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.
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 – use the code Student Services issued you when you set up your payment plan when you register. This way you can select the professional development event that you want to attend and complete the registration on your own. 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.
- As an accredited graduate school, our courses have been recognized by other higher-education institutions, depending upon the requirements of the receiving institution.
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.