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.
We make it easy for you to apply and enter here.
Ready to take the next step toward a college education?
Make lasting memories and grow in ways you never thought possible.
Bilingual Advantage
Gallaudet University is a fully accessible environment with the bilingual use of American Sign Language and English. Imagine yourself walking the campus having access to everything and everyone at Gallaudet.
Bilingualism at Gallaudet opens up doors of opportunities for you.
Instruction at Gallaudet takes advantage of cutting-edge technology, which allows for a language-rich learning environment. Students and faculty strive to communicate as directly as possible, modeling and building habits of academic discourse in ASL and English.
The cornerstone of all educational design at Gallaudet is direct, visually accessible communication among all participants in academic settings. The use of two languages–ASL and written English–provides the most universally effective means of direct communication for all students.
We welcome academically qualified students from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds and abilities. Learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom guide students toward developing their full linguistic and academic potential.
The bilingual environment at Gallaudet ensures that students have more opportunities to learn and use ASL. Through an intentional and integrated use of ASL and English in the classroom, students are provided with multiple approaches to develop academic discourse, an essential component of lifelong learning and success in the workforce.
Bilingualism supports personal development by enhancing students’ social and cultural experiences and allowing them to form lasting social bonds with their peers. Bilingualism also extends the reach of students’ life experiences, especially as the use of sign language facilitates participation in deaf communities throughout the world, opening access to a greater global network.
Our advantages for Gallaudet students, faculty, and staff include extensive student-faculty of 8:1 ratio collaboration, a campus designed for deaf and hard of hearing people, a community of linguistically diverse signers, and direct communication access.
Utilize our university resources such as participating in research projects, obtaining internships and careers.
Sit with anyone and start up a conversation.
Foster connections that will expand your horizons after graduation
Be involved with multicultural student development and mentoring services as an active member in our diverse and multicultural community
Join a study group, meet up with a tutor, and get advice from professors
Travel abroad and connect with international deaf and signing communities
Participate in a sports or intramurals team
Join clubs or campus activities and be part of vibrant campus life
New and emerging signers are welcomed as full members of the Gallaudet community, and will be supported in their efforts toward improving their ASL skills.
All members of the community commit to improve communication skills in ASL in order to create a barrier-free, visually accessible environment throughout campus.
Gallaudet University is home to the state-of-the-art Petitto Brain and Language Laboratory for Neuroimaging, which has published research on the effects of learning bilingualism from a young age and their research continues to this day on bilingual language acquisition.
Learn about common myths of acquiring bilingual language skills in American Sign Language and English. You may be surprised at what you learn!
Admissions Requirements
Spring 2021 – Dec 12Fall 2021 – May 15