Application Guidelines

Did you know that Gallaudet’s graduate school attracts people who want to work within the deaf community? We train future teachers, social workers, American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf studies professionals, ASL linguists and countless other professionals.

Before You Apply

• Identify your program(s).
• Learn specific application requirements for each program you’re interested in.
• Request all official transcripts from all the undergraduate and graduate schools you’ve attended to be mailed to Gallaudet’s Graduate Admissions office or emailed via parchment/electronic service.
  • The mailing address is:
    Graduate Admissions
    Kendall Hall, Room 101
    800 Florida Avenue, N.E.
    Washington, D.C. 20002
  • To send your official transcript via email/parchment service, please email us.
• Request official test scores – MAT, GRE or TOEFL. Test requirements may vary by program.
• Contact your references, prior to inviting them on the application.
• Prepare your goal statement for each program you apply to.
• Check to see if the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) is required.

Testing

The standardized testing requirements for your chosen degree program are in the Graduate School Catalog. The GRE and MAT can be taken through the Office of Office for Career Success on campus. The MAT is offered on a monthly basis, while the GRE is available every six months.

International applications need to take the TOEFL and have the testing center send the scores directly to Gallaudet.

All test scores must be sent to the graduate admissions office directly from the testing center you use. Give them Gallaudet’s code: R5240. The results are generally sent to Gallaudet within six to eight weeks. For further information concerning testing, contact the test providers listed below:

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Praxis Series (National Teacher’s Examination)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

References

The online application allows you to invite people to send in a reference on your behalf in an automated way – these references will be sent directly to Graduate Admissions for review. We strongly suggest contacting your references in advance to ensure you have their consent and their correct contact information. Contact the staff at Graduate Admissions if you need to update your list of references.

Goal Statement

Most programs require a goal statement. The goal statement should prove that your past achievements will enable you to succeed in your graduate program(s). These statements are reviewed by the faculty selection committee. Once this is completed, it can be uploaded with the application. Note that there is no minimum or maximum word/page count-your goal statement can be as short or long as you wish to make it.

Questions Asked

Answer each question separately and submit all your answers as a singular document. If you are applying to more than one program, write separate goal statements for each program, clearly indicating which program each statement applies to.

• What kind of career or vocational objective would you like to follow and in what setting (public school, residential school, research center, clinic, corporation, etc.)?
• How did you first become interested in your chosen field of study? When did you decide to pursue a degree in this field?
• What do you consider to be your greatest asset as a future professional in your chosen field?
• Provide any other information that will help us better understand you as an individual and better evaluate you as an applicant for this program.

Dual Degree Graduate Application Requirements

You can apply for two graduate programs. Just follow the application instructions required for each program. Use the table in the Graduate Application Central to find out what requirements each program has and fill out the specific program application forms.

If you are already a student in one program and would like to add another program of study, you may do so, but you need to apply for the additional program, following that program’s application requirements. Make sure you ask the chair of your current program to write a letter indicating that you are in good academic standing and you are approved to add another program of study.

Regardless of which way you are applying for additional programs, you can use the same supporting materials, such as references and test scores.

Veterans Admission Requirements

Gallaudet University is committed to America’s veterans and is authorized to accept veterans under the GI Bill, including those in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program). The program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Yellow Ribbon Program is available to veterans who have sustained “a service connected disability.”

In addition to accepting veterans supported by the general GI Bill, Gallaudet will support up to 25 eligible veterans during an academic year for any graduate program for an amount up to $2,175.00 (full time graduate status) in tuition expenses, as stipulated under the Yellow Ribbon Agreement. Gallaudet is listed on the VA’s Approved Education Programs website as an institution participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Student Application Policy/Procedures for the Yellow Ribbon Program

• Determine your eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon Program through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program Information website and obtain appropriate authorization from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Apply, if you are eligible, for educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Complete the undergraduate application form on the Gallaudet Undergraduate Admissions website or the graduate application form on the Graduate Admissions website.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form.
• Accepted applicants and enrolled students should download an Enrollment Verification form and get a signature from the Registrar’s Office showing proof that they are enrolled as students.

Contact us if you have further questions about our veterans services.

Additional information about the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, as well as the VA’s other educational benefit programs, can be obtained by visiting the VA’s web site.