Advance in global affairs leadership in one year, on your schedule.
Fletcher’s Executive Master of Arts in International Affairs Online is designed for experienced professionals who want to advance in their international careers—without stepping away from them. Whether you’re a diplomat, investment banker, military officer or government leader, the program offers a flexible, hybrid format that allows you stay on the job while gaining cutting-edge expertise in international relations. Lead with confidence in a fast-changing world. This degree was previously known as the Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP).
Become a Leader in International Affairs
The program combines the best of in-person immersions with the flexibility of online studies. The interdisciplinary curriculum provides a 360-degree perspective of international affairs, diplomacy and foreign policy essential for global leaders. The first hybrid program of its kind, it is a one-year, online master’s in international relations for seasoned professionals maintaining their full-time career anywhere in the world.
When I realized my knowledge of the international human rights framework and my managerial skills were not sufficient to effectively respond to humanitarian crises, I chose GMAP due to its multidisciplinary focus and its impressive alumni network.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fixed curriculum will introduce students to a wide range of topics and skill-building experiences critical to career advancement. For more specifics on the exact courses that comprise the program, read more here.
The Master of Arts in International Affairs is a two-year in-person program for students at any stage of their career. Students specialize in two fields of study, which provides unique flexibility to customize the program to their interests.
The Specialized Master of Arts in International Affairs is an intensive in-person program where students select one field of study, continue the program through the summer, and complete their degree in as little as 16 months.
The Mid-Career Master of Arts in International Affairs is a one-year, in-person degree with flexible electives designed for students with at least six years of experience.
The Executive Master of Arts in International Affairs is an online, one-year degree for students with eight or more years of experience and is designed for working professionals. The program also has two in-person immersions—one in Boston and the other in an international city.
They are thoughtfully designed to make the best use of in-person interaction with faculty and peers. Immersions involve real-world simulations, leadership workshops, policy pitching and negotiations. Cultural activities, timely global affairs discussions and social and networking opportunities also provide unique bonding experiences.
The program requires that students complete two eight- to nine-day immersion programs—the initial immersion held on the Fletcher campus just outside Boston, and the international immersion held at a different location each year. Immersion costs, including lodging, meals, exclusive site visits and course content, are included in the comprehensive tuition charges for the program.
Skill summits are just what they sound like—short (one-week), immersive courses designed to help you cultivate specific skills. More specifically, they help you learn "Data Science and AI for Global Leaders" and the "Arts of Communication." You can learn more about them in Executive MA in International Affairs Courses.
We suggest that applicants have eight years of work experience, though we have occasionally admitted individuals with less.
With respect to industry, students come from across the public, private and civil sectors. They’ve worked in international NGOs, the military, politics, accounting, engineering and medicine. Students with a background that displays intellectual curiosity, determination and a desire to be a difference maker will fit well in this program.
Language proficiency is not required for students in this program, but a number of options are available to assist students who would like to improve their foreign language capabilities.
No, the GRE or GMAT exam is not an application requirement for any Fletcher degree program, though applicants who wish to submit score reports as part of their application are welcome to do so.
The degree offers two forms of scholarship opportunities.
The most common is partial scholarships that help defray the cost of tuition. These are allocated to the students with the combination of greatest need and merit. While most students will receive some scholarship, please note that the amount you are offered will depend on how strong your application is and how much financial need you have. Please also note that your scholarship reward will be relative to the strength of other applicants.
Scholarships are determined by the Program Committee on Admissions and Scholarships. We encourage all applicants requiring assistance to submit a financial aid application with their program application.
Students may also receive merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are given to extraordinary individuals who have proven and acute financial aid needs.
Additional resources on scholarships available to students may be found here.
Yes, it is designed for working professionals. Coursework will fit into your work schedule, wherever you may be in the world. Students are required to attend two in-person immersions, one international and one on Fletcher’s Boston-area campus.
No, we do not accept transfer credits.
Graduates’ careers span the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Alumni are CEOs and entrepreneurs, high-ranking government officials, media figures, elected representatives, military leaders and more.
Typically, students are mid-career professionals who use the program to help them advance in their current field. However, a number of students have used the degree as a springboard to a different career.
We highly encourage you to make the time as the immersions are mandatory for completion of the degree. Missing days would require you to return to a future immersion and complete the entire course, which you missed during your initially scheduled immersion.
Your Global Career
People with knowledge and expertise in international affairs are in demand across sectors, given the ever-increasing complexity of our interconnected world. Fletcher’s rigorous and holistic experiential education maps to your goals while helping you expand your global network to shape the world. Fletcher graduates drive environmental policy at major technological companies, facilitate groundbreaking dialogue with NGOs and advance defense and intelligence missions.
Experiential Education
Gain the practical experience you need to thrive in today’s global job market—while pursuing the issues you’re most passionate about. With dedicated events for online students, you'll find meaningful opportunities to build your resume and leadership skills. Below are just a few of the hands-on opportunities available:
- International Immersion: take your education beyond the classroom and learn about the entrepreneurial and geopolitical environment of a new city through site visits, tailored coursework, and meetings with local alumni and leaders.
- On-Campus Immersion: develop real-world problem-solving skills through opportunities such as real-world simulations, leadership workshops, policy pitching, and negotiations.
- Simulations: gain high-stakes decision-making experience through the semi-annual Red Team Exercise and the intergovernmental negotiation simulation.
Get the latest insights from Alum Philippe Rose
At the Coalface is a podcast featuring many Fletcher alumni and faculty who share stories about their life and lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organizations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
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