Graduate Admissions Process

Admissions decisions rest solely with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.  Students enrolled in other graduate programs at Lehigh seeking to join the department must follow the regular application process.

Minimum Academic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field *

• Grade Point Average (GPA)

  • 2.75/4.0 required
  • 3.5/4.0 major GPA preferred

• Minimum Test Requirements

  • GRE is NOT required/considered

  • English Proficiency test scores remain required for all international students. Requirements/waiver considerations can be found here.

Application Deadlines

Ph.D. program (Fall and off-cycle admissions)

• To receive full consideration for financial aid, applicants must submit their completed application no later than December 15th.

• Off-cycle applications will be considered on a special case basis.  Contact the graduate coordinator for details.

• It may take significant time to obtain an international student visa.  If this applies to you, plan the timing of your application to account for potential delays both before the application and when moving to the United States. If it is not possible to obtain a visa to start with your desired semester, your admission may be deferred. Please contact the graduate coordinator with questions about deadlines.

M.S. program (Fall and Spring admissions)

• The application deadline for the M.S. program is July 15.  The deadline for Spring MS applications is November 1st

• Later applications for the M.S. program beyond these deadlines will also be considered, but please note that last-minute applications may not allow sufficient time for international applicants to receive the necessary student visa. Please contact the graduate coordinator if you have any questions about deadlines.

Submitting an Application

Submit applications here: Online Application

If you have questions concerning the program or application process, please contact the department graduate coordinator. 

• Application Fee: USD 50.

• Application:  asks for personal data, proposed program info., test data, educational background, and work experience.

• Transcripts:  Must be uploaded to application. If admitted, official transcripts are required and must be received in sealed envelopes.

• Letters of Recommendation:  For master's one (1) letter of recommendation is required. For PhD two (2) letters of recommendation are required.  If you are currently or were recently in school, letters from academic advisors and other professors are preferred.  If you are currently in industry, letters from employers are acceptable.  All letters should be submitted through the online application process.  

• Test scores:  English proficiency test scores are required for all graduate students whose FIRST language is not English. All international students must show proof of English proficiency to be admitted to Lehigh. More information can be found here.

• Essay/Statement of Purpose:  a brief statement of career and research objectives.  Essays should articulate clearly your experience and goals.  Half a page to two pages is sufficient.

• Supplemental Information:  applicants should also include a resume or CV, current research or creative work, list of published works, and extracurricular activities.

• Incomplete applications will not be processed or reviewed.  

• All communication will be done via e-mail, so please provide a current e-mail address.  

• Decisions are rolling for masters degrees and will be announced in Spring for PhD.

General Information

Offers of admission may be deferred for up to one full academic year.

Tuition rates can be found here.  All full-time students and International students required to take 9 credits each semester to maintain full-time status.  International students who are admitted without financial aid will be required to submit an affidavit of support for one year before any visa documents will be issued.

Graduate Fellowship: Pasteur PHD Partners (P3) Fellowship, https://wordpress.lehigh.edu/inphd/