This is usually the last week of August. Classes typically begin on either the last Monday in August, or the first Monday in September. The exact date can be found by consulting the Duke University calendar. The details of teacher training can be found by viewing the schedule. The new student is advised the week before classes begin by the Director of Graduate Studies to help with selection of courses and other academic matters.
Students take three courses per semester while studying for the qualifying exam .
The qualifying exam is an exam on undergraduate and basic graduate level material. It is usually taken during the student's first year, and has to be taken before the end of the January of the student's second year. The student chooses an advisor soon after taking the qualifying exam. The Director of Graduate Studies then chooses the student's preliminary exam committee. In consultation with the committee, the student makes a syllabus for the preliminary exam.