Lehigh University Graduate Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
Lehigh University offers a diverse range of graduate programs across its five colleges, catering to career-minded and research-productive students seeking leadership roles in industry and academia. These programs are designed to provide exceptional training and experience, with options for residential and online, full-time or part-time study to meet diverse student needs. Lehigh began awarding graduate degrees in 1882, marking a long-standing commitment to advanced education and research.
A Supportive and Vibrant Community
Lehigh's graduate programs emphasize meaningful mentorship and foster a supportive community essential for higher learning. The university provides unparalleled resources and leading technological advancements, coupled with one-to-one attention and diverse perspectives. This environment encourages students to explore their interests and excel in their chosen fields.
Colleges and Programs
Lehigh University confers degrees through various colleges, each offering a unique set of graduate programs:
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences offers graduate degrees in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. Students can pursue a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in most traditional academic departments and some interdisciplinary programs. Degree requirements vary, but typically involve a combination of formal coursework and independent research. Students work closely with a faculty advisor to formulate and execute their research programs.
College of Business
The College of Business provides a range of graduate programs, including STEM-designated specialty master's degrees in Applied Economics, Business Analytics, and Management. A dual degree program allows students to complete two of these degrees in two years. Lehigh undergraduate students can opt for a 4+1 program to earn an M.S. degree efficiently.
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The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program offers full-time and part-time study options. The one-year, full-time MBA program includes concentrations in business analytics, financial management, marketing, and supply chain management. In cooperation with the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Business also offers an MBA and Engineering degree.
A STEM-designated Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Business and Economics is available as a full-time program that can be completed in five years. Accepted Ph.D. students receive funding packages, subject to satisfactory progress, that cover tuition remission and a monthly stipend for living expenses during the academic year.
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science provides numerous graduate study opportunities at the master's and doctoral levels. Options include research-focused and course-only programs in disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas. In collaboration with the College of Business, students can pursue a Master of Business Administration and Engineering (MBA&E) degree.
Graduate study often connects to the college's research and scholarship activity. Research-based graduate degrees involve analytical or experimental research, allowing students to create new knowledge under the guidance of faculty. Many research programs are supported by contracts, fellowships, and grants from industry and government entities. Faculty and graduate students are often associated with interdisciplinary research centers and institutes.
Specific programs and specialties include:
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- Biomedical Engineering / Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical / Electronic / Communications Engineering
- Environmental / Environmental Health Engineering
- Industrial / Manufacturing / Systems Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
College of Education
The College of Education is a nationally recognized graduate college focused on preparing students for leadership roles in education and related fields. It offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.), a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), post-baccalaureate certificates, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
The college has five academic programs:
- Counseling Psychology
- Educational Leadership
- School Psychology
- Special Education
- Teaching, Learning and Technology
These programs prepare students for leadership roles in various sectors, including school systems, business and industry, healthcare, private practice, and community-based organizations.
The Centennial School, governed by Lehigh University and funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, serves students with emotional disturbance and autism. It uses an apprenticeship model to train graduate students in special education and other school-based professions, providing unique research opportunities and fulfillment of practicum and internship requirements.
The Global Programs offer graduate degree programs, non-degree graduate certificates, and summer institutes via online courses and in-person throughout the academic year.
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College of Health
The College of Health offers graduate programs focused on improving the health and well-being of populations and communities. Students investigate the determinants of health through technology- and data-driven research and community partnerships.
Available programs include:
- Master of Public Health (MPH): Prepares students to lead community health initiatives, shape public policy, and address global health challenges with a focus on hands-on experience and data-driven approaches.
- PhD in Population Health: Trains scholars to develop and apply innovative methods to improve health equity and systems worldwide.
- 4+1 Accelerated Master of Public Health Program: Allows current Lehigh undergraduates to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years.
- Master of Engineering in Health Systems Engineering: Integrates systems thinking, analytics, and engineering to improve healthcare delivery.
- Flex MBA with Public Health Concentration: Offered in collaboration with the College of Business, this program combines core business skills with a focus on public health management.
The college also offers graduate certificates in Population Health and Interdisciplinary Policy.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Lehigh University emphasizes interdisciplinary programs to accommodate new and developing fields of study. The College of Business, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the College of Arts and Sciences offer a Master of Science degree in Financial Engineering, providing education in advanced finance and quantitative financial analysis. Lehigh undergraduate students may opt for a 4+1 program that would allow the M.S.
Research and Scholarship
Lehigh University is a research-intensive institution with 29 research centers and institutes, providing opportunities for graduate students and faculty to collaborate on projects and real-world issues. The university's commitment to research is evident in the extensive research and scholarship activity within the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Professional Development
Professional development is integral to graduate education at Lehigh. Master's degree programs prepare professionals for career success, while doctoral programs offer research-focused training. Certificate programs help professionals expand their knowledge and skills in various employment sectors, improving work performance and career advancement opportunities.
Course Numbering System
The course numbering system indicates which courses can be applied to undergraduate or graduate degrees:
- 0-99: Courses for freshmen or sophomores.
- 100-199: Intermediate-level undergraduate courses (not open to freshmen except on petition).
- 200-299: Advanced undergraduate courses (open to freshmen and sophomores in the College of Business and specific departments with permission).
- 300-399: Advanced undergraduate courses.
- 400-499: Courses primarily for graduate students.
A Historical Perspective
Lehigh University has a rich history of graduate education, beginning in 1882. The first Ph.D. was granted in 1893. Women were admitted to the graduate program in 1918, with the first female graduates completing their work in 1921. The Graduate School was established in 1936 to administer the graduate program, and the Ph.D. was reinstated in nine departments.
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