Ph.D. in Business and Economics Admissions Requirements

Lehigh Business makes applying easier with no application fees!

To apply for free to the Ph.D. in Business and Economics program, use Lehigh's online application system.

• 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.

As part of the application process, we require all applicants to submit an essay. This essay is an essential component of the evaluation process and provides us with valuable insights into your thoughts, experiences, and motivations. Please find the details below.

Essay Guidelines:

• Length: 1 to 2 pages
• Format: PDF or Word document
• Submission: Please upload the document in the designated section of the application portal

The essay prompt will be provided within the application portal, and we encourage you to take the time to reflect on the topic and articulate your thoughts effectively.

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

The GMAT or GRE test score is Optional*

*“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. 

The Department of Economics strongly encourages submission of a GRE/GMAT if an applicant's undergraduate grade point average is below a 3.7 out of a 4.0.

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. 

Applying with Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts are accepted when submitting an application. Unofficial transcripts are also acceptable for application review.

Domestic and international applicants should upload unofficial transcripts in English that show the degree received, along with course grades and cumulative grades.

International applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution, or the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from a non-U.S. institution of higher education.

 

Submitting Official Transcripts

If admitted into the program, you will be required to submit official transcripts from all universities attended, and 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.

Below are the accepted processes when submitting official transcripts.

From a U.S. or Canadian Higher Education Institution

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 submit documentation to the following email address: business@lehigh.edu.

If the institution does not offer an official electronic transcript service, the official transcripts and degree certificates must be mailed in a sealed envelope with the institution seal and sent directly to our office using the address listed below.

From a non-U.S. Higher Education Institution

Official transcripts and degree certificates must be mailed from your college or university in a sealed envelope with the institution seal and sent directly to our office using the following address:

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

If your non-U.S. institution cannot mail your transcripts, you will have to supply a course-by-course evaluation (fees for this service are the responsibility of the applicant). Lehigh Business has created a custom evaluation form for graduate applicants to Lehigh’s College of Business through IEE and SpanTran that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate! Lehigh's recommended companies for international transcript evaluations are the following:

• International Education Evaluations (Access IEE Evaluation Form)
• World Evaluation Services (Access WES Evaluation Form)
• SpanTran (Access SpanTran Evaluation Form)

You can find other accredited evaluation companies through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

An additional course evaluation company for students from Chinese institutions is CHESICC. Students requesting course evaluations through this service should have all documentation sent to the following email address: business@lehigh.edu. The processing time for CHESICC documents is approximately 20 days.

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.

If you have not studied in one of the following countries for 2 or more years, you will be required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS test scores:  
United States of America, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec province), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Grenada, Guyana , Jamaica, Northern Ireland, Montserrat, Republic of Ireland, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos
Wales, New Zealand 

TOEFL Requirement:

Recommended TOEFL [iBT] Score: 94*
Recommended Subscores:

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

Order a TOEFL Score Report to Lehigh University
Lehigh University’s Institutional Code: 2365
Lehigh University accepts MyBest™ scores from ETS/TOEFL.

*For scores below these requirements, please contact business@lehigh.edu as you may be a candidate for Lehigh University’s StepUp Intensive English program. 

 

IELTS Requirement:

Recommended IELTS Overall Score: 7*
Recommended band scores:

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

Order an IELTS Score Report to Lehigh University
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.

*For scores below these requirements, please contact business@lehigh.edu as you may be a candidate for Lehigh University’s StepUp Intensive English program.