Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law Studies

Format: Online
Application Deadlines
  • Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: November 7, 2024
  • Spring 2025 Regular Deadline: December 5, 2024

Please note there is no application fee for graduate applications submitted by the Priority Deadline.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the 2015 American Survey recorded that more than 43.3 million immigrants reside in the United States. According to the NYC Department of City Planning's Population Division, over 3 million New York City residents are foreign born. Professionals working in many fields regularly face a wide range of issues confronting the immigrant population.

The Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law program is an innovative course of study that offers the opportunity for professionals working with immigrant populations to expand their knowledge and gain skills to help them advance professionally.

Students in the program:

  • Identify and analyze immigration issues to assess legal status and options
  • Locate and access the resources needed to analyze issues
  • Identify major immigration applications and forms, their purposes, and issues
  • Develop strategies for successful presentation of major applications
  • Recognizethe implications of the unauthorized practice of law

Career Prospects

The courses, developed and taught by practicing immigration law judges and attorneys, are offered completely online.

Graduates may pursue careers working with immigrant populations in areas such as law, education, government, and non-profit and community-based organizations.

It is important to note that this program does not qualify anyone who does not hold an attorney’s license to practice law.

MEET OUR FACULTY


Meet Dhar
Meetu Dhar

Adjunct Associate Professor, Immigration Law

Headshot of Nermeen Arastu
Nermeen Arastu

Associate Professor, Immigration Law

Admissions Criteria

Candidates for admission to advanced certificate programs must possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher from a regionally accredited undergraduate institution.

Scheduling Note: Beginning in the spring 2020 semester, all courses in the advanced certificate in immigration law program will be offered exclusively online.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: November 7, 2024
  • Spring 2025 Regular Deadline: December 5, 2024
Apply Now

Student/Alumni Profiles

Guadalupe Ayala

Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law Studies 2024

"CUNY SPS allowed me to narrow down the path I wanted to pursue. This led to my decision of enrolling in a Master in Social Work program in the fall, focusing on community organizing."

Marie Mendoza

Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law

"The discussion board provides constant feedback and, with everyone from different states, broadens the conversations and highlights different experiences."

Cynthia Robinson Civil

Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law

“Returning to school and completing my education has opened doors for me and has given me the ability to help my family and make a better life for the next generation.”

Ben Anthony

Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law

"I am now practicing immigration law in immigration court. There was no greater feeling than when I walked into court for the first time. If I had never gone back to court after that day, I would have accomplished what I set out to do."

Recent News About Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law Studies

Dr. Regina Bernard is smiling and is in a natural setting

Dr. Regina Bernard Earns Fellowship

October 13, 2023

Social Practice CUNY

CUNY SPS Associate Professor and Academic Director of Interdisciplinary Studies Regina Bernard was recently named as a faculty fellow in the SPCUNY educational network. The SPCUNY educational network amplifies the collective power of socially engaged artists, scholars, and advocates throughout CUNY's rich tapestry of faculty, staff, and students working for social justice. Based at the CUNY Graduate Center, SPCUNY’s theory of educational transformation fosters structures for diverse creative leaders who will empower New York City as an inclusive, justice-driven cultural landscape. This initiative is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
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October 05, 2023

The nine faculty and staff were recognized for completing a series of curated LinkedIN Learning courses focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

Salute to Service: Alumna Nancy Yanez ’18, U.S. Army, Corporal

November 23, 2021

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Profile of John Jay alumna Nancy Yanez ’18, a Corporal in the U.S. Army, who describes her plans to attend the CUNY SPS Advanced Certificate in Immigration Law program.

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June 29, 2021

Faculty Focus

Vicki Caruana, academic program manager at CUNY SPS, has published the article “The Power of Significant Learning During Course Development” in the publication Faculty Focus.