The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Solving Global Challenges Through Experience: A Hands-On Approach to International Affairs

What does it take to tackle the world’s most complex challenges? At The Fletcher School at Tufts University, the answer lies in breaking down silos.

“We treat global affairs as a truly interdisciplinary field,” says Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at Fletcher. “Technology, business, law, and geopolitics are colliding. To lead effectively, you need to see the full picture.”

Fletcher’s approach goes beyond traditional international affairs education. As the oldest graduate-only school of international affairs in the US, it stands apart by integrating law, business, and diplomacy within its programs — not just through joint degrees, but as a fundamental part of the curriculum. This unique structure prepares students to navigate the interconnected forces shaping global decision-making. And learning at Fletcher isn’t confined to the classroom.

Students don’t just study global issues; they engage with them directly. Whether advising companies like PayPal and Deloitte, working with nonprofits such as the Perkins School for the Blind, or presenting research at global forums like the Arctic Assembly and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP), they gain hands-on experience solving real-world problems. Moot courts, policy simulations, and entrepreneurial challenges further sharpen their ability to develop solutions in high-stakes environments.

“Our interdisciplinary approach comes together in service of solving a problem,” Chakravorti explains. “To tackle the hardest global challenges, you have to understand why they’re so difficult. Fletcher students build the ability — and the courage — to reach across disciplines for solutions.”

That ability is shaped by the flexibility of Fletcher’s degree programs, which are designed for students at various career stages. The Master of International Business combines a rigorous business education with an international affairs lens, while the Master of Laws in International Law deepens legal expertise in a global context. These programs, alongside the flagship MA in Law and Diplomacy, allow students to tailor their studies to their ambitions — whether that means shaping policy, leading in the private sector, or driving change in the nonprofit world.

Boston’s vibrant academic, business, and innovation ecosystem provides a strategic advantage for Fletcher students. They engage with policymakers, business leaders, and Fletcher alumni in the city while also leveraging the school’s deep connections to international organizations in Washington, DC, and New York. This network extends far beyond the Northeast — Fletcher graduates are everywhere, leading major consulting firms, launching startups, shaping foreign policy, and holding senior government roles. No matter where global challenges arise, there’s likely a Fletcher alum at the table, driving solutions.

---

The Fletcher School at Tufts University
https://fletcher.tufts.edu
[email protected]
617-627-3040