The Fletcher School’s keystone degree program, the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) program enrolls more than 180 of the top students from more than 80 countries. The interdisciplinary approach to the curriculum—drawing from the School’s three divisions—ensures that each student gains a breadth of knowledge in international affairs. Students gain depth of knowledge through two fields of study in functional and regional concentrations. For decades, the MALD degree program has graduated many of the world’s leaders in private, public and non-profit sectors.
The one-year Master of Arts (MA) program is limited to mid-career professionals from governments, international organizations, or private institutions who can take an educational sabbatical to pursue full-time graduate study.
Mid-career professionals who are unable to spend an academic year studying on campus may opt for our Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP), which combines three intensive two-week residency periods with extensive Internet-mediated study.
The two-year Master of International Business (MIB) program combines the flexibility of the MALD international affairs curriculum with a core of business courses.
The one year Master of Laws in International Law (LLM) program is a full-time academic degree for legal professionals who wish to obtain specialized education in a particular area of international law.
Those who have completed a master's degree of at least one and a half years with 12-16 semester-long courses in international affairs or a related field, including second-year MALD students, may apply to our Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program.
Degree Comparison Chart
Fletcher's interdisciplinary degree programs all provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to prepare for the career of their choice. Regardless of degree program, students typically have the opportunity to enroll in all Fletcher courses, creating a rich base for classroom discussion, and offering students many curricular options. The degree programs vary, however, in focus, length, delivery method, and prerequisites. The chart below offers a basic comparison of the degree programs' key features.
| Degree Program | Focus | Length | Work Experience | Education | Start Dates | Students per Class | Course Delivery/ Location |
| MALD Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy |
Int'l Affairs | 2 academic yrs | At least 2 yrs recommended | BA | Jan. / Sept. | 185 | Medford, MA |
| MIB Master of Int'l Business |
Int'l Business | 2 academic yrs | At least 2 yrs recommended | BA | Sept. | 30 | Medford, MA |
| LLM Master of Laws in Int'l Law |
Int'l Law | 1 academic yr | 3-5 yrs professional legal experience recommended | BA (plus JD or foreign equivalent) | Sept. | 30 | Medford, MA (plus capstone symposium in Talloires, France) |
| MA Master of Arts, mid-career |
Int'l Affairs | 1 academic yr | 8 yrs of relevant professional experience required | BA | Sept. | 20 | Medford, MA |
| GMAP Global Master of Arts Program |
Int'l Affairs | 1 yr (12 months) | 8 yrs of relevant professional experience required | BA | March / July | 35 (2 classes per year) | Internet mediated (plus 3 2-week residencies) |
| PhD Doctor of Philosophy |
Int'l Affairs | Dependent | At least 2 yrs recommended | BA (plus 2-yr MA program such as MALD) | Sept. | 15 | Medford, MA |