Brigham Young University (BYU) and the No More A Stranger Foundation (NOMAS) now offer two related programs titled Fundamentals of Immigration Law. The first is the original NOMAS course, created and operated by NOMAS since 2020 for in-person volunteers. The second is a new, nationwide BYU online course, developed in collaboration with NOMAS and offered through BYU beginning in late 2025. Together, these programs aim to train community volunteers and other learners to better serve immigrants and refugees, and to help non-lawyers move toward eligibility as Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representatives.
A New Approach to Immigration Law Education
The new BYU Fundamentals of Immigration Law course builds on NOMAS’s original training while expanding access nationwide. Offered through BYU’s Office of Belonging and Continuing Education, the BYU course is:
- Developed in collaboration with NOMAS, drawing on years of clinic-based experience.
- Designed for non-lawyers and other community learners interested in immigration law and service; it is not targeted specifically to law students and does not provide law school credit.
- Offered only in English, with six months of online access to professionally designed course materials.
- Tuition-based, at $995 for the BYU course.
By contrast, the original NOMAS Fundamentals of Immigration Law course is:
- Operated directly by NOMAS, not BYU.
- Eight weeks long, with a structured curriculum introducing non-lawyers to basic U.S. immigration law.
- Available in both English and Spanish.
- Free for qualifying volunteers who serve in person once per week for two months at NOMAS legal clinics in Salt Lake City, Ogden, or Logan, Utah.
Across both the NOMAS volunteer course and the new BYU micro-credential course, participants study the basics of U.S. immigration law, including:
- Family-based and employment-based immigration: How people can come to the United States 🇺🇸 through family ties or job offers.
- Humanitarian protections: Topics like asylum and refugee status, which help people fleeing danger.
- Removal proceedings: What happens when someone faces deportation.
- Citizenship: The process for immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
Participants learn through lectures, real-life case studies, interactive online activities, and hands-on training in legal intake and client service. This mix of learning methods helps students and volunteers gain both knowledge and practical skills, whether they enroll in the BYU course, the NOMAS volunteer course, or both over time.
Pathway to DOJ Accreditation
One of the most important features of the BYU–NOMAS collaboration is how it can support non-lawyers on their journey toward potential DOJ accreditation. DOJ-accredited representatives are non-lawyers who, after completing special training and meeting federal requirements, can provide limited legal help in immigration matters under the supervision of a DOJ-recognized nonprofit.
The roles of the two courses in this pathway are distinct:
- Original NOMAS volunteer course (8 weeks): Introduces non-lawyers to core immigration law topics in an accessible way and is free for volunteers who serve in person once a week for two months at NOMAS clinics in Utah.
- New BYU course (6 months of access, $995): A professionally designed online course that weaves in principles of belonging taught by Jesus Christ and awards a BYU-issued micro-credential (digital badge) upon completion.
- Second BYU course (advanced, $1,995): For graduates of the first BYU course, this follow-on course requires 45 hours of supervised legal work with a NOMAS legal clinic and deepens practical experience.
Together, the two BYU courses (total tuition $2,990) and supervised work with a DOJ-recognized nonprofit like NOMAS can offer an affordable and structured path toward DOJ Accredited Representative eligibility. Final accreditation, however, is always determined by the U.S. Department of Justice and requires meeting all formal Recognition & Accreditation Program requirements.
The process of preparing for DOJ accreditation with support from NOMAS and BYU generally includes:
- Choosing a training route — enrolling in the BYU Fundamentals of Immigration Law course, participating in the original NOMAS volunteer course, or combining both over time.
- Completing the BYU online course (six months of access, tuition $995) to earn a micro-credential, and/or completing the 8-week NOMAS volunteer course.
- Gaining hands-on experience at NOMAS Community Legal Clinics, where volunteers help with legal intake, assist with immigration forms, and work under the supervision of licensed attorneys.
- Completing additional training and screening required by the DOJ, showing good moral character (through background checks and references), and being connected to a DOJ-recognized nonprofit such as NOMAS.
- Applying for DOJ accreditation with the support of a recognized organization, which submits the application on behalf of the volunteer.
For more information about DOJ accreditation and the official requirements, readers can visit the U.S. Department of Justice Recognition & Accreditation Program.
Community Impact and Stakeholder Support
The BYU–NOMAS partnership brings together university-based learning and long-running community legal service. NOMAS operates the immigration legal clinics in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Logan, Utah, where non-lawyer volunteers gain practical experience by assisting immigrants and refugees who might not otherwise afford legal representation.
The new BYU course integrates principles of belonging taught by Jesus Christ, expanding on the religious foundation of the original NOMAS course. It has been updated with the most recent legal content and professionally designed for online learning, making it accessible to learners nationwide who want to understand immigration law through a gospel-centered lens.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this combined approach helps address the shortage of affordable immigration legal services. By training non-lawyer volunteers through NOMAS and offering a structured micro-credential through BYU, the program can expand the pool of people prepared to serve in DOJ-recognized organizations. The model also offers a framework that other universities and nonprofits can study as they seek to increase legal capacity in immigrant communities.
Legal experts and immigrant advocacy groups have praised the collaboration for blending academic rigor with real-world service. At the same time, stakeholders emphasize the importance of strong training, clear ethical standards, and ongoing supervision to ensure that non-lawyer volunteers provide high-quality, responsible legal assistance.
How the Courses Work: Step-by-Step
Because there are two related courses—one run by NOMAS and one offered through BYU—it helps to think of them as complementary options rather than a single program.
- Step 1: Learn about both courses. Decide whether you want to join the original NOMAS Fundamentals of Immigration Law volunteer course, the new BYU Fundamentals of Immigration Law online course with a micro-credential, or both.
- Step 2: Enroll in the appropriate program. The BYU course has tuition of $995 and offers six months of online access in English. The NOMAS volunteer course runs for eight weeks and is free for in-person volunteers who serve weekly for two months at NOMAS clinics in Utah.
- Step 3: Serve at NOMAS clinics (for volunteers). Volunteers in the NOMAS course and students in advanced BYU coursework can help with legal intake, fill out forms, and work under attorney supervision at NOMAS clinics in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Logan.
- Step 4: Continue with advanced BYU study. Graduates of the BYU Fundamentals course may enroll in a second BYU course (tuition $1,995) that includes 45 hours of supervised legal work with a NOMAS clinic, deepening both legal understanding and practical skills.
- Step 5: Work toward DOJ accreditation. With coursework, supervised experience, and sponsorship from a DOJ-recognized nonprofit such as NOMAS, non-lawyers can pursue eligibility to become DOJ Accredited Representatives, subject to DOJ approval.
NOMAS launches original volunteer Fundamentals of Immigration Law course
NOMAS partners with BYU to create a new nationwide version of the course
BYU Fundamentals of Immigration Law opens for registration
Ongoing BYU cohorts and NOMAS volunteer intakes
Background and Future Plans
The Fundamentals of Immigration Law offerings build on BYU’s long history of public service and legal education and NOMAS’s experience running community legal clinics. As immigration caseloads rise and legal aid resources remain limited, structured training programs like these—especially those that intentionally prepare non-lawyer volunteers—have become more important than ever.
NOMAS’s current course description highlights this evolution:
“Since 2020, the No More A Stranger Foundation has helped more than 400 non-lawyer volunteers gain the skills and confidence to serve immigrant communities. Our Fundamentals of Immigration Law course introduces non-lawyers to the basics of U.S. immigration law in a clear and accessible way. If you volunteer in person once a week for two months, you can take the original Fundamentals course—available in English and Spanish—for free.
In 2025, we joined with Brigham Young University to create a new, nationwide version of the course that weaves in principles of belonging taught by Jesus Christ. This online course invites anyone interested in understanding immigration law through a gospel-centered lens to learn, reflect, and serve.
Students receive a micro-credential upon completion, and non-lawyers may continue to additional coursework leading to U.S. Department of Justice Accredited Representative eligibility.”
Looking ahead, BYU and NOMAS plan to continue expanding course availability and refining advanced modules on specialized immigration topics. They are also exploring ways to share their model with other regions and to embed it in broader university–community partnerships focused on access to justice.
Practical Benefits for Participants
People who complete the BYU course, the NOMAS course, or both can gain:
- Practical legal skills and real-world experience in interviews, forms, and basic case preparation.
- Community service opportunities through NOMAS clinics and other DOJ-recognized nonprofits.
- A structured, affordable pathway—especially via the two-course BYU sequence totaling $2,990—toward the training and supervised practice needed for DOJ Accredited Representative eligibility.
For law students, the courses provide useful background and service opportunities, though the BYU course is not designed as a for-credit law school class. For non-lawyer volunteers, the combination of NOMAS volunteer work and BYU’s micro-credential creates a meaningful route into immigration advocacy.
How to Get Involved
Anyone interested in the BYU Fundamentals of Immigration Law course can find more details, updated registration dates, and application instructions on the official BYU Office of Belonging website and its FAQ page. Prospective volunteers can learn more about the original NOMAS course and service opportunities at NOMAS clinics by visiting nomaslegal.org.
Looking Ahead
As the need for immigration legal help grows, the NOMAS volunteer course and BYU’s Fundamentals of Immigration Law micro-credential offer a practical, community-focused solution. By clearly distinguishing their roles—NOMAS operating clinics and volunteer training, BYU providing structured online coursework and credentials—the partnership helps close the justice gap for immigrants and refugees in Utah and across the United States.
For the latest updates on course dates, application windows, and volunteer opportunities, visit the BYU Office of Belonging website or contact NOMAS directly. This two-track model shows how universities and nonprofits can work together to prepare non-lawyers for meaningful, supervised roles in immigration law.
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