The Duke MBA - Daytime

Program Code: F-MBA-MBA
Degree Designation: Master of Business Administration
Department: Fuqua School of Business
Website: fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba

Program Summary

The Duke MBA—Daytime Program prepares individuals for leadership in challenging management careers. The program emphasizes the understanding and application of analytical tools and concepts drawn from a global array of management fields of inquiry. Students are asked to provide a framework for unstructured situations and to propose solutions to complex problems. By studying analytical tools, theories, and examples, students learn to identify the common threads in seemingly different business situations and to grasp the essential nature of unfamiliar management problems.

The faculty use a variety of teaching styles. In some courses, lectures are used; in others, the case method predominates. In still others, there is a mix of many styles, including role playing and student presentations. Depending on the course, the work done outside of class is likely to consist of (1) reading texts or articles; (2) working problem sets; (3) researching and writing papers; and/or (4) preparing cases and discussing them in small study groups.

More specific information about the curriculum is available on the Fuqua website at fuqua.duke.edu/programs/daytime-mba/concentrations-certificates and in this bulletin under Courses.

Concentrations

The Daytime MBA offers specialized concentrations in all of the major functional areas (such as Decision Sciences, Finance, Management, Marketing, Operations, and Strategic Consulting) and in topical areas (such as Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Energy & Environment, Social Entrepreneurship, and Leadership).

Each concentration identifies a set of electives from which students choose six courses. Most concentrations have a common 4-2 structure, where the concentration typically has four courses in a focal area (like finance) and two courses from other areas that support the focal concentration. Concentrations are not required, but they do provide an opportunity for students to solidify expertise in specific areas of study.

Dual Degree Programs

In the spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation, The Fuqua School of Business offers several dual degree programs in conjunction with other graduate and professional programs at Duke University. Dual degree programs offer the advantage of earning two degrees in less time than would be required to earn the two separately. These options for study are available through the Duke Law School, the Sanford School of Public Policy, the Nicholas School of the Environment, and the School of Medicine.

Students who are in any of the dual degree programs offered by The Fuqua School of Business must complete a minimum of 65 graduate course credits at Fuqua, exclusive of what requirements exist for the other degree. Because the two degrees are interconnected, students must complete all requirements for both degrees in order to receive either degree. Because dual degree students already take a substantial number of nonbusiness courses, they may not count additional non-Fuqua courses toward their degree. They may participate in Fuqua’s international exchange program which allows students to study for a term or semester at an overseas business school.

The MBA—JD. The concurrent MBA—JD program requires four academic years of study that meet the requirements for both the MBA and JD degrees. If you would like to apply for the MBA—JD program, you must apply for admission to each program and be admitted by both schools independently. Additional information about the Duke Law School may be obtained at law.duke.edu/apply/degreeprograms/jd-mba and by email at admissions@law.duke.edu.

The MBA—MF and the MBA—MEM. The concurrent MBA and master of forestry or master of environmental management degrees normally require three years of study. To apply for these concurrent degrees, prospective students must apply for admission to each program and be admitted by both schools independently. Additional information on the environmental programs may be obtained from the admission office at nicholas.duke.edu/admissions/connect-with-us and by email at nicholas-admissions@duke.edu.

The MBA—MPP. The concurrent MBA degree and master of public policy degree requires three years of study. Prospective students must apply for admission to each program and be admitted by both schools independently. Additional information about the public policy program may be obtained from the admission office at sanford.duke.edu/admissions/mpp-admissions.

The MBA—MD. The MBA—MD program will require five years to complete and begins with two years at the School of Medicine. Prospective students must apply for admission and be admitted by both schools independently. Additional information about the Duke University School of Medicine program may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at medschool.duke.edu/education/health-professions-education-programs/doctor-medicine-md-program/office-md-admissions.

Academic Requirements

• ACCOUNTG 590 - 3 credits

• DECISION 610 - 3 credits

• DECISION 616 - 2 credits

• FINANCE 645 - 3 credits

• FUQINTRD 565 - 1 credit

• FUQINTRD 566 - 1 credit

• FUQINTRD 685 - 0 credit

• FUQINTRD 692 - 1 credit

• FUQINTRD 698 - 1.5 credits

• MANAGEMT 730 - 3 credits

• MARKETING 795 - 3 credits

• MGMTCOM 567 - 2 credits

• MGMTCOM 568 - 2 credits

• MGRECON 780 - 3 credits

• OPERATNS 820 - 3 credits

• STRATEGY 835 - 3 credits

• Electives, 44.5 credits from any non-required course

Total: 79 credits

The Daytime MBA degree requires four semesters, divided into a total of eight terms (plus the summer term), of full-time academic work totaling at least 79 graduate course credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students who are proficient in a particular subject may be granted an administrative exemption or pass an exemption exam and subsequently be allowed to substitute advanced coursework for one or more core courses. All students must pay four semesters of full tuition.

Modern management often requires analytical reasoning which focuses on precise statements of relationships between variables. In contemplating the future, concepts of probability become especially important. For these and other reasons, much of the coursework assumes a firm grasp of mathematical concepts. Applicants are strongly encouraged to come prepared with the necessary background. Fuqua offers a variety of preparatory software programs as well as pre-term workshops to ensure each student has the requisite knowledge mastered.

Collaborative Leadership Experiences

Collaborative Leadership (C-LEAD) Experiences are designed to address areas of the curriculum that are difficult to present in a traditional classroom setting and are better addressed via nontraditional and multiple formats. C-LEAD Experiences are organized to reflect the stages of students’ development as they progress through the program. C-LEAD focuses on the three pillars of Fuqua’s culture: team, leadership, and ethics, and involves an experience-based series of activities that build upon the leadership themes that are developed during the first year at Fuqua.

Courses

The Duke MBA—Daytime Program combines a foundational core of required courses with a generous selection of electives. Courses are taught in two and one-quarter hour classes that meet twice weekly during six-week terms (see The Fuqua School of Business academic calendars for specific dates). This shorter term structure allows students to take more classes with the same number of faculty contact hours as a semester or quarter system. These extended class periods enable faculty to cover complex topics during a single class session and permit valuable participation by members of the corporate community. For students, the extended periods also mean ample time for simulations, case presentations, questions, and discussion. Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays are generally a day off from classes, unless otherwise specified.

The First Year

The Summer Term. The Duke MBA—Daytime Program begins with a four-week-long Summer Term held in August. The term features four core courses: Leadership, Ethics, and Organizations (LEO); Entrepreneurial Mindset and Action; Leading Business in a Complex World; and Collaborative Leadership 1 (C-LEAD 1). LEO and Entrepreneurial Mindset and Action are more traditional classroom-based courses. Leading Business in a Complex World will be a short, discussion-based course. C-LEAD 1 involves several experiential learning and team-building sessions.

During the first year, students are immersed in the core curriculum. The core courses provide a firm foundation in management, economics, statistics, accounting, finance, marketing, operations management, and strategy. Complementary courses help develop communication and computing skills. Students who receive exemptions from core courses can potentially begin taking electives in the fall of the first year.

Typical First-Year Schedule. Required core courses are noted with an asterisk (*).

The Second Year

In the second year, Daytime MBA students complete C-LEAD 2 (1 credit), and typically take three elective courses per term; a fourth elective can be added as an overload each term. Students are able to tailor their course of study to meet their specific educational and career goals. Concentrations and certificates are offered in various disciplines; while not required, students are able to pursue up to a total of two concentrations and/or certificates. Fuqua’s elective course offerings change in response to the needs and interests of the students and the business community. These electives, taught by some of the leading professors and practitioners in business, help students develop expertise in functional skills and analytical thinking. The result is a well-rounded, yet focused, management education—a blend of practical know-how, critical thinking, communication skills, and a strategic, global perspective.

As part of the Daytime MBA degree, students have the opportunity to take up to four approved (up to 12 credits) graduate-level courses in other schools or departments at Duke University, such as the School of Law, the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Sanford School of Public Policy, and the Department of Economics of The Graduate School. However, dual degree students may not count non-Fuqua credits toward their MBA degree because they already take a substantial number of non-Fuqua classes.