DAYTIME: Program Format
Program Format - Daytime MBA
Fast. Focused. Future-oriented.
The Fuqua difference starts with the structure of our Daytime MBA program. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn and grow by going outside your comfort zone—exploring classes and experiences that help you take initiative, push your limits, and develop the many different skills you’ll need for long-term success.
Getting started
Your journey begins with an intense month of orientation and immersion in a rigorous, hands-on program of three courses that emphasize leading and managing in an uncertain world. It’s designed to broaden your perspective, challenge the ways you think, and prepare you for 2 amazing years of MBA study.
The remainder of the academic year is organized into four 6-week terms of MBA classes that each meet twice a week for 2 hours and 15 minutes. The term structure allows you to take a wide variety of courses and choose electives sooner, which can better prepare you for your internship.
Team up
All first-year students are assigned to a team of four to five peers with whom they will complete group projects for various courses. Your team will be hand-picked to allow you to learn from people who look, think, and work differently from you. You’ll learn to draw on each team member’s strengths and move the group toward a common purpose.
Go global
Every year hundreds of students gain exposure to international business through our Global Academic Travel Experience (GATE), Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP), or the study abroad program with top business schools in 28 different countries.
Our Learning Environment
Our Faculty
All of our degree programs are taught by Fuqua’s top-ranked faculty, who are recognized for excellence in teaching and industry-shaping research. The courses they teach are academically challenging and relevant to the business world today. Despite world-class credentials, our faculty is highly accessible—they emphasize an open-door policy that encourages both collaboration with students and interdisciplinary thinking. Often, these teachers become your mentors for life.
Our Teaching Methods
Fuqua’s professors use lectures, case studies, strategic games, simulations, visiting executives, and their own research to create a dynamic learning experience that pushes you to think and work in new and different ways. The result? You get a deep and broad understanding of current business topics.
Making Theory Real
1. Case Studies
Case studies are real examples of corporate challenges that give you the opportunity to put theory to work. You gain industry knowledge and an appreciation for the management, operations, and leadership challenges that companies face every day.
2. Strategic Games
We've all played games before, but in an MBA classroom, they take on a whole new meaning. Fuqua teaches you to recognize patterns and understand the basic nature of games. You’ll learn to identify those that are happening around you and that you’re part of, so you can see the big picture, your options, and possible outcomes.
3. Realistic Simulations
The use of sophisticated business simulation teaches you how to run a company in a realistic business environment. You’ll get hands-on experience that goes way beyond what you’d learn in a textbook.
4. Research Centers
Our research centers are vital links between academic inquiry and real-world business. They create insights, dialogue, and curricula that change the course of business and enrich the Duke MBA student experience. Each research center draws on faculty from across Fuqua's academic areas, experienced practitioners, and students to address current business problems.
First Year Structure
In the first year, students complete approximately 14 core courses and choose four or more electives.
Orientation (3 days)
Summer (4 weeks)
Core classes (3)
Fall 1 (6 weeks)
Core classes (5)
Fall 2 (6 weeks)
Core classes (4)
Winter
Optional elective workshop in Managerial Improvisation
Spring 1 (6 weeks)
Core class (1)
Electives (2)
Spring 2 (6 weeks)
Core class (1)
Electives (2)
Second Year Structure
In the second year, students take electives (typically three per term) that allow them to tailor their course of study to meet their educational and career objectives.
Re-orientation and Consequential Leadership II (4 days)
Fall 1 (6 weeks)
Electives (3)
Fall 2 (6 weeks)
Electives (3)
Spring 1 (6 weeks)
Electives (3)
Spring 2 (6 weeks)
Electives (3)
2025-2026 Daytime MBA Academic Calendar
Print Calendar
2025-2026 Daytime MBA Academic Calendar
Month
Date
Event
July 2025
July 2025
7 - 18
Business, Communications, and Culture Program [optional, unless required by Admissions]
11
Software Tools for Analytics course opens, Online Modules [mandatory], first day of classes
20 - 25
Health Sector Management (HSM) Boot Camp
[required for HSM Certificate]
28
Duke I&E Innovators' Spark
[optional]
29
International Student Welcome Day
July - August 2025
July - August 2025
30 - 1
First Year MBA Student (Class of 2027) Orientation
First Day of Classes for First-Year Daytime MBA Students
4 - 25
First Year Daytime MBA Student Classes [no classes on weekends]
August 2025
August 2025
27 - 28
Class of 2026 C-Lead Course
26 - 29
First Year Daytime Student Exams
September 2025
September 2025
Labor Day (no classes)
2 - 3
Pre-Term Accounting Review — 1pm - 5pm [optional]
2 - 3
Career Management Center Programming
FALL 1 SESSION BEGINS
October 2025
October 2025
14
Fall 1 Session Ends
16 - 18
Fall 1 Exams
19 - 26
FALL BREAK
27
FALL 2 SESSION BEGINS
November 2025
November 2025
26 - 28
THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 2025
December 2025
Fall 2 Session Ends
11 - 13
Fall 2 Exams
14
WINTER BREAK BEGINS
January 2026
January 2026
5 - 9
Managerial Improvisation Course (optional Winter Term)
15
SPRING 1 SESSION BEGINS
19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes)
20
M/Th classes held on Tuesday
21
T/Fr classes held on Wednesday
February 2026
February 2026
24
Spring 1 Session Ends
26 - 28
Spring 1 Exams
March 2026
March 2026
1 - 15
SPRING BREAK
16
SPRING 2 SESSION BEGINS
April 2026
April 2026
24
Spring 2 Session Ends
27 - 29
Spring 2 Exams
May 2026
May 2026
Class of 2026 Daytime MBA Commencement Ceremony
10
Class of 2026 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony
2026-2027 Daytime MBA Academic Calendar
Print Calendar
2026-2027 Daytime MBA Academic Calendar
Month
Date
Event
July 2026
July 2026
6 - 17
Business, Communications, and Culture Program [optional, unless required by Admissions]
10
Software Tools for Analytics course opens, Online Modules [mandatory], first day of classes
19 - 24
Health Sector Management (HSM) Boot Camp
[required for HSM Certificate]
27
Duke I&E Innovators' Spark
[optional]
28
International Student Welcome Day
29 - 31
First Year MBA Student (Class of 2028) Orientation
July - August 2026
July - August 2026
30 - 24
First Year Daytime MBA Student Classes [no classes on weekends]
August 2026
August 2026
25 - 28
First Year Daytime Student Exams
26 - 27
Class of 2027 Second-Year Daytime MBA C-Lead 2 Course
September 2026
September 2026
1 - 2
Pre-Term Accounting Review — 1pm - 5pm [optional]
1 - 2
Career Management Center Programming
FALL 1 SESSION BEGINS
Labor Day (no classes)
M/Th classes held on Tuesday
T/Fr classes held on Wednesday
October 2026
October 2026
13
Fall 1 Session Ends
15 - 17
Fall 1 Exams
18 - 25
FALL BREAK
26
FALL 2 SESSION BEGINS
November 2026
November 2026
25 - 27
THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 2026
December 2026
Fall 2 Session Ends
10 - 12
Fall 2 Exams
13
WINTER BREAK BEGINS
January 2027
January 2027
4 - 8
Managerial Improvisation Course (optional Winter Term)
14
SPRING 1 SESSION BEGINS
18
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no classes)
19
M/Th classes held on Tuesday
20
T/Fr classes held on Wednesday
February 2027
February 2027
23
Spring 1 Session Ends
25 - 27
Spring 1 Exams
February - March 2027
February - March 2027
28 - 14
SPRING BREAK
March 2027
March 2027
15
SPRING 2 SESSION BEGINS
April 2027
April 2027
23
Spring 2 Session Ends
26 - 28
Spring 2 Exams
May 2027
May 2027
Class of 2027 Daytime MBA Commencement Ceremony
Class of 2027 Duke-wide Commencement Ceremony
Program quick facts Daytime MBA
Daytime MBA Quick Facts
Start Date:
August 2025
Duration:
22 Months
Location:
Durham, NC
Style:
Cohort-based
Curriculum:
General management, plus 17 concentrations, 2 certificates, and 5 dual degree options
Elective Options:
100+
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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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Explore This Program
Program Format
Team up in 6-week terms.
about Program Format
Curriculum
Design your own experience from 100+ electives.
about Curriculum
Concentrations + Certificates
Enhance your skills in a focus area.
about Concentrations & Certificates
Dual Degrees
Combine your MBA with another Duke program.
about Dual Degrees
Global Opportunities
Get outside your comfort zone by exploring a new culture.
about Global Opportunities
Experiential Learning
Develop your abilities beyond the classroom.
about Experiential Learning
Career Development
Leverage our resources to power your job search.
about Career Development
Program Location
Enjoy one of the nation’s most exciting—and livable—cities.
about Program Location
Facts + Dates
Here's what you need to get started.
about Admissions Facts + Dates
Application Instructions
We want to hear your story.
about Application Instructions
Admissions Events
Learn about Fuqua in person or online.
about Events
Class Profile
See a snapshot of our current class.
about the Class Profile
Tuition + Costs
Determine your investment.
about Tuition + Costs
Financing Your Degree
Learn how to fund the program.
about Financing Your Degree