Welcome to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS):

ISSS, a program within the Office of International Affairs (OIA), builds on the University’s goal to be a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people. ISSS serves as a resource for easing international students and scholars’ transition to life in the United States and at Gallaudet University from their time of arrival, assisting them in achieving full integration into academics and all areas of campus life, and educating, training, and advocating for these individuals while maintaining compliance with U.S. federal regulations governing international education.

Prospective Students:

In general, ISSS staff works with international students and scholars who have already enrolled at Gallaudet. Prospective students who have questions about admissions requirements, the application process, and current application status should contact Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate School Admissions directly.

Prospective students who want to establish a solid foundation in English should contact the English Language Institute (ELI), which provides an intensive English as a Second Language program for American and international deaf and hard of hearing students.

International Special Students (ISS):

The International Special Student (ISS) program at Gallaudet University is designed to meet the individual needs of students from outside the U.S. at the undergraduate or graduate levels by allowing them to take credit or non-credit courses for up to one year. Although this is a non-degree program, it is a viable option for students to prepare for entering a college degree program. To start your application process, students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels should visit the Undergraduate Admissions.

Newly Admitted Students:

Congratulations to all new undergraduate and graduate students on your acceptance to Gallaudet University! ISSS looks forward to welcoming and supporting you throughout your learning experience here. Please be aware that you must arrive on campus in time to attend the mandatory International Student Orientation. For more information, please visit Newly Accepted International Students.

Current Students:

ISSS looks forward to working with you during every stage of your academic career at Gallaudet. Ensuring a smooth transition to life at the University is our top priority. For a look at the many resources available to international students, please visit Current International Students.

Scholars and Researchers:

The International Visiting Scholar (IVS) program was established to accommodate a limited number of professors, researchers, and other scholars each academic year. The program is designed to support International Fellowships, the Fulbright program, the Humphrey Fellowship, and graduate students from universities and colleges in foreign countries who wish to pursue full-time dissertation research, or participate in any of the other categories of the Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor program.

The purpose of the J-1 Exchange Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and those from other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. In addition, the IVS program is designed to increase the exchange of ideas and scholarly research between those working with deaf and hard of hearing people and experts at Gallaudet University. For more information or an application, please visit International Visiting Scholar (IVS).