Chartered in 1864, Gallaudet University is a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. However, the university has been admitting hearing students to its undergraduate degree programs since 2000. Hearing students who know American Sign Language (ASL) and want to study with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals while pursuing a career in deaf education are considered for admission. They must meet the same requirements as deaf and hard-of-hearing students, including an admissions interview and an American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) with a minimum score of 2.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Year Chartered | 1864 |
Student Population | 1,400+ |
Staff and Faculty Population | 900+ |
Number of Majors | 30 |
Number of Specialist Programs | 2 |
Number of Online and Hybrid Course Options | 250+ |
Number of Varsity Teams | 14+ |
Number of Intramural Sports and Activities | 28+ |
Number of Student Clubs and Organizations | 24+ |
Year of First Hearing Undergraduate Students | 2000 |
Maximum Percentage of Hearing Undergraduate Students | 8% |
Number of Hearing Undergraduate Students in 2017 | 82 |
Number of Hearing Undergraduate Students in 2018 | 69 |
What You'll Learn
Application requirements for hearing students
Gallaudet University, a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, has been accepting hearing students into its undergraduate degree programs since 2000. The university welcomes hearing students who are bilingual and committed to learning in a signing environment. The number of hearing students admitted each year is capped at 8%.
Hearing students who wish to apply for undergraduate admission at Gallaudet University must meet the same requirements as deaf and hard-of-hearing students. In addition, they must complete a two-phase application process and meet certain language proficiency requirements.
Phase 1
Hearing undergraduate applicants must complete and submit the following:
- An online application form.
- Two short essays (one written, one video). The essay prompts can be found in the online application. Each essay should be 250-500 words long.
- Unofficial high school and, if applicable, college transcripts. Official transcripts will be required if the applicant is accepted to the university.
- If the applicant earned college credits during high school, they must submit their college transcript(s) for transfer credit evaluation.
Phase 2
After Phase 1, the HUG/BAI admissions counsellor will contact the applicant to arrange an admissions interview and initial language screening. At this time, the applicant will receive information about the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI). The ASLPI is a video-recorded evaluation that will determine the applicant's overall ASL proficiency. To be eligible for the Hearing Undergraduate Program, an ASLPI score of 2 or higher is required. The fee to take the ASLPI is $165.
The applicant will be notified of the admissions decision following completion of the ASLPI.
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History of admitting hearing students
Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for deaf and blind children. It was the first school for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing in the world and remains the only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students.
The university has admitted hearing students to its graduate school and a small number of undergraduates each year. In 2000, a pilot program was started to admit hearing students to its undergraduate degree programs. This was formally recognized by the United States Department of Education in 2006, which placed a cap of 5% on the number of hearing undergraduate students admitted each year. This cap has since been increased twice, first to 7%, and since 2017 to 8%.
Gallaudet University also has a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Interpretation (BAI) that accepts both hearing and deaf students. This program was created to address the acute nationwide shortage of qualified sign language interpreters. Hearing students enrolled in the BAI program are not counted under the 8% cap.
In addition to the BAI program, Gallaudet University offers a variety of online degree completion programs (ODCP) that are open to both hearing and deaf students. Beginning in Fall 2018, hearing students in the ODCP were counted under the 8% cap.
Gallaudet University is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction and by the college community. Although there are no specific ASL proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission, many graduate programs require varying degrees of knowledge of the language as a prerequisite.
The university's mission has always been to empower deaf and hard of hearing communities globally, and it strives to create a space where the vitality of the deaf experience and the vibrancy of sign language thrive.
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Hearing students' contribution to campus life
Gallaudet University, a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, has been welcoming hearing students since 2000 when it began as a pilot program. The university is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all its students, ensuring that hearing students are full and valued participants in academic and social life.
Hearing students at Gallaudet University contribute to a diverse and vibrant campus community. They actively participate in organisations and clubs, varsity and intramural sports, and other extracurricular activities. They are driven by a desire to support the Deaf community and are respectful of their deaf and hard-of-hearing peers, embracing the university's signing environment.
The university's hearing undergraduate students pursue a range of majors, including Biology, Business Administration, Communication Studies, Deaf Studies, Education, International Studies, Psychology, Social Work, and Spanish. They benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1, which fosters a personalised learning experience and allows for one-on-one instruction.
Gallaudet University's hearing students also contribute to campus life by bringing their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Some are children of deaf adults (CODAs), while others have deaf siblings or extended family members, or have previously taken ASL classes. They join the Gallaudet community from various parts of the country, bringing diverse experiences and enriching the university's culture.
Additionally, hearing students at Gallaudet University have the opportunity to engage in on-campus job opportunities and join fraternity and sorority organisations. The university encourages them to connect, discover, and influence, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion. The hearing students' contribution to campus life enhances the overall student experience and promotes a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
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The Hearing Undergraduate Program (HUG)
Gallaudet University, a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, has been admitting hearing students to its undergraduate degree programs since 2000. The Hearing Undergraduate Program (HUG) is a selective process that admits a small group of hearing students who know American Sign Language (ASL), want to study with deaf and hard-of-hearing peers, and plan to pursue a career that advances the education of the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
HUG applicants must meet the same requirements as deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with some additional steps. All applicants must complete an online application, submit a short essay, and provide transcripts. Hearing applicants must also submit a video essay in ASL and complete an admissions interview and initial language screening. To be eligible for the Hearing Undergraduate Program, applicants must achieve a score of 2 or higher on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI), a video-recorded evaluation of their ASL skills. The B.A. in Interpretation program, which trains students to become ASL interpreters, requires a higher ASLPI score of 3 or higher.
Hearing students in the HUG are fully integrated into the Gallaudet community, participating in clubs, sports, and other campus activities. They are expected to be respectful of their deaf and hard-of-hearing peers and committed to learning in a signing environment. HUG students have declared majors across a range of fields, including American Sign Language, Business Administration, Communication Studies, International Studies, and more.
Gallaudet University's HUG offers a unique opportunity for hearing students to immerse themselves in an ASL and English environment, contributing to a diverse and inclusive community that values and supports the empowerment of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
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Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation (BAI)
Gallaudet University is a private university that was established in 1864 for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The university has been welcoming hearing students committed to learning in a signing environment since 2000, when it launched a pilot program for hearing students. This program was formally recognised by the United States Department of Education in 2006, and a cap of 5% was placed on the number of hearing undergraduate students admitted each year. This cap has since been increased to 8%.
Gallaudet University also has a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Interpretation (BAI) that accepts both hearing and deaf students. This program was established in 2005 to address the shortage of qualified sign language interpreters and enhance professional certification requirements.
The BAI program consists of a comprehensive series of courses and experiences that provide students with interactive interpreting skills. The program is in a four-year format and consists of 36 credits in the major, including coursework, fieldwork, and a field internship.
Students will take supporting courses in:
- ASL and deaf studies
- Biology
- Business
- Communication studies
- Linguistics
- Psychology
Admission Requirements
Prospective students must submit an online application by June 1, along with a $50 application fee (which may be waived under certain conditions). Additional requirements include:
- One written essay and one video essay in ASL
- A letter of recommendation from an academic teacher of a core subject
- Unofficial high school and college transcripts (official transcripts will be required upon acceptance)
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher in high school or previous college coursework
- A score of 3 or higher on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)
Hearing applicants need to contact a BAI/HUG Admissions Counselor, while current HUG students interested in the BAI program should reach out to the program coordinators.
Courses and Requirements
The BAI program includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Human Biology: This course teaches students about select organ systems and human genetics, with a focus on developing scientific skills such as experimental design and research methods.
- Intro to Interpreting: An overview of the interpreting profession, including roles, responsibilities, ethics, and basic principles and practices.
- Interactive Discourse Analysis: Analysis of discourse in English and American Sign Language (ASL) to make students explicitly aware of the features of language use in everyday life.
- Sign Language & Sign Systems: An introduction to the major features of languages and the structure, use, and variation in sign languages and sign systems commonly used in the United States.
- Fundamentals of Interpreting: Focus on foundation skills for effective translation and interpretation, including critical analysis and application of translation and interpretation techniques.
Career Prospects
The BAI program prepares students for national certification testing and to work as sign language interpreters in various settings, including education, medical, business, and government. According to the website, the employment rate for interpreters is expected to grow by 2% between 2023-2033, with a median annual salary of $57,090.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gallaudet University has admitted hearing students to its undergraduate degree programs since 2000.
Hearing students applying to Gallaudet University must meet the same requirements as deaf and hard of hearing students. In addition, they must have a personal interview with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and attain a score of 2+ or better on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI).
Hearing students can apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation (BAI) program, which accepts both hearing and deaf students. They can also apply to the Hearing Undergraduate Program (HUG), which is for hearing students who know American Sign Language (ASL), want to study with deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and plan to pursue a career that furthers the education of the deaf and hard of hearing.
Yes, there is a cap on the number of hearing undergraduate students who can be admitted each year. As of 2017, the cap is set at 8% of the total undergraduate enrollment.