Why Earn a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice from Etown SGPS?
Elizabethtown College's Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice explores contemporary approaches to justice that prioritize accountability, healing, and community restoration. Coursework examines restorative and transformative justice, victimology, juvenile justice reform, and cognitive-behavioral interventions, and asks how justice systems can respond to crime in ways that support victims, offenders, and the communities affected by harm. Students explore the social and psychological dimensions of crime while applying evidence-based strategies to design and implement restorative practices across criminal justice, community, and advocacy settings.
In addition, this certificate can be completed in less than a year and all credits can be stacked into Etown's M.S. in Criminal Justice, providing a streamlined pathway to a master's degree.
Program Outcomes:
- Analyze restorative and transformative justice principles within contemporary criminal justice systems.
- Evaluate victim-centered policies, programs, and reform initiatives related to victim services, juvenile justice, and rehabilitation strategies.
- Apply evidence-based practices to support rehabilitation, accountability, and community healing.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional decision-making in diverse community, organizational, and criminal justice contexts.
Online
Program Format
Respond to Harm in Ways That Repair Communities
The Restorative Justice Graduate Certificate prepares practitioners to work at the point where accountability and healing meet. Coursework spans restorative and transformative justice models, victimology and victim services, juvenile justice reform, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to rehabilitation. Graduates are equipped to design and lead restorative programs in law enforcement, corrections, courts, schools, victim advocacy organizations, and community agencies — bringing evidence-based practice and ethical judgment to some of the justice system's most difficult work.
Understand Tuition Costs and Explore Scholarship Opportunities
SGPS Holiday Discount
Apply by Dec. 31 to receive 20% off your first Etown SGPS spring course beginning Jan. 12, 2026!
Apply Today
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SGPS Holiday Discount
Apply by Dec. 31 to receive 20% off your first Etown SGPS spring course beginning Jan. 12, 2026!
Apply TodayX
The Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice is priced at $695 per credit. Scholarships and financial aid are available to make your Etown SGPS education even more affordable. Below are just a few of the scholarships and programs available to students:
- Alumni Scholarship: 15% tuition discount, available to Elizabethtown College alumni.
- Affinity Partner Scholarship: 15% discount, offered to employees of organizations partnered with Etown SGPS.
- Jay Fellowship Referral Program: This is a referral program that benefits both current students/alumni and prospective students. When a student or alum refers a new student, both the referrer and the referred student receive a complimentary credit for their program of interest.
- Additional Scholarships for Adult Learners: Discover scholarship opportunities designed to support adult learners in achieving their academic goals. View more information on Scholarships for Adult Learners.
Tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change annually.
Tuition & AidOnline Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice
The Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice from Elizabethtown College requires 12 credit hours of academic work.
Application Requirements & Process
To be eligible to apply to any of our graduate certificate programs you will need to:
- Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher (waivers can be granted based on professional work experience and other factors).
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Complete the graduate application via GradCAS which includes the submission of a $38 nonrefundable application fee.
- You will need to request your official transcript from the undergraduate institution that conferred your bachelor’s degree and upload your current resume.
- Additionally, prepare a 1-2 page essay addressing your motivation for pursuing the graduate certificate, a statement of professional goals, and goals for the application of the graduate certificate to your professional life.
- After submitting your application, the SGPS Team will review it and make an admissions decision.
- If accepted, you will receive an initial offer letter via the applicant portal, which you must accept to proceed with matriculation.
- If the admissions staff have any questions about your application, they will contact you. If you’re unsure about anything, you can reach out or meet with our admissions staff for guidance.
- After successfully completing your Elizabethtown College graduate certificate, students may complete the Advance in Graduate Certificate or Degree form in the Jayweb student portal to apply to a future graduate certificate or graduate degree. Additional materials may be required, depending on the program of interest.
