The Fletcher School at Tufts University
Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy
Medford, USA
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 59,372 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Gain a foundation in law and diplomacy, as well as economics, business, politics, and history. The Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy degree—Fletcher’s flagship international affairs degree—is highly flexible and can be customized to meet your specific academic, personal, and professional goals. Select two fields of study to help you specialize. Graduates serve in public, private, and nonprofit leadership positions throughout the world.
Lead for the future of global affairs
In a rapidly evolving world, where diplomats, CEOS, and NGO leaders navigate challenges at lightspeed, the need for agile and impactful solutions has never been greater. Are global supply chains ready for the next pandemic? Can governments counter misinformation in a multipolar world? How does modern warfare affect women and marginalized communities differently, and what solutions can governments and nonstate actors develop to address these problems?
The world needs changemakers like you. Fletcher can help you get there.
The Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) is Fletcher’s flagship degree program, designed to equip you with the skills to tackle complex challenges with innovative, responsible, and sustainable solutions. With a comprehensive foundation in global affairs, the MALD allows you to tailor your education by pairing two fields of study, giving you the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to excel in your areas of interest. You'll also complete a capstone project to solve complex problems in a globally integrated world.
Key features
- 2 year residential program on Fletcher’s Boston-area campus
- 2 fields of study to help you specialize
- Flexible curriculum to allow you to customize the degree to your interests
MALD - International and Development Economics Track (IDE)
The MALD: IDE rigorously equips students with advanced quantitative skills in economics and econometrics, empowering them to address global economic challenges through specialized coursework.
- STEM-designated track builds a powerful quantitative foundation within the MALD curriculum
- Students from outside the United States may qualify for an additional two years of optional professional training (OPT).
Course credits
Students take 48 course credits for the MALD.
Breadth requirement
Students take two courses in Diplomacy, History, and Politics. Additionally, they take one course in International Law and Organizations and one course in Economics and International Business.
Two fields in study
MALD students are required to choose two Fields of Study around which to shape their degree. This framework enforces an interdisciplinary approach to your studies and puts you in control of what shape your curricular pathway takes, allowing you to address your specific policy interests and gain the skills needed for your desired career outcome.
Language requirement
For students enrolling as of Fall 2025, demonstrating proficiency in more than one language will be a graduation requirement for the MALD degree. This may be done through one of four means:
- Language testing
- Completion of intermediate-level language courses
- Prior completion of language courses at the intermediate level
- Prior degree completion in a language other than English
Capstone
All MALD students complete a capstone project under the direction of a professor. The capstone allows students to sharpen their analytical skills, build deep knowledge in a specific area of expertise, and create a bridge to their job search. Capstone projects have included business plans, policy memos, case studies, documentaries, and academic theses.
Professional Development Program
This program provides guidance on all aspects of career development, including building a strategic résumé, strengthening your cover letter, honing your interview skills, and more.
Prospective students are required to indicate on their admissions application if they wish to be considered for scholarship aid. By doing so, you open the door to a range of financial opportunities designed to help you succeed at Fletcher.
Fletcher offers over $7 million in scholarships and financial aid each year. Prospective students are required to indicate on their admissions application if they wish to be considered for scholarship aid. By doing so, you open the door to a range of financial opportunities designed to help you succeed at Fletcher.
Fletcher scholarships
Fletcher scholarships, awarded on the basis of a holistic application review and demonstrated financial need, are available to both U.S. and international students. These scholarships are designed to support your educational journey, covering a portion of tuition costs. It's important to note that most scholarship awards do not cover full tuition, so we encourage students to explore additional funding sources. By taking advantage of all available resources early in the process, you can build a comprehensive financial plan that empowers you to fully engage in your Fletcher experience.
Federal loans
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online. The Tufts school code is 002219.
- You will need an FSA ID number to apply online.
- You are encouraged to complete your FAFSA by February 15 to allow provisional credits to be reflected on your Tufts tuition bill, which will be available electronically in early July.
- Need-based financial aid awards will arrive via email from Tufts Student Financial Services. Please monitor your junk and spam filters to be sure you receive this important message.
Supplemental scholarships for enrolled students
Fletcher is pleased to offer several additional scholarship opportunities to enrolled students. The following scholarships are awarded annually and may provide funding in addition to institutional scholarship aid. Fletcher will send enrolled students annual application announcements for the following, each of which requires a separate application:
- Dacor Bacon House Foundation Fellowship: Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR), an association of US Foreign Service Officers in Washington, D.C., awards the Bacon House Foundation Fellowship annually to a Fletcher student, in an amount up to $10,000 ($5,000 per semester). The award is made primarily on the basis of academic excellence and requires an expressed interest in an international relations field such as language, conflict resolution, international economics, or environmental science.
- The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund: The Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann created a perpetual charitable trust designated as "The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund" for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants. Each award covers the cost of tuition and an $18,000 annual stipend. Tufts University nominates three qualified candidates for this fellowship; Fletcher may put forward two candidates for the Tufts University selection committee to consider.
- Gregory Henderson Scholarship: This scholarship is made possible through a gift from the Estate of Maia Henderson, a longtime friend of Fletcher. The Henderson Scholarship supports Fletcher students pursuing Korean Studies. The terms of this scholarship are explicit: scholarship recipients will be required to submit a letter of thanks to the trustees of the estate detailing their pursuit of Korean Studies while at Fletcher.
- The John L. Robinson Educational Fund Fellowship: The John L. Robinson Educational Fund at the North Texas Community Foundation (The Robinson Fund) will grant scholarships on a competitive basis to second-year master's students studying United States-Arab World commercial diplomacy and business diplomacy. Fellowship recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship for their second year of study at The Fletcher School. Open to MALD and MIB students who are academically qualified with a demonstrated interest in United States-Arab World commercial diplomacy and business diplomacy.
External scholarships
External scholarships can provide additional support as you finance your education.