Student Experience | Student Experience Overview
Student Experience Overview
At The Fletcher School at Tufts University, we believe the hallmark of a business leader is the ability to make strategic decisions for their organization that take into account complex factors, including geopolitics, security, economic development, and international law.
We have built our online Master of Global Business Administration (GBA) to propel you forward as a leader. The curriculum and learning technology are designed to equip you with fundamental global MBA capabilities as well as the agility to make informed decisions in complex domestic and international landscapes.
By combining intuitive virtual learning, in-person immersions, and connections to the global Fletcher network, the online GBA prepares you to work fluidly across sectors, geographies, and platforms.
I wanted to get my MBA. The GBA caught my attention—the global nature of the program will provide me a unique perspective that other programs may not.
– Tim Chang, GBA student
Investment analyst for a large U.S. bank
The Engaging
Virtual Classroom
Developed using research on how students learn best in an online environment, our active online campus is designed to foster lasting connections with a diverse group of peers and faculty across the globe and across sectors. The 360-degree Fletcher network is a loyal community of accomplished change-makers who will become your lifelong friends, consultants, and advisers.
Those connections begin in the virtual classroom, where you’ll interact face-to-face through Zoom, our videoconferencing platform. The collaborative environment allows for in-depth discussions, real-time presentations, and on-screen annotations. In a given class, you might:
- Business Foundations
- Global Context
- International Law
- Analytical Tools
Outside of class, you will continue to work with your peers virtually in study groups and on group projects, as well as in person during immersions and networking events.
Experiential, International Course Content
Global interdependence is a fundamental reality of doing business in the 21st century—even for organizations based in the U.S. All of our global MBA courses are designed to develop your business, management, and decision-making skills through an international lens.
The curriculum brings global business topics to life through video case studies, group work, and interactive sessions. You will learn how to communicate, analyze, and apply your learnings in real-life situations, alongside peers who live and travel all over the world.
Customizable platform:
Personalize your experience based on your needs using features such as dark mode, searchable video transcripts, and adjustable video speed.
One central hub:
The dashboard provides access to classes, assignments, support, and channels to communicate with peers and professors.
Mobile app:
Our app allows you to access, download, and submit assignments from any device. Offline mode gives you flexibility in areas you may not have connectivity.
On-Campus and International Immersions
The global MBA program features two required immersions: one on the Tufts University campus in Boston and another in an international location selected for each cohort.
The on-campus immersion provides an incubator experience to kick off the capstone project. You will come together with classmates to work in groups for the first time in person, refine your project plan, and attend faculty-led seminars on problem-solving frameworks and pitch development.
International immersions are held in vibrant and interesting locations across the globe. We choose places with strong Fletcher networks that enable us to access high-ranking actors who can discuss important global business issues from a firsthand perspective.
Immersions give you the opportunity to:
- Meet your peers in person and solidify your global network as you develop hands-on skills you can use in the field.
- Build your global understanding by experiencing the business and economic environment of a key international city.
- Connect with the global business community in Boston, ranked the top global innovation hub in the U.S.1
Student Support
Our comprehensive student services ensure that the GBA experience is seamless and that you receive the support you need.
Career Resources
To help you find and succeed in a fulfilling career, you will have access to professional career coaches who provide personalized support. Fletcher also offers career development workshops, industry and sector-specific resources, and events to help you explore industries and job functions, network with employers, and prepare for interviews.
Fletcher’s expert career coaches have helped countless students find meaningful work in the global MBA marketplace, across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Enrollment Support
When you request information about our program, you are assigned a dedicated enrollment advisor who can answer questions about the application process, arrange tours of our online classroom, and help you get acquainted with our digital campus.
Academic Support
Upon enrollment, you will be paired with a dedicated student success adviser to discuss expectations and goals for the program. Your adviser will assist with course planning and workload balance, serving as your first contact point for the entirety of the program.
Mental Health and Wellness
Throughout a student’s academic journey, a variety of challenges may arise that could directly or indirectly impact academic performance or overall wellbeing. Personal/family trauma, relationship difficulties, financial challenges and school-related stress are among the many challenges students may face every semester. As an enrolled student, you will get access to Uwill. Uwill is a leading mental health and wellness teletherapy solution that provides students with the ability to connect immediately (or on their preferred timeline) with licensed mental health counselors based on their unique needs and preferences.
Technical Resources
Throughout your time as a GBA student, our technical support advisers are available 24/7 via phone, e-mail, and live chat for troubleshooting and to ensure access to the online platform.
On-Campus Graduation
All online students are invited to walk at Tufts’ on-campus graduation ceremony, held every May in Boston. This celebration, which is scheduled the same weekend as our alumni reunion, solidifies your connection to the Fletcher community.
Upon graduation, you become part of Fletcher’s prestigious alumni network, which includes ambassadors, Fortune 500 CEOs, heads of state, and nonprofit and military leaders. Fletcher has intergenerational alumni living in more than 135 countries across the globe.
What’s Next?
If you’re ready to acquire the business skills and global perspective to gain an edge over traditional MBA graduates, request information about the online Master of Global Business Administration program from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Request Info1 Hickey & Associates, Global Innovation Hubs 2019 Report (accessed October 2020)