DON'T JUST STUDY GLOBAL AFFAIRS, SHAPE THEM.
In a global environment that is hotter, flatter, faster, and increasingly unequal, join the next generation of changemakers to find solutions for the most complex challenges.
With highly flexible master’s degree options for every step of the career ladder – all focused on global affairs – Fletcher will help you help the world, on your terms.
Our admissions team is currently reviewing applications. Apply by February 20 to start this fall.
Take the next Step
Find what program is right for you, and learn more about what your future holds at Fletcher.
WHY CHOOSE FLETCHER?
The Fletcher School at Tufts University is one of America’s oldest and most reputable graduate schools for international affairs.
Education for your life
Tailor your experience to your personal goals – choose among multiple global affairs degrees, each with unique concentrations.
Vast Alumni Connections
Solve the world’s greatest challenges together with other pioneers. Your support will extend far beyond the Fletcher walls through the support of a global network of alumni.
Global Faculty Experts
Learn from respected scholars and professors of practice with direct experience as influential policymakers and presidential advisors.
A History of Excellence
For 90 years, Fletcher has led the study and practice of international affairs at the intersection of the most complex challenges, in a world that’s ever-evolving.
ranked among the best
Fletcher is proudly among the top 10 international relations schools in the world, according to Foreign Policy Magazine’s best master’s programs 2024 edition.
FIELDS OF STUDY
Fields of study are specialized areas of concentration. They are key parts of the Fletcher curriculum, helping students develop specific skills in a particular topic or region.
The Comparative and Regional Studies field includes courses on broad themes through a comparative lens or in-depth studies of specific countries or regions. It is multidisciplinary, emphasizing history and politics, and focuses on the internal dynamics of states within regional and global contexts.
Sample courses include:
- Global Decolonization
- Religion and Politics
- The Globalization of Central Eurasia: Energy, Politics, and Culture
- Identity Politics of East Asia
- Migration and Transnationalism in Latin America
The Gender and Intersectional Analysis field examines how gender intersects with factors like ethnicity, race, age, religion, class, and sexual orientation, using theory to analyze power systems and how they organize authority, institutions, rights, resources, and life options.
Sample courses include:
- Gender Theory and Praxis
- Gender and Human Security in Transitional States and Societies
- Children, Violence, Protection, and Resilience
- Peace Operations
Global governance involves the collective management of international affairs by governments, NGOs, and corporations, focusing on norms, policies, and practices in areas like conflict management, human rights, and trade, preparing students for careers in various sectors.
Sample courses include:
- Processes of International Negotiations
- Leadership and Global Institutions: The UN and Beyond
- Analytic Frameworks for International Public Policy Decisions
- Managing NGOs and Social Enterprises
- Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy
The Human Security field focuses on protecting and promoting civilian well-being by addressing human rights, conflict resolution, development, and humanitarian issues, mitigating risks through empowerment and responsible governance, and complementing traditional security studies with a multidisciplinary approach.
Sample courses include:
- Gender, Culture, and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
- Humanitarian Leadership: The Political and Policy Challenges of Being in Charge
- Children, Violence, Protection and Resilience
- Climate and Migration
- Famine, Livelihoods, and Resilience: Food Security Analysis and Response in Crisis
The International Business field of study focuses on global business management, covering leadership, finance, strategy, and corporate social responsibility. It equips students with the tools to make decisions in diverse industries and understand the broader impact of business on communities and the environment, preparing them for careers in the private sector and beyond.
Sample courses include:
- Foundations in Financial Accounting and Corporate Finance
- Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization
- Corporate Management of Environmental Issues
- Innovation Models for Building Inclusive Businesses
- Sustainable Development Diplomacy
Students may also choose the Quantitative Methods (QM) track for those interested in data analytics, finance, economics, or consulting. International students may qualify for a 2-year extension for their post-completion Optional Practice Training (OPT) work permit as part of this program.
The International Development and Environmental Policy field examines the interconnected challenges of global poverty and environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for policies that address both economic development and environmental protection, using an interdisciplinary approach to understand their conflicts and synergies.
Sample courses include:
- Environmental Problem Solving
- Development Economics
- Environmental Humanities and Global Health
- Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity
- Water Policy and Governance
The International Economic Relations field examines the economic interactions among countries, the policies affecting these interactions, and their broader economic consequences, preparing students through coursework in economic and political theory, statistics, and empirical analysis.
Sample courses include:
- Politics of the Global Economy
- Econometrics
- International Trade and Investment
- International Finance
- Mergers and Acquisitions: An International Perspective
The International Legal Studies field prepares students for leadership in global affairs with a multidisciplinary approach to studying international law, offering in-depth knowledge and skills for careers in global organizations, government, NGOs, and private sector firms.
Sample courses include:
- Migration and Human Rights
- Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy
- Cyber Risk Management
- Corporate Governance in International Business and Finance
- Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization
The International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution field explores the causes of violent conflict, intergroup and ethnonational conflicts, and the international aspects of intrastate conflicts, focusing on theories and practices of negotiation, mediation, and other conflict resolution approaches, while also considering gender, culture, development, and religion.
Sample courses include:
- Religion and Conflict in International Relations
- International Mediation
- Negotiation and Mediation in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Past Lessons and Future Opportunities
- Transitional Justice
The International Security field covers political conflict, violence, war, civil-military relations, crisis management, cybersecurity, and climate change, offering theoretical and practical courses on power, legitimacy, and sovereignty, preparing students for careers in government, NGOs, policy institutes, consulting, media, and academia.
Sample courses include:
- Nuclear Weapons and Great Powers Competition
- Civil Resistance
- International Cyber Conflict
- Power in World Politics
- Peace Operations
The Technology Policy field explores the intersection of emerging technologies and global affairs, focusing on areas like Internet and energy policy, preparing students to understand the technical details and policy implications of issues such as cybersecurity and nuclear proliferation, thereby equipping them to address critical international debates and diplomatic challenges.
Sample courses include:
- Cyberlaw and Cyberpolicy
- Computer Science for Future Policymakers
- Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, Ethics and Policy
- Foreign Relations and National Security Law
- Modern Terrorism and Counterterrorism
of Fletcher graduates find related roles within 6 months of graduating
Fletcher is the place for ambitious, intellectually curious individuals driven by a passion for global issues.
Our students are collaborative thinkers who thrive in an interdisciplinary environment and are eager to tackle complex challenges. They come with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, ready to engage with a global community and leverage their education to make a meaningful impact.
If you’re committed to integrating knowledge across disciplines and leading in an interconnected world, Fletcher is the place for you.
program offerings
Gain a foundation in law and diplomacy, as well as economics, business, politics, and history. Fletcher’s MALD degree is highly flexible and can be customized to meet your specific academic, personal, and professional goals. Graduates serve in public, private, and nonprofit leadership positions throughout the world.
- Duration: 2 academic years (19 months)
- Location: Residential (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Professional experience: None required, 2-4 years recommended
The MGA is an accelerated 16-month residential program offers early and mid-career professionals a highly approach to career advancement. Focused on a single field of study, MGA students tackle real-world issues through coursework, internships, and a comprehensive practicum taught by Fletcher’s renowned faculty.
- Duration: 16 months full time (part time option available)
- Location: Residential (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Experience: 2 years of professional experience required
Fletcher’s Master of International Business (MIB) combines rigorous MBA training with a focus on sustainability and global affairs, preparing leaders to address global challenges with innovative, long-term solutions.
- Duration: 2 academic years (19 months)
- Location: Residential (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Experience: None required; 2 years recommended
Quantitative Methods Track (QM): This specialized STEM-focused track enhances the MIB curriculum with advanced quantitative skills. International students may also be eligible for an additional two years of Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Fletcher’s Executive Master of Leadership in Global Affairs is engineered for mid-career professionals who wish to remain in the workforce while earning an elite global affairs degree.
- Duration: 1 year (12 months)
- Location: Online/Hybrid
- Experience: 8 years of professional experience required
A one-year program for mid-career professionals—often on sabbatical or leave of absence from government ministries, international organizations, and other institutions—Fletcher’s MA is tailored to each student’s functional, academic, and professional goals. Students can further customize their education by cross-registering for courses at Tufts or Harvard University.
- Duration: 1 academic year (9 months)
- Location: Residential (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Experience: 8 years of professional experience
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY:
Katrina Ablen
“The people who make up the Fletcher community are incredibly knowledgeable and grounded by their experiences, but they also welcome those who challenge their beliefs and thought processes. Fletcher’s diverse academic environment has enabled me to critically reevaluate my own positions on global issues and to challenge the perspectives I hold when interacting with those who have views contrary to mine.”
Gautier Parthon De Von
“My classes are deeply engaging and address urgent international issues. The practicum includes soft skill training, and excellent professional development resources.”
Transform your dedication to fostering a better world into a fulfilling global career.