MS in Accounting Application Requirements

To apply for the MS in Accounting Program, use Lehigh's online application system. There is $75 application fee.

The MS in Accounting application essay should provide a summary of your career objectives and relevant work experience with reference to the chosen field of graduate study, and the leadership experience and skills you will bring to your peer group. The essay should not exceed two pages in length. This is your opportunity to set yourself apart from the other applicants, in your own words. The essay should be uploaded in the online application. 

Your professional resume should list your education and professional achievements. Include your computing skills. The resume should be uploaded in the online application. 

The GMAT test score submission is Optional* for MSA (master’s in accounting) applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better and meet the following criteria:

Have achieved a transcript documented letter grade of B or better in TWO (2) or more quantitative undergraduate courses (e.g. calculus, statistics, data analytics). Students must submit course descriptions/syllabi to business@lehigh.edu for such coursework to be considered. Applicants who choose not to submit a GMAT test score and who meet the criteria above will have their applications reviewed by the admissions committee, but this is no guarantee of acceptance. 

Applicants choosing not to submit test scores will receive one of three responses from the admissions committee –

Acceptance into the MSA program

Request from the Admissions Committee for a GMAT test score submission

Denied Admission into the program

* “OPTIONAL” means it is at the discretion of the applicant whether they feel a GMAT test score submission strengthens their application.

GMAT scores will be accepted for evaluation as long as your official score is available through the testing service. Please indicate on your online application the date you are taking [or have taken] the GMAT.

GMAT test center, test information and test preparation materials can be found by visiting the Graduate Management Admission Council ® [GMAC] website at www.mba.com

Please use the proper program code shown below to have your official scores sent to Lehigh. Our office keeps GMAT scores on file for a period of five years. Official scores normally arrive at the Graduate Programs Office two weeks after the exam has been taken.

GMAT Program Code: 6ZB-FN-52

You must submit official transcripts from ALL universities attended, all post-secondary education including transfer credits. Official transcripts must bear the signature of the university’s registrar and the seal of issuing institution.

Official electronic transcripts are the preferred method of receipt. If the institution offers an electronic transcript service please have the institution send them directly to business@lehigh.edu.

If the institution does not issue electronic transcripts, the official transcripts must be submitted to us in a sealed envelope and may not be opened by you. In addition, unofficial copies of transcripts should be uploaded to the online application.

The MS in Accounting program requires that all education from outside out the United States be evaluated by the World Education Services (WES). Please mail official transcripts and WES evaluations to:

Graduate Programs Office
College of Business
Lehigh University
621 Taylor St.
Bethlehem, PA 18015

You will enter your recommenders' information through the online application. Once complete, a web link will automatically be emailed to the recommender. Letters from family members or friends will not be considered. Paper copies of letters of recommendation will not be accepted.

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency through one of three tests: The Test of English as a Foreign Language® (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam or Duolingo. All international students must show proof of English Proficiency to be admitted to Lehigh. Official test scores must be submitted from the testing agencies directly in order for this requirement to be satisfied.

A student's English proficiency test date may not be older than two years at the time of application to the program. The Lehigh MS in Accounting program will continue to accept all versions of the TOEFL test as long as the scores come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Scores must be received directly from ETS to be considered official. Lehigh's institution code number is: 2365.

Please note ETS has recently introduced an at home TOEFL test for consideration. 

Recommended minimum scores:

Internet-based TOEFL [iBT]: 94

Recommended iBT subscores:

• Reading: 25
• Listening: 20
• Speaking: 24
• Writing: 25

Lehigh University will be accepting MyBest™ scores from ETS/TOEFL beginning August 2019.  

IELTS information can be found at ielts.org.  

Lehigh University Graduate Admissions​ downloads IELTS scores that have been transmitted to our e-download account. Please contact your test center and​ request that your scores be sent to ​the following IELTS e-download account:

Lehigh University Graduate Admissions     27 Memorial Drive West     Bethlehem, PA 18015

We will not accept paper IELTS test report forms.

IELTS: 7

Recommended band scores:

• Reading: 7
• Listening: 6.5
• Speaking: 7.5
• Writing: 6.5

Additionally, the language evaluation requirement may be completed through Duolingo, a fast and affordable option that can be taken from any home computer. All that is required is a front facing camera. To learn more, visit englishtest.duolingo.com.  A minimum score of 115 is recommended.

If an applicant has completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree or at least 2 years of full-time post-secondary education in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or Canada, he or she may be exempt from the English proficiency requirement. The applicant is not exempt if the language of instruction is English in a non-English speaking country or if you have lived in an English-speaking country.

International students interested in applying for college-awarded financial aid will be required to pass a Lehigh University Test of Presentation and Speech Skills (TOPSS) test upon arrival at Lehigh. The College will use the new internet-based TOEFL [iBT] as a screening tool for the awarding of financial aid to international students. In order to be considered, you must achieve a speaking section score of 28, and a listening section score of 20. All awards are contingent upon passing the Lehigh TOPSS test. Information on the Lehigh University TOPSS test may be found at www.global.lehigh.edu/esl.&nbsp.