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 the Full Program (all three Modules), but may choose to enroll in a single Module. The Module contents build upon each other and must be taken sequentially. Students who feel they have sufficient knowledge of the content in Module 1 and/or Module 2 can apply for a waiver during the application process.
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 2023 PROGRAM DATES
Module 1, 2, or 3
Session 1
Session 2
May 8 - June 25
July 3 - August 20
The deadline to register and pay the deposit for the Summer semester is April 24.
YOUR INVESTMENT
MODULE COST = $1,310
FULL PROGRAM = $3,930
The cost of books and course materials are estimated to be an additional $250.
A $655 deposit (half the cost of a Module) is required to hold your seat in the course.
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
Research Process
Hot Topics in Immigration Law
Professional Development
Self and Communal Care
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
Writing
Pope Francis recently called on Catholic universities worldwide to contribute to research and teaching about refugees and migrants. As a Catholic and Augustinian institution with a deep and long-standing commitment to community service and founded to educate immigrants, Villanova is answering Pope Francis’ call.
Villanova is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to students who are sponsored by a Dept. of Justice recognized organization.
VIISTA Scholarship Information
VIISTA IN THE NEWS
SUPPORTED BY:
VIISTA PERSPECTIVES
“Immigrant advocates model a new way forward to revolutionize the provision of legal services, akin to nurse practitioners in healthcare.”
-Professor Michele Pistone
Founder, VIISTA
"I want to make a difference in the lives of immigrants but lacked the proper skills. VIISTA addresses a real need and gives me the tools necessary to step up and provide valuable support to immigrants in my community."
-Adam Vincent
VIISTA student
"I joined VIISTA to deepen my commitment as an immigrant advocate. At the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, I have the honor of standing alongside asylum-seeking families seeking the right to protection and safety in the U.S. My day to day work has shown me the huge gaps in access to legal representation across the country and the drastic disparity in outcome, when asylum-seeking families do not have access to an attorney. VIISTA is an innovative model that removes traditional barriers to law school through its’ remote, self-paced classroom model, allowing people like me to gain a comprehensive understanding of immigration law and advocacy. I truly believe VIISTA is the future direction of the immigrant rights movement, to respond to the huge need for legal representation and to give every immigrant family their day in court."
-Nicole Tan
VIISTA Student
"VIISTA provides the education and tools to turn my concern and passion into effective compassion. Along with the law, you will learn the history, spiritual and truly human aspects of immigration.
VIISTA’s interdisciplinary focus will challenge you to grow as a person, ally and companion. I have gained a deeper appreciation of the legal and human issues facing our immigrant families. Knowledge of the law gives you the tools to be effective, VIISTA’s other components provides you the means to be compassionate."
-John Marshall Kingery
VIISTA Student
Important Notices for Distance Education Students
The following includes important information for students participating in online courses, online programs and/or on-ground clinicals or practicums while physically located outside of Pennsylvania.