FAQs

No. Just indicate interest in HSM within your Duke MBA application or notify the HSM Center applying if you decide later. Daytime MBA applicants have until June 30 to opt into the HSM Certificate.

No. Indicating interest in HSM does not impact admissions decisions for the Fuqua MBA.

No. About half the HSM cohort does not have prior health care employment experience. The only requirement is a desire to learn about the health sector. You can learn more about our students via our student profiles.

Yes. Some merit-based scholarships are available for Daytime MBA students pursuing HSM. No separate application is required.

Yes. HSM cohorts include a diverse population and international perspectives are valued.  

It depends. For Daytime MBAs, your experience starts with HSM Bootcamp which is generally done as a first year prior to MBA orientation. You can sign up for HSM until June 30. 
If you are a second year Daytime MBA student, you will need to contact HSM and obtain special permission to start late which will be contingent on you attending the Bootcamp course in-person in July.

Executive MBA students can start the HSM Certificate any time by contacting HSM staff.

HSM includes over 250 students across Duke MBA programs. At any given time, about 25% of the student body are pursuing the HSM Certificate.

Yes! Email hsm@fuqua.duke.edu to connect with HSM. You can also sign up for HSM Chats via Admissions during your campus visit.

The HSM Certificate begins with the HSM Bootcamp course which starts each July before orientation. Daytime students must attend in person.

Executive MBA and alumni certificate students can complete the Bootcamp in-person (or virtually with special permission).

Executive MBA students can start their Certificate courses in July with Bootcamp (highly recommended) or February with HSM Seminar.

Required HSM Certificate classes (Bootcamp and Seminar) will be taken with your HSM class cohort only (usually about 20-30% of the Daytime MBA class). Your core MBA classes will be taken with your full Daytime MBA class.

Most students in HSM electives are typically HSM students. However, non-HSM MBA students, as well as other graduate students (e.g., Law, Public Policy, Medicine, etc.), do take many of the HSM electives.

Earning the HSM Certificate requires completion of required HSM courses and a set of approved elective courses.  Details vary based on your MBA program:

• Daytime MBA HSM Certificate requirements
• Executive MBA HSM Certificate requirements
• MBA Alumni Certificate requirements

Yes. You can do up to two concentrations in the Daytime MBA. HSM is flexible enough to be combined with other areas of interest.

Daytime MBA: No additional cost.

Executive MBA & alumni: Additional tuition applies—see program pages for details.

Yes. Foundational courses are required, but electives and experiences can be tailed to your interests.

Many project-based and real-world learning courses are offered with health care related projects. Learn more about our project-based experiential learning at Fuqua.

Yes. Students routinely pursue multiple area interests and concentrations.

All HSM courses will count toward degree credits for graduation.
For Daytime students, Bootcamp typically occurs ~1 week before orientation.

During Fall and Spring of your first year, you will have HSM Seminar class on Wednesday. The seminar course is pass/fail and designed to fit with your core MBA curriculum. Beyond that, you choose how involved you are with HSM events and activities.

For Executive MBAs, the Bootcamp, Seminar and Project courses will be additional to your EMBA curriculum but also designed to fit with your EMBA program timeline. You will take HSM electives during your elective term. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose your level of involvement with HSM opportunities beyond the certificate courses.

Roles in pharma, biotech, consulting, finance, payer/provider organizations, and health tech are popular. —Common functions include strategy, marketing, market access, operations, finance, and business development. Learn more on our career page.

Only if you want to. The HSM Certificate will make you appealing to health care employers and fill gaps in your resume, especially if you are a career switcher or pivoting within the industry. However, you can pursue any industry role you desire.

The Fuqua Health Care Club (HCC) is closely affiliated with HSM, as are entrepreneurship, consulting and other relevant student organizations. 

Support includes formal resources like the Career Management Center (CMC), club-sponsored networking, alumni connections, and experiential learning programs. 

HSM Fellows work directly with faculty to shape curriculum, gather student feedback, research trends, collaborate on campus initiatives, and produce annual reports that help guide the program. The role boosts leadership development, strategy skills, and networking opportunities. Applications for Fellows are open to students after they start the program.

Yes. Students can join and lead new collaborations, propose ideas, and augment existing initiatives within these centers. The HSM community welcomes new projects and platforms to enhance networking and interdisciplinary connections.

Popular electives include Biotech & Pharma Strategy, Healthcare Markets, and Medical Device Strategy. These courses equip students with decision-making frameworks and real-world insight into industry dynamics. Course descriptions

Yes. Consulting practicums frequently offer healthcare-focused projects, and analytics opportunities can be accessed through electives and partnerships. Learn more about experiential learning offerings at Fuqua.

Yes. Events like Week-in-Cities, Lunch & Learns, conferences, and hands-on workshops are coordinated by the club with support from alumni and industry partners.

Fuqua and HSM offer electives, student-led workshops, and club projects focusing on healthcare analytics, AI applications, and innovation. Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration are plentiful.