Online: Restorative Justice in Education Graduate Certificate

Be empowered to transform your school into a healthy, respectful educational community equipped with restorative approaches to conflict and discipline.

EMU's restorative justice in education program offers a master's degree and graduate certificate option that can be tailored for PreK-12 teachers, administrators or other school leaders, community leaders, and social workers or school counselors. Along with a variety of electives, these can help you learn the skills you need to:

Promote positive student behavior and increase student achievement and attendance;
Replace suspensions and expulsions with strategies that work; and
Improve relationships and school climate while increasing instructional time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate Certificate: Restorative Justice in Education (15 credits)

The following five courses meet the requirements for the graduate certificate in restorative justice in education.

*EDCC 521 Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation (3)
*EDRJ 551 Foundations of Restorative Justice in Education (3)
EDRJ 581 Analyzing Conflict in Educational Settings (3)
EDRJ 601 Facilitating Circle Processes (3)
EDRJ 621 RJE Principles and Practices for Schools (3)

* Either course should be the initial course in the program. Certificate curriculum can be used towards the degree program should you decide to pursue your master's in education.

Course Descriptions

EDCC 521 Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation

An introduction to the theories and processes of conflict transformation and peacebuilding within educational contexts. Creating a culture of peace in education goes beyond solving problems. The goal is to nurture peaceful, just and caring relationships within communities through active processes of tending, friending and mending. As such, educators, nurses and counselors will examine educational systems and relational literacy approaches, as well as their own personal beliefs, conflict resolution style(s), relationships, communication skills, curriculum and instructional strategies, discipline systems and classroom organization processes. Participants will learn restorative teaching approaches and conflict resolution strategies and develop culturally sensitive peaceable curricula (modeling integrated, infused, or direct instruction) for specific classroom, clinical or community settings.
EDRJ 551 Foundations of Restorative Justice in Education

Introduces Restorative Justice in Education (RJE) as a culture and a set of practices that are implemented to facilitate learning communities, supporting and respecting the inherent dignity and worth of all. Viewing RJE as a holistic approach, this course examines the three core components of RJE: creating just and equitable learning environments; nurturing healthy relationships; and repairing harm and transforming conflict. Class focuses on the underlying values of RJE and the foundational beliefs that guide RJE, and includes application of case studies and situations provided by class participants.
EDRJ 581 Analyzing Conflict in Educational Settings

When educators develop strong analytic skills, they are able to more deeply understand a situation, consider that situation from multiple perspectives, investigate causes, explore relationships, and ultimately design more effective responses to conflict, student behavior, or harm. This course exposes educators to various models of understanding the nature of conflict, including but not limited to identity, human needs and motivations, power dynamics, structural violence, change theories, systems analysis, and trauma.
EDRJ 601 Facilitating Circle Processes

Explores the use of circle processes to build and sustain healthy learning environments in schools or other educational settings. Theoretical foundations and core assumptions will be discussed as well as different ways circles can be utilized to build community, resolve conflict, create safe learning spaces, and promote social and emotional competency. Participants, including educators, administrators, school counselors, or other school based personnel, will learn how to design and implement Circles in education related contexts.
EDRJ 621 RJE Principles and Practices for Schools

Applies restorative justice principles to individual student, classroom, school, and community-based practices that support safe, just, and caring schools. Restorative justice practices are based on restorative justice values and principles that promote relational approaches to school discipline, communication, pedagogy, and other interactions. Designed for teachers, counselors, administrators, social workers, and others who work within educational contexts. Participants engage with both formal and informal RJE practices, including the facilitation of classroom meetings, restorative circles, and family group conferences.

See current course schedule

Admissions Process

Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admissions basis throughout the year. The Teacher Education Admissions Committee (TEAC) makes admissions decisions and annually reviews admissions policies. Note that a course may be taken before admission to program is granted. Complete the single course registration if interested in just one course.

Admission application procedure

Complete the Application for Admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Certificate Program
Provide evidence of one year of licensed teaching in a public or private school setting (preferred), or evidence of one year of successful work with youth in a public or private school setting pursuant to employment with a non-school entity (e.g., – a non-profit organization). This is required for admission and can be documented on the application in #1.
Request official transcripts (not student copies) from the college or university you attended showing your highest degree earned. The official transcripts should be sent by email to: mained@emu.edu or mail to Graduate Teacher Education Program, Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Schedule an interview with the director of the program.

See tuition and fees

Contact us:

Phone: (540) 432-4142
Email: mained@emu.edu