Application Requirements for Degree-Seeking International Students

  • Applicants from countries where B.A.-level training is available in the area for which application is being made to Gallaudet should have a bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. In addition, applicants must meet the admission requirements stated previously.
  • Applicants from countries where no bachelor's level training is available in the fields applied for should have completed postsecondary training that would qualify them for professional employment or advanced study in their own countries. In addition, applicants must meet the admission requirements stated previously.
  • Prospective students from countries that do not have B.A.-level training in their fields must have completed the highest level of training available in their countries.
  • Educational qualifications that allow individuals to teach in their countries will be considered and reviewed by the appropriate departments and/or the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.
  • Competence in the English language must be demonstrated on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. The TOEFL is not required for applicants from English-speaking countries. Other exceptions to the exam may be considered on an individual basis. We also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • Examples of acceptable evaluation agencies for foreign transcripts.
  • If you need to submit your transcript through translation services such as the World Education Services (WES) or the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), and you get accepted into a graduate program, you will be eligible for reimbursement for any transcript translation service fees you paid to your student account during the first semester you are enrolled with Gallaudet.

Testing

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). IELTS is administered by local IELTS test centers throughout the world. Applicants should consult IELTS for the nearest test center. The results of these tests help applicants determine whether they are prepared to undertake graduate study before making extensive plans for graduate study in the U.S. More information can be found in Application Guidelines.

NOTE: Deaf students need to send a certified copy of his/her audiogram to get waived from the auditory portion of the TOEFL. It takes about three months to receive a response from ETS.

Regulations

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the federal government requires that all graduate students in the United States on student visas be full-time students (taking at least nine graduate credits per semester) and that they make satisfactory progress toward their academic goals. United States immigration regulations require that international students accepted for study at Gallaudet provide evidence of adequate financial support. The Immigration Form I-20 or DS-2019 will not be released without sufficient financial certification

Apply Early

International students are strongly advised to start the graduate application process as early as possible to allow for the extra time often needed to evaluate international applications, meet U.S. regulations, and submit their application by the program's application deadline (the general application deadline for first consideration is February 15, however individual programs may have different deadlines). International students must be admitted by their program by May 30 to ensure sufficient time for processing student visas and other required documentation. Candidates must submit all materials in English. Terminal degrees granted in some foreign countries may not be equivalent to the baccalaureate degree granted by U.S. colleges and universities. Refer to the Graduate School Catalog for additional information.

International students must visit the International Student Services website for detailed information.

Financial aid from Gallaudet or any U.S. federal programs is not generally available for international students during their 1st year of study. All international students must show proof of financial support for the first year of study. [See the Financial Aid Office for more information.]

International Special Student Programs

The International Special Student Program is designed for international school personnel, researchers, professionals, and students from other countries who are not pursuing and who do not desire to pursue an academic degree program at Gallaudet University. The program is individually designed to meet the needs of each scholar, allowing participants to audit courses, gain practical experience by being exposed to what is happening at Gallaudet, and visit schools, organizations, and agencies. There are great opportunities to do intensive data collection and acquire specific information and skills relating to deafness. This is a one- or two-semester, non-degree program.

If you are interested in applying for this program, please contact the Research Support and International Affairs at (202) 651-5815 (voice) or (202) 448-6954 (fax).