Gallaudet University, a multipurpose academic, research, and public service center, provides a wide range of programs for deaf and hard of hearing people from around the world, as well as for professionals who work with this population. Gallaudet offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The University attracts students from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and many foreign countries.

Deaf and hard of hearing undergraduate students can choose from more than 30 majors leading to a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. Undergraduate students also have the option of designing their own majors, called "self-directed majors," in which they select classes from a variety of departments at Gallaudet or take courses offered at 11 other institutions of higher learning that are members of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Beginning

in January, a two- to three-year pilot program was initiated to admit a small number of hearing, degree-seeking undergraduate students—no more than two percent of an entering class—to the University.

Graduate programs, open to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students, include a master of arts or a master of science degree, specialist degree, certificates, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields involving professional service provision to deaf and hard of hearing people.

Gallaudet University offers exemplary educational programs to deaf and hard of hearing students at all learning levels. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School serves infants and their parents and continues service through the Eighth Grade. The Model Secondary School for the Deaf offers programs for students in Grades 9 through 12. Both of these schools are part of

the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (formerly known as Pre-College National Mission Programs), whose programs reflect three priorities: literacy, family involvement, and transition of students from school to the workplace.

Gallaudet has a strong commitment to using technology as a means of enhancing its academic programs. Many on-campus courses have a heavy emphasis on the World Wide Web and multimedia technologies, and the number of courses offered completely online for local and remote students is growing rapidly.

The web site, courses.gallaudet.edu, is a portal where students can login and see a list of their online course materials. This site also has links to other campus resources that students need at their fingertips. A campus discussion forum and chat room are available, and many courses use discussion forums and chat rooms as well. Gallaudet students, faculty, and staff use instant messaging and e-mail extensively for communication. Gallaudet has a Microsoft NetMeeting Directory at ils.gallaudet.edu for one-to-one video conferencing and group meetings. A recent update to Gallaudet's Internet connection to a T3 (45 mbps) makes it easier for people with broadband connections at home to communicate with the Gallaudet community with video conferencing or digital video clips.

The Gallaudet Research Institute is a leading center on research focused on deafness and related issues. The GRI conducts studies on the demographic and academic characteristics of the U.S. deaf and hard of hearing population, and makes funds available to support faculty, student, and staff research on topics considered priorities of Gallaudet University.

National and international programs, including regional extension centers, conferences, sign language classes, summer

programs, and international outreach, annually serve approximately 33,000 people. The University's regional centers are located at Flagler College, Florida; Johnson County Community College, Kansas; Kapi’olani Community College, Hawaii; Northern Essex Community College, Massachusetts; and Ohlone College, California.

Since its inception, Gallaudet University has endorsed direct visual communication among all members of the campus community. Gallaudet promotes an atmosphere in which American Sign Language and English coexist.

The University’s Sign Communication Policy holds three principles as its guide:

1. Effective sign communication supports education.
2. Sign communication will be inclusive, recognizing the individual’s communication needs; respectful of each person’s sign language style; and flexible so that public discourse is fully accessible to everyone.
3. Direct sign communication is central to Gallaudet’s vision, therefore, training and assessment programs are available to provide the opportunity for everyone on campus to become fluent signers.