Washington (June 28, 2024) — The William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security (Clarke DS) Fellowship is pleased to announce a new partnership agreement with The Fletcher School, the graduate school of global affairs at Tufts University. This agreement offers Clarke DS Fellows the opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree at The Fletcher School, one of the top graduate schools for international relations in the world.

As a financial partner with the Clarke DS Fellowship, The Fletcher School will provide scholarships to Clarke DS Fellows for eligible master’s degree programs, covering tuition amounts not funded by the fellowship program.

Eligible master’s degree programs at The Fletcher School include:

  • Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD)
  • Master of International Business (MIB)

Additional benefits for Clarke DS Fellows include:

  • Waived application fees
  • Invited visitation events to tour the school and meet faculty, staff, and students
  • Up to $300 in travel stipends for visitation events
  • Waived $500 deposit fee for enrolled Fellows
  • Waived health services fee for enrolled Fellows

“We are honored to partner with the Clarke DS Fellowship and support the next generation of Diplomatic Security Service Special Agents. At Fletcher, we are committed to fostering inclusive excellence,” says Dean Kelly Sims Gallagher from The Fletcher School. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to equip students with the skills and perspectives needed to address complex global challenges, and we look forward to welcoming these exceptional Fellows and contributing to their development as future leaders in international affairs.”

The Clarke DS Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC), is a unique diversity recruitment program. It provides academic funding for a two-year master’s degree program while preparing fellows to enter the Foreign Service as Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Special Agents.

“The Clarke DS Fellowship aims to attract qualified candidates to the Diplomatic Security Service who represent the diversity of the United States,” says Shannan Spisak, Executive Director of Federal Initiatives for The Washington Center. “With this generous support from The Fletcher School, Clarke DS Fellows have an opportunity to enroll in a master’s degree program they otherwise may not have been able to afford,”

The Clarke DS Fellowship provides:

  • Up to $42,000 annually for tuition, room and board, mandatory fees, and some travel expenses, for a two-year master’s degree program.
  • Two summer practicums with stipend support with the Diplomatic Security Service (one in Washington, D.C., and one overseas at a U. S. embassy or consulate).
  • Personalized mentoring and professional development opportunities throughout the program.

Upon successfully completing the fellowship program and meeting Foreign Service entry requirements, Clarke DS Fellows will be appointed as DSS Special Agent in the Foreign Service. DSS Special Agents are sworn federal law enforcement officers, responsible for the security of personnel, property, and sensitive information worldwide.

For more information about eligibility, benefits, and the application process, visit clarkedsfellowship.org.

Download a PDF for The Fletcher School partnership.

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About The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars

The Washington Center creates flexible, immersive pathways to enhance the pipeline of diverse talent that build more equitable, inclusive workplaces and communities. Since our founding, we’ve helped more than 60,000 young people translate their college majors into career paths. We use our scale and expertise to customize each learner’s experience to be truly transformative.

About The Fletcher School

The Fletcher School, the graduate school of global affairs at Tufts University, is a premier institution dedicated to the study of global affairs, international relations, and diplomacy. Established in 1933, it offers a multidisciplinary approach to education, integrating fields such as law, business, politics, and economics. Fletcher’s rigorous and flexible programs, including the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) and the Master of International Business (MIB), prepare students to become leaders and innovators in addressing global challenges. The school emphasizes a global perspective, diversity, and practical experience through its comprehensive curriculum and esteemed faculty.