Application Open Dates & Deadlines
Applications Open: Sept 1 - July 15 *
Spring 2024 Open: Sept 1st
Summer/Fall 2024 Open: Sept 15
* Application open dates and deadlines are determined by individual departments. Please contact the appropriate department concerning relevant deadlines.
PhD applicants:
- Spring - Dec 1st
- Fall - Dec 15th
PhD applicants wishing to be considered for the types of financial assistance discussed below should submit a complete application no later than December 15th for a fall semester start. Please contact the appropriate department concerning available start terms.
Master's applicants:
- Summer/Fall/Spring - Rolling
- Priority Deadline - Dec 15th
Master's applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, however, priority will be given to those applications completed before December 15th for a fall or summer semester start. Please contact the appropriate department concerning available start terms.
International student recommended deadlines (for admission consideration only):
- Fall - June 1
- Spring - Nov 1
- Summer - April 1
These deadlines are recommended for graduate students (Master's and PhD) located outside of the US to allow enough time for visa application and required document processing. International students must arrive by the 10th day of class in a given term.
Application Fee: $50 USD
Applications for admission (all semesters, all levels) are to be completed online using our online application. Payment for the online admissions form must be made by credit card or electronic check.
Further information may be found in our Graduate Student Handbook.
An applicant may be admitted to a graduate program as a regular or an associate graduate student. Only regular graduate students are candidates for graduate degrees. Students who do not wish to enter a degree program may be admitted as non-degree students; see this link for information on how to apply as a non-degree student. International students must be admitted under regular status for immigration paperwork to be completed. Except for qualified Lehigh undergraduates, only those who have been officially admitted as regular, associate, or non-degree students may register for graduate courses.
Prospective graduate students who do not qualify for regular student status may be offered admission with associate graduate student status. However, since each department's classification and requirements of associate students is different, you must check with the department to determine if you qualify to be admitted under associate status. Associate students must complete the first nine consecutive credit hours with at most one grade below B-. They will not be permitted to continue if they receive a grade below C. After nine credit hours of coursework, associate students must petition for regular status. Individual departments may require more rigorous probationary standard.
Graduate Education & Life Office | Orientation dates | Grad Life Programs | Graduate Student Senate
At Lehigh, we have approximately 2,000+ students in 80+ programs. Lehigh's small size benefits students in that it creates an atmosphere for individualized education. Students create strong relationships with faculty in order to enhance their interests in their respected fields. Students are encouraged to create relationships not only with their advisors, but throughout their departments.
Furthermore, we strive to integrate Graduate Student Education with Graduate Student Life in order to enhance the experience of the student. As part of this mission, we are committed to nurturing a community of diverse graduate students, who feel supported on campus. Graduate Student Life succeeds in creating programming to enhance student strengths and foster growth edges, through events targeted at professional development, research and writing, and higher education.
As a university, Lehigh believes in a holistic approach to graduate education to offer students personalized attention in their unique educational path.
International student recommended deadlines:
- Fall - June 1
- Spring - Nov 1
- Summer - April 1
These deadlines are recommended for graduate students (Master's and PhD) located outside of the US to allow enough time for visa application and required document processing. International students must arrive by the 10th day of class in a given term.
Office of International Students and Scholars | International orientation program | Checklist for international students
International applicants to the Graduate Programs of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science must hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent foreign degree. Transcripts must be in the original language with an official English translation attached.
Estimate of Expenses
Admitted degree-seeking students can find an estimate of expenses here under Section 5.
Proof of Support
Proof of financial support is required of all International applicants that are granted admission without funding. Notarized bank statements or financial affidavits can be uploaded during the online application process or sent after a decision is released. Immigration paperwork will be expedited if proof of support is sent with the application. For more information, see International Students and Scholars.
Visa papers are issued only to students admitted as regular, full-time students. The following items may be required before immigration documents can be issued:
- Original or notarized financial guarantee.
- Original or notarized English-Proficiency test scores.
Degree Equivalency & Evaluation
According to Lehigh policy shown in our online catalog, students must have 16 years of education (equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's Degree). This policy specifically applies to students who have received their educational qualifications from institutions outside of the United States.
Students whose education falls short of this requirement must undergo a credential evaluation process to determine the equivalency of their educational qualifications. The World Education Services (WES) is one recognized organization that provides this type of credential evaluation.
English Proficiency Policy
All applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency in order to be admitted to a graduate engineering program. Graduate applicants may fulfill the English proficiency requirement by completing one of the options in Column A or both of the options in Column B. Further explanation is available below the table.
| Option A | OPTION B |
|---|---|
OR
|
AND
|
Option A:
- Graduate applicants who have successfully completed coursework in educational contexts other than in the US, UK, etc. can demonstrate proficiency by submitting official scores on the Internet-based TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo exam. See score requirements below. Please note that some individual departments may have higher minimum requirements and you should consult with the department directly in order to be certain of their requirements.
- Successful completion of at least 2-3 years of continuous English-medium coursework leading to an earned degree from an accredited university in one or more of the following countries: United States, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada. If the coursework was completed more than 2 years prior to the term of admission, the applicant must still live and/or work in the country of instruction in order to be eligible.
Option B:
- Graduate applicants who have met the English-medium coursework requirement in countries such as India, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, etc. where coursework was conducted entirely in English can supply an official letter of attestation from their institution verifying all courses were taught in English.
- Letters of attestation will only be accepted on institutional letterhead and signed by an appropriate officer of the institution. Please send via email to your appropriate program contact person, as listed on the application form.
-
Additionally, students must submit publications in English such as research reports or theses.
Currently Accepted English proficiency tests include:
-
TOEFL, IELTS Academic, and Duolingo.
We will accept the recently added “at home” or online versions of these tests in addition to the standard TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic, which are completed at a designated testing facility.
Minimum Score Requirements:
The scores below represent minimum scores that applicants must attain in order to be admitted to the Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science graduate programs without conditional English enhancement training. Please note that some individual departments may have higher minimum requirements and you should consult with the department directly in order to be certain of their requirements.
Internet-based TOEFL
- Reading — 20
- Listening — 15
- Speaking — 20
- Writing — 20
- COMPOSITE — 79
IELTS
- Reading — 6.5
- Listening —6.0
- Speaking —6.5
- Writing — 6.0
- OVERALL — 6.5
Duolingo English Test
-
OVERALL – 125
For unconditional admission, applicants MUST:
- Obtain or exceed ALL minimum section scores
- Obtain or exceed the COMPOSITE/OVERALL minimum score.
Applicants with test scores that do not meet the above minimum requirements can still be considered for admission with conditional English enhancement training required. In such cases applicants should consult with the department or program of interest for more details.
Submission of Test Scores
As part of our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, unofficial test scores, such as self-reported scores or digital copies of score reports, are accepted to provide applicants with a preliminary assessment of their English language abilities. These unofficial scores will be considered during the initial evaluation of an application. However, official test scores must be submitted from the testing agencies directly as soon as an offer of admission is made in order to satisfy this requirement.
We understand that circumstances may prevent some applicants from obtaining official test scores immediately. Therefore, we encourage applicants to submit unofficial scores early in the admissions process, giving them the opportunity to be evaluated promptly. However, it is essential to comply with the submission of official scores in a timely manner to secure their admission if an offer is made.
Our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment extends to supporting applicants from all corners of the globe. By adhering to this English Proficiency Policy, we aim to maintain fairness and consistency in our admissions process while providing prospective students with ample opportunities to showcase their language abilities.
Expiration of Test Scores
TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. Test scores must be valid until an I-20 is issued. If test scores are expired, or expected to expire before that time, an updated exam will be required.
Information on English Proficiency Exams:
TOEFL information may be obtained from ETS at ets.org/toefl. Lehigh's institutional code is 2365. IELTS information can be found at ielts.org. Duolingo English Test information can be found at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. Official test scores must be submitted from the testing agencies directly in order for this requirement to be satisfied.
It is the policy of Lehigh University to provide equal opportunity on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national original citizenship status, handicap, or veteran status.