Organizer Information
Gallaudet University is a federally chartered institution of higher education in Washington, D.C., established in 1864. It is a bilingual university serving deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students through an American Sign Language (ASL) and English learning environment. The university offers undergraduate and graduate education across five schools, including the School of Arts and Humanities.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Gallaudet University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA-equivalent? No — current relevant undergraduate degree is BA; MA, MS, MPA, MEd and doctoral degrees are offered across the university
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Film / Animation / Visual Communication Design / Theatre / Communication / Deaf Studies / Humanities / Education / Social Sciences / Sciences
- Relevant Programs: B.A. in Art + Visual Communication Design — Animation, Film + Video, Fine Arts; B.A. in Communication Studies; B.A. in Theatre; graduate degrees across multiple academic fields
- Language of Instruction: American Sign Language (ASL) and English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate first-time and transfer admission is rolling; graduate applications open 30 September
- Application Deadline: Program- and applicant-specific; international undergraduate and graduate deadlines listed below
- Start of Studies: Fall 2026: 31 August 2026; Spring 2027: 19 January 2027
- Application Fee: $50 undergraduate; $75 graduate
- Tuition: From $9,612 per semester undergraduate; from $10,584 per semester graduate
- Funding: Scholarships, financial aid and graduate assistantships are available subject to eligibility and funding.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Gallaudet's School of Arts and Humanities includes Art and Visual Communication Design, Deaf Studies, History, Philosophy and Religion, and Performing Arts. The B.A. in Art + Visual Communication Design combines studio art, graphic design, digital media, photography, film, animation and art history, with specializations in Animation, Film + Video, and Fine Arts.
- The university also offers Communication Studies, including coursework related to media and visual communication, and a B.A. in Theatre.
- The current Art + Visual Communication Design admissions information does not establish a separate portfolio requirement for admission. Portfolio development is incorporated into the curriculum.
General Eligibility
- Gallaudet accepts international applicants as well as domestic applicants. International undergraduate applicants must meet the university's international admissions requirements, while graduate applicants must also satisfy the requirements of their selected graduate program.
- For international undergraduate admission, applicants submit secondary-school records and, where applicable, college transcripts. International graduate applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale across previous undergraduate and graduate study; applicants below 3.0 may occasionally be admitted conditionally on departmental recommendation.
- Graduate requirements vary by program. Some programs require additional testing, an ASL Proficiency Interview, specific statements, references, or other materials.
- International applicants must provide evidence of adequate financial support for immigration documentation and student-visa processing.
Language Requirements
- Gallaudet operates in a bilingual ASL and English environment, with academic communication using ASL and English.
- International undergraduate applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores according to the current international admissions guidance. Graduate international applicants must demonstrate English competence through TOEFL or IELTS; DRP requirements may also apply, and testing requirements vary by graduate program.
- The university does not state a single minimum TOEFL or IELTS score applicable to all international applicants on the current general admissions pages.
Application Fee
| Study Level / Applicant Type | Application Fee | Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate international applicants | $50 | Waivers are available under specified conditions |
| Graduate international applicants | $75 | Waivers are available under specified conditions |
Tuition
Gallaudet's 2026–2027 tuition rates are charged per semester and vary by study level, credit load, and international applicant classification.
| Study Level | Credit Load | U.S. Tuition / Semester | International — Developing Country | International — Non-Developing Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 12–18 credits | $9,612 | $14,424 | $19,212 |
| Graduate | 9–18 credits | $10,584 | $15,885 | $21,177 |
Part-time tuition is charged according to the number of credits enrolled. Gallaudet applies a 100% international tuition surcharge to students from non-developing countries and a 50% surcharge structure for students from developing countries.
Mandatory fees per semester: Health Services Fee — $280; Student Activities Fee — $206; Technology Fee — $219.
Funding & Financial Support
- Gallaudet provides scholarships, financial aid and graduate assistantship opportunities. Graduate admissions states that 76% of graduate students receive scholarships or assistantships. Graduate assistantships are available on campus and can offset education expenses.
- International students have access to a limited number of institutional scholarship opportunities. The university lists international scholarship funds, including the Sasakawa International Scholarship Fund and Gallaudet-Nippon World Deaf Leadership Scholarship Award.
- International funding information on Gallaudet's current website contains differing statements about scholarship availability, including a statement that students become eligible for scholarships after their first academic year and an FAQ stating that institutional scholarships for international students are limited. Applicants should therefore treat institutional funding as limited and subject to eligibility and available funding.
University Services & Academic Support
- Gallaudet provides an ASL/English bilingual academic environment, accessibility services, academic support, international student support and career services. The Office for Career Success provides career advising, job-search strategies, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, internship guidance and employer connections.
- Graduate students can access academic support through Graduate Fellows who provide ASL, English and quantitative-skills support, mentoring and one-to-one coaching.
Application Requirements
International undergraduate applicants must submit:
- Online application
- $50 application fee
- One written essay and one video essay in ASL
- Letter of recommendation from an academic teacher
- Unofficial high-school and applicable college transcripts
- ACT, SAT or applicable alternative testing; international applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores
- Audiogram
- Certification of Finances form
- Sponsor's Affidavit of Support
- F-1 Transfer Request form, if transferring from a U.S. institution
International graduate applicants must submit:
- Online application
- $75 application fee
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, subject to program-specific exceptions
- Written essay in English and video essay in ASL
- Academic recommendation
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Required standardized test scores according to the selected program
- References and goal statement for each program
- ASLPI, if required by the program
- Other program-specific requirements
No general university-wide portfolio, audition or interview requirement was identified for the relevant arts programs.
How to Apply?
- Application Portal
Deadline & Timeline
- Graduate Applications Open: 30 September 2026
- Early Action for International Applicants: 1 December 2026
- Clinical Psychology Application Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Application Fee Waiver Deadline: 31 December 2026
- School Psychology Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Audiology and Counseling Application Deadline: 1 February 2027
- General Applicants Date of First Consideration: 15 February 2027
- M.A. in Sign Language Education (MASLED) Application Deadline: 1 March 2027
- International Admits — Certificate of Finances: 30 May 2027
- International Undergraduate Fall Admission Deadline: 30 June 2027
- International Undergraduate Spring Admission Deadline: 30 November 2026
- Fall 2026 Classes Begin: 31 August 2026
- Spring 2027 Classes Begin: 19 January 2027
The current international admissions page gives the undergraduate deadlines as month/day dates without a year; the dates above preserve the official day/month information rather than assigning an unsupported year.
Location
Gallaudet University — Washington, D.C., United States
Additional Details
Gallaudet's B.A. in Art + Visual Communication Design is an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree with Animation, Film + Video, and Fine Arts specializations. The 2026–2027 curriculum totals 120 credits and includes art foundations, specialization courses, senior capstone work and required electives.
The university's current international admissions page contains a material discrepancy with another official undergraduate application page regarding the placement of the 30 May and 30 June fall international deadlines: the international-specific page lists 30 May for the Certification of Finances and 30 June for the fall admission deadline, while the undergraduate application page presents these dates in the reverse order. The international-specific admissions page has been used here because it is the program/category-specific source.