This course examines the legal, historical, and humanitarian frameworks governing refugee protection and asylum, with particular attention to the United States. Offered by the University of Pennsylvania, it is designed for advocates, service providers, students, displaced people, and anyone interested in understanding how refugees and asylum seekers obtain protection. The self-paced course consists of four modules and takes approximately ten hours to complete.
Learners begin by exploring the causes and history of forced migration, including persecution, armed conflict, and serious human rights violations. The course traces the development of international refugee protection through the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1967 Protocol, and the establishment of UNHCR. It also examines how these international standards influenced US refugee law, including the Refugee Act of 1980, while introducing broader regional approaches developed in Africa and Latin America.
A central part of the course focuses on the three internationally recognized durable solutions for refugees: voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in another country. Through examples and case studies, learners consider how these solutions operate in practice, how refugee status is determined, and what legal, political, and personal barriers can prevent displaced people from finding lasting protection.
The course also provides a practical introduction to the US asylum system. Participants learn about affirmative and defensive asylum applications, court hearings, appeals, humanitarian parole, documentation, and the importance of consistent testimony. The final module examines life after asylum or resettlement, including access to employment, healthcare, public benefits, permanent residence, citizenship, and legal assistance. It also addresses the psychological effects of displacement, the role of community support, and opportunities for civic participation. Overall, the course provides a useful foundation for people working in refugee advocacy, immigration services, humanitarian assistance, social work, legal support, public policy, and related fields.