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Curricular Offerings
At Duke I&E, we equip students from all disciplines with business frameworks, evidence-based practical tools and an innovative mindset to think critically, solve creatively, and lead confidently.
Undergraduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Open to all majors, the Duke I&E Undergraduate Certificate develops a strong foundation in innovation, design, business, and entrepreneurial action, pairing theory with hands-on experience to develop creativity, resilience, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose for tackling real-world challenges. Four-hundred sixty-eight (468) undergraduate students pursued the Duke I&E Certificate in FY25. These Certificate students mirror the diversity of Duke’s undergraduate population and are sparking a movement of leaders driving impact in every path they pursue.
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Undergraduate Class of 2025 Reflections
Undergraduate students described Duke I&E as a transformative, confidence-building experience that helped them:
- Reframe uncertainty and failure as opportunities.
- Bridge technical expertise with business and strategy.
- Gain hands-on, practical experience turning ideas into ventures.
- Build an interdisciplinary, risk-taking community.
- Develop skills in social innovation, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
Overall, they called I&E one of the most rewarding parts of their Duke journey, preparing them to take risks, collaborate, and create meaningful impact.
Graduate & Professional Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The Duke I&E Graduate & Professional Certificate allows graduate and professional students from across Duke’s schools to complement their education with foundational business principles and an understanding of the entrepreneurial process that supports both career growth and entrepreneurial ambitions. In FY25, four-hundred eighty three (483) graduate and professional students pursued the Duke I&E Certificate (a 22% increase from FY24).
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Graduate & Professional Class of 2025 Reflections
Across their reflections, Graduate students consistently described Duke I&E as transformative, practical, and deeply personal. They emphasized:
- Learning to turn ideas into real-world impact.
- Developing courage, resilience, and storytelling skills.
- Experiencing hands-on, high-pressure challenges that changed how they view entrepreneurship.
- Finding an authentic community of support, collaboration, and purpose.
- Applying innovation to pressing fields like healthcare, policy, and technology.
Experiential Programs
Duke I&E offers hands-on programs for students at every stage of their innovation journey, from venture support and workshops to clubs and competitions.
Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs
Duke’s premier student startup accelerator, Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs, supports high-potential founders who are actively building companies. In FY25, ten (10) student founders received executive coaching, alumni mentorship, travel experiences, and yearlong guidance from program sponsor Melissa Bernstein ’87, P’15, P’16, P’26.
Duke I&E has been more than a program; it's been a home. The Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs program was truly life-changing, surrounding me with mentors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. It's the people who make the difference. In a world that often feels like a race for recognition, I&E offered something rarer: authenticity, community, and purpose. I hope to give back one day, just as so many Duke alumni have so generously given to me.
-Rui Sun MEgM '25
The Ronald & Carrie Ludwig Duke in Silicon Valley Program
This immersive learning experience places students at the epicenter of new venture creation. Over the course of a month, students learn what it takes to launch a venture, explore the funding landscape, and experience Silicon Valley firsthand. In FY25, twenty-four (24) students met with fifty-four (54) alumni and parent volunteers/speakers and made fifteen (15) company visits.
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