Ph.D. in Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy
The Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy (AHCP) Ph.D. program at Gallaudet University prepares scholars and practitioners to lead in the design, development, and evaluation of technologies, policies, and systems that advance accessibility and inclusion. Building on Gallaudet’s mission as the world’s premier bilingual ASL–English institution for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the program uniquely integrates computing, design, accessibility, and public policy to address the accessibility challenges of our digital society. The curriculum combines advanced coursework in computing and policy with independent research. Students are expected to produce original, impactful research that addresses real-world accessibility problems, sometimes in collaboration with federal agencies, industry leaders and advocacy organizations.
Ph.D. students have the opportunity to work within world-class research centers, including the Artificial Intelligence, Accessibility, and Sign Languages (AIASL) Center, focusing on AI-driven sign language recognition, generation, and multimodal accessibility, and the Technology Access Program (TAP), that focuses on telecommunications policy, standards, and accessible communication technologies.
The proposed curriculum for the 4-6-year long Ph.D. in Accessible Human-Centered Computing program requires at least 42 course credits and 15 dissertation research credits for a total of 57 credits. Additional requirements include a dissertation proposal and dissertation that address accessible human-centered computing or policy questions.
Plan of Study
Year 1
| AHC601 | Accessible Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| AHC602 | Communication Accessibility | 3 |
| AHC603 | Applied Communication Accessibility | 3 |
| AHC604 | Applied Information Accessibility | 3 |
| AHC605 | Accessibility Standards I | 3 |
| AHC606 | Accessibility Standards II | 3 |
| AHC611/PSY711 | Principles of Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
Year 2
| AHC621 | Interactive Design for Accessibility | 3 |
| AHC622 | Accessible Data Visualization | 3 |
| AHC695 | Special Topics | 1-3 |
| EDU806 | Seminar in Publishing, Grant, Writing, and Presentation Skills | 3 |
| EDU830 | Doctoral Seminar in University Teaching in Education | 3 |
| HSL888 | Advanced Research Design I | 3 |
| HSL889 | Advanced Research Design II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
Year 3 +
| AHC900 | Dissertation Research | 1-9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Program Outcomes
Describe key concepts and methodologies in the field of accessibility.
Apply literature and best practices from the field of accessible computing and policy to an area of specialization.
Independently design & implement research projects using appropriate methods.
Demonstrate knowledge of higher education pedagogical techniques and tiered mentorship principles.
Demonstrate mastery of writing and dissemination of research with a range of audiences in written English and American Sign Language.
Recognize the importance of professional, ethical, legal, security, social issues and disability lenses, and adhere to the best practices of the accessibility profession.