ASL DIVE

ASL DIVE is designed for students who are 18 years old or older by the first day of class. We encourage high school students to explore other programs like Gallaudet’s Youth Program: Immerse Into ASL. You can find more information about that program at this link.

On-Campus Housing & Meals (Optional)

Participants may request to stay in Gallaudet University residence halls for the duration of their ASL DIVE experience.

Housing & meal plan pricing:

• One-week session: $450

• Two-week session: $1,000

These options include campus housing and a meal plan. Space is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hotel & Off-Campus Options

If you prefer not to stay in campus housing, you are welcome to arrange your own accommodations. You may choose a hotel or an Airbnb nearby. Reservations for hotels and off-campus lodging must be made directly by the participant.

Transportation

Transportation is not provided as part of ASL DIVE. All participants are responsible for their own travel to and from campus and for daily transportation during their stay.

The ASL DIVE program fee includes a guided, immersive American Sign Language and Deaf culture experience led by Deaf facilitators and designed to support real-world language use—not classroom-only learning.

Depending on the session you choose, your program cost includes:

ASL DIVE: Discover (One Week | May 31–June 5, 2026)

• Structured ASL immersion in supportive, low-pressure environments

• Guided cultural experiences, including Deaf history and community spaces

• Interactive games and activities that encourage natural communication

• Real-world ASL practice with ongoing guidance and support

• Placement in a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced group

ASL DIVE: Engage (One Week | June 7–June 12, 2026)

• Deeper, more active ASL participation in social and cultural settings

• Museum visits and community experiences using ASL as the primary language

• Structured communication exercises that push real signing

• Increased real-world interaction with reduced reliance on English

• Placement in a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced group

ASL DIVE: Full Immersion (Two Weeks | May 31–June 12, 2026)

• All Discover and Engage experiences combined

• Nearly two full weeks of continuous ASL use across daily life, culture, and community

• Sustained immersion designed to build confidence, fluency, and cultural understanding

• Placement in Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced immersion groups for appropriate challenge and support

What Is Not Included in the Program Cost

• Housing and meal plans

• Transportation to, from, or around campus

Housing and meal plans are optional and charged separately at a flat rate based on your selected session. Check-in is the Sunday before your program begins, and check-out is the Saturday after it ends. Early arrival or early departure does not change the total cost.

Additional housing details and instructions will be shared by the ASL DIVE team after your ASL DIVE deposit is submitted.

No. ASL DIVE does not offer university or academic credit.

ASL DIVE is a non-credit, immersive learning experience focused on real-world American Sign Language use and Deaf cultural engagement. The program is designed to build confidence, comfort, and practical communication skills through lived experience rather than traditional coursework or assessments.

While ASL DIVE does not provide academic credit, many participants find the experience valuable for:

• Strengthening ASL skills alongside formal coursework

• Preparing for future ASL classes or immersive programs

• Building cultural awareness and confidence in Deaf spaces

If you are looking to earn university credit or enroll in credit-bearing ASL courses, we encourage you to explore other academic options offered by ASL Connect at Gallaudet University.

We evolved the Summer Residency Program (SRP) into ASL DIVE to better reflect how people learn ASL best—through experience, interaction, and immersion.

While SRP provided valuable classroom-based learning, ASL DIVE is intentionally designed as a community-centered, experiential program based in Washington, DC at Gallaudet University. The new format emphasizes real-world ASL use, Deaf cultural engagement, and guided experiences that help learners move beyond observation and into active communication.

The name ASL DIVE reflects this shift. Participants don’t just study ASL—they dive into Deaf spaces, culture, and daily language use in a structured, supportive environment.

ASL DIVE is offered exclusively in Washington, DC and builds on Gallaudet University’s unique role at the heart of the Deaf community.