The world needs changemakers like you.
International affairs have never been more complex—or more fast-paced. Progress in the field requires an interdisciplinary outlook that blends business, environmental, social and diplomatic perspectives along with the skills to put them into action.
The Master in Global Affairs (MGA) is a skills-focused program on an accelerated timeline, designed to give you the tools to advance your career.
Become a Leader in International Affairs
This degree is designed for early-to-mid-career professionals in government ministries, civil society and the private sector looking to advance. Through coursework in diplomacy, global governance and foreign policy, along with a practicum, the program equips you to solve complex policy challenges at any level.
I have never been as intellectually stimulated as I have been at Fletcher… As the former president of Tunisia told us in his visit, 'It is very idealistic to change the world, but it is criminal not to try.'
Yes, within the 42 course credits students take, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- One course each from the: International Law and Organizations and Diplomacy, History and Politics divisions
- Quantitative reasoning: An approved course or passing the equivalent exam
- Economics: EIB E201 Introduction to Economic Theory or EIB E211 Microeconomics. Students who pass the equivalency exam must take a higher-level economics course
- Complete one field of study
- Skills requirement: Complete a practicum and at least one skills-designated course
- Professional Development Program: This program provides guidance on all aspects of career development, including building a strategic résumé, strengthening your cover letter, perfecting your interview skills and more.
Optional: internship for credit
This degree is designed for young professionals, ideally with at least two years of experience who want to advance in their careers. By choosing one field of study, this degree allows students to go deeper into a specific area, while the practicum builds additional expertise through hands-on, real-world experience.
The Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy is a two-year, residential degree program designed for recent college graduates, young professionals and experienced professionals looking to make a change and explore their interests in international affairs.
The Master of Global Affairs is an intensive degree designed for more experienced professionals who want to dive deep into one field of study and pursue a comprehensive course load over 16 months.
The Master of Arts is a one-year, residential degree program designed for mid-career students with at least eight years of experience.
The Global Master of Arts Program is for mid-career students who want to pursue an online degree.
Students are required to choose one field of study to shape their degree (see more below). This framework establishes an interdisciplinary approach and gives you control over your curricular pathway. Your chosen field allows you to focus on your policy interests and build the skills needed for your ideal career.
Yes, the degree program culminates in a real-world project that broadens your experience and strengthens your resume. You will work closely with a faculty advisor and external clients to apply your learning in practice.
Yes, it can be completed either full-time or part-time and is designed for early-to- mid-career professionals who want to study on an accelerated, three-semester timeline.
There are myriad ways to engage with cutting-edge research during your time at Fletcher. From becoming a research assistant at one of our research centers, to joining one of our esteemed journals (Fletcher Forum, Praxis), to the work you’ll do on a capstone project. We want you to dive deeply into the ideas and issues that intrigue you. Learn more about our research centers and their work.
The greater Boston area is an innovative hub of technology, environmental research, international finance, security and health. Whether your career interests lie in biotech, defense 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.
Your Global Career
Experts in international affairs are in demand across every sector as our world grows more complex and interconnected. Fletcher’s rigorous, experiential education aligns with your goals while helping you build a global network. Our graduates shape environmental policy at major tech companies, craft laws and regulations at multilateral organizations, facilitate groundbreaking dialogue with NGOs and more.
Experiential Education
Make the most of your time at Fletcher by expanding your professional skills and network. Whether organizing delegations to the Arctic Circle Assembly, participating in war college simulations, or contributing to cutting-edge transnational research, Fletcher empowers you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Here are just a few of the hands-on opportunities our students have enjoyed:
- Simulations: gain high-stakes decision-making experience through the Red Team Exercise or the Army War College Strategy Competition.
- Competitions: contend with students from around the world in the Fletcher D-Prize Competition, Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Development Challenge, Jean-Pictet Competition, Jessup International Moot Court Competition and more
Specialize through a field of study
Students select one field of study to focus on.
Whether addressing conflict resolution, shaping sustainable policy, navigating international business, or exploring the future of tech and security, the flexible curriculum lets you specialize strategically and step confidently into a globally impactful career.
Our fields of study are:
- Conflict Resolution
- Environmental Sustainability
- Global Governance
- Global Politics
- Human Security
- International Business
- International Economics
- International Law
- International Security
- Technology Policy
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