Immigration and refugee issues are at the center of our modern policy and political debates. The Immigration Studies Certificate offers both traditional academic training through coursework, research and practical experience working with immigrant and refugee communities through an internship. The undergraduate certificate will ultimately prepare students to conduct immigration research, influence immigration public policy, and inform immigrant-related government decisions.
Career Possibilities
Together, the Immigration Studies certificate's traditional coursework requirements and the internship requirement will prepare students for future careers in:
- immigration and refugee service work
- community organizing
- government policy-making
The certificate also prepares interested students for graduate study in immigration issues in History, Education, Social Work, Public Policy, and related disciplines.
Study Topics
Topics of study will include the laws and government policies for controlling immigration and refugee flows and also the economic, cultural, demographic, and political impacts of immigration. Ultimately, Immigration Studies seeks to understand ways of promoting understanding between immigrants and receiving communities and methods of safeguarding the dignity and rights of immigrants, migrants, and refugees.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the certificate, students will:
- Understand the theoretical explanations for immigration flows, immigrant assimilation and exclusion, and ethnic formation and possess a fundamental understanding of the legal and political institutions responsible for immigration policy.
- Be able to apply the content and methodological skills to engage in original research projects involving immigration topics.
- Be able to apply the theories and examples from coursework to conduct immigration-focused internships in the workforce.
Requirements - 12 Credits Total
This certificate is open to all CU Denver Undergraduates, check it out on the CU Denver Degrees and Programs Page. Students may apply for the Immigration Studies Certificate at any point in their studies and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 within the certificate courses. To apply, students should print and attach a completed Immigration Studies Certificate Application (included below) to an unofficial transcript. These documents should be submitted to the Immigration Studies Certificate Administrator, Professor Kariann Yokota (kariann.yokota@ucdenver.edu). Once the application is approved, students will be contacted about their acceptance into the program.