News & Announcements

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: February 15, 2016

Estimated Expenses for 2024-2025 Academic Year in US Dollars

The following is a brief description of how these budgets are derived. Figures for books and personal expenses are estimates and will vary for each student.

• Tuition/Fees – $1,867 per course for a 10-course (30-credit) master’s degree.
• Books/Supplies – Costs determined by retail bookstore prices.
• Personal Expenses –AY 2024-25 estimated computer purchase at a cost of $1,180 and estimated individual personal expenses at $670.

Estimated Expenses for 2025-2026 Academic Year in US Dollars

The following is a brief description of how these budgets are derived. Figures for books and personal expenses are estimates and will vary for each student.

• Tuition/Fees – $1,867 per course for a 10-course (30-credit) master’s degree.
• Books/Supplies – Costs determined by retail bookstore prices.
• Personal Expenses – AY 2025-26 estimated computer purchase at a cost of $1,180 and estimated individual personal expenses at $710.

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

Generally, the terms are as follows: 

• Fall: September to December 
• Spring: January to May 
• Summer: June to August 

2023 

2024 

Details

Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

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. (See Reciprocal Roles and Responsibilities.)

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

The information in the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook will help guide you on your journey at the IIRP.

PDF versions of the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook.

Mission

The mission of the International Institute for Restorative Practices Graduate School is to strengthen relationships, support communities, influence social change, and broaden the field of restorative practices by partnering with practitioners, students, and scholars.

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

With our Transparent Tuition provisions, students who are admitted to the degree or certificate program are guaranteed that their tuition will never increase throughout the completion of their program.

Students who are admitted to the Graduate Certificate program are entitled to a total tuition cost of $6,844 (effective 2022-23), discounted 8.35% from the full tuition.

Students who are admitted to the Master of Science Degree program are entitled to a total tuition cost of $17,110 (effective 2022-23), discounted 8.35% from the full tuition. Students who are also approved for the Thesis Option will pay $3,507 for the Thesis Research seminar.

Students who are admitted to the master’s degree program and choose mid-program to add a specialization may need to take additional courses in order to fulfill their requirements. In those instances, students will receive their existing Transparent Tuition rate for those courses. Similarly, master’s degree students who are admitted to the Thesis Option mid-program may need to take additional courses at their existing Transparent Tuition rate, in addition to paying $3,507 for the Thesis Research Seminar.

Alumni who have earned a master's degree from the IIRP and who wish to continue taking courses will receive the current discounted rate of $1,711 per course. Alumni with an IIRP master’s degree who are approved to pursue the Thesis Option will also pay $3,507 for the thesis research seminar.

A student enrolling in their first course at the IIRP will be afforded the benefit of discounted tuition of $1,711 for that three-credit course.

Individuals who are not seeking a degree or certificate will pay the non-discounted rate of $1,867 per three-credit course.

Tuition Costs Effective 2023-24

Current students admitted prior to 2023-24 pay the discounted rate in effect at the time of their admission and/or approval to pursue the Thesis Option.

Fees

• $25.00 late registration fee
• $50.00 course withdrawal fee
• $75.00 Interest-Free Line of Credit start-up fee

We do not charge fees for course registration, materials, graduation, or transcripts.

Students are responsible for the cost of textbooks and materials in each course.

For more information, please refer to the IIRP’s financial aid webpage.

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

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.  

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Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

A grievance is a claim that action has been taken that involves a student, staff, faculty, or administration member’s status or the specific terms or conditions of employment or academic study and which is believed to be inconsistent with the International Institute for Restorative Practices’ (the IIRP’s) policies and procedures, or a perceived circumstance of discrimination, harassment, or inequity.

The IIRP, consistent with its name and mission, will use restorative processes, whenever possible, in dealing with wrongdoing and conflict among students, staff, faculty, and administration. Restorative processes focus on repairing the harm done by conflict and wrongdoing. They are usually held in a circle format and provide every person with an opportunity to be heard and to express feelings in a safe and supportive environment.

Restorative processes bring together those who have been affected by an incident. When there are identifiable wrongdoers and victims, those individuals have the choice of participating voluntarily. Furthermore, their colleagues, optionally their friends and family members (depending upon the nature of the incident), and others in the institution who have been affected are also invited to come together to resolve the emotional consequences of the incident and to have a say in how the conflict or wrongdoing might be handled.

There may be instances where the nature of the grievance is such that the use of restorative processes may not be appropriate according to the sole discretion of the IIRP’s President, who may confer with other professionals, including legal counsel and/or mental health professionals.

In the event the grievance is against the Director of Human Resources, the contact should be directed to the President throughout the outlined process. If the grievance is against the President, it should be directed to the Board of Trustees Chair throughout the outlined process.

Steps for the Grievance Resolution Process

Step 1
If possible, concerns that result in a grievance should first be addressed through discussions or a restorative circle. If a solution is reached, it should be put in writing, signed and dated by both parties, and provided to the Director of Human Resources within ten (10) business days, via email or hardcopy.

Step 2
If, after attempting resolution in Step 1, no solution is reached, the aggrieved party or parties may appeal the issue in writing within ten (10) business days to the Director of Human Resources via email or hardcopy. The Director of Human Resources must respond to the grievance in writing within ten (10) business days, beginning the business day following receipt of the written appeal.

Step 3
If the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the outcome of Step 2, they may appeal to the President, who will respond in writing within ten (10) business days beginning the business day following receipt of the written appeal. The President’s response is the final step within the organization.

Reporting Violations of the Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Stalking Policy

Reports, including anonymous reports, may be submitted online at any time using the reporting button. Reports go directly to the Associate Dean for Administration.

Report an Incident

Civil Rights Violation

In the case of an alleged violation of Civil Rights, the complaint may be brought directly to the Office for Civil Rights:

Barbara Holland, Regional Manager, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
150 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 372, Public Ledger Building
Philadelphia, PA 19106-9111

Customer Response Center: (800) 368-1019 Fax: (202) 619-3818
TDD: (800) 537-7697 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Complaint or Grievance

• Initial Contact
  Consult with the appropriate faculty or staff member.
  
  or
  
  Jamie Kaintz
  Dean of Student Services
  531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  610-798-1300
  
  
• Escalated Contact
  Michael Valdez Raffanti, Ed.D., Provost
  531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  215-416-3723
  
  or
  
  Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  484-523-2688

Americans with Disabilities Act

• Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  610-807-9221

Appeal of a Grade

• Initial Contact:
  Consult with faculty member
  
  
• Escalated Contact:
  Michael Valdez Raffanti, Ed.D., Provost
  531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
  215-416-3723

FERPA compliance (privacy of student records)

• Dean of Student Services
  Jamie Kaintz
  610-807-9221

Student Right to Know and Campus Security

• Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  610-807-9221

Should you have exhausted all avenues to resolve an issue informally and wish to file an official complaint, that complaint must be submitted in writing to:

• General Complaint or Grievance
  Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  531 Main Street
  Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837
  
  
• Americans with Disabilities Act
  Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  531 Main Street
  Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837
  
  
• FERPA compliance (privacy of student records.)
  Family Policy Compliance Office
  U.S. Department of Education
  600 Independence Avenue, S.W.
  Washington, DC 20202-4605
  
  
• Grade Appeal Provost
  Craig Adamson, Ph.D.
  531 Main Street
  Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837
  
  
• Student Right to Know and Campus Security
  Melissa Ash, Associate Dean of Administration
  531 Main Street
  Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837
  
  

Details

Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

Details

Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

The IIRP is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 (267-284-5011). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Details

Written by IIRP Staff

Published: January 29, 2016

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 “fair process”;
• 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;
• to offer moral and financial support to the institution as circumstances allow;
• to be offered opportunity to give feedback to trustees.

Faculty Should Expect…

• to participate in an organization employing “fair process”;
• to be supported in the process of teaching and learning by staff and Board;
• to be offered opportunity to give feedback to trustees;
• 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 teaching styles 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 receive from and offer to the staff and Board trust and support;
• to give and receive honest feedback with all others.

Staff Should Expect…

• to participate in an organization employing “fair process”;
• 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 to 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 fair process;
• 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 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 to be timely and accurate
  in the making of institutional decisions;
• to receive, from observing the actions and testimony of students, faculty, and staff
  in pursuing our mission, the encouragement to serve with a good conscience and
  a light heart.