The Fletcher School at Tufts University
Master of Laws in International Law
Medford, USA
LLM
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 59,372 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Designed for legal professionals, the one-year LLM in International Law program deepens your expertise in international law, preparing you for impactful careers in global law firms, government, and international organizations. The program draws individuals with diverse backgrounds in law, civil society, the military, and the private sector. The program develops students beyond what’s possible with a traditional law degree, providing an interdisciplinary perspective on the promises and limits of legal frameworks and their role alongside other global solutions.
Study law with an unrivaled global context
Whether negotiating multilateral treaties, drafting resolutions at the United Nations, or shaping human rights policies, practicing international law often means working outside of the courtroom. Fletcher’s LLM program offers a singularly comprehensive approach to international law, setting you apart by contextualizing your legal studies within a multidisciplinary education in international affairs.
At Fletcher, you’ll study with global leaders who bring real-world law and policy experience in areas such as negotiation and conflict resolution, human security, trade and international business, migration, human rights, cybersecurity, and climate and energy. Uniquely embedded within a global affairs school, our LLM program offers unmatched legal depth and contextual breadth, helping you develop a profound and versatile foundation across disciplines—all in one academic year.
Designed for students from around the world, the LLM at Fletcher draws individuals with diverse backgrounds in law, civil society, the military, and the private sector. Here, you will go beyond what’s possible with a traditional law degree, gaining an interdisciplinary perspective on the promises and limits of legal frameworks and their role alongside other global solutions.
Key features
- One-year, full-time, residential program on Fletcher’s Boston-area campus
- High Table Series offering direct access to experts in both the public and private sectors
- Faculty mentorship to personalize your studies
- Expansive international law course list spanning private and public international law
- Interdisciplinary curriculum to help you consider international law multidimensionally
- Capstone project and a retreat to culminate studies and engage with international legal practitioners
- Research and practical opportunities with the Center for International Law and Governance and the International Law Practicum
- Cross-registration opportunities at Harvard and Tufts
An academic community of global legal practitioners
Learn to ask deeper questions – and pursue more complex answers – in Fletcher’s dynamic academic community of thinkers and advocates.
Study international humanitarian law with faculty immersed in the field, alongside peers who come from a legal or military background, or who have lived through international conflict as civilians. Learn to consider international problems – not just as lawyers – but from the perspectives of various stakeholders and constituencies affected by the legal context.
Through one-on-one faculty mentorship, professional support with the Office of Career Services, and a focused one-year degree, students are prepared for a career in government, the private sector, NGOs, IGOs such as the World Bank or the United Nations, or academia. Gain practical experience working on cutting-edge legal research with the Center for International Law and Governance. Advocate for human rights and present reports in Geneva and New York with the International Law Practicum.
Join high table discussions, where legal advocates, academics, and practitioners come together to discuss how to use law to address global challenges not just through litigation and doctrine but also through multilateral or bilateral agreements, formal and informal diplomacy, legislative change, executive action, or grassroots mobilization.
LLM students take a total of eight courses during their year on campus. Customize your degree through your coursework and capstone project.
8 Fletcher-approved courses
- 5-6 courses in international law and organizations (ILO)
- 1 course in diplomacy, history, and politics (DHP)
- 1 course in economics and international business (EIB)
High Table Seminar series
The yearlong High Table Seminar series is a key feature of the LLM’s cohort model. LLM students convene for discussions with faculty and leading thinkers, policy makers, and practitioners in the field, where they learn to consider issues from different points of view, gain exposure to the work others are doing in the field, and access networking opportunities.
Capstone project
Students work on a final, written capstone project, which evidences scholarly and/or professional analysis informed by the sustained and appropriate application of analytical methodologies. Students work with a faculty advisor and participate in a capstone retreat at the end of the year to present summaries of their theses, reflect upon their studies, and engage in discussion with legal practitioners and scholars.
Fletcher’s LLM prepares students for careers in international law. Graduates practice law at the United Nations, in foreign ministries, and at embassies.
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.