PROGRAM DETAILS
Start where you are.
3 Modules. More than 3 paths.
MODULE 1
How to successfully work with immigrants.

Earn a Module Certificate in
Immigrant Accompaniment.
MODULE 2
Immigration law and practice.
Train to become a partially accredited representative.

Earn a Module Certificate in
Immigrant Advocacy.
MODULE 3
Immigration law and practice.
Train to become a fully accredited representative.

Earn a Module Certificate in
Immigration Trial Advocacy.
If all three modules have been completed, earn a Program Certificate.
Each module builds on the prior one, but serves a unique purpose by itself. People from all disciplines with different aspirations and experience in the immigration world can forge their own VIISTA path.
End where you need to be.
Comprised of three content modules, each Module is 14 weeks with two 7-week sessions. This program is 100% asynchronous online with occasional, optional live webinars that will be recorded if you cannot attend live.
Students are highly encouraged to register for all three Modules, but may choose to finish their studies upon completion of the first, second or third Modules. The Module contents build upon each other and must be taken sequentially.
Students in this non-credit program earn a Certificate from the College of Professional Studies upon completion of each Module and a Program Certificate upon completion of all three Modules.
SUMMER 2021 PROGRAM DATES
Module 1, 2, or 3
Session 1
Session 2
May 10 to June 27
July 5 to Aug 22
The registration deadline to start in the summer semester is May 3rd
There are no admission requirements for this program, but you are required to complete the online registration form.
YOUR INVESTMENT
MODULE COST = $1,270
FULL PROGRAM = $3,810
The cost of books and course materials are estimated to be an additional $250.
MODULE SPECIFICS
Module 1 focuses on how to successfully work with immigrants, and is the foundation for the program.
Upon completion of Module 1, you will be able to:
- Contextualize the global migration phenomenon
- Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of government, sources of law and the immigration ecosystem
- Interview an immigrant
- Appreciate and be sensitive to cultural difference
- Draft professional documents
- Practice ethical advocacy for a client
- Engage in self- and communal- care
Select students may elect to complete their study at this point. These students likely will be employed in a field in which they interact regularly with immigrants – social workers, educational counselors, pastoral workers and other members of religious congregations, and health care workers. Their specific training needs would focus on how to work successfully with immigrants, and not on immigration law.
Others interested in adding to this foundational knowledge may decide to proceed to Module 2 and Module 3.
Most students will begin the program by enrolling in this first module, although others who have relevant experience may enter directly into Module 2 or 3 with approval from the College of Professional Studies during the enrollment process.
Modules 2 and 3 focus on immigration law and practice.
They are designed to train people to become Department of Justice (DOJ) partially accredited representatives (Module 2), or fully accredited representatives (Module 3).
DOJ Recognition and Accreditation Program FAQ's
Upon completion of Module 2, you will be able to:
- Conduct a thorough intake interview with a potential client, including drafting a thorough new client intake form to use to gather facts from clients during interviews;
- Assess a client’s case for eligibility for various immigration benefits;
- Analyze new areas of the law to determine the elements that need to be proven;
- Plan an immigration case;
- Conduct legal research;
- Establish eligibility for an immigration benefit including gathering facts and evidence to support the elements of the immigration benefit;
- Prepare an application and supporting evidence for submission to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
- Maintain an office case file for a client (professional development);
- Draft persuasive professional documents (applications, declarations, cover/argument letter);
- Engage in self- and communal-care;
- Compile an application to become a DOJ partially accredited representative; (professional development)
- Practice ethical service and advocacy for a client.
Upon completion of Module 3, you will be able to:
- Conduct a removal hearing in immigration court;
- Conduct a thorough intake interview with a potential client whose case is in removal proceedings, including drafting a thorough new client intake form to use to gather facts from clients during interviews;
- Assess a client’s case for eligibility for various forms of relief from removal/deportation;
- Analyze new areas of the law to determine the elements that need to be proven;
- Plan an immigration case for proceedings before an immigration court;
- Establish eligibility for relief from removal, including gathering facts and evidence to support the elements of the form of relief;
- Conduct legal research on immigration law;
- Prepare an application and supporting evidence for submission to an immigration court;
- Prepare a client and witnesses to testify in immigration court;
- Draft and present an opening statement, closing argument and direct examination;
- Maintain an office case file for a client (professional development);
- Draft persuasive professional documents (applications, declarations, cover/argument letter);
- Engage in self- and communal-care;
- Compile an application to become a DOJ fully accredited representative; (professional development)
- Practice ethical service and advocacy for a client.
COURSE TOPICS
We connected the dots for you.
As you move through the curriculum you will see that we intentionally designed many of the Learning Activities to touch on multiple course topics. In the real world, the course topics all connect and relate to the others.

Interviewing and Counseling

Hot Topics in Immigration Law

Self and Communal Care

Research Process

Professional Development

Law and Legal Systems

Case Planning/Project Management

Cross Cultural Understanding

Justice for Migrants

Ethics

Immigration Research and Ecosystems

The Stranger in History and Religious Tradition
