A distinctive feature of the Duke Fuqua MBA curriculum is the integration of teamwork and applied projects into almost every stage of the program. While students gain grounding in traditional business disciplines, such as finance, accounting, marketing, and strategy, they also spend considerable time working on live projects, consulting engagements, or entrepreneurial ventures.
In this in-depth analysis of the Duke Fuqua MBA Curriculum, we cover:
• Core Curriculum
• Electives
• Concentrations
• Certificates
• Experiential Learning
• Global Learning
• Dual Degree Programs
Core Curriculum
Covering Accounting, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and Leadership, Duke Fuqua MBA’s core courses prepare students with analytical and managerial skills essential for any career path. A notable orientation in the core is the multiple dimensions of leadership the courses cover, from ethics, communication, managing a complex world, and leading through an entrepreneurial mindset.
Electives
In the second year, electives take center stage, offering students the chance to personalize their MBA. With over 170 electives to choose from, spanning disciplines like Finance, Healthcare, Decision Sciences, Energy, Strategy, and Management, students can dive deeper into areas aligned with their ambitions. Some electives focus on technical depth (e.g., financial engineering, data analytics), while others highlight sector-specific insights (e.g., healthcare markets, energy innovation). The variety makes Duke Fuqua one of the most flexible MBA programs available.
Concentrations
To bring structure to this flexibility, Fuqua offers 14 concentrations that allow students to specialize in functional areas or industries. These concentrations, ranging from Finance and Consulting to Strategy, Marketing, and Energy & Environment, help students build a coherent academic path. Each concentration requires completing a defined set of electives, ensuring depth while still leaving room for exploration.
Core Courses | Concentrations | Area of Electives |
| Financial Accounting | Decision Sciences | Accounting |
| Foundations of Business Analytics | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Finance |
| Software Tools for Business Analytics | Energy & Environment | Leadership Communication |
| Managerial Economics | Energy Finance | Strategy |
| Marketing Management | Entrepreneurship & Innovation | Management |
| Financial Management | Finance | Operations Management |
| Operations Management | Financial Analysis / Accounting | Decision Sciences |
| Foundations of Strategy | FinTech (Financial Technology) | Healthcare Management |
| Leadership, Ethics, and Organizations | Leadership & Ethics | Energy and Environment |
| Leadership Communication I | Management | Economics |
| Leadership Communication II | Marketing | Marketing |
| Collaborative Leadership I (C-LEAD 1) | Operations Management | |
| Collaborative Leadership II (C-LEAD 2) | Social Entrepreneurship | |
| Leading Business in a Complex World | Strategy | |
| Entrepreneurial Mindset and Action |
Certificates
In addition to concentrations, Fuqua offers specialized certificates that allow students to demonstrate focused expertise in Finance and Healthcare. Certificates require a defined set of coursework and can also be pursued alongside a concentration.
Certificate of Academic Excellence in Finance
This certificate recognizes students who combine a finance concentration with high academic achievement. Students must complete at least ten finance-related electives and maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher across their top ten courses. It signals strong proficiency in finance, supporting careers in consulting, venture capital, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and board membership.
Certificate in Health Sector Management (HSM)
The HSM certificate provides interdisciplinary training in health care business management. Students complete six courses, including the one-week HSM Bootcamp and two Seminars in Health Care. Experiential components, such as the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum and Duke University Hospital projects, allow application of classroom learning in real-world settings. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across health systems, biotechnology, medical devices, health policy, and related innovation sectors.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Fuqua emphasizes learning by doing, offering students a broad range of experiential programs that complement classroom instruction.
The Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP)
The Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) allows teams to work on live projects with corporations, startups, and nonprofits, tackling challenges across industries and business functions. Students can also explore impact investing through the CASE i3 Initiative, gaining experience in social and environmental investment analysis.
Mentored Study Program (MSP)
For personalized projects, the Mentored Study Program (MSP) lets students design and execute custom initiatives under professional guidance.
New Ventures
Entrepreneurship-focused students can engage in New Ventures courses, simulating the process of launching startups in commercial or social sectors.
Duke University Hospital Experiential Learning Practicum (DUHELP)
Health care management is supported through the Duke University Hospital Experiential Learning Practicum (DUHELP), where students work with hospital leaders on operational and strategic challenges.
Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE)
Global business exposure is provided by the Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE), combining classroom learning with international immersion. Finally, Fuqua on Board offers governance experience with nonprofit boards, developing leadership skills in social impact contexts.
Across these opportunities, students apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems, build leadership skills, and gain practical experience in consulting, entrepreneurship, healthcare, global business, and social impact.
Name of the Opportunity | Relevant Sector | Summary about the opportunity |
| Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) | Consulting, Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Goods | Small teams of MBA students tackle real strategic and operational challenges for clients globally, from multinational corporations to non-profits, with guidance from Fuqua faculty. |
| CASE i3 Initiative on Impact Investing | Impact Investing, Social Enterprise, ESG, Finance | Students work on real-world projects in the impact investing space, from consulting for investors to managing a student investment fund focused on social and environmental goals. |
| Mentored Study Program (MSP) | Consulting, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit | Students design a custom project over two academic terms, working one-on-one with a professional mentor at a company, non-profit, or startup. |
| New Ventures Courses | Entrepreneurship, Technology, Healthcare, Commercialization | Cross-disciplinary teams simulate launching a startup by exploring markets, testing business models, and developing go-to-market strategies for new ventures. |
| Duke University Hospital Experiential Learning Practicum (DUHELP) | Healthcare, Hospital Management, Health IT | MBA students partner with executives at Duke University Hospital to solve pressing operational and strategic issues in patient care and healthcare administration. |
| Fuqua on Board | Non-Profit Governance, Social Impact, Leadership | Students serve as non-voting board members for local non-profit organizations, gaining hands-on governance experience and providing strategic support. |
Global Learning Opportunities
Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE)
GATE is the primary vehicle for global learning, combining classroom study of a country’s economy, politics, and business environment with a study tour that includes company visits and cultural immersion. In addition, exchange programs with partner schools worldwide allow students to broaden their networks and understand management practices in diverse regions. These experiences ensure graduates are not only globally aware but also globally capable.
Exchange Programs
Duke Fuqua’s Exchange Programs offer MBA students the opportunity to broaden their global perspective by studying at top business schools across the world. These programs allow students to experience diverse academic approaches, business environments, and cultural contexts while earning elective credits toward their MBA.
The Outgoing Exchange Program (OEP) is available to eligible Fuqua students beginning the summer after their first year. Through OEP, students can study at one of more than 28 partner institutions around the world, either for a term, a full semester, or even during the summer break.
The Incoming Exchange Program (IEP) brings approximately 100 students from partner schools worldwide to Fuqua each year. These incoming students integrate into Fuqua’s classroom and campus life, participating in both core and elective courses alongside the Daytime MBA cohort.
Name of the Opportunity | Relevant Sector | Summary about the opportunity |
| Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE) | International Business, Government, Economics, Culture | A traveling classroom elective where students study a region for six weeks and then take an intensive two-week study tour, meeting with business and government leaders. |
| Exchange Programs | Global Business, International Relations, Education | You can study for a term or semester at one of Fuqua’s 28+ partner schools worldwide (Outgoing) or learn alongside peers from international institutions (Incoming). |
Dual Degree Programs
For students seeking to combine business education with expertise in another discipline, Fuqua offers a range of dual degree options. Partnering with Duke’s professional schools, these programs include pairings such as MBA/JD (Law), MBA/MD (Medicine), MBA/MPP (Public Policy), MBA/MEM (Environmental Management), and MBA/Divinity. Each path is designed to create leaders who can integrate business acumen with specialized knowledge, positioning them for leadership roles at the intersections of industries and sectors.
Name of the Dual Program | Summary |
| JD/MBA | A four-year program combining a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Duke Law School and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Fuqua, preparing students for careers at the intersection of law and business. |
| MD/MBA | A program integrating medical training from Duke School of Medicine with an M.B.A., designed for physician-leaders who want to guide health systems or biotech firms. |
| MPP/MBA | A program with Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy to confer a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) and an M.B.A., for those interested in public service, non-profits, and policy-driven business. |
| MEM/MBA | A program with the Nicholas School of the Environment to confer a Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) and an M.B.A., equipping students for leadership in sustainability, energy, and environmental management. |
| MF/MBA | A program combining a Master of Finance (M.F.) with an M.B.A., providing advanced quantitative finance knowledge and leadership skills for careers in investment banking and asset management. |
| MDiv/MBA | A program with Duke Divinity School to confer a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and an M.B.A., for students who want to integrate faith-based or values-driven leadership with business acumen. |
| MMCi/MBA | A program combining a Master of Management in Clinical Informatics (M.M.C.i.) from the School of Medicine with an M.B.A., preparing leaders in healthcare data and IT management. |
