Student Resources

Student Resources

New Student Orientation

Participating in the activities scheduled during the orientation week is required for some programs including Cybersecurity and FinTech.

Learn more about what new students need to complete with the new student checklist for both on-campus and online students.

Please plan your trip to Durham accordingly so that you arrive on campus on time to attend the orientation.

New Student Checklist

Course Attendance Policy

Students enrolled in the Duke Master of Engineering in FinTech Program – in person track, are expected to attend class regularly and in person, adhering to Duke Academic Calendar.

Duke FinTech follows the Graduate dates within the calendar when applicable.

Unless and until all coursework and examinations (whether comprehensive final exams, quizzes, or otherwise) have been completed for all courses in which a student is enrolled, a student is expected to remain at Duke in person through the end of final exam week (see current Duke Academic Calendar for the exact dates.)

It is especially important that students attend the first day and the last day of class for all courses in which they are enrolled. In their first classes, faculty set course goals and standards, frame the course’s subject matter, form student teams and begin to create the class community. If students miss the first classes of the semester, they detract from their own educational experience and undermine that of their classmates. Furthermore, they create additional work for the professors and TAs.

Responsibility for regular and punctual class attendance rests with individual students. The course faculty shall refer a student to Duke FinTech administrators in the event of excessive absences.

A student seeking an “excused” absence must work directly with her or his course faculty and must initiate the request in advance and as soon as possible. A student may be excused from attendance due to truly extenuating circumstances such as significant illness, personal/family emergency, or important religious observance.

Whether an absence is excused or not, a student will be held fully accountable for any in-class graded participation or assignments an absence caused the student to miss.

Student Forms

For any forms to request to audit a class, to withdraw from a course or to apply for a leave of absence, go to the Graduate Student Programs and Services‘s page.

FinTech Student Mentors

Zhiyuan Chen, Fall 2023 ME in FinTech Candidate

Fueled by a profound curiosity for financial technology and investment analysis, I embarked on a journey that led me away from China to delve deeply into these captivating subjects. Immersed in my studies, I found myself under the guidance of exceptional professors – luminaries in the fields – such as Jimmie, Hurwitz, and Jake. Their mentorship not only enriched my academic pursuits but also imparted invaluable insights into strategic career navigation. Through their tutelage, I’ve blossomed into a formidable force, brimming with potential, poised to flourish in the dynamic realm of the financial industry. Here, I envisage translating my coding acumen and analytical prowess into tangible solutions that navigate the intricate landscapes of finance and technology. Thinking, for me, is a cherished endeavor – a gateway to unravel complexities and envision innovative paths. Sharing knowledge and experiences is a joy that I wholeheartedly embrace, fostering a vibrant community of learning. As I continue this exhilarating voyage, I am driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, an unyielding passion for growth, and an unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of financial technology for a brighter, more connected future.

Yuru Chen

Yuru graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Art in Math and Economics. During her undergraduate studies, she was deeply interested in the varieties of new technology and how technology and finance interacted. She joined the FinTech program to explore and learn about technologies that impact traditional finance. She likes dancing, cooking, hiking, mini golf, and playing pickle ball!

Wenjie Cui, Fall 2023 ME in FinTech Candidate

Wenjie is from Shanghai, China. She obtained her Bachelor of Economics in Finance from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. Advancements in improving investment processes leveraging on technology in recent years have sparked her interest in this field. Given the exposure to the industry and enhancement of technical skills, she is now interning in HPS Investment this summer in Data Analytics. Based on the financial data, She also aspires to explore more on implementing quantitative strategies and the risk management.

Shuyang Liu, Spring 2024 ME in FinTech Candidate

Shuyang is originally from China and graduated from University of Nottingham in 2022 with a BSC in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. During his undergraduate period, he mainly focused on statistics and financial mathematics. In addition, he did an internship in an investment bank, gradually stepped into the financial field, and developed a strong interest in cryptocurrencies. He believes that web3 has broad prospects, so he hopes to use his time in Duke Fintech to gain a deeper understanding of it and become a professional in this field. He loves fitness, badminton and outdoor sports. He was a member of the school rowing team during his undergraduate years, and he is also interested in climbing and hiking. He loves life and the living world, so traveling, photography and movies are also his passions. Recently, he is planning to find an opportunity to go deep into nature to see stars and the Milky Way.

Samuel Post, Fall 2023 ME in FinTech Candidate

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Sam joined the US Army out of high school and served for twelve years. He received his undergraduate degree in Finance and his MBA from Liberty University before being accepted into Duke’s FinTech program. His primary interests are Blockchain and asset tokenization. Sam currently works for JPMorgan Chase in its Onyx Product Enablement Team, where he guides risk assessment framework processes and drives initiatives related to JPMorgan’s blockchain payment rail – JPM Coin. Outside of work he spends time with his wife and two kids, plays music, and trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Dong Pu, Spring 2024 ME in FinTech Candidate

Dong is from Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2022 where she focused her studies on Financial Economics, Computer Science, and Music. The reason Dong wanted to explore this program at the very beginning was that Fintech is a great match for what she learned during undergraduate school. After she learned more about this program, she realized that there are many career support, great alumni, and networking opportunities and that’s how she made the final decision. At Duke, she aims to learn practical programming tools and methodologies to become a better problem solver, especially in the way as a consultant. For future career path, she is currently pursuing a full-time opportunity in consulting industry, financial services, and financial institutions. In her free time, she’d love to play the violin and go to concerts from time to time. She has been playing the violin for 19 years since she was four. Also, she is a great singer, so Kmix is one of her favorite places to go. Finally, she is passionate about Texas Hold’em poker, and she has been playing poker since Sophomore.

Ziyan Zhang, Fall 2023 ME in FinTech Candidate

Originally from Beijing, China, Ziyan graduated from Purdue University – West Lafayette in 2022, earning a B.S. in Economics with a minor in Mathematics. Her time as an undergraduate ignited a profound fascination with innovation within the financial sector. During her academic journey, Ziyan conducted a macroeconomic research project comparing the performance of Bitcoin and gold during domestic recessions. This enlightening endeavor ultimately directed her path towards the Duke MEng in Financial Technology program. In the summer of 2023, Ziyan secured an internship with Truckcoinswap’s modeling team, an experience that enriched her practical knowledge and insights into tokenomics and the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market. This opportunity solidified her commitment to the world of fintech and provided a platform to apply her theoretical understanding in a real-world context. Drawing upon her background in economics and fintech, Ziyan is eagerly poised to spearhead digital transformation and fuel innovation within the financial sector. She aspires to be at the forefront of reshaping the financial landscape and harnessing the potential of emerging technologies.

Hayley Yang, Spring 2024 ME in FinTech Candidate

Hayley Yang, originally from China, graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mathematics. During her time at UW, she developed a profound interest for Financial Technology, immersing herself in its vast landscape and understanding its transformative potential.This exploration led her to take a keen interest in both Fintech product management and the strategic world of venture capital. Drawing parallels between mathematical models and real-world financial solutions, Hayley delved into the intricacies of aligning tech innovations with market dynamics. At Duke University’s Fintech program, she focuses her studies on bridging these disciplines, keenly observing how fintech innovations can be supported by venture capital insights.

Graduate Student Programs and Services

The Graduate Student Programs and Services (GSPS) team works with Duke Engineering students in a number of ways. Our services are part of the comprehensive and integrated structure of support we have at Duke Engineering, which is all designed to help you have an excellent student experience!

Partnering with the individual programs and departments within Pratt, the GSPS teams look forward to providing you with a variety of support and services to enhance your engineering master’s program experience!

Explore GSPS

Internship Opportunities

The Duke Engineering Master’s Career Services & Professional Development team prepares students for success in the world of work.

An experienced team provides individual & group coaching, online learning, workshops and events, and more. Working with our coaches, Duke Engineering master’s students develop skills and build a professional community.

Nearly 8 in 10 recent graduates started work or further education within six months of graduation. Through strong industry connections, a global network of Duke alumni, and close ties with the Duke University Career Center, we offer extensive networking opportunities and access to employer recruitment events.

For Current Students

Health and Wellness

Duke University is providing a continuum of care to graduate students. Whether you struggle with health issues or stress related to life events or academic deadlines, please reach out. You are not alone, and your confidentiality is respected.

Explore the many services that the Duke Wellness Center has to offer:

International Students

Duke International Student Center offers a variety of services and programs to the international Duke student community. Please become part of it to learn about cultures, make new friends, enhance your english language fluency, mentor and be mentored by other students like you.

Student Disability Management

The Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) recognizes disability as an aspect of diversity that is integral to society and to our campus community. Accessibility is an essential feature of the Duke campus, and we strive to create an inclusive community for our students. We strive to ensure that students with disabilities are provided the tools they need to fully access all aspects of student life inside and outside of the classroom.

Core Functions of SDAO

  • Partner with students with disabilities to establish services for their access and inclusion on campus
  • Manage, coordinate, implement and evaluate accommodation/service programs
  • Serve as a resource to students/faculty/staff to ensure effective provision of services
  • Provide educational and resource support to the campus community to increase awareness regarding how to create and sustain access and inclusion for students with disabilities in all aspects of the university
  • Provide resource and referral information to the campus community and prospective student and their families

SDAO works with each student individually to establish academic adjustments and auxiliary aids and services, more frequently referred to as academic accommodations for the purpose of eliminating the environmental barriers impacting the student’s equitable access to the campus facilities, programs and activities. To find out more information about how to establish services with SDAO you can contact us in the following ways.

Explore the SDAO webpage  to learn whom to contact if you want to understand your rights and responsibilites, you need to request accommodations, or renew an existing accommodation.

Graduation

Your academic journey at the Pratt School of Engineering will be celebrated with festive ceremonies. Explore the celebrations on the Pratt School of Engineering commencement website.

Celebrating Commencement

Student Records FAQ

If you have questions about courses, leave of absence, graduation, health insurance or billing, this FAQ document may have the answer for you.

If you still have questions, please contact the Student records Coordinator for Master’s of Engineering master’s programs, Cherie Creten, MBA, at cherie.creten@duke.edu.

Student Engagement for Engineering Students

Enhance your Duke experience by taking advantage of the opportunities for engagement for Duke Pratt graduate students:

Exploring Durham

Get to know the Bull City. Duke and its hometown of Durham, North Carolina, are closely connected. Here’s how to see some of Durham during a short visit to campus.

Discover Durham

Suggested Reading List

A list of must-reads recommended by FinTech Faculty for students:

Conference Reimbursement

The Duke FinTech Program provides students with the opportunity to boost their professional development by sponsoring their participation in conferences relevant for their field of study or intended specialization.

Reimbursement form