Online Immigration Law Schools: How to Choose

Though courses in immigration law can be found from many institutions, full immigration law programs are rare. Students who wish to study immigration law should choose a program both based on what program best fits their schedule and on program or course availability.

How to Choose an Online Immigration Law School

Program and Course Availability

While students may find many immigration law courses, both online and in traditional format, full programs that focus on immigration law are extremely rare in both forms. Graduate certificates in immigration law may be available from select institutions, and many different law programs have immigration law components. These include paralegal education programs, master's degrees in legal studies and doctoral law degrees. Often, immigration law is taught in one or two courses, though in the case of a graduate certificate, as many as four or five may be necessary. Students wishing to learn about immigration law should examine their options carefully and choose whichever program best fits their needs.

Format and Time Constraints

Online immigration law courses may be taught in a range of different formats, from synchronous, real-time classes in which students watch lectures via streaming download, communicate via voice conferencing or web cam and have regular assignment and test due dates to asynchronous classes that allow students to log into class at any time, communicate via message board and email and have flexible assignment and test due dates. Some classes require students to finish the course by a given date but have no specific assignment or test dates at all. Accelerated courses and programs for students who wish to complete their work quickly are usually closer to the first type, while flexible programs for working professionals are often of the second type. Students should choose a style that fits their needs and time constraints.

Online Programs for Immigration Law

Immigration Law Studies Certificate Program

A graduate certificate in immigration law is designed for students who wish to understand the law as it applies to citizenship and immigration, deal with changing immigration policies, learn how to file applications and petitions regarding immigration law and see first-hand how immigration court proceedings are handled. As with all graduate certificates, students must complete a bachelor's degree, usually in a related subject, before enrolling.
Most courses required for online immigration law certificates are available in an asynchronous format, and do not require students to log in to class at any particular time of day or attend real-time lectures. Though courses may have participation requirements, this normally only requires students to log into class forums and post in conversations with other students, an activity they can undertake at any time of day they choose. Many asynchronous classes have no due dates for assignments or tests, only requiring students to turn in all work by a class end date.