Fields of Study

Conflict Resolution

How do you work with competing international actors to prevent conflict escalation, create agreements or shape post-war transitions?

This specialization is designed to help you build analytical and practical skills in diplomacy, negotiation and conflict resolution. Learn how to analyze conflict dynamics, design peace processes, and harness the power of negotiation and diplomacy across sectors—from organizations and governments to local communities.

Mix theory, case studies, simulations and hands-on practice to examine how history, institutions, identity politics and nationalism intersect with power dynamics to shape conflict and its transformation.

Sample courses: Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution; Processes of International Negotiation; Gender, Culture and Conflict in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies 

Affiliated research institutes: World Peace Foundation, The Murrow Center for Global Diplomacy, The Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies

Environmental Sustainability

How can we have sustainable prosperity while avoiding environmental harm? The environmental sustainability specialization explores the range of issues related to climate change, energy, fresh water, oceans, and health. It examines opportunities for environmental policy, governance, and security, sustainable innovation, and economic development, born from a keen understanding of our changing climate. 

Coursework in this specialization is practical, policy-oriented, skill-building, and interdisciplinary. You’ll learn how to write compelling policy memos, you’ll devise solutions that are innovative and equitable, and you’ll gain concrete skills like GIS and environmental economics. Participate in the international climate negotiations, attend the Arctic Circle conference, and more through our experiential education offerings.

Sample courses: Environmental Problem Solving; Climate Change Law and Policy; Innovation for Sustainable Prosperity; International Energy Policy;  Energy, Entrepreneurship, and Finance; Environmental Economics; Global Maritime Affairs; Water Conflict and Cooperation; Water Security

Affiliated research institutes: Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, Maritime Studies Program

Global Governance

How do we practically manage the collective challenges of security, migration, and the environment in an interconnected world? This specialization allows you to study the convergence of global governance, legal studies and international law. 

Through your coursework, you’ll amass a working knowledge of the functions and forms of global governance, as well as an understanding of how institutions create and implement international law. You will acquire the intellectual breadth and skills needed for leadership positions in intergovernmental organizations, the diplomatic corps, NGOs or the private sector. Acquire practical experience through legal clinics.

Sample courses: International Organizations; Current Issues in Global Immigration Policy; Global One Health Diplomacy; International Business and Economic Law

Affiliated research institutes: Center for International Law and Governance

Global Politics

The Global Politics specialization allows you to focus on the regional study that matters most to you. Scholars and policymakers need to cultivate differentiated expertise; solutions that work in Latin America may not be well-suited to the landscape of the Middle East.

Profound understanding of a region’s history and politics—as well as its foreign policy—is mission-critical for diplomats, policymakers, military personnel, NGO staff and business leaders. 

Sample courses: Comparative Politics; China Foreign Relations; South Asia and the World; Islam and Politics: Religion and Power in World Affairs

Affiliated research institutes: Henry J. Leir Institute for Migration and Human Security, The Russia and Eurasia Program, The Fares Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies 

Human Security

The Human Security specialization focuses on promoting the rights and well-being of people and communities. It equips you with knowledge and skills to empower people and help protect their lives, livelihoods, and human rights by using interdisciplinary approaches to address violence, inequality, armed conflict, and humanitarian and environmental crises.

Through coursework in migration, gender analysis, humanitarian assistance, conflict analysis and peacebuilding, learn how to help prevent and mitigate harm, support human rights and build a more just world for all people.

Sample courses: Humanitarian Action in Complex Emergencies; Gender and Human Security in Transitional States and Societies; Internal Conflict and War; International Criminal Justice 

Affiliated research institutes: Feinstein Center, Henry J. Leir Institute, World Peace Foundation, Gender Analysis and Women’s Leadership Program 

International Business

In the borderless world of modern business, master the practical skills critical to building and leading enterprises that can serve the bottom line and the bottom of the pyramid.  

From strategic management, to leadership, to international finance and banking, to starting new ventures or measuring social impact, grapple with decision-making in a wide range of industries, such as consulting, technology and financial services. Prepare for a career in the private or public sector, and apply business principles to high-level decision making, resource allocation and broad impact. 

Sample courses: International Financial Management; Corporate Social Responsibility in the Age of Globalization; Sustainable Business Systems; Field Studies in Global Consulting; Leadership: Building Teams, Organizations and Shaping Your Path

Affiliated research institutes: Institute for Business in the Global Context 

International Economics

What are development and international economics? In the last 50 years of globalization, over 800 million people have been brought out of poverty. International economics asks how exactly that happened and how we can keep creating jobs, sustaining economic growth and improving humanity’s well-being.

How do economies interact with each other? International Economics explores what creates comparative advantage, how countries contest global markets through international trade, and how access to global financial markets affects economic growth. It further explores how international institutions like the Asian Development Bank or the International Monetary Fund influence economic outcomes for countries.

Through theoretical and practical coursework, use quantitative methods and conduct data-driven analyses of recurring issues like tariffs, migration, debt and development. Studying International Economics will help you develop frameworks to understand global markets, preparing you for a career in the public, private or nonprofit sector. 

Sample courses: Politics of the Global Economy; Econometrics; Mergers and Acquisitions: An International Perspective; Economic Theory and Policy

Affiliated research institutes: Econofact

International Law

International law is an essential component of international relations; its role grows as political, economic, business, social, and technological interactions between countries grow.  The International Law field provides Fletcher students with a unique opportunity to study its development, use and effects on world politics and global society.   

Fletcher offers a full curriculum in international law, including but not limited to the fundamentals of the international legal order, public international law, international business and economic law, human rights law, and the law of armed conflict.  Students who specialize in the field acquire a) the ability to identify international law; b) fluency in analysis, discourse, and argumentation relating to international law; b) critical thinking skills regarding precise use of language, decision-making procedures, and formal organizational dynamics; c) understanding of the role international law plays in international relations, both in the governmental and in the non-governmental context; and d) knowledge of the law applicable in particular fields of international law and proposals for reform.

Sample courses: International Legal Order, International Humanitarian Law, International Investment Law, International Arbitration, Law and Development

Affiliated research institutes: Center for International Law and Governance

International Security

Dive into security studies courses taught by leading academics, military veterans and lifelong practitioners to understand issues in situations of social and political conflict, strife and war. Immersive coursework and experiential learning opportunities like our Red Team exercise and Senior Leadership Forum will help you confront foundational questions of contemporary war and peace.  

Studying International Security will prepare you for a bold career in public or private defense sectors, NGOs or academia.

Sample courses: The Role of Force in International Politics; Strategy and Grand Strategy; International Security; U.S.-China Security Relations; Technological Innovation and International Security; 21st Century Intelligence; Maritime Security; Demography and Security; and National Security Decision Making. 

Affiliated research institutes: Center for Strategic Studies, Cyber Security and Policy Program, International Security Studies Program; The Edward R. Murrow Center for Global Diplomacy, Maritime Studies Program, and The Russia and Eurasia Program

Technology Policy

Technology Policy spans questions of cybersecurity, AI, green industrialization, communication, energy and nuclear policy and global security. In a rapidly evolving field, this specialization aims to give you both an understanding of emerging technologies and how they work as well as the policy and regulatory issues that shape their development. 

Through its cross-disciplinary coursework, the Technology Policy specialization prepares you to launch your career in public policy, the private sector, start-ups or NGOs.

Sample courses: Technology and Public Policy; Nuclear Weapons; International Cyber Conflict; International Energy Policy; Artificial Intelligence: Algorithms, Ethics and Policy

Affiliated research institutes: Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs, Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, Institute for Business in the Global Context