A world-class institute of changemakers in the deaf and signing community.
Since 1864, we have been investing in and creating resources for deaf and hard of hearing children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
Over 50 degree programs, with online and continuing education for personal and professional development.
Innovating solutions to break down barriers, and using science to prove what does and doesn’t work.
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Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC)
There is no better place to study American Sign Language than Gallaudet, the world's expert on ASL. We were the premier educational institution to identify ASL as a true and independent language.
Order your morning coffee, participate in a class discussion, chat with your roommate and then finish your essay for the Deaf Studies Digital Journal-all in ASL. By studying and living at the world's only bilingual ASL and English university, you will become fluent in ASL and gain firsthand insight into the global deaf and hard of hearing community.
Complement your studies with an internship or by collaborating on faculty research. Our well-published faculty are excellent scholars as well as teachers.
Our ASL program will help you gain a strong foundation in language, teaching and Deaf Culture to prepare for a career in deaf education, linguistics, interpretation, sociology or social work.
See list of all Gallaudet majors
Keep reading to learn more about the American Sign Language program and career outcomes.
See the academic catalog for requirements for declaring a major.
Help create interactive, bilingual storybook apps or other learning tools in American Sign Language through Gallaudet's Motion Light Lab (ML2). The lab was recently featured in an NPR article
All of Gallaudet's recent ASL and deaf studies majors are employed (44 percent) or in graduate school (56 percent) within one year of graduation. Learn more about alumni of the Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
Interpreter positions require a bachelor's degree. Employment is projected to grow 46 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Learn more.
Social workers need at least a bachelor's degree in social work, and clinical positions require a master's degree. Employment is projected to grow 19 percent, faster than average. Learn more.
Employment in education and museum work requires at least a bachelor's degree and is expected to grow about as fast as average. Learn more.
Students in the department have access to state-of-the-art equipment for coursework, field research and data analysis in our Multimedia Lab. In addition, the Gallaudet University Archives boasts the world's largest collection of historical artifacts, documents and visual materials about deaf people. Learn more about our extensive resources for students and faculty.
Admissions Requirements
Spring 2021 – Dec 12Fall 2021 – May 15