Academic Catalog

The IIRP is dedicated to the graduate education of adult learners who are baccalaureate college graduates.

Prospective students should display an aptitude for completing graduate-level coursework, a capacity for making positive contributions in their professional life and a willingness and capacity to engage in self-reflection to develop skills and competencies.

With the exception of students pursuing multiple graduate certificate programs at the IIRP, students who wish to enroll in more than 12 credits must be admitted to the Master of Science degree before they can enroll in courses beyond 12 credits.

Students must enroll no later than the term following the term of their admission to the Master of Science degree program or their acceptance to a certificate program.

We understand that a student might need to postpone that initial enrollment. If that is the circumstance, the student will need to submit a request for a leave of absence in their student portal (which will specify the length of the leave). Students who do not submit the request for a leave of absence or who do not reenroll for the agreed-upon term will be discontinued from the program and will need to reapply before continuing their studies.

Master of Science Degree

To be considered by the Admissions Committee, applicants must:

• have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 (B average) or better, and 
• submit an application for the master of science degree through their student portal, and
• submit official academic transcripts to the IIRP from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Official transcripts should be mailed to: IIRP, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837 USA. Electronic transcripts should be emailed toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and
• submit a resume or curriculum vitae, and
• submit three letters of reference, along with the Graduate School Recommendation Form. These letters should be from persons who know both the character of the applicant and the ability of the applicant to be successful in demanding graduate study in our professional discipline, and
• submit a 2-page reflective essay describing their reasons for seeking our specialized graduate education.

A candidate for admission may also submit recent Graduate Record Examination (code 2589), Miller Analogies Test (code 4030), or Pre-Professional Skills Test scores.

Thesis Option

Students who are applying for or are currently admitted into the IIRP’s Master of Science degree or alums who have already completed a master’s degree at the IIRP are eligible to apply for the thesis option and will need to submit an additional writing sample.

Candidates for admission may be asked by the Admissions Committee for a personal interview, or additional supporting documents. A prospective student may be admitted unconditionally, admitted with specific conditions, or not obtain admission. The committee has the authority to hear any requests for special consideration for admission.

Students who completed their education outside of the United States must complete the following, in addition to the master’s degree application requirements.

• International credentials for all undergraduate and graduate institutions 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, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 U.S.A. from that organization.
• 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 Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL^®) code 2589 or the Duolingo English Test or scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The scores must not be more than two years old and must be sent directly from the testing agency to the IIRP.

The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL^® is 66 for the paper-based test or a composite score of 88 (see below) with a 24 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). 

The minimum acceptable test score for the Duolingo test score is 120. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5, with no less than a 7.0 on the writing section. (General training is not accepted.)

To apply for the graduate certificate program, students must:

• have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B average) or better, and
• submit official academic transcripts to the IIRP from their undergraduate degree-awarding institutions (emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or mailed by postal service to: Attn: Student Services, IIRP Graduate School, 531 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018-5837), and
• submit an application to the graduate certificate program through their Student Portal.

Students who complete a graduate certificate program may enroll in additional graduate certificate programs, earning more than 12 credits without being admitted to the master's degree program.

Students may apply no more than three (3) previously earned IIRP graduate credits toward completion of a graduate certificate, in consultation with the advisor.

Students can apply to the certificate program throughout the year.

Note: International credentials must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by any organization approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and sent directly by that organization to the IIRP.

Applicants will be notified of their admission status by email.

Students must enroll no later than the term following their admission to the Master of Science degree or their acceptance to the Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practices.

We understand that a student might need to postpone their initial enrollment. If that is the circumstance, the student will need to submit in writing a request for a deferral by contacting Student Services. Students who do not submit the request for a deferral or who do not re-enroll for the agreed upon term will be discontinued from the program and will need to reapply before continuing their studies.

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 Master of Science in Restorative Practices degree. Students admitted to the degree program and approved to pursue the Thesis Option are eligible for graduation after the successful completion of RP 707 Thesis Seminar.

The IIRP grants limited academic credit for applicable courses and experiences completed after a student has earned their bachelor’s degree and before completing their program here.

Please consult the Student Handbook for details about the Transfer Credit and Prior Learning policies.