Where executive experience meets experiential learning
Whether you’re pivoting into a new industry, preparing for a broader leadership role, or seeking to deepen your expertise in a specific sector, the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP) offers a high-impact, real-world learning opportunity that complements your Executive MBA journey. Through FCCP, you’ll work alongside a team of fellow Executive MBA students to solve a real business challenge for an external client—ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and nonprofits. With guidance from experienced faculty and support from a dedicated FCCP mentor, you’ll apply the tools and frameworks from your coursework in a dynamic, client-facing environment. The experience helps you build practical consulting skills, expand your network, and gain exposure to industries or functions you may not encounter in your day-to-day role—all while creating meaningful value for a real organization.
Watch the EMBA FCCP Overview
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“The FCCP experience taught me to have a longer attention span for team projects and to be more comfortable with ambiguity. Personally, I have gained the confidence to take on ambitious projects and use consulting frameworks to lead the team and process.“
Jenny Hoang, Weekend Executive MBA ’19
Course structure
The Executive MBA FCCP program is a 3-credit elective offered to Weekend Executive MBA students and runs from January through June. Classes meet virtually on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings (Eastern Time), and students also participate in weekly team meetings and regular videoconference check-ins with clients.
Project opportunities are introduced in early December and students apply by ranking their preferred projects, submitting a brief statement of interest, and highlighting relevant skills or experience. Most projects are conducted virtually with clients across the U.S. and internationally. If a project requires travel, this will be clearly indicated in the application process. Travel is self-funded, and students typically spend one week on-site at a time agreed upon with the client, and each other.
After the application period closes, the FCCP Program Office matches students to project teams and communicates placements. Students have 24 hours to accept or decline their assignment.
Once teams are confirmed, students begin a preparatory phase that includes a team-building dinner and a kickoff call with their client. The course emphasizes personal reflection, peer-to-peer feedback, and continuous development. It concludes with a final client presentation that delivers actionable, strategic recommendations based on the team’s analysis and insights.
Prep
The prep phase gives you a chance to meet your team, faculty advisor, and Alumni Mentor, kick off the project with your client, and get immersed in the course before you dive headfirst into the project.
Sprint 1
You and your teammates will dig deep into your client’s business challenge, meeting regularly with your client project lead to iron out the work scope and gather the data you’ll need to perform your analyses. You’ll present your initial findings at the end of this sprint.
Sprint 2
Incorporating feedback from your client, with guidance from your faculty advisor and alumni mentor, you’ll deliver final recommendations and deliverables to your client’s key stakeholders.
Course Content
- Consulting frameworks
- Project management skills
- Research methods
- Client communication skills
- In-class team collaboration and presentation rehearsal time
- Personal goal-setting and reflection
- Peer evaluation
Ready to dive in?
If you’re a current EMBA student, come to one of our info sessions in Term 1 (or watch the recording later) and look out for FCCP announcements in your Canvas program page. If you’re a prospective or accepted Fuqua student, get in touch with a current FCCP student.
Frequently asked questions
Applications open in early December each year. You’ll have opportunities to attend info sessions and learn about projects before you apply, and express your project preferences in your application. Both the info sessions and applications will be advertised on your Canvas program page.
After you apply, the program office conducts a team formation process based on your project preferences and sends you a project offer. When you digitally sign to accept your offer, you elect to enroll in FCCP. Our office works directly with the registrar to enroll you.
Executive MBA students pay an administrative fee of $125 to take the course. FCCP does not cover travel expenses, so if your team chooses to visit a client in person, you must cover your own expenses, including transportation and lodging.
Contact us here and we will respond as soon as we can. You can also email our team at fccp@fuqua.duke.edu.