Ph.D. in Business and Economics Admissions Requirements

Applications are accepted from graduates of accredited colleges and universities in areas of concentration including, but not limited to, social sciences, business, physical sciences, and engineering.

We evaluate applications based on undergraduate coursework in economics and mathematics, standardized test scores, and recommendation letters. In terms of coursework, past applicants who have been admitted and did well in the program typically had intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, probability and statistics, multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and real analysis. Applicants who fall short of completing these courses would still be considered.

Applications are made online only. To apply, use Lehigh's online application system. There is $75 application fee.

The application essay should provide a summary of your career objectives in pursuing a PhD in economics. You can include information about your training in economics and mathematics, your potential areas of interests, and any research experience. The essay should not exceed two pages in length and should be uploaded in the online application. 

Your resume should list your education and relevant coursework, academic achievements, computing skills, and any research experience. The resume should be uploaded in the online application.

The GMAT or GRE test score is Optional* for the Fall 2022 intake.

*“OPTIONAL” means it is at the discretion of the applicant whether they feel a GMAT or GRE test score submission strengthens their application. Applicants are still strongly encouraged to provide test scores as the applicant pool for this program is highly competitive. (If, e.g., two applicants have otherwise similarly competitive profiles, but one did not take a test, priority will be given to the test taker with a good score.)

Applicants who choose not to submit a test score should provide us with evidence in their application that they can be successful in the Ph.D. program without a GMAT or GRE score. Applications will be reviewed by the admissions committee, but this is no guarantee of acceptance. 

Please see a list of examples below that would be considered as evidence of the ability to be successful in the program without a GMAT or GRE exam:

• An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better
• A grade of B or better in two (2) or more quantitative courses
• A grade of B or better in all undergraduate Economics courses 

Applicants choosing not to submit test scores will receive one of three responses from the admissions committee upon completion of all other application materials:

1. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program
2. Request from the Admissions Committee for a GMAT or GRE test score submission
3. Denied Admission into the Ph.D. Program

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. 

Program Code: 6ZB-FN-62

GRE- You may find a GRE test center, test information, and preparation materials by visiting the Educational Testing Service ® (ETS) website, www.ets.org/gre. 

Lehigh’s institution code is number is 2365. Department code 1801. 

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

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

If the institution does not offer an official transcript service, the official transcripts and degree certificates must be mailed directly to our office in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. Please have the institution mail the transcripts to: 

Lehigh University - College of Business
Graduate Programs Office
Lehigh Business Innovation Building, Suite 201
201 E. Packer Ave
Bethlehem, PA 18015

International applicants, in general, must have 16 years of formal education, including four years at the university level, to be considered for admission to the Lehigh Ph.D. program. Applicants should submit official English translations. If credentials do not record the awarding of the degree received, you must submit certified true copies of your diplomas. If credentials do not show the grading system used by the university, you must also submit a separate official statement from the university that gives this information.

International students who cannot provide the required documentation will have to supply a Course by Course Evaluation (fees for this service are the responsibility of the applicant). The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services,  www.naces.org lists a number of accredited evaluation companies that can provide Course by Course Evaluations.

Two NACES approved member organizations for international transcript evaluations are:

• International Education Evaluations (IEE). Click here for more information on IEE services.
• World Evaluation Services (WES). Click here for more information on WES services.

Applicants from China:

CollegeNET China Credential Service- Applicants from Chinese institutions may request and submit official transcripts directly through the graduate application. Requests are submitted and processed by CHESICC. A service fee of $12 is charged by CollegeNET.

After entering your college/institution in the educational history section of the graduate application, you will have the option to order official documents.

The processing time for the CHESICC documents is approximately 20 days.

When your CHESICC electronic documents are processed and received by Lehigh University, you will not need to send paper transcripts.

Questions should be directed to the Graduate Programs Office at business@lehigh.edu. Provide your full name, name of college/university and whether your application has been submitted or is in progress.

A minimum of two recommendation letters, preferably three, are required for the application. 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 Ph.D. 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.