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.
Menu
Charles Reilly, Ph.D.Executive Director
(202) 250-2294 (videophone)(202) 651-5150 (voice)(800) 451-8834 (voice)(202) 651-5746 (fax)Email
Welcome to Gallaudet University, and greetings from the Office of International Affairs (IA)! IA is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to operate several programs that recruit individuals from around the world for educational purposes. Regardless of your goals, Gallaudet has a program in place that will provide you the tools you need to succeed.
Deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students can choose from a wide variety of majors leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree. Undergraduate students have the option of designing their own majors, called "self-directed majors," in which they select classes from a variety of departments at Gallaudet. All students may take courses offered at 13 other institutions of higher learning that are members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Graduate programs, open to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students, include master of arts or master of science degrees, specialist degrees, certificates, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields involving professional services to deaf and hard of hearing people.
The International Special Student Program (ISSP) is a tremendous learning experience designed for non-U.S. students who are not pursuing an academic degree at Gallaudet University. The one- or two-semester program is customized to meet the needs of each scholar.
The International Visiting Researcher Program (IVRP) was established to accommodate a limited number of professors, researchers, and other scholars who wish to use the facilities at Gallaudet University each academic year.
If you are looking to establish a solid foundation in English, the University's English Language Institute (ELI) provides an intensive English as a Second Language program for American and international deaf and hard of hearing students. Bilingual instruction in both American Sign Language and written English provides a multicultural environment for ELI students to achieve academic, professional, and personal language goals.
Due to Gallaudet University's unique nature, every member of the campus community is encouraged to reach his or her potential in being bilingual in the visual modalities of ASL and written English. The University strives to accomplish this goal by creating a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment that fosters visual bilingual communication.
Because the vast majority of students at Gallaudet University rely on visual communication, the intent behind these guidelines is to help ensure that applicants can participate in effective and meaningful communication that promotes their success at the time they are admitted, and that they will avail themselves of University resources to reach proficiency in ASL and written English. Applicants to programs at Gallaudet are expected to embrace the use of written English and ASL, and to strive to continually improve their skill in the two languages.
Gallaudet will determine the skill level in English that it feels is appropriate to help ensure an applicant's academic success at the University. For undergraduates, these standards comply with ACT, and for graduates, they comply with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL will accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students, such as waiving the spoken part of the test and having a sign language interpreter explain the instructions. Students must request the accommodations themselves. Go to the link for more information. If an applicant has difficulty in taking either of these tests, an alternative test may be acceptable, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), although any alternative must be approved by Gallaudet. The applicant should arrange to have the English test results provided to Gallaudet by the application deadline. If the applicant has difficulty in taking either of these tests, an alternative test may be acceptable, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), although any alternative must be approved by Gallaudet. The applicant should arrange to have the English test results provided to Gallaudet by the application deadline.
At the graduate level, applicants who seek to become special (non-degree) students are required to possess "working knowledge" of ASL, as interpreted by each department within the Graduate School and specified in the 2014-2015 University Catalog. Graduate applicants are referred for ASL skills evaluation that is based on their proposed area of study. If the applicant has prior sign language skills and has been evaluated after taking the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview test, the student must provide the results of the test; if not, department administrators will interview the applicant to determine his/her readiness to study at Gallaudet without classroom communication support.
Below you will find information for the contact person who will be assisting you through the application process.
Your contact person: Tami Santimyer, Admissions Counselor Department: Admissions Office Email:international@gallaudet.edu Website:Admissions for International Students
Your contact person: Wednesday Luria, Coordinator, Prospective Graduate Student Services Department: Graduate Admissions Email:wednesday.luria@gallaudet.edu Website:Graduate Admissions
Your contact person: International Support Team Department: International Affairs Email: intlsupport@gallaudet.eduWebsite: Applications (IVSP, IVRP)
Your contact person: Laura Willey-Saunders, Transfer/Articulation Coordinator Department: Registrar's Office Email:laura.willey-saunders@gallaudet.eduWebsite:Transfer Credits - International Credits
Your contact person: Ali Sanjabi, Coordinator of Operations Department: English Language Institute Email:ali.sanjabi@gallaudet.eduWebsite:English Language Institute
Please read through and follow the steps for admission below. Included are instructions on how to complete your application and forms. It is important that you read all the directions carefully.
To apply to Gallaudet as an undergraduate student, you must complete the international application and all related documents. Use the Undergraduate application checklist to keep track of your progress.
To apply to Gallaudet as a Graduate or Ph.D. student, you must complete an application form online only. Make sure that all documents and forms are completed using the Graduate student application checklist.
To apply for International Special Student and/or Visiting Researcher programs, you must complete an ISSP/IVRP Application.
To apply to Gallaudet as an ELI student you must complete an application form. Make sure that all documents and forms are completed using the ELI application checklist.
Upon acceptance to Gallaudet University as an undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. student, you are required to complete the Certification of Finances Form for Undergraduate Students or the Certification of Finances Form for Graduate or Ph.D. Students
The purpose of the Certification of Finances Form is to help Gallaudet University obtain complete and accurate information about the funds available to international applicants or admitted students who want to study in the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations require that all international applicants or admitted students provide evidence of adequate financial support before they may obtain an I-20 Form (Step Three). You are required to submit BOTH the complete Certification of Finances Form and original, official financial documents that show you have sufficient funds to pay for university expenses including tuition, books, fees, supplies, insurance, and living expenses. If your Certificate of Finances Form is not completed or received and approved, you will not receive the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form for F1).
Once your Certification of Finances Form is completed, reviewed, and approved, International Student Services will send you an I-20, which will be needed for you to obtain a visa. A Form I-20 is an immigration document form that tells the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Student Status. It certifies that:
Some international students do not need I-20 Forms. J-1 students need Form DS-2019 and should contact International Student Services. B Visitors and F-2 dependents must obtain an I-20 Form and apply for a change of status to F-1 student to pursue a course of study that is not vocational or recreational in nature. If you are in other non-immigrant status in the U.S., you don't need an I-20 Form. Send photocopies of your current visa, passport, both sides of the I-94, and your immigration status with your application. Dependent children in E, H, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, R or S status need to change that status after their 21st birthday or if they marry. If you are a permanent resident, refugee or person with political asylum status, send copies of your immigration documents with your application. If you are transferring from a U.S. college or university, send photocopies of your current visa, passport, both sides of the I-94, and the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (F-1) status with your application.
You are required to pay $200 for your SEVIS fee. Effective September 1, 2004, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the collection of a one-time fee of $200 from certain international students and visiting scholars. The fee is required to cover operational costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students or exchange visitors who are issued an initial Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 on or after September 1, 2004 are responsible for paying this fee before going to their Embassy or Consulate.
After receiving your acceptance letter from Gallaudet, you must apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country for the student visa. You will be responsible for making an appointment with a consulate at an Embassy nearest your place of residence after receiving the I-20 with the SEVIS so you can receive the F-1 student visa. The F-1 visa is the most often used visa by international students to study at an accredited U.S. college, university, or English language institute. Students on F-1 visas come to the United States for a full degree program.
It is important to remember that acceptance to Gallaudet University does not guarantee issuance of the student visa. The U.S. Consulate abroad will have the final decision to grant or deny the student visa. When meeting with a U.S. consulate abroad, you will be expected to present the Form I-20 with your SEVIS Fee receipt, your Gallaudet letter of acceptance, and proof of financial support.
Canadian students: A Canadian citizen does not need a visa for entering the United States as a student. At the border-crossing point, you will have to present your passport, the SEVIS Form I-20, your SEVIS receipt, your admission letter from Gallaudet University, and financial support documents to the U.S. Immigration Officer.
Please click on the link below to view the list of scholarships.
StudentAid BC - British Columbia, Canada Contact Person: Theresa Cownden Email: theresa.cownden@gov.bc.caWebsite: StudentAid BC
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) - Ontario, Canada Contact Person: Sherry Britton (TCU) Email: Sherry.Britton@ontario.caWebsite: Ontario Student Assistance ProgramHow to apply to OSAP
Note: For questions related to OSAP procedures and application forms, please contact:
Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities PO Box 4500 189 Red River Road, 4th Floor Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6G9 Or call from 8:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, at (807) 343-7260 or toll-free in North America: 1-877-OSAP-411 (1-877-672-7411).
Alternatively, the General Support Service (GSS) at the Canadian Hearing Society ( http://chs.ca/services/general-support-services) is available to support you with OSAP procedures and application forms. Go to the website to find the closest location to your home, then contact that regional office to access the GSS counselors for assistance with OSAP procedures and application forms.
Note: This information is provided as a guide only and is not considered a contract or binding by the University. We hope you will soon join our proud and strong community.
Best of luck!
You will need Adobe Reader to view these PDF documents. Adobe Acrobat reader is free software that can be downloaded from the Adobe Reader website.
Admissions Requirements
Spring 2021 – Dec 12Fall 2021 – May 15