Duke University - Economics

Program Overview

Duke in New York: Financial Markets and Institutions is a liberal arts based one semester program in New York City for Duke undergraduates interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the financial services industry. The program introduces students to multiple dimensions of global financial markets and institutions. Through coursework, sponsored projects, guest lectures and panels, field trips, tours, and organized interactions with Duke alumni and other leaders in the field, students will gain first-hand knowledge of the financial services arena, as well as the regulations and institutions affecting it.

The program incorporates four full-credit courses taught by Duke Faculty, a mentorship program with Duke Alumni in the industry, guest lectures and panels, visits to trading floors, a shadowing program, and socials hosted by banks and other institutions. The courses feature a broad-based liberal arts approach to issues of international finance, financial markets and associated institutions. This includes regulation, government-business relations, supporting institutions, and value and ethical issues.

It is not necessary for the students to have prior experience or course work in finance, nor is it necessary to have the intention of working in the financial field after graduation to participate in the program. Duke in New York: Financial Markets and Institutions should be seen as an opportunity for students to become more familiar with the full scope of career opportunities in financial services or regulatory agencies involved in financial markets. Students should leave the program with a more complete understanding of the functioning of global capital markets and regulatory issues involved in these markets. They should further leave with a strong sense of community created with the many Duke Alumni who have eagerly volunteered to participate in the Duke in New York: Financial Markets and Institutions program.

This program is not a placement program for internships. In previous years, many students in the program have been successful in securing summer internships. Furthermore, the Academic Director works with the Career Center, and with many New York-based finance companies, to arrange internship interviews at their New York offices or by phone. Some Duke alumni in New York have also generously given their time to mentor and advise Duke in NY students as they navigate their way through the summer intern recruiting process. But applicants should be aware that obtaining summer internships in finance is neither the goal nor the purpose of the Program.

This program is managed by the Department of Economics. Courses will be held at the Kimmel Center at New York University, and students will be housed at the New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue.

Duke students from all majors/academic programs are encouraged to apply; a minimum GPA of 3.4 is recommended. Rising juniors and well-qualified rising sophomores are eligible for the program.

Application Deadlines for Spring 2012 Program:

First Round: May 15, 2011

Second Round: August 15, 2011

See the Duke in NY: Financial Markets and Institutions program page on the Duke Global Education website for application information.