Gallaudet University is a federally chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. The university was founded in 1864 by an act of Congress and is located in Washington, D.C. Gallaudet offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including liberal arts, business, and education. The university is known for its bilingual approach to education, which emphasizes both American Sign Language and English. Gallaudet has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and more than 25 countries.