Academic Catalog & Student Handbook

Applying for Graduate Certificate program

For a student to apply to the Graduate Certificate program and qualify for Transparent Tuition:

• Complete the application in the Student Portal.
• Create your plan of study.
• Submit an official academic transcript from the accredited undergraduate degree-awarding college or university, or the equivalent for students with an undergraduate degree earned outside the United States.
  If you received your degree outside the United States: all transcripts and academic credentials of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be 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 from that organization.

Applying for Master of Science program

For a student to be admitted into the Master of Science program and qualify for Transparent Tuition, you will need to submit the following documents within 60 days from when you start your application. Submit:

• Official academic transcripts, with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale; B average) or better, from accredited undergraduate degree-awarding colleges or universities, or the equivalent for students with an undergraduate degree earned outside the United States.
  If you received your degree outside the United States: all transcripts and academic credentials of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended must be 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 from that organization.
  
• Completed Master of Science Degree application found within your Student Portal.
• A 1-2 page letter or essay, describing your reasons for seeking our specialized graduate education.
• Three letters of reference, submitted with the Graduate School Recommendation Form. These letters should be from persons who know both your character and your ability to be successful in completing graduate study in our professional discipline.
• 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.
• Language requirement: International applicants are required to demonstrate fluency in English unless they have received a bachelor's or master's degree from an institution in the following countries: 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. An applicant must submit scores from either the TOEFL®: Test of English as a Foreign Language (code 2589) or IELTS™: International English Language Testing System. The scores must not be more than two years old and must be sent directly from the testing agency to the IIRP.

Written submissions reflect an applicant’s scholarship and should be reviewed for spelling and grammar.

Candidates for admission may be asked by the Admissions Committee for a personal interview, or additional supporting documents.

Choosing the Thesis Option

Students seeking approval to pursue the thesis option must be admitted to Master of Science program and additionally provide:

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

IIRP Master of Science degree alumni may also seek approval to return and complete the relevant coursework and thesis.

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 M.S. in Restorative Practices.

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.

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.

How soon can I start?

• Students who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or the international equivalent as verified by any organization approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) may apply at any time throughout the year and begin their studies almost immediately.

What is my first step?

• Let's get you started! Contact Student Services at 610-807-9221 or schedule a dedicated time to speak with us, using our Calendly app.

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.

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?

The only required in-person event is our Basic Restorative Practices four-day event, which can be taken in locations across the U.S. and around the world. Otherwise, you may complete all your coursework online. Other blended courses 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.