Q: What graduate degree programs are offered?
A: The department offers graduate programs leading to the degree of M.S. in mathematics, M.S. in applied mathematics, M.S. in statistics, Ph.D. in mathematics, and Ph.D. in applied mathematics.
Q: What are the requirements which students in the programs must fulfill?
A: Please see the Mathematics Graduate Student Handbook.
Q: How do I apply and what are the minimal admissions requirements?
A: There is a link to the online application on the College of Arts & Sciences website. Official transcripts and two letters of recommendation are required. The GRE General Test is not required, but they are recommended. The GRE Mathematics Subject Test score is also helpful, but it is less important than the General Test scores.
The minimal required undergraduate grade point average is 3.0, however, most applicants have high grade point averages, high GRE scores, and strong letters of recommendation. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree is required. Most applicants to our Ph.D. programs have a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics. Applicants to our M.S. programs tend to have bachelor's degrees in mathematics, statistics, or another quantitative field.
Q: What mathematical background should I have in order to succeed in the Ph.D. program?
A: You will need to have solid training in abstract and linear algebra and undergraduate real and complex analysis. During the first year of graduate study, most students take basic graduate courses in which these subjects are treated at a rigorous and more advanced level, so it is important to have a strong background in these subjects at the undergraduate level.
Q: What background should I have in order to succeed in the M.S. in statistics program?
A: The student's undergraduate degree must include at least 9 semester-hours of calculus.
Students who have not had any course in linear algebra, complex variables, and advanced calculus are advised to take Lehigh's Math 205 (or 244), Math 208 (or 316) and Math 301 at the earliest opportunity. It would also be helpful to have had some undergraduate probability and statistics courses, and some theoretical and applied mathematics courses.
Q: What are the requirements for international students?
A: International students submit the application forms as stated above. In addition, students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. The minimal scores required for the iBT TOEFL are:
- Reading: 21
- Listening: 15
- Speaking: 24
- Writing: 25
- Total: 85
Students who are offered a teaching assistantship must pass a Speak Test at Lehigh in order to continue as a teaching assistant. Further information can be found on the ICAPE website.
Q: When is the deadline for filing an application?
A: The deadline to be considered for admission is January 1. We sometimes consider applications to our M.S. programs which are submitted after the deadline.
Q: When are the admission and financial aid offers made?
A: Most students are sent an email informing them of the decision concerning their application sometime in January or February. Offers are occasionally made much later (even in July or August), so before accepting an offer elsewhere, please contact us to check on the status of your application.
Q: Is it possible to transfer credits towards a graduate degree?
A: Transfer credits can only be applied towards a Master’s degree. A maximum of 9 credits can be transferred.
Q: What are the tuition charges?
A: Please see the Office of the Bursar’s website.
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: Full-time students may apply for financial aid in form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Most Ph.D. students are accepted with teaching assistantships which provide tuition remission and a stipend. Of the students who are not teaching assistants, most receive some partial scholarship support at some point during their graduate studies. Student loans are available through the Office of Financial Aid.
Q: Is on-campus housing available?
A: Graduate student housing is available on campus and off-campus within close proximity of the university.
Q: Is it possible to take courses without being admitted to a degree program?
A: Applicants may request admission as non-degree students for a limited number of courses and credits. A non-degree application form is available on the College of Arts & Sciences website.
Q: Is an interview required?
A: An interview is not required, but please contact us if you would like to visit.
Q: Is it possible to take courses without being admitted to a degree program?
A: Applicants may request admission as non-degree students for a limited number of courses and credits. A non-degree application form is available on the College of Arts & Sciences website.