Hearing Students At Gallaudet: How Many Enrolled?

Gallaudet University is a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. However, the university does accept a small number of hearing students. In the Fall of 2020, 22% of degree-seeking students at the university were hearing. Hearing students who wish to attend must know American Sign Language (ASL) and will have to take the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) to be eligible for the Hearing Undergraduate Program.

What percentage of the student body is hearing?

According to a 2020-2021 census, 77% of all degree-seeking students at Gallaudet University were deaf or hard-of-hearing, while 22% were hearing. This means that 23% of the student body was hearing.

Gallaudet University is a bilingual, diverse, and multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. The university was chartered in 1864 and is a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The university offers an immersive hearing undergraduate experience for students who are committed to pursuing a career that furthers the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

The university accepts a small number of hearing students compared to its deaf and hard-of-hearing students. To be admitted, hearing students must know American Sign Language (ASL) and are expected to be fully aware of the rules of Deaf culture. They must also achieve a score of 2 or higher in the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI), a video-recorded evaluation that determines their overall ASL proficiency.

What are the requirements for hearing students to attend?

Gallaudet University is a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. However, a small number of hearing students are admitted each year. In 2020, 22% of degree-seeking students at the university were hearing. Hearing students are expected to be fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and familiar with Deaf culture and its rules. They are also expected to be respectful of others' opinions and to refrain from voicing or complaining about loud music.

The Hearing Undergraduate Program (HUG) at Gallaudet allows a certain percentage of the student body to be hearing. This program is aimed at CODAs (children of deaf adults) and hard-of-hearing individuals who communicate more easily via ASL than English. Applicants must meet the university's audiology threshold for hearing loss to be eligible for the program.

Hearing students at Gallaudet cannot receive scholarships through the university, as this funding is reserved for deaf students. However, graduate programs at the university are open to deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students, offering certificates and Master of Arts, Master of Science, doctoral, and specialist degrees in various fields related to professional services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

What scholarships are available for hearing students?

While Gallaudet University is a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, a small number of hearing undergraduate students (up to 5% of an entering class) are admitted each year. Hearing students are not eligible for scholarships through Gallaudet University, as this funding is reserved for deaf students. However, hearing students may be eligible for external scholarships.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Gallaudet University offers merit-based scholarships to students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with outstanding academic achievements. These scholarships are awarded for up to four years of study for first-time freshmen and three years for transfer students. All newly admitted students are automatically considered for these scholarships.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are awarded by the Financial Aid Office to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with most restricted to those with demonstrated financial need.

External Scholarships

Students may also apply for scholarships from external sources. Some examples of external scholarships include:

• Abby W. Palmer Asbell Memorial Scholarship Fund: For undergraduate students who have graduated from the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, New York, or graduate students pursuing a master's degree in Deaf Education.
• Alma & Edward West Memorial Fund: For undergraduate deaf students from Virginia.
• André Muller International Scholarship Endowment Fund: For international undergraduate or graduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, with preference given to students from Africa or Europe.
• Burr and Duesman Family Scholarship Fund: For undergraduate students who are deaf or hard of hearing, with preference given to those from Nebraska or Wisconsin.
• Catherine Jackson Moss International Scholarship Fund: For undergraduate or graduate deaf or hearing students from outside the U.S. with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students who intend to return to their home countries and contribute to the betterment of deaf or hard-of-hearing citizens there.

What degrees can hearing students pursue?

Gallaudet University is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English. The university offers a variety of degree programs that hearing students can pursue.

Hearing students who wish to study at Gallaudet University must exhibit a genuine commitment to the university's core values. These values include honouring and ensuring belonging across the diverse spectrum of identities, believing that diversity strengthens the community, understanding that learning is a lifelong quest, and seeking to contribute to a better world.

Hearing students at Gallaudet University can pursue a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. For undergraduate degrees, hearing students can major in Interpretation, with the option of obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation. This program requires a higher level of American Sign Language proficiency, with an American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) score of 3 or higher.

Hearing students can also pursue other undergraduate degrees at Gallaudet University, including a Bachelor of Interpretation (BAI). The application requirements for hearing undergraduate students include two short essays (one written and one video), high school and college transcripts, and an admissions interview with an initial language screening. To be eligible for the Hearing Undergraduate Program, students must achieve an ASLPI score of 2 or higher.

Additionally, Gallaudet University offers online degree programs for aspiring adult learners. Hearing students can apply to the Online Degree Program if they have earned 45 college credits toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. The university currently offers six areas of study for this program: Deaf Studies, Communication Studies, Psychology, English, Business Administration, and Accounting.

At the graduate level, Gallaudet University offers a variety of programs for hearing students, including Master of Arts, Master of Science, doctoral, and specialist degrees. These degrees are offered in fields such as professional service to deaf and hard-of-hearing people, Sign Language Education, Public Administration, Social Work, and Audiology.

What is the application process for hearing students?

Application Process for Hearing Students at Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University, a private university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, offers a selective Hearing Undergraduate Program (HUG) for hearing students who wish to study alongside deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and pursue a career in deaf education. The application process for hearing students is as follows:

• Online Application: Hearing students must complete an online application, including a $50 application fee.
• Essays: Applicants are required to submit two short essays, one written and one video essay in American Sign Language (ASL). The essay prompts can be found in the online application.
• Transcripts: Unofficial high school and college transcripts (if applicable) are required. Official transcripts will be requested upon acceptance to the university.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants need to provide one letter of recommendation from a current or former teacher.
• Admissions Interview and Language Screening: The HUG/BAI admissions counsellor will arrange an admissions interview and initial language screening.
• American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI): Applicants must complete the ASLPI, a video-recorded evaluation of their ASL proficiency. A score of 2 or higher is required for the Hearing Undergraduate Program, while a score of 3 or higher is needed for the Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation (BAI) program. The fee for the ASLPI is $165.
• Admissions Decision: Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision after completing the ASLPI.

It is important to note that hearing students applying to the BAI program must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher in their high school or previous college coursework. Additionally, there are extra application requirements and expectations for the BAI program.

Gallaudet University seeks applicants who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, lifelong learning, and contributing to a better world. The university does not make admission decisions based solely on test scores or GPAs but considers the entire candidate profile.

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