Deaf, hard of hearing, and even hearing students with an interest in the deaf community can attend the world’s largest liberal arts school just for them. Located in lively Washington, D.C., Gallaudet University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide array of majors and minors from accounting to theatre performance. The more than 40 majors lead to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree.

Topping 1,500 students, the school is big enough to provide social diversity yet small enough to retain a community atmosphere. Classes are bilingual, taught in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). About 94 percent of them have an online component, with practically every student able to make use of the Blackboard online learning system.

Assistive Technology and Deaf Research
Technology and research are important components of Gallaudet, which was founded back in 1864 when Abraham Lincoln was president. To further the cause of deaf education, the school hosts two educational programs for deaf and hard of hearing students of all ages under the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, which has a federal mandate “to develop and disseminate innovative curriculum, materials, and teaching strategies to schools and programs nationwide.”

In the classroom, technology integration is twice the national average for universities. Laptops are the norm, with all buildings boasting wireless internet access. There are two central computer labs accessible to all students, and 15 more connected with specific departments. Check out examples of video recordings of classes and their video library online.

Tuition
What about cost? With an endowment of $147 million and exceptional annual funding, the school is able to offer very reasonable tuition in a unique pricing structure. American students are one level (less than $11,000 for an undergraduate last time we checked) and international applicants another (twice the U.S. amount). And yes, Gallaudet offers scholarships along with financial aid.

Activities
Student life is not restricted to the academic side. The university offers fraternities and sororities, a science organization, yearbook, student newspaper or T.V. production, and much more. Sports, international programs, campus ministries and community service all take their place alongside a vibrant political and cultural scene in D.C. itself.

To find out what campus life is really like, the Gallaudet website has a link to student blogs. Here, you’ll find why Ryan Mahoney thinks Gallaudet is the perfect place to get the help he needs to continue his education and still pursue his dream of NCAA football. Or how Nicole Marsh got over feeling like she “wasn’t  deaf enough, or hearing enough.” Or even how Clara Baldwin balanced cheer team, acting in the school’s ASL production of The Vagina Monologues and a heavy travel schedule this spring. There are also opinions about teaching techniques and plenty of other information to make incoming students feel like they’ve got the inside skivvy.

Graduation and Employment
Once you graduate, you’ll become part of their network of 15,000 alumni around the world. That’s invaluable as you job hunt or seek further educational opportunities. A recent survey showed that 85 percent of the school’s graduates who obtained a bachelor’s between September 2004 and August 2005 are either employed or working on another degree, while fully 100 percent of Gallaudet students bestowed with a graduate degree during the same time are employed or attending school.