Academic Catalog

Course Formats

Online Courses - Students can select from a growing number of diverse online courses to create a coherent program of study that matches their interests and needs, allowing the student to complete the rest of the degree or certificate at a distance.

Blended Courses - If a student wants more in-person experiences, they can choose from a number of conferences and professional development events. Each event provides a deeper understanding of restorative practices, accompanied by online coursework that allows a student to convert their face-to-face learning into academic credit. They are highly participatory and address all types of learning styles: lecture, reflection, video, role-play, discussion, circles, and group exercises.

Independent Study - With the support of our experienced faculty, a student may earn academic credit toward a degree or certificate through independent projects and study that allows the student to explore specific areas of interest.

Course List

Course Offerings

RP 500 Basic Restorative Practices
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Blended
Course duration: 4 weeks (18 hrs. online)

* Before taking this course, students will need to have attended IIRP professional development experiences: Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively (in-person) or Restorative Practices for Educators (online) and either Facilitating Restorative Conferences (in-person) or Restorative Justice Conferencing (online).

This course explores the fundamental principles, philosophy, theories, practices, models, and skills of restorative practices. Special emphasis will be placed on proactive and responsive circles, restorative conferencing, and the informal application of these processes. Issues critical to the development of restorative practices, such as models of human interaction, theories of behavior, and current research will be considered. Students will assess the role of human emotion, especially shame, in social relationships.

Students may choose either RP 500 or RP 504, but may not take both, to fulfill the program requirements.

RP 504 Fundamentals of Restorative Practices
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: None

Students in this course will learn about the foundations of restorative practices as an evolving field of study. They will explore the emotional, relational, and ecological theories underpinning restorative principles, and the importance of engaging with others in equity-oriented relationships. Students will develop explicit restorative practices skills for application in their own personal and professional lives.

Students may choose either RP 500 or RP 504, but may not take both, to fulfill the program requirements.

RP 506 Restorative Practices: The Promise and the Challenge
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: None

This course introduces students to a wide range of possible applications for restorative justice and other restorative practices in varied settings, including criminal justice, education and youth services, higher education, social work and workplaces. Students explore the potential, as well as the limitations, risks, and obstacles to restorative practices through reading, online videos, interactive online discussion, and writing assignments.

RP 515 Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Blended
Course duration: 7 weeks (30 hours online)
Prerequisites: RP 500 or RP 504

*Before taking this course, students will need to have attended the IIRP professional development experience: Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace.

An intensive group experience, this course will immerse students in a culture of restorative practices in class. The course will emphasize self-assessment of both personal and professional styles and growth in restorative practices. Students will also learn to facilitate and implement a professional learning Community. Students will complete 30 hours of coursework online after attending the Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace event.

RP 525 Restorative Practices in Action
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course Duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 500 or RP 504 or attendance at Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively, taken after January 1, 2009 (in-person) or Restorative Practices for Educators (online)

Students will implement and evaluate a restorative practices project that builds on their previous experience. Students will acquire restorative skills through readings, lecture, self-assessment, and an interactive online process.

RP 532 Aggression Replacement Training®: Behavioral Interventions that Work
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Blended
Course duration: 7 weeks (30 hours online)

*Before taking this course, students will need to have attended the IIRP professional development experience: Aggression Replacement Training^®.

This course is designed to give students practical strategies for intervention with at-risk youth. The course will explore evidenced-based practices such as Aggression Replacement Training^® and Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI). The online experience builds on the guided practice portion of the course, by examining social and emotional learning theories as they relate to the philosophical framework of restorative practices. Students will complete 30 hours of coursework online after attending the Aggression Replacement Training^® event.

RP 541 IIRP World Conference
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Blended
Course duration: Variable (27 hours online)

*Before taking this course, students will need to have attended the IIRP professional development experience: IIRP World Conference.

In this course students gain credits based on participation and engagement at an IIRP world restorative practices conference. They supplement this direct experience with related readings, writing assignments, and online discussions. Students actively evaluate, discuss, and critique presentations using restorative practices principles. Students will complete 27 hours of coursework online after attending the conference.

RP 542 IIRP Turning the Tide Symposium
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Blended
Course duration: Variable (20 hours online)

*Before taking this course, students will need to have attended the IIRP professional development experience: Turning the Tide Symposium.

In this course students gain credits based on participation and engagement at an IIRP Turning the Tide symposium. They supplement this direct experience with related readings, writing assignments, and online discussions. Students actively evaluate, discuss, and critique presentations using restorative practices principles. Students will complete 20 hours of coursework online after attending the Turning the Tide Symposium.

RP 550 Transforming Relational Harm
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 500 or RP 504

This course explores a deeper application of restorative practices as it relates to emotion and harm. Students will use group process, emotional dynamics, compassionate witnessing and mindful practice to address a wide continuum of harm. Students will explore neuroscience and how harm impacts the brain. Through the learning process, students will begin to understand how harm, human neuroscience and emotional experiences affect relationships.

This course requires participation in synchronous skill-building experiences with the instructor and a willing participant with whom to practice compassionate witnessing.

RP 556 Restorative Practices for Community Health and Well-Being
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 500 or RP 504 or attendance at Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively, taken after January 1, 2009 (in-person) or Restorative Practices for Educators (online)

Students in this course will learn about the synergy between restorative practices and the field of community health. They will understand how restorative practices can improve social factors that are known to influence health and well-being, including connectedness and belonging, personal and collective efficacy, sense of community, resilience and flourishing. Students will learn how restorative practices can strengthen community health efforts by fostering meaningful and sustainable cross-sector collaborations and developing the community’s capacity to advance the well-being of its members. Individual plans will be created to use restorative practices to address these social determinants of health within a community of the student’s choice.

RP 610 Evaluation of Research

Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

This course teaches students to be knowledgeable consumers of research so that they can understand and critique what they read. Students will explore approaches, methods and techniques through online group discussion and readings of research that they choose based on their own areas of interest.

RP 622 History, Evolution, and Critical Issues in Restorative Justice
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

Restorative justice views crime from the perspective of those directly and indirectly affected by an incident, empowering them to decide how best to repair harm. This course explores the possibilities of using restorative justice to respond more meaningfully to crime than current approaches used in the criminal justice system. Students examine theory and research to assess restorative justice’s potential for reducing crime and, importantly, its impact. Through case study reviews, students apply restorative responses to situations and compare them with current practices. Readings, video presentations with knowledgeable professionals and guided discussions present additional learning opportunities.

RP 623 Restorative Justice: Global Perspectives
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

This course offers students a comprehensive perspective on restorative justice practices from around the world. Students will examine how restorative justice practices have been implemented in various cultures and contextual settings. Expert speakers will join this course to provide insight from many years of experience working within the restorative justice paradigm. Students will explore these practices through a diverse selection of readings, video presentations, expert speakers and guided discussion threads.

RP 625 Restorative Practices in Life Space Crisis Intervention
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

This course focuses on the basic communication process in problem management and crisis intervention. Life Space Crisis Intervention, which helps individuals identify patterns of self-defeating behavior, is viewed through a restorative lens. Role plays of restorative responses facilitate an understanding of the process. Students will learn to apply Life Space Crisis Intervention with individuals in the moment of crisis.

This course requires participation in synchronous skill-building experiences with the instructor and a willing participant with whom to practice questioning skills.

RP 635 Narrative Inquiry for Empowering Facilitators
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

In this course, students will develop an understanding of social construction and narrative theories that empower the facilitation of decision making. Students will learn to organize and maintain conversations with others to address their needs and enhance their potential, through enriched narrative conversations that acknowledge the individual or group.

This course requires participation in synchronous skill-building experiences with the instructor and a willing individual with whom to practice six different narrative maps.

RP 652 Social and Emotional Learning in the Restorative Classroom
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

This course will explore how restorative learning environments provide opportunities for social and emotional learning (SEL) in any educational setting. Attention will be paid to the research behind SEL and how SEL is linked to student performance and behavior. Students will learn how to use restorative practices to encourage SEL in the classroom.

RP 662 A Restorative Approach to Educating the High-Risk and High-Need Student
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

Every classroom, whether mainstream or specialized, contains students who experience poverty, trauma, persistent adversity, addiction/substance abuse, neglect or other risk factors at some point in their lives. This course goes beyond “behavior management” to focus on a restorative framework and techniques for instruction that meet the unique cognitive and emotional needs of these learners.

RP 680 Designing Restorative Practices Research
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 525

Students in this course will develop skills and competencies to design scientific inquiry in restorative practices. Students will review research concepts and principles and explore research designs and methods appropriate for answering different types of restorative practice questions. Students will select a topic intended to advance the restorative practices field of study and conceptualize and design a research project. Students also will learn essentials of writing research proposals.

RP 685 Data Analysis for Restorative Practices Research
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 680 or permission of the faculty

Students in this course will develop skills and competencies to work with data in restorative practices and social sciences research. Students will learn about qualitative and quantitative data analysis, data interpretation, and how to communicate data-driven results. There is an emphasis on qualitative data analysis techniques, however students also will be introduced to statistical software to perform descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. This course will prepare students to pursue an independent research project.

RP 694 Directed/Independent Study
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Individualized
Course duration: variable
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504 and permission of the faculty

This course provides an opportunity for a matriculated student to develop a learning contract that defines directed study or independent study on a special topic demonstrating a deeper understanding and application of restorative practices.

Note: This course requires the approval of the Provost after a learning contract has been designed between a faculty member and the student.

RP 699 Integrating Seminar
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: All required master’s degree program coursework

Students will create a culminating multimedia project that describes how restorative practices positively influences human behavior and strengthens civil society. Students will also identify potential gaps in this emerging social science. Projects are developed in a highly interactive group process where students support each other in writing and presenting their project. As a professional learning community, faculty and students engage in discussion about each presentation to help the group review the processes, philosophy, theory, and research in restorative practices.

RP 707 Thesis Research Seminar
Credits: 0 | Delivery mode: Individualized
Course duration: variable
Prerequisites: RP 680, RP 685, RP 699, and prior approval to pursue the Master of Science Thesis Option

During this ongoing noncredit thesis seminar, students who have been approved to complete a thesis will be supported by the Faculty Committee Chair, their faculty advisor, and a committee of the student’s choosing. Students will work to develop an original research question and thesis proposal that includes a literature review. The project will need IIRP Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to conducting any research. Students will complete their research, writing, and defense of their thesis within two years from their enrollment in this seminar.

Credit Hour Assignment

All courses taken for credit at the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) that are applied toward completion of degree and certificate requirements conform to applicable state and federal regulations regarding assignment of credit hours.

The faculty of the Graduate School is responsible for developing, maintaining, and evaluating the curriculum. Assignment of credit hours for courses are determined based on the expertise of the faculty and course learning objectives. The Office of the Provost bears the responsibility for the execution of this policy.

Assignment of Credit Hours

The IIRP has adopted a variant of the traditional “Carnegie Unit” as a measure of academic credit. This unit is known by the familiar term, “credit hour,” and is the primary academic measure by which progress toward a degree is gauged. It is recognized that such a unit measures only a part, albeit a major part, of a composite learning experience, based upon formally structured and informal interactions among faculty and students, as well as work done by students independently, outside of class.

Two hours of work outside of class (reading, writing, research, project work, etc.) are expected of students for each hour of direct classroom or online participation.

Definition of a Credit Hour

The calculation of credit hours for graduate programs follows the Pennsylvania Department of Education guidelines, which are consistent with the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of a credit hour.

22 Pa. Code § 31.21 (5)

“A master’s degree must require the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit hours beyond the baccalaureate level.”

22 Pa. Code § 31.21 (6)(d)

“To assure academic integrity, an institution shall provide students in a distance education program access to academic and student services, including textbooks, study guides, library and other learning resources, personal interaction with faculty, tutors or other educational personnel by computer, telephone, mail or face-to-face meetings. The institution shall assure integrity of student work and provide opportunity for student assessment. These programs must comply with the regulations that apply to resident-based programs as prescribed in this chapter and Chapters 35, 36, 40 and 42 and conform to generally accepted academic practices for delivery of instruction through distance education.”

At the IIRP a three-credit graduate course comprises:

• 42 hours of classroom (“in-class” or “in-seat”) instruction, plus
• 3 hours for final examination (when applicable), plus
• 90 hours of additional work outside of class (reading, homework, research, fieldwork, project creation, and other activities)

Total: 132 hours (135 hours if final exam is administered)

Academic Periods

There are three academic terms – fall, spring, and summer – within which the IIRP offers courses of varying durations. The fall and spring academic periods are at least 15 weeks long each; the summer academic period is typically less than 15 weeks long but nevertheless adheres to the policy in terms of instruction time and the amount of work required.

Course Durations

The length of individual courses, whether blended or online, can vary within each academic period. Published descriptions of courses clearly state the duration of each course. Every course, regardless of its duration, adheres to the credit hour policy in terms of the required instruction time and volume of work involved to earn full credit.

Course Delivery Modalities

Blended Courses

In-person, direct instruction at an IIRP professional development event, symposium, or conference is followed by online coursework to complete a blended course. Direct instruction time for the online portion of each course is calculated based on the amount of time spent attending the in-person segment of the course. In all instances, these courses must meet the total amount of instructional and student work time required to earn full credit, based on the definition of a credit hour as described above.

Online Courses

These courses are offered entirely online with no on-site, in-person meetings. They have the same learning outcomes and substantive components as other courses offered by the IIRP. Contact time is satisfied by several means including, but not limited to:

(a) Regular weekly instruction or interaction with an instructor for the duration of the course, and

(b) Academic engagement through interactive tutorials, group discussions moderated by faculty, virtual study/project groups, engaging with class peers and online projects reviewed and graded by faculty. In all instances, these courses must meet the total amount of instructional and student work time as traditional classroom courses.

Directed and Independent Study Courses

Each course is individualized to allow the student to either complete the requirements of an existing course on an individual basis, or to explore a personal interest related to restorative practices not currently addressed in the curriculum. The time spent on in-person instruction, direct interaction between the instructor and student, and additional external study, research, writing, fieldwork, and other activities will conform to the standard minimum of 45 hours of direct instruction or credit hour equivalencies plus 90 hours of outside work for a three-credit course. The total time a student spends in an independent study course, including research, fieldwork, and other activities, is documented in a contract, developed by the student with a Ph.D. faculty member and approved by the faculty, which ensures that the student’s educational objectives, work plan, assignments, activities, outcomes, and evaluation are equal to those of other IIRP courses.

Accelerated Courses

Courses offered outside of a standard academic period in which credit hours offered are the same as for courses offered in a standard academic period. The content and substantive learning outcomes for accelerated courses are the same as those in the standard academic period. These courses must meet the total amount of instructional time and student work as standard courses.

Definitions of In-Class and Out-of-Class Time

In online and blended courses, time spent in direct learning and interaction with the instructor and classmates via our learning management system, Moodle, is considered in-class time. Time spent in work, preparation, and related activities away from Moodle is considered out-of-class time.

Institutional Learning Goals

The Institutional Learning Goals of the IIRP Graduate School articulate the learning opportunities for each student in this institution. These goals reflect the mission of the IIRP and are rooted in the restorative nature of the Institute’s focus. Specific outcomes are tied to each goal in order to support further learning for students, faculty and administration. These goals and outcomes are broadly defined to apply across the curriculum and to adapt learning in varied contexts. They include goals and outcomes that reflect the unique nature of restorative practices and attract students who value community and want to create a more restorative world by building relationships and community through leadership that empowers others. The learning goals represent core skills and knowledge all students will attain at the IIRP.

Critical Thinking: Members of the IIRP learning community will analyze, synthesize, and interpret texts, experiences, feedback, and other information.

Critical thinking skills are evidenced by the student’s ability to:

1. Demonstrate quantitative and qualitative literacy;
2. Analyze and interpret texts, experiences, and feedback through critical reflective processes;
3. Gather evidence and analyze it to take a philosophical position, make a judgment, or solve theoretical or practical problems;
4. Participate in group settings, such as professional learning groups or circles, in order to gain understanding of content, gain feedback, form collaborative relationships, and translate learning into multiple contexts. 

Communication Skills: Members of the IIRP learning community will write and speak well in different contexts.

Communication skills are demonstrated by the student’s ability to:

1. Utilize the writing process to deepen learning and convey meaning to others;
2. Write effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences;
3. Deliver effective oral presentations;
4. Experience learning through speaking, listening, writing, role-plays, self-reflection, and providing both critical and supportive feedback to fellow students.

Self-Directed Learning: Members of the IIRP learning community will take initiative and responsibility and assess their own learning activities.

Self-directed learning is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:

1. Take initiative in identifying areas of needed growth;
2. Work independently as needed to complete assignments;
3. Effectively manage coursework to completion;
4. Contribute to the restorative practices knowledge base through the ability to seek, share, and implement restorative processes. 

Ethical Awareness: Members of the IIRP learning community will identify and analyze ethical issues associated with restorative practices.

Ethical awareness is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:

1. Articulate the meaning of the IIRP’s mission;
2. Work cooperatively and responsibly within a group;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in research.

Information Literacy: Ability to locate, analyze, and use information appropriately.

Information literacy components are built into all IIRP courses, and competency is demonstrated by each student’s successful completion of assignments for each course. Information literacy is demonstrated by the student’s ability to:

1. Identify the type of source needed to fill the information need;
2. Use the resource effectively by constructing successful search strategies to locate required information;
3. Analyze search results to determine their suitability for the assignment;
4. Understand the definition of plagiarism, attribution of ownership of works and ideas, and the importance of proper citation format.

Master of Science in Restorative Practices

The Master of Science in Restorative Practices degree program consists of 10 courses / 30 credits.

A majority of the degree program can be completed through online courses or independent study. However, if the student wishes, the program can be tailored to be more of an in-person learning experience.  

The IIRP Master of Science degree program is designed for working professionals, so it is assumed that most students will be studying on a part-time basis. The minimum completion time for a master’s degree should be two years. 

Students must complete their degree program within five years from the time they are admitted to the program and matriculate. 

A student’s failure to complete their degree requirements in the prescribed five-year period will be cause for review by the Provost and subject to possible dismissal from the IIRP. 

Accepted students may apply to be approved to pursue the thesis option. For students pursuing the thesis option, failure to complete the degree and thesis option requirements in the prescribed seven-year period will be cause for review by the Provost and subject to possible dismissal from the IIRP. 

The application deadline for admission to the IIRP Graduate School is rolling, which means students may apply at any time during the year.

Program Goals

Students will:

1. Explain foundational principles of restorative practices. 
2. Apply conceptual and analytical skills in evaluating the links among practice, systems, and policy issues.  
3. Demonstrate the ability to improve professional skills through self-reflection. 
4. Develop knowledge and skills to work with culturally and socially diverse populations in local and global contexts through a restorative practices frame. 
5. Apply critical thinking skills to an issue and determine a restorative approach. 
6. Demonstrate proficiencies in information literacy. 
7. Thesis option only: Design a research study to advance the field of restorative practices.

Graduation Requirements

Degrees are awarded at the end of each term. There are three requirements in order to qualify for a diploma:

1. 30 Credits. A candidate for degree is required to complete successfully 30 academic credits. Degree requirements must be satisfied within a five-year period from the date of enrollment (unless the Provost has agreed to an alternative arrangement).
   
   Due to the specialized nature of IIRP’s graduate degree programs, transfer credits will not be accepted, with the exception of IIRP coursework offered as ORLA 5340 and taught by IIRP faculty at the Summer Principals Academy, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, which will be accepted until the conclusion of the academic year 2023-2024.
   
   
2. Successful completion of RP 699 Integrating Seminar.
   
   
3. Course Registration and Outstanding Debt. A candidate will file an application to graduate and register for RP 699 Integrating Seminar in the projected year of graduation by March 1. Any outstanding debts to the Institute must be paid by April 30.

Course Requirements

Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices

If a student wants to earn a graduate-level credential in restorative practices without pursuing a degree, the IIRP Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices provides the core learning experiences of our master’s degree program. Students gain extensive knowledge and skill in restorative practices and learn tools necessary for self-evaluation and professional growth. 

Students can apply to the certificate program throughout the year. 

Students must complete their requirements for a graduate certificate within two years from the time their application has been received. 

A student’s failure to complete the requirements for a Graduate Certificate in the prescribed two-year period will be cause for review by the Provost. 

A student may earn the Graduate Certificate by successfully completing four courses: two required courses and two electives.

Program Goals

Students will:

1. Explain foundational principles of restorative practices. 
2. Apply conceptual and analytical skills in evaluating the links among practice, systems, and policy issues.  
3. Demonstrate the ability to improve professional skills through self-reflection.

Application for the Graduate Certificate

Students must:

• Complete the Application for the Graduate Certificate through their Student Portal.
• Have an official academic transcript sent directly from the accredited college or university that granted your baccalaureate degree.
• Electronic transcripts should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• Paper transcripts should be mailed by postal service to: Attn: Student Services, IIRP Graduate School, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837.
• International credentials must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by any organization approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and sent directly by that organization to the IIRP.
• Create a plan of study.

Requirements to Obtain a Graduate Certificate

Any outstanding debts to the Institute must be paid in full thirty (30) days prior to the start date of the final class.

Certificates are awarded at the end of each term.

Course Requirements