The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Navigating Complexity Through a Multifaceted, Ongoing Commitment to Student Development

Distinguished Professor of International Politics and Academic Dean Daniel Drezner encapsulates the design of The Fletcher School at Tufts University’s graduate programs with a single motto: to enable graduates to navigate complexity. This ability, he explains, stems from a three-pronged approach, where experiential learning, academic research, and ongoing professional development equip students to be resilient and valuable in a volatile market.

“When you go to Fletcher, you’re receiving help and development while you’re in the program and after you leave,” Drezner says. “We combine different academic and practical elements so that students have skills for jobs and the general ability to learn and deal with complexity in their chosen field.”

Students gain practical experience through internships, conferences, simulations, and competitions. They participate in practicums at nongovernmental organizations in the US and abroad and at health and tech organizations in Greater Boston. Drezner has also led student treks in the Western Balkans as part of the Russia and Eurasia program he co-directs, providing on-location experience in geopolitical hotspots. On these trips, students write cable memos that mirror those produced by analysts at US federal agencies.

Undergirding these opportunities is Fletcher’s rigorous academic training, which includes 11 graduate residential and online degree programs in three tracks: international affairs, international business, and specialized degrees. One STEM-designated or STEM-focused degree is offered for each track, helping students develop in-demand research skills. “Experiential learning is important, but the jobs we want our grads to obtain require the ability to perform strong research, and we provide that training ground,” Drezner says.

The third pillar of Fletcher’s strategic approach is its career services, recently restructured and now known as the Office of Professional Development. This change reflects the reality that Fletcher graduates work across — and oftentimes cycle through — three career tracks: government, civil society, and the private sector. As a result, Fletcher provides ongoing professional development for alums and comprehensive career programming for students, including trips to New York and Washington, DC, for site visits and networking.

Beyond formal initiatives, Drezner sees the camaraderie fostered by Fletcher’s full-time graduate programs as a bulwark against an unpredictable job market. “The last time I was in DC, we had 300 or 400 alumni show up to a Fletcher event,” Drezner notes. “That camaraderie and network is essential throughout your career.”

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Holistic Preparation for Proven Career Success

Fletcher students receive a rigorous, holistic education mapped to their career goals, while also building a global professional network.

This support is made possible by the Office of Professional Development, which in the past year conducted 985 career coaching sessions and listed 2,561 internships, jobs, and fellowships. These efforts resulted in 96 percent of graduates finding meaningful job placements within six months, 34 percent of which were in the private sector.

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The Fletcher School at Tufts University
fletcher.tufts.edu/programs/masters
[email protected]
617-627-3700