I want to be certified or receive certification in restorative practices. Should I get a Master's Degree, a Graduate Certificate or become a Licensed Trainer?
These are very different but related options:
Our Master of Science in Restorative Practices is an advanced degree that will prepare you to make systemic changes in your work environment and community.
Our Graduate Certificate will prepare you to become an expert practitioner in your setting. This program establishes a foundational understanding of how restorative practices work.
Learn more about both of our graduate programs.
Our Licensed Trainers are qualified to teach basic restorative practices skills, from circles and restorative conferences to more informal everyday practices in their school or region using IIRP’s licensed materials and training scripts. The Training of Trainers event does not require enrollment in the IIRP Graduate School, but IIRP certificate and master’s degree holders are eligible to attend the Training of Trainers at no cost as an alumni benefit. You must attend one of our Training of Trainers events to earn a license.
All three options require you to attend our Basic Restorative Practices professional development event.
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.
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 610-807-9221, or schedule a dedicated time to speak with us, using our Calendly app.
We accept application 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 in-person professional development.
Entry level blended courses include RP 500 Basic Restorative Practices, RP 515 Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace, RP 532 Aggression Replacement Training®, RP 541 World Conference and RP 570 series Symposium.
If I attended an event at my school or organization, does that count as part of the graduate course?
The IIRP and our licensed trainers are often invited to bring our professional development events to schools and other organizations for inservice trainings. If you have attended a full day of IIRP training, that professional development event may be part of our graduate school curriculum.
Please request a Certificate of Attendance from the instructor of the event to document the name of the event and the date of your attendance.
Then contact Student Services to see if there is an online graduate course that can be paired with your learning experience.
Entry level blended courses include RP 500 Basic Restorative Practices, RP 515 Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace, RP 532 Aggression Replacement Training®, RP 541 World Conference and RP 570 series Symposium. Learn more about all our Course Offerings.
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 which 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.