Duke Pratt in San Francisco
A FOUR-WEEK SUMMER FINANCIAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM ON BLOCKCHAIN
Program Alert
The Pratt in San Francisco program will be on hiatus for 2025. Check back for summer 2026 dates in fall 2025.
A FINANCIAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM
Apply NowDuke University’s Pratt School of Engineering and Global Education Office for Undergraduates (GEO), offer a four-week, one-course program based in San Francisco, California. This program is made possible by the Christensen Family Center for Innovation.
Based in San Francisco, a US hub for technology firms, this program will offer a 4-week course on Blockchain, a platform that epitomizes the multitude of ways in which technology is disrupting financial services.
In addition to in-class lectures, discussions, and projects, there will be guest lectures primarily from Duke alumni working in FinTech and related fields in San Francisco. Students will also benefit from site visits to relevant firms, hosted by Duke alumni, and a reception for alumni and students for networking purposes. Additional cultural experiences include a trip to the famous Giants stadium to watch a baseball game.
This program is likely to be of particular interest to Pratt undergraduates.
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
Location: San Francisco, CA
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 14 - June 11, 2025 TENTATIVE
Priority Deadline: February 1
Academic Theme(s): Engineering, Finance, Technology
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: Non-Duke students are not eligible to apply to this program.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Pratt School of Engineering
Housing: TBD
Primary Contact: Emma Rasiel
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San Francisco evening
ACADEMICS
All students enroll in the signature program course for one Duke credit. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.
EGR 390A
Blockchain
1.0 Credit
Blockchain technology is being embraced in finance and other industries as an encryption base for all types of applications. This course explores the history, current environment, and near-term outlook of financial innovation (FinTech), focusing on applications of Blockchain technology. Topics range from digital stores of value to documents and transactions. This course is designed to provide students with perspective and hands-on experience using a blockchain. Students will learn to formulate an accurate image and deep practical understanding of the capabilities and limitations of various blockchain techniques.
Finance may be the most disruptive (and disrupted) industry in existence today, Blockchain is playing a significant role in what is currently characterized as “FinTech.” The immutability and transparency of the technology is facilitating both traditional transactions (such as credit, supply chain and voting) as well as new areas (e.g. IOT, digital currencies, and identity management). Given the breadth of applications of this technology, the potential impact on finance and beyond cannot be overstated.
As with many FinTech applications, Blockchain opportunities occupy both technical and business settings. This course is designed to provide a good understanding (via discussion, implementation, and execution) and level of competence in this area, with a particular focus on certain aspects that are proving to be especially disruptive. To further these objectives, several speakers that are squarely entrenched in the Blockchain space will present their views on various aspects of the industry, as well as discussing their motivation for forming their own companies where applicable. In addition to speakers, we will discuss various assigned readings.
The goal of this course is that you leave with not only knowledge but hands on experience creating a simple Blockchain contract. In addition, you will be able to converse on a practical basis about what Blockchain can and cannot do (e.g. blockchain will not cure cancer but may facilitate research). This understanding is among the most sought after in today’s job market.
Prerequisites:
- EGR 103L or CS 201: Computational Methods in Engineering (or other approved course providing an introduction to computer programming)
- Math 212: Multivariate Calculus preferred but not required
- Some experience coding with Python preferred but not required.
HOUSING & MEALS
2025 Housing is TBD
PROGRAM FACULTY & STAFF
The Duke Pratt in San Francisco program director can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the GEO representative listed.
COSTS
Costs below are estimates. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2026
| Duke Students | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | TBD |
| Program Fee | TBD |
| Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | TBD |
Non-Duke students are not eligible to participate in this program.
Explanation of Costs
- Accommodations
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Orientation program
- Internet usage
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
The program fee does not include:
- Airfare
- Airport transportation to/from program site
- Local transportation
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Visa (if needed)
- Mobile phone
- Laundry
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyGlobalEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $2,000-3,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving financial aid are eligible for aid for this program (work-study funds must be converted to loans). Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and the Bursar. Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: TBD for 2026
- Departure: TBD for 2026
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyGlobalEd to update your travel itinerary.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Interview: A short interview will be required
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who submit all materials by the deadline and meet prerequisites. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are not eligible to apply to this program.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
Before applying to this program, please take into consideration the light physical demands required by some of this program’s activities. Activities include walking moderate distances on sometimes hilly, uneven, and/or cobbled terrain, climbing up stairs, using public transportation, and standing during tours and site visits. If you have questions or are concerned about any of these activities, please contact the faculty program director.
APPLY
Please start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
To apply to Duke Pratt in San Francisco, please submit the following items using MyGlobalEd:
- Online application
- Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended.*
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
*First-Year Students: You must wait until Fall grades are posted to request your transcript be sent to GEO. Please be sure to submit your transcript as soon as they are posted. All other components of the application must be complete by the deadline.
Interview: The program director will contact you to schedule an individual interview.
GEO ADVISING IS HERE FOR YOU
Get advice on choosing a program, exploring courses and credits, and covering the costs of study away when you engage the Global Education Office's advising network.