Secure the world's future.
Work toward global peace and justice with a master’s degree in global affairs, specializing in International Security Studies.
Whether it’s war, intelligence, non-violent resistance, cybersecurity, or military reform, the study of national and international security requires a comprehensive approach.
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 with a choice of multiple international affairs degrees and areas of specialization.
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 over 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 5 international relations schools in the world, according to Foreign Policy magazine’s best master’s programs 2024 edition.
Experiential Learning
Conduct research, start entrepreneurial ventures, and gain internship and global experience, while consulting on critical issues with other future business leaders, diplomats, climate specialists, security professionals, and human rights lawyers.
Discover Boston
Study in Boston, a vibrant, innovative city and home to world-class universities, international organizations, and cutting-edge industries for unmatched pathways of professional growth.
Sample courses:
- Nuclear Weapons and Great Powers Competition
- Civil Resistance
- International Cyber Conflict
- Power in World Politics
- Peace Operations
Program Offerings
Fletcher offers a flexible, interdisciplinary approach to international affairs with in-person, online, and hybrid programs for various career stages. Explore our degree options and contact us to find the right fit for you.
Gain an interdisciplinary foundation across law, diplomacy, economics, business, politics, and history. With the Master of Arts in International Affairs, you can specialize in two fields of study 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), part-time option
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
The Specialized Master of Arts in International Affairs is an intensive program where you select one field of study, continue the program through the summer, and complete your degree in as little as 16 months. You will also gain experience with a practicum and optional internship.
- Duration: 16 months full time (part time option available)
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
A one-year program for mid-career professionals—often on sabbatical or leave of absence from government ministries, international organizations, and other institutions—this highly flexible degree is tailored your functional, academic, and professional goals. You can further customize your education by cross-registering for courses at Tufts or Harvard University.
- Duration: 1 academic year (9 months)
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Experience: 6 years of professional experience
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), part-time option
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
The STEM-designated Master of International Business: Quantitative Methods offers a core curriculum similar to an MBA with the breadth of international affairs and a focus in data analytics and financial modeling—giving you deep quantitative and data skills.
- Duration: 2 academic years (19 months), part-time option
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
This STEM-designated program equips you with advanced quantitative skills in economics and econometrics, empowering you to understand complex challenges in international finance, trade, investment, and international development. With a choice of two fields of study, you can tailor the program to your interests and career goals.
- Duration: 2 academic years (19 months), part-time option
- Location: In Person (Boston, Massachusetts)
of Fletcher graduates find related roles within 6 months of graduating.
Public sector career paths include:
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- United States Agency for International Development
- US Armed Forces
- US Department of Defense
- US Department of Homeland Security
What our students say:
Jennifer Anderson
“As a prior military intelligence officer, I wanted to pursue a graduate program that would equip me with the skills necessary to be successful as a civilian in international security and foreign relations. The breadth and depth of the MALD courses offered are unmatched and provide you the flexibility to tailor your course load to meet your specific goals and interests.”
Sebastián Uribe Correa
“Defense and security issues are extremely important, and any serious diplomat or politician should have advanced understanding of these issues. The flexibility of the curriculum at Fletcher allows me to pursue both fields of study and strengthen my theoretical knowledge, while also improving soft skills such as public speaking.”
Learn from experts such as:
David Logan
Assistant Professor of Security Studies
- Research areas/interests: nuclear weapons, arms control, deterrence, and the U.S.-China security relationship. His research examines the nature of conflicts in a new era of nuclear-powered great power competition and has significant implications for understanding the factors that influence China’s decisions to use military force against regional neighbors.
- A faculty affiliate of the International Security Studies Program (ISSP) and The Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs, he is a critical analyst of international security, and his scholarship is published widely in numerous top academic journals. He has conducted research for the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at National Defense University and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
- A sharp voice on matters of international security, He previously taught in the National Security Affairs Department at the Naval War College. He served as a Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow with the MIT Security Studies Program and as a fellow with the Princeton Center for International Security Studies, where he was also director of the Strategic Education Initiative.
Abigail Linnington
Professor of Practice of International Security
- Research/areas of interest: U.S. national security policy, regional conflict and state disintegration, ethnic and religious violence, extremism and political violence, internal conflicts and wars, contemporary military strategy, 21st century intelligence policy, special operations forces and covert paramilitary operations, artificial intelligence and war fighting media-military relations, changing roles and missions of the U.S. armed forces.
- Retiring at the rank of Colonel, Linnington served for 25 years in the U.S. Army as a military strategist and aviator.
- From 2016 to 2018, she was a special assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and director of the Chairman’s Action Group. In that position, she supported the chairman in his role as senior military advisor to the president, secretary of defense, the National Security Council, and Congress.
- She worked in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy for two years as an advisor on war plans related to European security and U.S. special operations. From 2012 to 2014, she led the analysis and speechwriting team for the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.
Monica Toft
Professor of International Politics
Director, Center for Strategic Studies
Academic Dean
- Research/areas of interest: US foreign and national security policy, interstate and civil wars, territory and nationalism, demography religion in global politics
- Monica is also a research associate of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford and at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
- She is a supernumerary fellow at Brasenose College, University of Oxford, a Global Scholar of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Political Instability Task Force.
- In 2008 the Carnegie Foundation of New York named her a Carnegie Scholar for her research on religion and violence, in 2012 she was named a Fulbright scholar, and most recently served as the World Politics Fellow at Princeton University.
Transform your dedication to fostering a better world into a fulfilling global career.