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Start Higher, Go Faster
Leverage your education and discover new career options. Consider our new Master of Management Studies: Foundations of Business program.
Contact Us: Learn more about the program and receive notifications about upcoming events. Please complete our contact form or call +1.919.660.7705.
- Program Format
"From my perspective, the MMS program is an innovative program which will give undergraduate students an outstanding foundation to join the business community. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, we look to hire individuals with diverse backgrounds, and I see this program as a key enabler to help individuals not only succeed in our organization, but more importantly, to help prepare them for a successful career in business." Dennis M. Nally
Chairman and Senior Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPOverview
The Master of Management Studies (MMS) in Foundations of Business is a pre-experience master's degree providing basic entry-level business skills. It is not intended as a substitute for an MBA degree. The program focuses on technical skills and subject matter knowledge associated with entry-level positions in finance, marketing, consulting, and general management, as well as other early-stage professional positions.
In less than a year, you will learn the fundamentals of strategy, management, decision analysis, accounting, marketing, operations, and finance. You will improve your marketability and expand your career options by gaining a broad and practical skill set.
Program Format
The 10-month program includes 15 business courses taught during 5 terms that are each 6 weeks long. The next program begins with a mandatory week-long orientation in July 2010, with graduation in May 2011.
Visit the Curriculum section and Course Descriptions page for more information about terms and courses.
Who Should Attend
MMS: Foundations of Business is for individuals without previous business training and experience who may have recently earned an undergraduate or graduate degree (even those in the process of obtaining a PhD) in areas including liberal arts, science, or engineering. The program combines the depth, breadth, and critical thinking skills from the liberal arts and sciences with fundamental business skills to position you to take on a variety of roles in your professional life. The program provides the necessary know-how to leverage your existing capabilities, and will help you jump start a career in business.
- Curriculum
MMS: Foundations of Business includes 15 required courses (three credits per course, with the exception of Fundamentals of Business I and II, which are two credits each, for a total of 43 credits), offered over five six-week terms (three courses per term). Each course meets twice a week for 2.25 hours, or 27 contact hours per class. The five terms are: Summer I, Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, and Spring II.
MMS courses are distinct from MBA courses. There are no elective courses, and no exemptions or substitutions are permitted.
The curriculum relies on basic knowledge of calculus, statistics, and computer skills, thus prior coursework in these subject areas is highly recommended. In Summer Term I, all students are required to take Fundamentals of Quantitative Business Skills.
Faculty: All courses are taught by Fuqua's No. 1-ranked faculty (according to BusinessWeek). The faculty are comprised of international thought leaders and renowned leading researchers whose expertise and passion for innovation create a one-of-a-kind learning environment. Our faculty are committed to student success, and provide courses that are relevant, engaging, and academically challenging. Professors are accessible and encourage ongoing student interaction, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Visit the Course Descriptions page for details about courses.
Course Schedule
Summer Term I
- Financial Accounting (3 Credits)
- Fundamentals of Business Communications I (2 credits)
- Fundamentals of Quantitative Business Skills (3 credits)
Fall Term I
- Strategy (3 credits)
- Business Economics (3 credits)
- Marketing Analysis (3 credits)
Fall Term II
- Fundamentals of Business Communications II (2 credits)
- Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
- Investments and Financial Markets (3 credits)
Spring Term I
- Corporate Finance (3 credits)
- Marketing Intelligence (3 credits)
- Managerial Accounting (3 credits)
Spring Term II
- Financial Analysis (3 credits)
- Management and Organizations (3 credits)
- Decision Models (3 credits)
- Career Services
"The MMS program will be a significant recruiting pool for us. Individuals with science, engineering, and health undergraduate degrees, combined with the MMS degree will be an excellent source of operations management [talent] for Kelly Services." Carl T. Camden
President and Chief Executive Officer
Kelly Services, Inc.Fuqua's Career Management Center (CMC) is dedicated to assisting all Fuqua students regardless of where they stand on their current career paths. Fuqua's CMC welcomes recruiters from more than 150 corporate partners each year to meet with students and explore career options.
The CMC empowers students to define, attain, and manage career goals by providing proactive and responsive programs, services, and guidance. The CMC assists with career progression and development, self-assessment, job search strategy, career transition, and job search tactics. Included among the wide range of CMC services are career development workshops; career and job search education through lectures and other resources; guidance and coaching in-person and by phone; access to online job postings; and access to CMC-facilitated recruiting activities.
For more details, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Class Profile
Profile for inaugural class graduating in 2010
Class Size 99 Average age at entry 23 Entering with work experience (> 6 months) 31% Average undergraduate GPA (4.0 scale) 3.32 80% Range of undergraduate GPA 2.91 - 3.72 Women 34% Minorities 33% Under-represented Minorities 19% International 8% Undergraduate Majors
Liberal Arts 55% Economics 17% Engineering/Natural Sciences 16% Business and Accounting 7% Other 5%