Please note that all program and admission-related inquiries are managed exclusively via email. To ensure your inquiry is addressed, please contact immigrationdiploma@queensu.ca or review our FAQ section. Our program’s unstaffed phone number is (613) 533-6937. No live phone calls are accepted via this phone number and an automated message provides general information and our email address for any inquiries. Click here to contact us. Or attend a
The Queen’s Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law will prepare you for The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultant's (CICC) mandatory Entry-to-Practice Exam and equip you with the skills you will need to be a successful immigration consultant.
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The Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law is designed and optimized for the online learning environment. You’ll be able to work directly with faculty and your fellow students in online forums and discussions, and through group activities such as case studies, simulations, and more.
The Graduate Diploma is designed for individuals who are looking to enter Canada’s immigration sector, as well as those seeking to enhance their skills and competencies about the immigration system to support and advance in their existing professions. It merges theory with practice to prepare students for a number of vital roles in the immigration sector, as well as functions that support organizations on immigration and citizenship matters. These include:
The Graduate Diploma is a three-term, nine-course program that was designed from the ground up and optimized for experiential online learning. Students can complete the program in under 12 months to progress towards the Entry-to-Practice Exam, and an exciting career path in immigration.
The program’s courses are aligned with The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) essential competencies for Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants. They ensure students are equipped with a deep understanding of Canadian immigration and citizenship law and procedures, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary for successful practice in this growing field.
The Graduate Diploma is designed and optimized for online learning with weekly tutorials that feature direct interaction with instructors who are leading experts in the field. All courses include a schedule of synchronous, mandatory tutorial sessions. While timing varies between courses, students should expect about two to three hours per week, per course. Tutorials are typically offered on weekday evenings, Tuesday to Thursday between 4:00 – 10:00 pm ET and Saturdays to Sundays between 9:00 am - 5 pm ET. Learn more about tutorials on our FAQ page.
Self-directed learning is an important component of this program, aimed to prepare students for the rigours of the profession. Students are responsible for managing their learning strategies through self-directed work, including time and workload management, asking probing questions during tutorials, staying abreast of sector developments and charting their own intellectual exploration.
While the program is designed for full-time learning, to prepare students for the CICC’s mandatory Entry-to-Practice Exam, part-time options are available on a limited basis. Part-time students have between 24 and 36 months to complete all program requirements.
Please note that you must take ICL 810: Foundations of Canadian Immigration Law prior to other courses. Part-time students may take one or two courses per term.
Students who do not wish to apply for the Graduate Diploma but meet the requirements for admission can apply for single course enrolment as either an Interest Student for Program Credit or as an Interest Student for No Program Credit. Students can register for up to four courses individually.
Interest student category | Participation in Program | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Program Credit | • Students can register for up to four (4) courses individually • Note: Program Credit students are required to take ICL 810, Foundations of Canadian Immigration Law prior to taking other courses | • Assigned a grade upon completion of the course to use toward transcripts and GPA • Provided student has good academic standing (B- in all courses) may be eligible for Graduate Diploma |
| No Program Credit | • Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the course but are not required to complete course assessments (quizzes or final assignments) | • Not assigned a grade upon completion of the course • Courses cannot be used to satisfy program requirements towards Graduate Diploma • May be eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit (substantive hours) with the Law Society of Ontario, and CPD/Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credits in other Canadian jurisdictions. Learn more HERE |
Upon successful completion of this program, students will receive a Graduate Diploma in Immigration and Citizenship Law, which is recognized as a Graduate Diploma or “G.Dip” accreditation by Queen's University. Obtaining a G.Dip does not constitute a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or qualify graduates to practice law in Canada. To become an accredited Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, applicants are required to write The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) Entry-to-Practice Exam and meet all of the mandatory requirements for registration outlined on the CICC website. Licensees have a number of obligations in order to remain in good standing with the College. New licensees are required to complete a mandatory mentorship program and fulfill ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. More information on these requirements can be found on the CICC’s Licensee Obligations website.
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