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.

The application essay should provide a summary of your career objectives in pursuing a Ph.D. 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*

*“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. 

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

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.

 

Submission

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, you must have 16 years of formal education, including four years at the university level, to be considered for admission to the 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 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 (NACES) lists a number of accredited evaluation companies that can provide Course by Course Evaluations. 

Two NACES approved member organizations for international transcript evaluations are:

1. International Education Evaluations (IEE). 
2. World Evaluation Services (WES).

 

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.

Lehigh Business Graduate Programs provides multiple pathways for applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. Learn more about the various English proficiency pathways.