Application Procedures

Qualified applicants for admission in the MS in Finance program must:

• Comply with all of the requirements of the University for admission for admission to a graduate program as stated in the University of Delaware Catalog.

• Submit a Graduate Admission Application and official transcripts of all previous academic work

• Submit official results of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). The University of Delaware’s institutional code is 5811.

• Submit a resume.

• Submit an application essay on the following topic: Specifically, how will an MS in Finance from the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware help you achieve your professional goals?

• Submit three letters of recommendation from faculty and/or employers.

• Applicants whose native language is not English are encouraged to solicit at least one recommendation letter from a native English speaker who can attest to the applicant's English language skills.

• All letters of recommendation should be mailed collectively to the Office of Graduate & Professional Education, if not completed online.

• Applicants may be requested to interview in person or via SKYPE.

• A $70 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted with the application. Credit card payment is accepted with the online application. Checks must be made payable to the University of Delaware. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed. Foreign students must use a check drawn on a U.S. bank or an International Postal Money Order.

Applicants need not have majored in any specific undergraduate field. Incoming students are expected to understand the fundamentals of finance and accounting concepts, have basic computer skills and have taken the college level calculus and finite mathematics. The admissions committee will examine each accepted applicant’s transcripts and work experience to determine if these prerequisites have been satisfied. Students deficient in any of the admission requirements or pre-requisites may be admitted on provisional status and be required to complete non-degree credit coursework.

Application Deadlines

General Application Deadlines

Admissions occur on a rolling basis, so early application improves your chance for admission. The application deadlines listed below are the dates by which your application and all associated materials must be submitted in order for you to be considered for admission for that semester. Please plan accordingly. 

Fall Semester Admission Deadlines

• January 15: Foreign Applicants
• March 15: Domestic Applicants
• Part-time applicants submitting applications after March 15 will be considered on a space available basis.

Spring Semester Admission Deadlines

• October 1: Foreign Applicants
• December 1: Domestic Applicants

Applications can be submitted before taking the GRE or GMAT. Please indicate on your application the scheduled date of your GRE or GMAT exam. However, late exam score submission will delay application processing and the admission decision.

Every applicant who has accepted admission must submit a $200 non-refundable deposit by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter to secure a place in the MS in Finance Program.

Matriculation Information

• Admission to the University is granted to a student to begin graduate studies in a specified semester or summer session and is valid for that term only. (Graduate students may not start their graduate studies during the winter session.)
• The offer of admission is automatically cancelled if the Office of Graduate & Professional Education is not notified of an applicant's desire to change the matriculation date.
• Applicants who are unable to begin graduate study in the term or semester specified may request a change by writing the Office of Graduate & Professional Education. If approved, such an extension will not be granted beyond a one year period.
• Every applicant who has accepted admission must submit a $500 non-refundable deposit by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter to secure a place in the MS in Finance program. The deposit will be applied towards tuition after admission.