The world needs changemakers like you.
Study in the United States and Europe, preparing for a global career. The Master of Arts in Transatlantic Affairs (MATA) explores the dynamic relationship between the E.U. and U.S. Spend one year at The Fletcher School and one semester at the College of Europe in either Belgium or Poland, gaining first-hand insight into both sides of the Atlantic and developing the skills to lead in transnational settings. Build international travel into your graduate experience.
Become a Leader in Transatlantic Affairs
Designed for students eager to explore U.S. and E.U. perspectives, the two-year MATA program immerses you in the critical transatlantic and global policy issues such as climate change, financial stability, international security and more.
Learn from diverse faculty, strengthen your skills, and complete an internship for credit in either the E.U. or the U.S., graduating with a joint degree and meaningful international experience and a network that spans continents.
Climate is a global problem, but solving it requires global agreements, national and sub-national policies, and buy-in from local communities. I wouldn't have my job if I hadn't done the Fletcher portion of the degree.
You may start at Fletcher or the College of Europe, depending on your goals.
Complete a year of coursework at your starting school, then spend a semester at the partner institution and finish with a semester-long internship for credit in Europe or the U.S.
Yes, students complete a three- to four-month internship in transatlantic affairs in either the U.S. or Europe. Internships span a variety of organizations, including think tanks, non-profits and multilateral institutions. Past student internships have included:
- Delegation of the E.U. to U.S.
- U.S. Department of State
- German Marshall Fund
- European Space Agency
- Atlantic Council
- UNFCCC
- European Commission
- Council of the European Union
- CSIS
- NATO
Yes. You’ll complete a thesis on a transatlantic affairs topic, which may cover international security, trade, diplomacy, human rights, conflict and more.
MATA theses are supervised jointly by faculty from Fletcher and the College of Europe.
English is the primary language of instruction, although some College of Europe courses may be in French. Additional language study is optional.
Fletcher is immensely proud of our award-winning faculty who are committed to teaching and mentoring students in the classroom and beyond. Fletcher is a large enough school to host preeminent thought leaders, faculty and students from around the world, and small enough to create lifelong relationships with faculty, staff and peers.
You will be challenged and supported by faculty who truly care about your success throughout your career.
Apply to the school where you want to start your studies.
Begin at Fletcher in the U.S. or the College of Europe in Belgium or Poland. Your second year and internship take place at the partner school.
Applicants should have four years of university study and six months of relevant professional experience, with a strong interest in transatlantic affairs and basic knowledge of the E.U.
The greater Boston area is an innovative hub of technology, environmental research, international finance, security and global healthcare. Whether your career interests lie in biotech, the defense sector, academic research or starting your own business, Boston has the ecosystem to support you.
Fletcher’s Medford location provides students with the best of both worlds - connections to a vibrant city and a tight-knit campus community with opportunities to build deep connections with peers and professors.
Boston was voted the #1 student city in America by QS World University Rankings 2026. As a graduate student at Fletcher, you’ll be surrounded by a community of elite scholars studying, working and exchanging ideas.
There is no single career path for MATA graduates. The program provides a strong framework and cultural grounding for careers in the public and private sectors, with alumni working at leading global organizations, such as:
- European Commission
- NATO
- European Parliament
- Various Foreign Ministry Delegations (France, Estonia, Ukraine)
- United States Senate
- Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations
- Roche
- Eni energy company
- European Policy Centre
- Airbnb
- United Nations
- Nuclear Threat Initiative
- The World Bank
- Clean Air Task Force
Your Global Career
Experts in international affairs are in high demand across all sectors as our world grows more interconnected. Fletcher’s rigorous programs provide the knowledge, skills and global network to advance your career and shape change. Our graduates drive environmental policy at leading tech companies, craft laws and regulations at multilateral organizations, lead dialogue with NGOs and more.
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 more than 30 student-led conferences and clubs, you'll find meaningful opportunities to build your resume and leadership skills. Whether you're organizing delegations to the Arctic Circle Assembly, participating in Army War College simulations, or contributing to cutting-edge transnational research, Fletcher empowers you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Below are just a few of the hands-on opportunities our students have enjoyed:
- Internship: A key component of the MATA degree, the internship for credit provides hands-on experience and helps you build practical skills and professional networks.
- Career Treks: Join College of Europe-organized trips to Brussels or Geneva to connect with practitioners at leading transatlantic affairs organizations.
- U.S. Career Trips: Participate in Fletcher-organized trips to Washington, D.C., or New York to explore professional opportunities and meet practitioners in the field.
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