The Fletcher School, Tufts University

Commit to a lifetime of global impact

For more than 85 years, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy has worked to educate and prepare individuals for positions of national and international leadership and influence. Through a deep and multifaceted understanding of the world’s most pressing challenges, and with the guiding principles of mutual benefit, security, and justice, our community endeavors to maintain the stability and prosperity of the complex and increasingly global society of the 21st century.

Shaping the future, together

Students, faculty, and graduates of The Fletcher School work to further a legacy of enacting lasting and meaningful change in the world. They engage with government, business, and international organizations with a global perspective and in pursuit of a more just and equitable tomorrow.

Specialized skills for an ever-changing world

Fletcher’s programs and curricula are curated and taught by international relations practitioners with lifetimes of experience — not only in the classroom but in the field. A highly interdisciplinary graduate education informed by on-the-ground insight and bolstered by a wide array of experiential opportunities provides Fletcher students with the tools and perspectives they need to make a difference in even the most turbulent global climate.

An investment in your potential

A career in the international arena and in service of the greater good is no small undertaking — and neither is a Fletcher education. But those prepared to roll up their sleeves and devote themselves to a rigorous and immersive experience soon find that a world-class, skills-based education has benefits that extend far beyond a graduate degree; it opens doors to new opportunities for lasting global impact across the full lifespan of exceptionally meaningful careers.

A Mission-Driven Education

The world has changed considerably since The Fletcher School opened its doors in 1933. We’ve evolved and grown, too, but our core mission remains unchanged: to educate professionals committed to maintaining the stability and prosperity of a complex, challenging, and increasingly global society. We continue preparing students to excel in positions of influence, to break new ground in careers where they serve local, national, and international communities, and to pursue just and mutually beneficial solutions to some of the world’s most intractable challenges.

Mission-driven, student-guided

Fletcher’s academic philosophy is built on the belief that students are best equipped to determine what specific knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to succeed. Each student’s individual course of study is customized to fit particular interests and career objectives.

With more than 175 courses and 22 fields of study (including a self-designed option) offered each year, Fletcher students rarely chart the precise same academic path. The options at Fletcher are as diverse as the interests and aspirations of our students.

Know the world

Global interdependence is a fundamental reality of life in the 21st century. From reconstructing post-conflict societies and fostering markets in emerging economies, to analyzing security threats and promoting human rights, the challenges of our times transcend borders and disciplines.A Fletcher degree prepares graduates to overcome the political, social, legal, cultural, and economic challenges common to these problems ­– examining them from every angle of the global professional landscape.

Shape the future

Whether addressing international policy challenges like climate change or drilling into more focused issues like the impact of transnational crime on peace processes, a Fletcher education is oriented toward solving real-world problems. That means taking a practical approach, informed by hands-on knowledge and experience, but also taking a step back to reflect and ask deeper questions.

Our educational philosophy, while impact-oriented, is more than simply finding solutions to well-defined problems. We also aspire to understand why the problems exist, and from whose perspective they became problems, to begin with. Leveraging this depth of understanding and an interdisciplinary framework, our students develop a truly global perspective that enables them to become responsible and effective international affairs practitioners.

Diversity and Inclusion at Fletcher

Join a community that celebrates difference

Diversity and inclusion are at the very core of the Fletcher experience and play an essential role in equipping our students with the global perspective they need to serve as changemakers and leaders. Our community is built on a foundation of mutual support, respect, inclusion, and collaboration, and we believe that actively seeking out perspectives, cultures, and experiences beyond our own frame of reference is critical to truly understanding the issues facing the world.

At Fletcher, we believe that we are made stronger by our differences and that those differences can open doors to new opportunities to create lasting, meaningful change on a global scale.

Be part of the conversation

We host a series of activities and events throughout the year to help foster diverse voices and ideas across campus. Student and faculty organizations provide an opportunity to build meaningful connections, and we have created policies to ensure that Fletcher is a safe place for every member of our community.