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 (23 hours online)

* Before taking this course, students will need to have attended IIRP professional development experiences within five years of starting this course: 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 517 Restorative Approaches to Leadership
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: RP 500 or RP 504

Students in this course will have the opportunity to explore restorative approaches to leadership and create an actionable leadership plan. The course will examine various perspectives on leadership, self-reflection, and engagement. Students will explore how our values, experiences, empathy, and bias inform our beliefs, intentions, actions, and impact. Current literature, theory, and practical applications will be discussed. Students will participate in a guided professional learning community where they will post reflections, responses, and helpful feedback.

Students who have completed RP 515 Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace may not register for RP 517 Restorative Approaches to Leadership.

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 (in-person) or Restorative Practices for Educators (online) within five years of starting this course.

In this experiential course, students will use and assess explicit actions modeling restorative practices in the setting of their choice. They will examine ethical and cultural issues related to implementing restorative practices with individuals and communities. Students will practice reflection as a critical competency of restorative practices. Within a professional learning community, classmates will provide reciprocal feedback to assist each other in assessing their individual progress.

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^® no earlier than five years from the start of this course.

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

*Before taking this course, students will need to have attended the IIRP World Conference immediately preceding this course.

In this course, students earn 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 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 Turning the Tide Symposium immediately preceding this course.

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 is an approved elective for the Education Specialization and the Community Engagement Specialization.

Students who have completed RP 535 Restorative Responses to Adversity and Trauma may not register for RP 550 Transforming Relational Harm.

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 (in-person) or Restorative Practices for Educators (online) within five years of starting this course.

This course is an approved elective for the Community Engagement Specialization.

Students in this course will learn about the synergy between restorative practices and the field of community health. They will explore how restorative practices can help create supportive environments that facilitate well-being by prioritizing and strengthening a sense of community, connectedness, equity, belonging, and collective efficacy. Students will learn how restorative practices can strengthen community-focused 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 the 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 is an approved elective for the Education Specialization.

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

This course is an approved elective for the Community Engagement Specialization.

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 637 Social Justice and Restorative Practices
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 525, plus RP 500 or RP 504

This course is an approved elective for the Community Engagement Specialization.

In this course, students will explore social justice theories and principles and the application of restorative practices in social causes. They will consider patterns of social injustice, analyze assumptions across cultural identity and social issues, and review methods associated with disrupting injustice. Students will complete individual projects to demonstrate an understanding of how restorative practices can be integrated to advance social justice.

This course requires participation in four synchronous learning and reflection experiences with the instructor. 

RP 645 Transgenerational Trauma and Community Resilience
Credits: 3 | Delivery mode: Online
Course duration: 10 weeks
Prerequisites: RP 500 or RP 504, RP 525, and RP 550.

This course is an approved elective for the Community Engagement Specialization.

This course explores the deeper implications of transgenerational trauma and community resilience within our everyday lives. Using mindfulness practices in group processes and a range of witnessing circles, students will address transgenerational harm in personal and cultural contexts. Students will learn how neuroscience describes trauma laterally and transgenerationally and will discuss how certain resiliency patterns may limit potential. Students will gain a new understanding of how neuroscience and community awareness can transform traumatic experiences into effective resiliency patterns to positively impact relationships and culture.

This course requires participation in synchronous skill-building experiences with the instructor to practice a range of different circle experiences.

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 is an approved elective for the Education Specialization.

Students in this course will examine the theory and practice of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as it aligns with restorative practices.   They will explore the potential to improve student, faculty, and staff performance through the purposeful implementation of restorative practices to increase social and emotional well-being in their settings. They will develop an understanding of SEL competencies that can provide a framework to establish equitable learning environments. Students will synthesize research in the fields of SEL and restorative practices to design an action plan integrating what they learn into their classroom or organization.

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

This course is an approved elective for the Education Specialization.

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 practices 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 capstone 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 member 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

Attendance at an IIRP professional development event, symposium, or conference can be followed by online coursework to complete a blended course. Direct instruction time for the online portion of each graduate course is calculated based on the amount of time spent attending the professional development event. 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 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. 

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. 

Students may apply at any time during the year.

Specializations

Education

Restorative practices promotes a healthy teaching and learning environment through practical implementation of engaging processes that are both proactive and responsive. The education specialization provides students with a cluster of courses that focus on teaching and learning. Learning includes strategies to enhance student-teacher engagement; practical classroom activities; development of teacher pedagogy; understanding students' social, emotional, neurological, and academic needs; and building on restorative frameworks to develop anti-racist education and challenge current educational system and practice.

Requirements:

To earn recognition on a transcript, you must fulfil the following, in addition to the required coursework for the Master of Science:

• Four of your electives, including two at the 600 level, must be related to the specialization. These include RP 550 Transforming Relational Harm, RP 625 Restorative Practices in Life Space Crisis Intervention, RP 652 Social and Emotional Learning in the Restorative Classroom, and RP 662 A Restorative Approach to Educating the High-Risk and High-Need Student, and
• Your project for your final course, RP 699 Integrating Seminar, must be rooted in your specialization.

Community Engagement

Restorative practices honors the existing strengths in a community and helps to increase people’s personal and collective efficacy, creating social conditions for people to be healthier and have greater well-being. The community engagement specialization provides students with a cluster of courses that focus on relationships and social connections in the community through processes, programs, and policies.

Requirements:

To earn recognition on a transcript, you must fulfil the following, in addition to the required coursework for the Master of Science:

• Four of your electives, including two at the 600 level, must be related to the specialization. These include RP 550 Transforming Relational Harm, RP 556 Restorative Practices for Community Health and Well-Being, RP 635 Narrative Inquiry for Empowering Facilitators, RP 637 Social Justice and Restorative Practices, and RP 645 Transgenerational and Community Resilience, and
• Your project for your final course, RP 699 Integrating Seminar, must be rooted in your specialization.

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 conferred at the end of the spring and fall terms.

There are three requirements in order to qualify for a diploma:

1. 30 Credits. A candidate for degree is required to successfully complete 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).
   
   
2. Completion of all required courses for the Master of Science degree program.
   
   
3. Payment of any outstanding debt.

Fall Degree Conferrals:
A candidate will file an application to graduate and register for RP 699 Integrating Seminar in the projected graduation year by August 1. Any outstanding debt to the institution must be paid by October 31.

Spring Degree Conferrals:
A candidate will file an application to graduate and register for RP 699 Integrating Seminar in the projected graduation year by March 1. Any outstanding debt to the institution must be paid by April 30.

Master of Science Course Requirements

Master of Science with Thesis Option

Students in our Master of Science degree program and alumni of the IIRP Master’s degree program who wish to expand knowledge of restorative practices by conducting original research may choose to pursue the Thesis Option. If you wish to gain research experience and develop advanced competencies in scholarly writing, are considering a research-intensive career, or are interested in pursuing doctoral-level study, the Thesis Option may be a desirable choice for you. You will work with your faculty advisor to design a plan of study that fulfills your degree requirements and allows for you to still chose four electives. There are six required courses for the thesis option: RP 500 Basic Restorative Practices, RP 525 Restorative Practices in Action, RP 610 Evaluation of Research, 680 Designing Restorative Practices Research, RP 685 Data Analysis for Restorative Practices Research, and RP 699 Integrating Seminar.

Following the RP 699 Integrating Seminar, you will be prepared to initiate your research. You will register for RP 707 Thesis Seminar, an innovative seminar designed to be completed within one year, that integrates all steps of a traditional thesis experience. You will identify a faculty chair and, with the guidance of a committee, develop a research focus and conduct original research in restorative practices, culminating in a written thesis that is suitable for publication. You will earn the Master of Science in Restorative Practices degree with the thesis designation on your transcript after fulfilling these requirements.

While you are expected to complete the Thesis Seminar within one year, you may extend that experience over two years if necessary. You will have up to seven years to complete your program from the time you are admitted.

Alumni also have up to two years to complete the Thesis Seminar.

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.

Course Requirements