Starting to think about a graduate degree in global affairs? The Fletcher School has programs for individuals at all stages in their careers, including graduating seniors.
In addition to applying directly to their desired program, students completing their undergraduate degrees also have options for deferred admission through Map Your Future. Tufts undergraduates can apply for admission through the combined bachelor’s and MALD degree program.
The combined bachelor's (BA/BS) and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree program provides an opportunity for highly qualified Tufts undergraduates to earn both their bachelor's degree and Fletcher’s Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree on an accelerated timeline.
Dual degree students spend three semesters enrolled as a graduate student at Fletcher. Fletcher courses taken prior to formal admission into the dual degree program will not count towards the MALD.
Tufts undergraduates wishing to apply for the program should do so during the semester prior to the one in which they hope to begin taking Fletcher coursework. Admitted students begin taking Fletcher courses at the start of the following semester whether it begins in January or September.
If you’re a Tufts undergraduate interested in the BA/BS and MALD dual degree program, get in touch with admissions at fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu. Ready to apply?
Thinking about graduate school in global affairs but want to gain meaningful professional experience first? Consider the Map Your Future (MYF) Pathway at The Fletcher School.
A deferred-enrollment program, MYF guarantees admitted applicants a place in the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) or Master of International Business (MIB) Fletcher degree program after completing two years of professional experience. You can apply to MYF in your final year of undergraduate study or within four months of graduating. Applicants more than four months removed from their bachelor’s graduation are welcome to apply directly to Fletcher when they feel ready to begin their program.
Questions about the program or application process? Email us at fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu.
A major objective of MYF is for students to explore career options and gain professional experience before enrolling at Fletcher. Students can split their time between one or more organizations during MYF’s mandatory two-year work period.
Work that fulfills the MYF requirement:
Past Map Your Future students used the work period to explore international relations in many different sectors, including:
The work period also lines up with Peace Corps, Americorps, and Teach for America deployment terms.
MYF students are responsible for finding their own employment and should look to the career resources provided by their own undergraduate institutions for guidance and support.
Because MYF is designed for college seniors or those who have recently graduated, we offer two deadlines: one in December and another in June, enabling students to apply during their senior year or within four months of graduating. Admission to the Map Your Future Program is not binding for applicants. However, there is a non-refundable $1000 deposit required to hold your place in the future class.
Apply by December 10: Notification by February 1; Enrollment decision and deposit due by May 1.
Apply by June 10: Notification by July 1; Enrollment decision and deposit due by August 1.
An evaluative interview is a valuable way for you to share information about yourself and to learn how The Fletcher School will meet your academic and professional goals. We offer both in-person interviews as well as a limited schedule of Skype interviews. The interview is strongly recommended, but is not a required part of the admissions process. Please see our interview schedule.
If you would like to interview during a time that is not offered on the schedule, please email fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu for availability. Be sure to mention that you are applying via the Map Your Future pathway.
Matthew Reitz, MYF MALD 2021, works in the U.S. Department of the Army. MYF’s work period started him on his path.
Working in a non-profit, experiencing the campaign trail in the 2018 midterms, and seeing Capitol Hill first-hand allowed me to understand the reality of the fields I was interested in, and see how international relations, public diplomacy, and security studies are approached in the real world.
Diana Haber, MYF MALD 2021, uses her Fletcher education to advocate for international educational equity. She gained a global perspective and a global family at Fletcher.
The anxiety of choosing classes, searching for an internship, and applying to jobs has melted away, trusting that there is a team of leaders out there willing to offer me their support.
Students may apply for the program once they have completed and received grades in at least 20 undergraduate courses and are on track to satisfy the undergraduate residency requirement prior to matriculating as a graduate student.
Tufts undergraduates should apply during the semester prior to the one in which they plan to begin taking Fletcher coursework, which is typically no earlier than the first semester of their senior year, although this depends on progress towards the bachelor’s degree. Admitted students begin taking Fletcher courses at the start of the following semester, whether it begins in January or September.
Applicants must follow the standard Fletcher application process, including completing the full application for admission, and adhere to the relevant admission deadlines for their start semester.
A total of 16 Fletcher courses are required for the MALD degree, four of these courses are pursued while enrolled as an undergraduate and count towards both your bachelor’s degree and the MALD.
Students admitted to the combined BA/BS and MALD take one semester of four Fletcher courses or two semesters with two Fletcher courses while still enrolled as an undergraduate. Most often, these courses count as general elective credits towards the bachelor’s degree, though students may petition to have Fletcher coursework count towards any major requirements.
Yes. To be considered, email FletcherAdmissions@tufts.edu with a detailed request. Please note that you must still meet the requirement of MYF applicants to be currently enrolled in, or no more than four months graduated from, your undergraduate program.
You may apply (not through Map Your Future) to one of Fletcher's degree programs in a future year using our reapplication procedures. You are not disadvantaged in your future application as a result of being denied admission to the Map Your Future Program.
Yes, Fletcher admits qualified candidates directly from undergraduate studies every year. Map Your Future is a wonderful option if you know you want to attend graduate school in the future but know you want to have some time gaining professional experience. However, if you are interested in attending Fletcher directly from undergrad you are welcome to apply via that route.
Not until you have officially matriculated at Fletcher will you have access to these resources. However, Map Your Future students will have the opportunity to attend Fletcher events and network with other Map Your Future students during this time.
Yes, but the program still requires you to complete two years of professional experience prior to enrollment at Fletcher, and an MYF student cannot be enrolled as a full-time student at another institution during those two years. Should your dual degree require you to begin your studies at the other institution, you should request a deferral from Fletcher. Upon approval of your written request, a non-refundable deferral deposit is required, which will be applied to your first semester tuition bill.
Yes, we will consider requests to extend your work for an additional year. Should you seek a work extension, you must submit a written request to nick.gleason@tufts.edu.
