Program Format - Global Executive MBA (2024)

It’s a marathon, run in sprints

Here’s how to earn the Duke MBA without uprooting your entire life: our Global Executive format combines short in-person residencies with distance learning periods. Each term starts with a reading period to prep you for residency—a 24/7 immersion with teammates and faculty—and finishes with time spent working together remotely.

Traveling campus

Class convenes first in Durham, North Carolina, over a 2-week orientation session in late July. Then your classroom starts to move—through the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, where you’ll gather for 1-week residencies in October, January, April, and July, with each residency preceded and followed by distance learning periods. Your final term, you'll return to Duke for 2 - one week residencies for electives.The intense format ensures you’ll experience the total immersion of a traditional MBA program while continuing to work and live wherever you call home.

A special way of working

Fuqua’s difference comes from the way we structure our MBA programs: as learning teams. You’ll be assigned to a team of 5-6 peers who all think differently. The experience mimics the diversity of a real-world global team, where you work across time zones and different perspectives. You’ll need to learn to trust and rely on each other’s strengths, gaining practice in skills that will help you move any team forward.

Our Learning Environment

Our Faculty

All Fuqua degree programs are taught by the same world-renowned faculty, who are recognized for excellence in both teaching and research. While our faculty are known for their accessibility across degree programs, the Global Executiveformat fosters an even closer relationship. Traveling and living together for international residencies, you’ll interact with your professors both in and out of the classroom. And since your distance learning platform is always on, your faculty are monitoring class bulletin board discussions and responding to emails continuously.

Classroom Dynamics

Your classmates will bring real-time expertise to class discussions. While extensive reading assignments get you ready, debate and analysis—both in the classroom and on your learning platform—is how you’ll learn. The case-based curriculumis academically rigorous, and faculty keep you on your toes with random "cold calls" as you work through the material.

Experiential Learning

You’ll go out into the field to gather real-world data points. The Global Executive MBA curriculumincludes a range of non-traditional assignments—like interacting with locals—that get you out of your comfort zone. You’ll observe operations and meet with managers in company visits, developing insights on different industries. Senior leaders engage with your class in each country, providing perspective on that region’s political economy. These experiences enrich classroom discussion while giving you a real-world sense of the concepts you learn.

Term Structure

Over seventerms you’ll cover 17courses: 10 in the core curriculum, three multi-term courses on dynamics in global business, and four electives. Although locations and timing may shift between calendar years, the typical Global Executive structure looks like this:

Term 1 (Durham)

  • Distance Period (15 days)
  • Orientation & Residency (15 days)
  • Distance Period (6 weeks)

Term 2 (Asia)

  • Distance Period (15 days)
  • Residency(10days)
  • Distance Period (6 weeks)

Term 3 (Latin America)

  • DistancePeriod (15 days)
  • Residency (10days)
  • Distance Period (6weeks)

Term 4 (Asia)

  • Distance Period (15 days)
  • Residency (10days)
  • Distance Period (6weeks)

Term 5 (Europe)

  • Distance Period (15 days)
  • Residency (10days)
  • Distance Period (6weeks)

ElectiveTerms 6 - 7 (Durham)

  • Distance Period (15 days)
  • Residency (2 - 1 week sessions)
  • Distance Period (6weeks following each 1 week residency)

Optional Term 8

  • Optional Concentration or Certification (12 weeks)

Residencies and Distance Learning

Residencies

In the Global Executive format, you travel to meet classmates and professors in cities that become your campus for the week. Four of your residencies will be in cities selected to provide wide exposure to the global economy, while three residencies take place on Fuqua’s campus in Durham, North Carolina. Locations may vary based on travel restrictions, but the typical pattern looks like this:

  • Durham, NC
  • Latin America
  • Dubai
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Durham, NC
  • Durham, NC

Condensed into a short window, residency is the time you immerse fully in your program:

  • Attending classes
  • Visiting companies
  • Engaging in cultural activities
  • Participating in career development workshops
  • Interacting with alumni
  • Working on assignments
  • Socializing with classmates
  • Meeting face-to-face with your team

Distance Learning

Between residencies, you’ll be in a distance learning period. During this part of the term, you attend weekly virtual classes with your faculty and continue working on team assignments remotely. Distance learning periods provide more flexibility to balance program requirements around the needs of your job and family. While you should expect to spend at least 20 hours a week on schoolwork during this time, you can schedule these tasks around work and personal commitments.

Throughout the program you’ll use your distance learning platform to:

  • Submit assignments
  • Download course materials
  • Chat with classmates
  • Read class and team bulletin boards
  • Take exams
  • Contribute to course discussion boards
  • Share documents
  • Call your teammates

Print Calendar

2023-2025 Global Executive MBA Academic Calendar

* Arrival day— lodging covered by program.
** Departure day from residency — no programming scheduled.
Residency locations are subject to change based on local circ*mstances.

TERM 1 - DURHAM (2023)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJuly 1 - 22, 2023
ResidencyJuly 23* - August 6**, 2023
DistanceAugust 7 - 14, 2023
BreakAugust 15 - 21, 2023
DistanceAugust 22 - October 2, 2023
BreakOctober 3 - 5, 2023
TERM 2 - BANGKOK(2023)
Reading Period/Classes BeginOctober 6 - 25, 2023
Residency October 26* - November 5**, 2023
BreakNovember 6, 2023
DistanceNovember 7 - December 18, 2023
BreakDecember 19, 2023 - January 2, 2024
TERM 3 - SANTIAGO(2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJanuary 3 - 24, 2024
ResidencyJanuary 25* - February 4**, 2024
BreakFebruary 5 - 12, 2024
DistanceFebruary 13 - March 25, 2024
BreakMarch 26 - 28, 2024
TERM 4 - NEW DELHI (2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginMarch 29 - April 17, 2024
Residency(includes team changeover)April 18* - 28**, 2024
BreakApril 29, 2024
DistanceApril 30 - June 10, 2024
BreakJune 11 - 13, 2024
TERM 5 - PRAGUE (2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJune 14 - July 3, 2024
ResidencyJuly 4* - July 14**, 2024

Break

July 15 - July 22, 2024
DistanceJuly 23 - September 2, 2024
BreakSeptember 3 - 12, 2024
ELECTIVE TERM 1 - DURHAM (2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginSeptember 13 - 26, 2024
ResidencySeptember 27* - October 5**, 2024
BreakOctober 6 - 14, 2024
DistanceOctober 15 - November 18, 2024
BreakNovember 19 - December 31, 2024
ELECTIVE TERM 2 - DURHAM (2025)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJanuary 1 - 10, 2025
ResidencyJanuary 11* - 18**, 2025
BreakJanuary 19 - 27, 2025
DistanceJanuary 28 - March 3, 2025
OPTIONAL CONCENTRATION (2025)
Optional ConcentrationDecember 1, 2024 - April 1, 2025
GRADUATION
Degree ConferralMay 11, 2025
Graduation CeremonyMay 10, 2025 - May 11, 2025

2024-2026 Global Executive MBA Academic Calendar

Print Calendar

2024-2026 Global Executive MBA Academic Calendar

* Arrival day— lodging covered by program.
** Departure day from residency — no programming scheduled.
Residency locations are subject to change based on local circ*mstances.

TERM 1 - DURHAM (2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJuly 1 - 20, 2024
ResidencyJuly 21* - August 4**, 2024
DistanceAugust 5 - 12, 2024
BreakAugust 13 - 19, 2024
DistanceAugust 20 - September 30, 2024
BreakOctober 1 - 3, 2023
TERM 2 - BANGKOK, THAILAND(2024)
Reading Period/Classes BeginOctober 4 - 23, 2024
Residency October 24* - November 3**, 2024
BreakNovember 4, 2024
DistanceNovember 5 - December 16, 2024
BreakDecember 17 - 31, 2024
TERM 3 - LATIN AMERICA(2025)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJanuary 1 - 22, 2025
ResidencyJanuary 23* - February 2**, 2025
BreakFebruary 3, 2025
DistanceFebruary 4 - March 17, 2025
BreakMarch 18 - 20, 2025
TERM 4 - NEW DELHI (2025)
Reading Period/Classes BeginMarch 21 - April 9, 2025
Residency(includes team changeover)April 10* - 20**, 2025
BreakApril 21, 2025
DistanceApril 22 - June 2, 2025
BreakJune 3 - 12,2025
TERM 5 - BERLIN (2025)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJune 13 - July 2, 2025
ResidencyJuly 3* - July 13**, 2025

Break

July 14 - July 21, 2025
DistanceJuly 22 - September 1, 2025
BreakSeptember 2 - 11, 2025
ELECTIVE TERM 1 - DURHAM (2025)
Reading Period/Classes BeginSeptember 12 - 25, 2025
ResidencySeptember 26* - October 4**, 2025
BreakOctober 5 - 13, 2025
DistanceOctober 14 - November 17, 2025
BreakNovember 18 - December 31, 2025
ELECTIVE TERM 2 - DURHAM (2026)
Reading Period/Classes BeginJanuary 1 - 9, 2026
ResidencyJanuary 10* - 17**, 2026
BreakJanuary 18 - 26, 2026
DistanceJanuary 27 - March 2, 2026
OPTIONAL CONCENTRATION (2026)
Optional ConcentrationTBD
GRADUATION
Degree ConferralMay 9, 2026
Graduation CeremonyMay 9, 2026 - May 10, 2026

Can We Talk?

We'd love tolearn more about your background and goals so we can help you explore whether the Global Executive MBA is a good fit for your career. We're also happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs or admissions process.

Set up a call

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Global Executive MBA Quick Facts

Start Date: July 2024
Duration: 21months
Location: Global
Style: Cohort-based
Curriculum: General management, with 5 concentrations and 1 certificate
Format: Residency and distance learning

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Program Location and Accommodations

Program Format - Global Executive MBA (1)

During your time in Durham, you’ll live and learn in the four-star JB Duke Hotel, a contemporary and tranquil retreat on Duke’s campus with state-of-the-art learning facilities.

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Asia / India

On Location in New Delhi

Program Format - Global Executive MBA (2)

Taking a break from Decision Models to celebrate the festival of colors in India. Holi is a great example of why each residency experience is unforgettable.

Explore Locations

Contact Us

Sign up for information about our Global Executive MBAprogram.

Learn More

Sample Residency Day 1

Breakfast and review accounting notes
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Class: Managerial Accounting
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Guest speaker: China Business Council
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Lunch with speaker
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Class: Operations Management
1:15 PM - 4:15 PM

Class: Global Markets & Institutions
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Dinner with friends in Shanghai
6:45 PM - 7:45 PM

Team meeting for operations assignment
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Connect with family and prep tomorrow's cases
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Sample Residency Day 2

City walk and breakfast
6:30 AM - 7:30 AM

Class: Global Markets & Institutions
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Class: Operations Management
8:45 AM - 10:45 PM

Class: Managerial Accounting
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Box lunch and visit to auto factory
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Team meeting for accounting assignment
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Working dinner with team at hotel
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Optional Chinese acrobat show
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Socialize with classmates
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Explore This Program


Program Format

Team up in intensive residencies.

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Curriculum

Globalize your business knowledge.

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Concentrations + Certificates

Tailor your MBA in a focus area.

Career Development

Expand your horizons with our support.

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Program Locations

Make the world your classroom.

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Global Executive MBA

Admissions Information

Facts + Dates

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Application Instructions

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Admission Events

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Class Profile

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Tuition + Costs

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Financing Your Degree

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Program Format - Global Executive MBA (2024)

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