Immigration Studies (Graduate Certificate)

Program Overview

The Immigration Studies Graduate Certificate program at ASU provides a comprehensive understanding of international migration, offering coursework, research, and practical experience. Students can specialize in Latino immigration, global migration, or social sciences, and choose between an internship or research project as a culminating experience. The program prepares graduates for careers as researchers, analysts, immigration practitioners, and advocates, with a high demand for professionals in these fields.

Program Outline

It also offers professional and research training opportunities.

• Objectives:
• Offer traditional academic training through coursework, research, and practical experience.
• Prepare students to be effective counselors and advocates for immigrants and refugees.
• Contribute to policy discussions and research on immigration.
• Program Emphasis:
• Latino immigration, due to the significant presence of Latino immigrant communities in the Phoenix area and the nature of immigration courses offered.
• Requires 15 credit hours.
• Curriculum includes a core course, three approved electives, and a culminating experience (internship or research project).
• Contact School of Human Evolution & Social Change for a list of approved courses.
• Internship Option:
• Students can intern with Phoenix-based NGOs or government agencies serving immigrants and refugees.
• Internships provide professional training and experience working with immigrant and refugee communities.
• Requires a report describing the organization and the student's internship experience.
• Research Option:
• Students can undertake a research project with a faculty member.
• Research projects can involve field research in a local immigrant community, library and archival research, or readings on an immigration topic.
• Requires a substantial research paper based on the chosen research project.
• Specialization Options:
• Humanities
• Mexican and Latino immigrants in the U.S.
• Social sciences
• Integration with Graduate Degrees:
• Applicable certificate courses may count towards a student's current ASU graduate degree program with program approval.

Careers:

• Career Opportunities:
• Researchers and analysts with keen thinking skills for managing, evaluating, and interpreting data on human thought and behavior.
• Immigration practitioners and advocates in local and federal government agencies, private and public institutions serving immigrant and refugee communities.
• Potential roles:
• Legal advocates in international cases
• Policy analysts and proposal developers
• Postgraduate academic researchers
• Consultants for private and public organizations
• Directors of non-profit organizations
• Directors of programs in the private or public sector
• Demand: High demand for researchers and analysts with relevant skills.

Other:

• The program offers flexibility to complete the required coursework within a three-year timeframe.
• Students requiring more time due to part-time status or lack of available courses need to obtain approval from the executive committee.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required.
• The program emphasizes practical experience through internships or research projects.
• Students have the opportunity to specialize in different areas of immigration studies.