
Gallaudet University is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., 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 with all programs and services specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students. The university is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education. While the university primarily caters to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, hearing students are admitted to the graduate school, and a small number are also admitted as undergraduates each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Private federally chartered university |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Year founded | 1864 |
| Focus | Education of the deaf and hard of hearing |
| Language of instruction | American Sign Language (ASL) and written English |
| Admission of hearing students | Hearing students are admitted to the graduate school and a small number are admitted as undergraduates each year |
| Number of areas of study | More than 60 |
| Number of degrees, certificates, and credentials offered | More than 150 |
| Number of alumni | More than 23,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- Hearing students are admitted to the graduate school
- A small number of hearing students are admitted as undergraduates
- The university is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
- It is the world's only liberal arts university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students
- It is the world's leading institution for the deaf and hard of hearing

Hearing students are admitted to the graduate school
Gallaudet University is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C. It 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 is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education. It is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction and by the college community.
While the university primarily caters to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, hearing students are admitted to the graduate school. A small number of hearing students are also admitted as undergraduates each year.
Gallaudet University aims to be the university of first choice for the most qualified, diverse group of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the world, as well as hearing students pursuing careers related to deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The university strives to empower its graduates with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for achieving personal and professional success in their communities.
Gallaudet University also operates a child development center with admissions priority for children of faculty, staff, and students. The center is inclusive of, but not exclusive to, deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
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A small number of hearing students are admitted as undergraduates
Gallaudet University, a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., 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 with all programs and services specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing students. The university is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a key figure in the advancement of deaf education.
Gallaudet University is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction and by the college community. The university offers more than 150 degrees, certificates, and credentials, as well as innovative programs, to prepare its students for professional success. It is committed to fostering a welcoming environment and creating meaningful opportunities for students to thrive academically and personally.
While the university primarily caters to deaf and hard of hearing students, hearing students are admitted to the graduate school. A small number of hearing students are also admitted as undergraduates each year. These hearing students are typically pursuing careers related to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Gallaudet University has a rich history as the world's premier academic institution serving the deaf community. It strives to empower its graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for personal and professional success in a changing world. The university's research initiatives, bilingual environment, and commitment to excellence in learning and student service contribute to its standing as a leading resource for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
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The university is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
Gallaudet University is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an educational philanthropist and the founder of the first American school for the deaf. Thomas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 10, 1787, and died in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 10, 1851, at the age of 63. He was an American educator who, along with Laurent Clerc and Mason Cogswell, co-founded the first permanent institution for the education of the deaf in North America and became its first principal.
Thomas Gallaudet's path in life was altered when he met Alice Cogswell, the nine-year-old deaf daughter of his neighbour, Dr Mason Cogswell, in 1814. He started teaching her by writing the names of objects and drawing pictures of them. Inspired by this experience, he travelled to Europe to study methods for teaching deaf students, particularly the Braidwood family in Scotland. However, he found the Braidwoods unwilling to share their knowledge and financially limiting. Instead, he met Abbé Sicard, head of the Institution Nationale des Sourds-Muets à Paris, and two of its deaf faculty members, Laurent Clerc and Jean Massieu. Sicard invited Gallaudet to Paris to study their method of teaching the deaf using manual communication.
Impressed by the manual method, Gallaudet studied under Sicard and learned sign language from Massieu and Clerc. He persuaded Clerc to return with him to America, and together they established the American School for the Deaf in 1817. Laurent Clerc became the first deaf teacher of deaf students in the United States. Gallaudet later married one of the school's graduates, Sophia Fowler, and they had eight children, including Edward Miner Gallaudet, who founded the first college for the deaf, which became Gallaudet University in 1886.
Gallaudet University, a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., was established 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. The university remains the only higher education institution specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students, offering a bilingual learning environment with American Sign Language and English.
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It is the world's only liberal arts university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students
Gallaudet University, a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., is the world's only liberal arts university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for deaf and blind children and was the first school for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing. The university was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education.
Gallaudet University offers more than 150 degrees, certificates, and credentials, as well as innovative programs, to prepare its students for professional success. The university is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment and offers financial aid and scholarships to ensure that students from all backgrounds can obtain a world-class education.
The university's bilingual learning environment features American Sign Language (ASL) and written English for instruction and communication. The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, which comprises the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), is a part of the university and works to improve the quality of education provided to deaf and hard-of-hearing students across the United States.
Gallaudet University has a rich history of empowering deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and has been at the forefront of deaf education and culture. The Deaf President Now (DPN) movement, which began in 1988, led to the appointment of the university's first deaf president and instilled a sense of pride in deaf communities worldwide. The university also operates a child development center and the National Deaf Life Museum, which showcases the culture and history of deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
While Gallaudet University primarily serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students, hearing students are admitted to the graduate school, and a small number are also admitted as undergraduates each year. The university strives to be the university of first choice for the most qualified and diverse group of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, as well as hearing students pursuing careers related to deaf education and the deaf community.
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It is the world's leading institution for the deaf and hard of hearing
Gallaudet University is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., founded in 1864. 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 was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education.
Gallaudet University offers more than 150 degrees, certificates, and credentials, as well as innovative programs, to prepare students for lives of meaning, purpose, and professional success. The university's programs are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction. The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, which comprises the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), is also part of the university and serves infants through twelfth-grade students.
Gallaudet University is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, with a focus on accessibility. The university offers financial aid, scholarships, and other options to make attending affordable for students from all financial backgrounds. The campus community includes students, faculty, teachers, and staff who share common goals and values, enriching the academic environment.
Gallaudet University is also a leader in research related to deaf and hard-of-hearing people, with initiatives such as the RSIA (Research and Strategic Initiatives in Audiology) gathering and analyzing data to provide information to educators and professionals in the field. The university hosts the Gallaudet Research Expo to showcase scholarly pursuits and achievements, and the National Deaf Life Museum, which focuses on the culture and history of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no exact number, a small number of hearing students are admitted as undergraduates each year. Hearing students are also admitted to the graduate school.
No, while Gallaudet University is the world's leading institution for deaf and hard of hearing students, it admits hearing students who are pursuing careers related to deaf and hard of hearing people.
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. The university was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education.
Yes, American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the two official languages used for instruction at Gallaudet University. The other is written English.



























