Try something new and expand your expertise
Whether you’re making a big career transition, preparing for a leadership role, or expanding your sector knowledge, FCCP can be a valuable real-world complement to your Executive MBA journey.
“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 for Weekend and Global Executive MBAs that takes place from January to June. The course comprises classes virtually on Tuesday evenings in Eastern Standard Time, along with weekly team meetings and regular client meetings via videoconference.
In the first week of December, projects are presented to Executive MBA students, who then apply to FCCP by indicating their project preferences, providing a brief statement of interest, and listing any relevant skills or expertise. All projects in FCCP are conducted virtually with clients across the US and internationally. However, if a client specifies that travel is an essential project component, the FCCP Program Office will clearly identify this in the application process. As travel for FCCP projects is self-funded, students should consider any additional costs when applying and selecting such projects. The travel location will be indicated, and students usually spend one week at this specified location.
When the application period has closed, the FCCP program office conducts a team formation process, matching students to projects and announcing the results. Students have 24 hours to accept or decline their place on the project team.
Once the projects are staffed and students are enrolled, teams schedule a team-building dinner and conduct a kickoff call with their clients before launching into formal coursework and project activities. Throughout the course, students will be prompted to reflect on their goals, provide meaningful feedback to their teammates, and grow from the feedback they receive.
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.
'