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Special or Non-Degree Students

Become a part of the Gallaudet family and gain a one-of-a-kind academic experience in one of our non-degree academic programs.

Immerse yourself in American Sign Language (ASL) and English whether you’re in the classroom or walking on campus. Our hearing special students are required to have a working knowledge of ASL. In addition, special students taking more than 12 credits are welcome to live on campus.

Contact your Gallaudet admissions counselor if you have questions.

Visiting Students

Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students currently enrolled at an accredited college, university, or community college may take courses at Gallaudet and transfer all credits earned back to their home institutions.

Visiting students must be a sophomore, junior, or senior at their home institutions and must have a current GPA of 2.5 or higher. Visiting students are invited to attend Gallaudet for up to two semesters. You can even apply financial aid awards from your institution to cover your classes at Gallaudet.

Exchange Students

Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students attending Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, or McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, may attend Gallaudet through the Exchange Student Program.

Exchange students must be junior or senior with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Exchange students may attend Gallaudet for one semester. You can even apply financial aid awards from your institution to cover your classes at Gallaudet.

Non-Degree Special Students

Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students who are not currently enrolled at another university and do not wish to work toward a degree may apply as non-degree special students.

Non-degree special students are not limited in the number of semesters they may attend Gallaudet and must renew their application each semester. Special students are not eligible for financial assistance from Gallaudet University.

Online Special Students

Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing adult learners who wish to take college courses online may apply as non-degree online learners. Most online courses follow an accelerated eight-week format and are worth three semester credits. Such courses are generally offered six times a year. Each semester, you will be responsible for resubmitting an application and a $50 fee to maintain your undergraduate online student status.

If you intend to transfer Gallaudet credit to another institution of higher education, you are responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies of the other institution.

International Visiting Students

The International Special Student Program (ISSP) at Gallaudet University is a study program designed for people from outside the United States interested in studying at Gallaudet University for up to one year.

Admissions Checklist

Special / Visiting Applicants

If you wish to study at Gallaudet University without formal admission, we welcome you to apply as a visiting, non-degree special, exchange, or online special student.

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Check your application status here.

Required application materials

Complete an online application, including the $50 application fee

A short essay, 250-500 words long

A letter of recommendation from an academic teacher who teaches a core subject such as English, mathematics, or social studies

Obtain a verification letter from the college/university where you are currently enrolled.

* If you are a hearing applicant, you must submit a video essay in American Sign Language.

Important Deadlines

Applications
Deadline
Application Fee Waiver deadline
Dec 1
Spring Admissions general deadline
Dec 31
Honors Program priority deadline
Feb 15
Enrollment Deposit due
May 1

Experience the Gallaudet Advantage!

Students who wish to study at Gallaudet University without formal admission may do so as special non-degree students through our visiting, non-degree special, exchange, or online special programs.

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