Academic Requirements

Grading—All Programs

Fuqua uses the grading scale shown below. The grade review procedure is available upon request. 

Graduation and Continuation Requirements

Daytime MBA

To graduate, students must complete at least 79 course credits (or 65 course credits if in dual degree program) and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress toward this goal. Satisfactory progress is defined by the following two criteria:

• Students must complete a minimum of 45 course credits in the first academic year of the program and 79 course credits by the end of the second academic year. Courses designated as required must be taken at the designated times unless the student has earned an exemption from the course, either by receiving an administrative exemption based on prior coursework or by passing an exemption exam.

• Students’ grades must exceed a minimum threshold defined by the following “strike system.” Students receive 1 strike for each F they earn and 0.5 strikes for each LP; these strikes accumulate through the program. If the total number of strikes received meets or exceeds the thresholds specified below, the student will be immediately dismissed from the program. The thresholds for dismissal vary by term as follows: 

Thus, for example, a student who earns one F and one LP in Summer 1 and Fall 1 of the first year of the program will be dismissed. A student who earns one F in Summer 1 or Fall 1 and one LP later in the first year would not.

Students who are dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances, if any. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of notification of dismissal.

Students who earn an F in a required course must retake and pass that course at Fuqua. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Applied Learning Degree Requirements

Fuqua’s Applied Learning requirement allows Daytime MBA students to deepen their understanding of core business concepts and complement their classroom experience. Students are expected to apply their learning through temporary employment with a business that matches their sector and function interests, allowing students the potential for more immersive classroom experiences following the experience and allowing for more informed career choices.

Daytime MBA students can fulfill the Applied Learning requirement through the successful completion of one or more internships.

An internship is defined by the following:

• Internship with a corporation, institution or not-for-profit, or entrepreneurial venture. Sponsored students and students with other special circumstances may request approval of alternatives to fulfill the Applied Experience requirement. For example, Mentored Study, New Venture practicum classes, volunteering, and FCCP.

• The expectation is for at least a 6-week experience (cumulative)

• Can be paid or unpaid

• Degree requirement but not for course credit

While most students will do an internship during the summer between their first and second years, some students will elect to do an internship during the school year. Fuqua will support this effort provided that the student has successfully completed the first year of classes and the internship does not interfere with their studies.

Because this is an MBA program requirement, students can only satisfy the requirement using an internship (or experience) that occurs during the MBA program. Internships that start before the first day of the MBA program or after the last day of term in which they graduate will not count towards the requirement. International students on F-1 visas are required to get authorization to work from Duke Visa Services (DVS) regardless of whether the internship is paid or unpaid. F-1 students must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Because our program requires students to do at least one internship, enrollment in an internship course is not required as a condition to get CPT approval during the summer. Students on J1 will be able to utilize Academic Training to fulfill this requirement.

Accelerated Daytime MBA

To graduate, students must complete at least 49 course credits and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress toward this goal. Satisfactory progress is defined by the following two criteria:

1. Courses designated as required must be taken at the designated times.

2. Students’ grades must exceed a minimum threshold defined by the following “strike system.” Students receive one strike for each F they earn and 0.5 strikes for each LP; these strikes accumulate through the program. If the total number of strikes received meets or exceeds the thresholds specified below, the student will be immediately dismissed from the program. The threshold for dismissal is 1 strike for Summer, Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, and Spring 2.

Students who are dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances, if any. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of notification of dismissal.

Students who earn an F in a required course must retake and pass that course at Fuqua. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Weekend and Global Executive MBA

To graduate, students must earn a GPA of at least 3.0, complete all required courses, and a total of at least 51 course credits in the Global Executive MBA and 51 course credits in the Weekend Executive MBA. There are no exemptions from required courses.

Students who earn an F in a required course (and who are allowed to continue in the program) will be placed on an academic suspension until the term when the course is next offered, generally the same term in the following year. The student will retake and pass that course the next time the course is offered in the student’s program. At that point, they will be allowed to join the subsequent cohort of students, picking up where they left off. If the student does not meet the requirements within the allotted time period, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Per university policy, a grade of F remains on the student’s transcript and figures into the GPA even after retaking the course. Grades of F also continue to count in the strike total.

To ensure satisfactory progress toward completion of graduation requirements, students’ grades must exceed a minimum threshold defined by the following “strike system.” Students receive one strike for each F they earn and 0.5 strikes for each LP; these strikes accumulate throughout the program. If the total number of strikes received meets or exceeds the thresholds specified below, the student will be immediately dismissed from the program. The thresholds for dismissal vary by term as follows:

Thus, for example, a student who earns one F and one LP in Term 1 of these programs will be dismissed. A student who earns one F in Term 1 and one LP in Term 4 would not. Students who are dismissed from the program under this system may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances, if any. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of notification of dismissal.

Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business and Duke Kunshan University

To graduate, students must complete at least 43 course credits in the Master of Management Studies Program, complete all required courses, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress to this goal. Satisfactory progress is defined by the following two criteria:

1. Students must complete all required courses by the end of the academic year. Courses designated as required must be taken at the designated times.

2. Students’ grades must exceed a minimum threshold defined by the following “strike system.” Students receive one strike for each F they earn and 0.5 strikes for each LP; these strikes accumulate through the program. If the total number of strikes received meets or exceeds the thresholds specified below, the student will be immediately dismissed from the program. The threshold for dismissal is 1 strike for Summer, Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, and Spring 2.

Students who are dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances, if any. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of notification of dismissal.

Students who earn an F in a required course must retake and pass that course or its equivalent. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics

To graduate in the Marketing, Risk, or Strategy tracks, students must complete at least 50 course credits in the Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics (MQM:BA) Program, complete all required courses, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. To graduate in the Finance track, students must complete at least 53 course credits in the MQM:BA Program, complete all required courses, and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress to this goal. Satisfactory progress is defined by the following two criteria:

1. Students must complete all required courses by the end of the academic year. Courses designated as required must be taken at the designated times.

2. Students’ grades must exceed a minimum threshold defined by the following “strike system.” Students receive one strike for each F they earn and 0.5 strikes for each LP; these strikes accumulate through the program. If the total number of strikes received meets or exceeds the thresholds specified below, the student will be immediately dismissed from the program. The threshold for dismissal is 1.5 strikes for Summer, Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, and Spring 2. 

Students who are dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances, if any. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of notification of dismissal.

Students who earn an F in a required course must retake and pass that course or its equivalent. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics (online)

To graduate, students must complete all 16 courses and a total of 47 credits within the Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics (MSQM:BA) Program curriculum and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress to this goal. The minimum threshold of grades to maintain eligibility is defined by the following strike system:

• Students who earn an F grade in a course receive 1 strike.

• Students who earn an LP grade in a course receive 0.5 strikes. The thresholds for dismissal vary by term as follows:

Students dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee within two weeks of notification of dismissal. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances.

Students who earn an F grade in a course must retake and pass the course. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Accelerated Business Analytics

To graduate, students must complete a total of 47 credits within the Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Accelerated Business Analytics (MSQM:ABA) and have a GPA of at least 3.0. This program permits 20 transfer credits which are approved upon admission to the program. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress to this goal. The minimum threshold of grades to maintain eligibility is defined by the following strike system:

• Students who earn an F grade in a course receive 1 strike.

• Students who earn an LP grade in a course receive 0.5 strikes. The threshold for dismissal is 1.5 strikes for Terms 1-3.

Students dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee within two weeks of notification of dismissal. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances.

Students who earn an F grade in a course must retake and pass the course. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.

Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Health Analytics

To graduate, students must complete all 17 courses and a total of 49 credits within the Master of Science in Quantitative Management: Health Analytics (MSQM:HA) Program curriculum and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Students may be dismissed from the program if they fail to make satisfactory progress to this goal. The minimum threshold of grades to maintain eligibility is defined by the following strike system:

• Students who earn an F grade in a course receive 1 strike.

• Students who earn an LP grade in a course receive 0.5 strikes. The thresholds for dismissal vary by term as follows:

Students dismissed from the program may appeal their dismissal to the Curriculum Committee within two weeks of notification of dismissal. The Curriculum Committee will review the appeal and consider extenuating circumstances.

Students who earn an F grade in a course must retake and pass the course. Per university policy, Fs remain on the student’s transcript and figure into the GPA even after retaking the course. They also continue to count in the strike total.