Suggested Application Dates
Applications are accepted at any time up until a week before classes begin and you may begin in the fall, summer or spring semesters. Applicants are considered for admission on a rolling basis. See the general guidelines below for admission deadlines.

Full-time program applicants interested in merit-based funding consideration should apply early as those awards are distributed on a rolling basis typically at or close to the time of admission.

Suggested Application Dates

Domestic applications are accepted after these dates up until a week before classes begin.

Fall Semester

Priority consideration for funding: February 1 (first round of funding)
Domestic applicants: August 4
International applicants: June 1

Summer Session

Domestic applicants: May 1
International applicants: Generally not admitted for this term

Spring Semester

Priority consideration for funding: October 1
Domestic applicants: January 1
International applicants: November 15

Admissions Requirements

1. Application Fee

A $75 application fee is due when you submit your online application.

2. Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.

3. Transcripts

Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework are required with your application.

4. Resume

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae documenting your prior work experience, publications, honors and awards received and a summary of your educational credentials.

5. Prerequisites

Incoming students are expected to have:

  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of finance and accounting concepts (equivalent to FINC311 Principles of Finance, ACCT207 Accounting I and ACCT208 Accounting II)
  • Basic computer skills
  • Completed college level statistics, calculus and finite mathematics (equivalent to MATH201 Introduction to Statistics I and Math202 Introduction to Statistics II, MATH230 Calculus and MATH221 Finite Mathematics with Applications)

6. GRE or GMAT Scores

GMAT/GRE Test scores are not required.

Our typical applicant has the equivalent of a 4-year US Bachelor’s degree, a 3.2/4.0 GPA with strong analytical coursework and a minimum of two months of full-time professional internship experience.

If you wish to strengthen your application you may take, at your option, the GMAT/GRE. As we update our application system to reflect that GMAT/GRE score are no longer required, if you are opting not to take the test, please use 01/01/2025 as a future test date in the test section of the application so we are aware that you will not be taking the exam.

7. Personal Statement

Submit an application essay (personal statement) on the following topic: specifically, how will an M.S. in finance from the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware help you achieve your professional goals?

8. Two Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers. Letters of recommendation should be completed online or mailed collectively to the Office of Graduate & Professional Education.

If your native language is not English, please solicit at least one recommendation letter from a native English speaker who can attest to your English language skills.

9. Interview

An interview in person or online may be requested.

Tuition and Fees
All tuition rates and fees are for 2023-2024.

Tuition

Delaware residents* $920/credit
Non-residents $1,028/credit

* Visit the registrar’s website for residency requirements.

Fees

All graduate students are responsible for mandatory fees in the Fall and Spring semesters. These fees vary based on whether a student is taking the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Please visit the Graduate Fees and Financial Aid page in the Graduate Catalog for full details.

International Students
The University of Delaware is an ideal place for a great education in a global atmosphere. As an international student, you’ll join fellow students from over 100 countries. Nearly 30% of all the University’s graduate students and approximately 44% of the Lerner College graduate students are internationals.

English Proficiency Requirements

As an international applicant, you must demonstrate your ability to communicate in English by doing one of the following:

  • Submit a TOEFL score of 100 or higher,
  • Submit an IELTS score of 7.5 or higher,
  • Provide proof of having earned a college degree in a country where English is the primary language, or
  • Apply through the Conditional Admission Program (CAP)

The Graduate & Professional Education office provides more detailed TOEFL information on its test scores page.

Conditional Admission Program (CAP)

The Graduate Conditional Admissions Program (Graduate CAP) provides international students acceptance into the program without the need to take the TOEFL exam. After completing Graduate CAP at the University of Delaware’s English Language Institute (ELI), you begin your graduate coursework at Lerner.

Services for International Students

UD and the Lerner College offer many services to help you, both in class and out.