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What are the ways I can expand my knowledge of restorative practices?

We offer numerous opportunities for you to obtain a deeper knowledge of the field according to your individual desires and needs.

If you are looking to expand your knowledge and experience to effectively lead people, build diverse, resilient teams, and spark innovative ways of thinking by focusing on responsibility, respect, and inclusive participation, then our graduate program is for you! The Master of Science in Restorative Practices is an advanced degree that will prepare you to problem-solve in a way that fosters cohesion and creates conditions for collaborative teamwork. Our master’s degree graduates uncover the root causes of conflict and facilitate complex conversations to minimize harm, identify solutions, and repair relationships. They can problem-solve in a way that fosters cohesion and creates conditions for collaborative teamwork. Along the way, they develop emotional intelligence, self-reflection, and conflict management skills that equip them to proactively build more effective relationships and positive community culture.

Alternatively, you can enroll in a Graduate Certificate program, which can prepare you to become an expert practitioner in your setting. Within this graduate program, you will:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the foundations of relational engagement and practical frameworks to apply restorative practices appropriately in your own setting.
• Customize your sphere of study with electives geared to your interests that enhance your specific practice.
• Join a professional learning community to elevate your skills in giving and receiving constructive feedback while gauging your proficiency in the emotional, relational, and ecological underpinnings of restorative practices.
• Apply conceptual and analytical skills in evaluating the links among practice, systems, and policy issues.

If you wish to teach others about restorative practices and provide some tools and techniques to implement it in your organization, community, school, or home then one of the Training of Trainers event is a great choice for professional development for you!

*Please note that the IIRP Graduate School does not offer professional certification in restorative practices nor certify any graduate school alumni or professional development attendee.

What is a graduate certificate?

A graduate certificate is a program that can be completed in less time than a master’s degree and can provide you with a strong foundation in restorative practices and the opportunity to implement what you learn in your career. As an added benefit, you will be attending the same classes as students enrolled in the comprehensive master's degree program and you can apply these courses in the future toward a master's degree in restorative practices from the IIRP. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into the certificate program. A graduate certificate is not a “certification.”

I am admitted. How do I register for graduate courses?

You may register for courses in your Student Portal under the "Actions" tab.

I have a payment plan. How do I register for graduate courses?

Your monthly payments include registration costs for the professional development and online registrations needed to complete your coursework.

In order to register for the in-person portion of a blended course without making additional payment – i.e., a professional development event, conference, or symposium – choose an event and use the code Student Services issued you when you set up your payment plan. This way you can select the professional development event that you want to attend and complete the registration on your own without payment. If you lose the code or encounter any difficulties with this process, contact Student Services and we will help you!

Do you offer scholarships?

We offer Transparent Tuition, which allows for an 8.35% tuition discount for our admitted students.

We also offer Impact Scholarships and the Shawn Szuch Scholarship to matriculated master's degree students. Learn more on our Scholarships page.

Can courses taken for the Graduate Certificate be applied toward the Master of Science degree?

Yes, all of the courses will count toward your degree.

Can the Master of Science and Graduate Certificate be completed fully online?

Yes, with the introduction of RP 504 Foundations of Restorative Practices, all coursework can now be completed online from anywhere in the world. In-person professional development and blended learning remains an option.

What is my first step?

Let's get you started! Email Student Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., give us a call at 610-457-1917, or schedule a dedicated time to speak with us.

We accept applications on a rolling basis.

What is a blended course?

A blended course is a graduate course that combines continuing education with online graduate learning.

For all our blended courses, participants first attend the in-person or online professional development portion. You must register for the professional development, conference, or symposium from our website. You will participate in that portion of the course with other learners who may or may not be continuing for graduate course credit.

Registration for the graduate course portion is done through your student portal. Your tuition will be reduced by the amount already paid for the professional development.

Entry-level blended courses include RP 500 Basic Restorative Practices, RP 517 Restorative Approaches to Leadership, RP 532 Aggression Replacement Training®, RP 541 World Conference, and RP 570 series Symposium.

Do you accept transfer credits?

• Due to the specialized nature of the Institute’s 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 academic year 2023-2024.

Can I earn graduate credits to be eligible for a pay increase at my job?

We are an accredited graduate school, and many of our students' employers recognize our coursework. You may begin earning graduate credit through our Graduate Certificate program by taking four courses (12 credits). If you require more than 12 credits, you may apply to the Master of Science program and select from a variety of electives. All of the coursework completed in one program may be applied to another. There is no application fee to apply.

As someone who lives outside of the United States, what are the travel requirements?

Travel is not a requirement, as you may complete all your coursework online. However, we do offer a number of blended courses that may be taken as electives.

Do you provide documents I can use to defer my student loans with other lenders?

We do not have those forms, but we are happy to help you with this process.

To initiate the process to defer your student loans, you need to get in touch with your lender and ask them to send you loan deferment paperwork. Once you complete the student section of the form, send the paperwork to us, and we will complete it and securely send it back to you. You are required to return the paperwork to the lender yourself.

In order for us to sign off on loan deferment paperwork, you must be enrolled in at least two courses per year at the IIRP. (We define two courses per year as the minimum to attain the status of part-time enrollment.) We will sign the paperwork once you begin your second course and return it to you so you can complete the deferment request process with your lender.

Rights and Responsibilities of Students

The role of students in the educational community of the IIRP involves a balance of rights and responsibilities. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students are required to exercise their freedoms with appropriate responsibility. The responsibility to create general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn must be shared by all members of the IIRP community.

Reciprocal Roles and Responsibilities

We engage in our collective work as a new Graduate School mindful of our special mission to advance restorative practices in all that we do. In that we did not arise from a pre-existing college with established traditions, we place the following expectations in front of us, as students, faculty, staff, and board members interact with one another:

Students Should Expect…

• to participate in an organization employing IIRP's Basic Concepts and using
  Fair Process for decision making;
• to be supported in the process of teaching and learning by staff and Board;
• to receive fair and individual attention from faculty;
• to receive from faculty the opportunity to acquire a quality education that
  meets the goals of their programs;
• to receive useful advising and guidance from faculty and staff;
• to follow faculty expectations and participate actively;
• to give and receive honest feedback with all others.

Faculty Should Expect…

• to participate in an organization employing IIRP's Basic Concepts and using
  Fair Process for decision making;
• to be ever mindful of its responsibilities for financial, educational, and
  mission integrity;
• to be supported in the process of teaching and learning by staff and Board;
• to offer students fair and individual attention in classes and in advising;
• to offer students the opportunity to acquire a quality education that
  meets the goals of the students’ programs;
• to model restorative practices in their classrooms;
• to receive genuine effort, cooperation, and participation from students;
• to cooperate with staff and Board as needed to manage the organization
  effectively and efficiently;
• to both give and receive trust and support with the staff and Board;
• to give and receive honest feedback with all others.

Staff Should Expect…

• to participate in an organization employing IIRP's Basic Concepts and using
  Fair Process for decision making;
• to be ever mindful of its responsibilities for financial, educational, and
  mission integrity;
• to support the process of teaching and learning among students and faculty;
• to give and receive honest feedback with all others;
• to offer students accessibility, support, quality advising, guidance, etc.;
• to provide for the faculty’s needs for instructional support, technology, etc.;
• to receive from the faculty timely and accurate data, cooperation, policy
  adherence, etc.;
• to both give and receive trust and support with faculty and Board;
• to support the Board’s functions with timely information, staff access,
  communications and updates, policy recommendations, etc.

The Board Should Expect…

• to oversee an organization employing IIRP's Basic Concepts and using
  Fair Process for decision making;
• to nurture an organization in which all constituents remain faithful to the mission;
• to oversee a governance structure marked by openness, transparency, trust, respect, and safety;
• to give and receive honest feedback with all others;
• to hold the President responsible for the administration of the institution and to focus its own activity on policy and program issues;
• to offer trust but also to demand accountability from all constituencies;
• to be ever mindful of its oversight responsibilities for financial, educational, and mission integrity;
• to receive the information it needs from faculty and staff in a timely and accurate manner when making institutional decisions.

Student Feedback

The IIRP views feedback as healthy and as an opportunity for positive change. Students are encouraged to express both positive and critical feedback to faculty, administrators, and staff. The IIRP encourages students to voice their opinions and feelings because they play a critical role in the ongoing improvement of the Graduate School. The IIRP often asks students to identify themselves when completing course evaluations or student surveys. Part of our restorative culture is that identifying yourself allows us to create opportunities for dialogue to clear up any misunderstandings and get clarification if necessary.

Application for Admission to the Master of Science Degree Program

The IIRP Graduate School is dedicated to the graduate education of adult learners who are baccalaureate college graduates.

Prospective students should display an aptitude for completing graduate-level coursework, a capacity for making positive contributions in their professional life, and a willingness and capacity to engage in self-reflection to develop skills and competencies. 

To be considered by the Committee on Admission, applicants must: 

• have graduated from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better, and
• submit official academic transcripts to the IIRP from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Official transcripts should be mailed to: IIRP, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837 USA. Electronic transcripts should be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and
• submit three letters of reference, along with the Graduate School Recommendation Form. These letters should be from persons who know both the character of the applicant and the ability of the applicant to be successful in demanding graduate study in our professional discipline, and
• submit a 1-2 page letter or essay describing their reasons for seeking our specialized graduate education. This essay is a reflection of scholarship and should be reviewed for spelling and grammar prior to submission, and
• submit a résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Optional: A candidate for admission may also submit qualifying test scores, either recent GRE® (code 2589), Miller Analogies Test (code 4030), PRAXIS PPST (code 2323), or PRAXIS Core (code 5751) scores.

Each student applying to our Master of Science program is given personal consideration. Candidates for admission may be asked by the Admissions Committee for a personal interview or additional supporting documents. A prospective student may be admitted unconditionally, admitted with specific conditions, or not obtain admission. The committee shall be the agency to hear any requests for special consideration for admission.

Students may take up to 12 credits before they must decide to apply to the Graduate School. However, students who choose not to apply to the Graduate Certificate or the Master of Science degree will only receive transparent tuition on their first course. If a student continues to take courses, they will pay the full tuition amount, without the discount. Student Services will not remit transcripts without having an official undergraduate transcript on file for the student. 

To apply for admission to the master’s program, complete the application by logging into the Student Portal.

• If you are planning to begin your studies in the Spring term, please submit all application documents by November 1.
• If you are planning to begin your studies in the Summer term, please submit all application documents by April 1.
• If you are planning to begin your studies in the Fall term, please submit all application documents by July 1.

Students must enroll no later than the term following term of their admission to the Master of Science degree program or their acceptance to the Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices.

We understand that a student might need to postpone that initial enrollment. If that is the circumstance, the student will need to submit a request in writing for a deferral by contacting Student Services. Students who do not submit the request for a deferral or who do not re-enroll for the agreed upon term will be discontinued from the program and will need to reapply before continuing their studies.

Approval to Pursue the Master of Science with Thesis Option

To apply for the Thesis Option, submit:

• Completed Thesis Option application found within your Student Portal.
• A 4-6 page paper, formatted in APA style, that describes your research background (academic preparation or professional experience) and your specific research area of interest accompanied by a brief narrow-scope literature review relevant to that potential research area.

Admission to the Master of Science in Restorative Practices degree program does not constitute approval to take the Thesis Option. If a student is not approved to pursue the Thesis Option, they may still pursue the Master of Science in Restorative Practices degree. Students admitted to the degree program and approved to pursue the Thesis Option are eligible for graduation after the successful completion of RP 707 Thesis Seminar.

Application Requirements for International Applicants

Our Committee on Admissions shall consider those potential international students who:

• have been awarded a degree equivalent to the four-year baccalaureate degree by U.S. colleges and universities with an equivalent cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better, and
• whose transcripts and academic credentials of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended have been evaluated on a course-by-course basis by any organization approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and sent directly to the IIRP, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837 by that organization, and
• submit three letters of reference, along with the Graduate School Recommendation Form. These letters should be from persons who know both the character of the applicant and the ability of the applicant to be successful in demanding graduate study in our professional discipline, and
• submit a 1-2 page letter or essay describing their reasons for seeking our specialized graduate education. This essay is a reflection of scholarship and should be reviewed for spelling and grammar prior to submission, and
• submit a résumé or curriculum vitae, and
• submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) code 2589 or the Duolingo English Test or scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.
• Optional: A candidate for admission may also submit qualifying test scores, either recent GRE® (code 2589), Miller Analogies Test (code 4030), PRAXIS PPST (code 2323), or PRAXIS Core (code 5751) scores.

International applicants are exempt from the English language test requirement if they have received a baccalaureate or a master’s degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.

The scores must not be more than two years old and must be sent directly from the testing agency to the IIRP. The TOEFL®, IELTS™, and Duolingo cannot be utilized as a substitute for the GRE® or Miller Analogy standardized examinations.

The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL® is 66 for the paper-based test or a composite score of 88 (see below) with a 24 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT).

The minimum acceptable test score for the Duolingo test score is 120.

The minimum IELTS score is 6.5, with no less than a 7.0 on the writing section. (General training not accepted.)

Each student applying to our Master of Science program is given personal consideration. Candidates for admission may be asked by the Admissions Committee for a personal interview or additional supporting documents. A prospective student may be admitted unconditionally, admitted with specific conditions, or not obtain admission. The committee shall be the agency to hear any requests for special consideration for admission.

Application for the Graduate Certificate

To apply for the graduate certificate, students must:

• Complete the Application for the Graduate Certificate through the 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.

To receive a certificate any outstanding debts to the Institute must be paid in full thirty (30) days prior to the start date of the final class.

Notification of Admission

Applicants will be notified of their admission status by email.

Students must enroll no later than the term following their admission to the Master of Science degree or their acceptance to the Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices.

We understand that a student might need to postpone their initial enrollment. If that is the circumstance, the student will need to submit in writing a request for a deferral by contacting Student Services. Students who do not submit the request for a deferral or who do not re-enroll for the agreed upon term will be discontinued from the program and will need to reapply before continuing their studies.

Transfer Credits

Due to the specialized nature of the Institute’s 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.