Emphasis is placed on scholarship, original work, and training in research. The College offers over 30 master's degree programs in arts and sciences and in professional studies. Graduate enrollment is approximately 1,800 students of a total Lehman student body of about 10,000.
Most graduate students attend part-time, combining graduate study with a regular job or career.
Graduate courses are generally scheduled late in the day to facilitate attendance. Lehman also offers advanced certificates. Lehman faculty participate in most City University doctoral programs. In association with the New York Botanical Garden, a plant sciences concentration in the University doctoral program in biology is based at Lehman College. Students with general questions about graduate study or academic policies pertaining to graduate study at Lehman should consult that office.