In addition to preparing deaf students for employment or transfer to a four-year program, the college offers interpreter training and other programs for hearing undergraduate students. SWCID was officially launched in Fall 1980. Deaf students have the choice of staying in self-contained classes or mainstreaming into classes elsewhere at Howard.
Although SWCID is based in Texas, students from outside of Texas may attend. This was confirmed by a visitor to About.com, who personally knows students from outside of Texas that have attended SWCID.
The college offers things that would be expected at a college for the deaf - audiological services, library services, internet access, a media center, and a career resource center. SWCID has a Hawk Review yearbook, Thistles, the literary magazine, and the Rattler newspaper.
Last but not least, jobs are available at SWCID, and are listed on the main Howard jobs page.
