Math Review Course (optional, unless required by Admissions) |
| 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 | ||
| August 2024 | 23 | Summer Term classed end |
| 26-28 | Summer Term EXAM PERIOD | |
| September 2024 | ||
| September 2024 | 5 | Fall 1 classes begin |
| October 2024 | ||
| October 2024 | 15 | Fall 1 classes end |
| 17-19 | Fall 1 exams | |
| 20-27 | FALL BREAK | |
| 28 | Fall 2 classes begin | |
| November 2024 | ||
| November 2024 | 27-29 | THANKSGIVING BREAK |
| December 2024 | ||
| December 2024 | 10 | Fall 2 classes end |
| 12-14 | Fall 2 exams | |
| 15 | WINTER BREAK BEGINS | |
| January 2025 | ||
| January 2025 | 15 | Team Changeover (mandatory for all students) |
| 16 | Spring 1 classes begin | |
| February 2025 | ||
| February 2025 | 25 | Spring 1 classes end |
| February-March 2025 | ||
| February-March 2025 | 27-1 | Spring 1 exams |
| March 2025 | ||
| March 2025 | 2-16 | SPRING BREAK |
| 17 | Spring 2 classes begin | |
| April 2025 | ||
| April 2025 | 25 | Spring 2 classes end |
| 28-30 | Spring 2 exams | |
| May 2025 | ||
| May 2025 | 9 | Class of 2025 MMS Commencement Ceremony |
| 11 | Class of 2025 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony |
Calendar subject to change.
