Prospective Students and Admissions
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 attendees.
We are a regionally accredited graduate school,and many of our students’ employers recognize our coursework. You may begin earning graduate credit through one of our Graduate Certificate programs 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.
For Pennsylvania teachers, we are approved for Act 48 credits for our graduate courses and certain professional development experiences.
Value has different meanings to all of us and our job is to understand your goals to find learning that matches your needs and those of your community.
Our graduate programs will leave you with tangible skills to build and sustain healthy relationships and communities, and our students and alumni are making an impact all over the world in different fields.
Not only do our graduate courses equip our students and alumni with the skills employers value and the skills to make a difference personally, in our workspaces, and community spaces, but we have also built a strong network of professionals supporting each other with questions, problems, and ongoing learning.
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.”
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 remain an option.
Let’s get you started! Email us at
The IIRP does not charge an application fee. There can, however, be costs to gathering application materials like official transcripts, depending on your academic institution.
For students outside the US: there are varying costs for course-by-course degree evaluations by NACES-approved member agencies. You can view costs on each evaluation agency’s website.
For students outside the US: there are varying costs for demonstrating fluency in English through the TOEFL®: Test of English as a Foreign Language (code 2589) or the Duolingo English Test, or IELTS™: International English Language Testing System. You can view costs on each organization’s website.
Yes, both transfer and prior learning credits may be submitted for approval to use toward a Graduate Certificate or the Master of Science.
A maximum of six (6) credits (equal to two 3-credit courses), including both transfer and experiential learning, may be applied toward the degree program; a maximum of three (3) credits (equal to one course) may be applied toward a graduate certificate.
Learn more about the Prior Learning Credit Policy and Transfer Credit Policy in the Student Handbook.
The term “prior learning” refers to knowledge and skills that students have acquired before enrolling in a program at a specific institution. The academic value of prior learning lies in its potential for application to a student’s program of study, thereby reducing the student’s time and money spent on degree or program completion.
“Transfer credit” is a type of prior learning taking place through a formal, traditional approach, such as satisfactory completion of academic coursework at other colleges or universities that is documented on a transcript.
Courses eligible for transfer credit must have been taken after completing a bachelor’s degree and may not have been applied toward an earned master’s degree at another institution. Only courses applicable to IIRP degree requirements, in which the student has earned a “B” or better, may be accepted for transfer credit. Learn more about the Transfer Credit Policy in the Student Handbook.
Any type of work, volunteer, or life experience that reflects graduate-level learning and is compatible with a course required for your IIRP program could be eligible for prior learning credit. Please see our Prior Learning Credit Policy in the Student Handbook for more information.
Please contact
Please contact
Both transfer and prior learning credit approval require a review process. Plan to begin the approval process early to leave enough time to enroll in the term you intend. Please note that the process to seek transfer credit could take up to 60 days. The process to seek credit for prior learning could take up to 90 days. Please contact
Students from Outside the US
Most importantly, we are here to support you throughout your application. There are supporting documents required for all program applications and it is important to review those requirements before and during your application.
- If you received your degree(s) outside of the US, you must have your degree(s) from all higher education institutions attended evaluated on a course-by-course basis by a NACES-approved member agency. You may choose any agency on the NACES member list and all evaluations will come at a fee. Each student who received their degree outside of the US must have this evaluation process completed and the final course-by-course evaluation must show that the sum of all degrees earned is equal to a US Bachelor’s degree. All evaluations must be sent directly from the evaluation agency to the IIRP at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail: IIRP, 531 Main St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. - 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: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, St. Maarten, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States and Wales. An applicant must submit scores from either the TOEFL®: Test of English as a Foreign Language (code 2589) or the Duolingo English Test 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. See the Academic Catalog for further information.
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. For our blended courses, a professional development component is required and that professional development component may be offered either online or in-person in San Diego, CA, USA; Elk Grove, IL, USA; or at our Bethlehem, PA, USA campus.
Admitted Students
During the course registration period, you may register for courses in your Student Portal under the “Enrollment” tab.
As long as you are admitted to a graduate program, you will find the name and contact information for your faculty advisor under the “Advising” tab in your Student Portal. Planning forms are also available to you under the “Advising” tab; these forms should help you document which courses you plan to take and when you plan to take them.
All students admitted to a program are expected to enroll in a course each term through to the completion of their program.
However, we know that it may not be realistic to be continuously enrolled in courses!
When you do not plan to take a course in a term, you can apply for a leave of absence in your Student Portal under the “Enrollment” tab. It only takes a minute and helps us to support your planning to the completion of your program.
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 532 Aggression Replacement Training®, and RP 541 World Conference.
Yes, all of the courses will count toward your degree.
Once grades are available at the end of a term, you can view your final grade(s) in your Student Portal under the “Enrollment” tab, by choosing the “View Academic Record” option. This will also be the unofficial transcript that you can download as a PDF.
After registering for a course, you may find that you need to withdraw. You may withdraw from your course under the “Enrollment” tab in your Student Portal.
Please review the procedures and financial implications for course withdrawals in the Student Handbook.
The Student Portal (student.iirp.edu) is where you will do administrative tasks as a student, such as applying to a program, registering for a graduate course, applying for a leave of absence, and accessing your academic record (grades).
Moodle (online.iirp.edu) is the learning management system where you will access and complete your graduate coursework. Although grades may be available in Moodle, your final grade will always be in your Student Portal in your academic record.
Graduate Certificate and Master of Science Alumni
Join us on social media: connect to our Student and Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups and follow the IIRP Graduate School social media for the latest updates from the IIRP!
Check your email for the monthly Student and Alumni newsletters, which contain updates and invitations to Student and Alumni Community and Workshop events.
Make sure to subscribe to IIRP News to receive regular email updates from us.
Alumni of any one of our graduate certificate programs may apply to the Master of Science program or any of our other graduate certificates to continue their learning. Master of Science alumni may come back at any time to take courses à la carte at the current tuition rate. All alumni are encouraged to continue their learning through our numerous professional development events. We also encourage alumni to join us for Workshops and Student and Alumni Community sessions for student and alumni-led skill-building discussions and exercises.
You can request a transcript here, through the National Student Clearinghouse, at no cost for regular mail and electronic copies. (Expedited copies will come at a cost.)
Give us a call at 484-773-1324, or schedule a convenient time to talk. We will help you reset your password and security questions to access your student portal.
Financial
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.
Our students have a few payment options that student services (
To pay in full at the time of registration with a card (debit or credit), to opt for the interest-free line of credit payment plan, to have employer support or reimbursement, or to apply for a scholarship.
We offer all our students a zero-interest line of credit payment plan for 39 months for a Graduate Certificate, 97 months for the Master of Science, and 118 months for the Master of Science with Thesis Option. There is a one-time $75 setup fee and setup is as simple as signing the payment plan agreement and making your first payment, which starts up your automatic recurring monthly payments.
Our payment plan is a zero-interest line of credit and it works like this: we create a line of credit for the total tuition you need to complete your program, and you chip away at it as you register for courses until there is $0 available to use. During that time, you’re also making monthly payments and continue those payments until your total tuition is satisfied. With our payment plan, you can make lump sum payments or pay off your balance at any time with no penalty.
Most importantly, you are working directly with us if you ever need anything, and you will always hear back from us within 2 business days of your request.
Registering for courses with a payment plan is easy, and you will follow the same steps as anyone else would! The registration page will show a tuition charge, but the amount due will be $0 because your payment plan covers your tuition.
You can view your payment plan details, tuition balance, and payments made in your Student Portal under “My Account,” then “Payment Plans”.
If you started your payment plan with us through Stripe, you can update your payment information in your Student Portal under “My Account,” then “Payment Plans.”
To update any other payment information, please contact
We do not provide deferment forms for other lenders, but we are happy to help you with this process. Please send us the deferment forms with all of your portions of the form signed and completed to
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 form once you begin your second course and return it to you so you can return the form to your lender.