This course is an opportunity to put theory and skills into practice. The focus is on implementing restorative practices through the development and delivery of restorative program or series of facilitated dialogues. Students will propose a program, deliver it, and write a final report summarizing their success. Experience with restorative facilitation is a core element of certification in restorative leadership (we can’t preach what we haven’t practiced).
This is the third of three required courses for the Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership Certificate, developed by the University of San Diego's Center for Restorative Justice, housed in the Leadership Studies Department in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and facilitated by the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. The certificate curriculum combines an academic understanding of restorative justice with experiential learning to ensure skillful facilitation, with the goal of building a new generation of restorative justice leaders.
Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credits in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for those that want to implement restorative justice, in lieu of the traditional punishment practices. This includes K-12 educators, and those working for higher education institutions, workplaces, community organizations, and criminal justice agencies. There is a growing need for skilled practitioners who understand the philosophical underpinnings of restorative justice, its varied applications, and self-reflective, nuanced practice.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to regulations from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students in its online programs who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. This restriction does not apply to applicants interested in a campus-based program. If you are from one of these states/district, please contact our Center for Restorative Justice at [email protected] for advice about our program.
Course Format: Online Fixed-Date (fully online) with synchronous sessions on some Wednesdays, and asynchronous assignments with deadlines due within the course. This course focuses on implementing restorative justice practices through the development and delivery of a restorative program with a series of facilitated dialogues (online Zoom meetings).
Course Materials: None (all course resources are delivered within the syllabus provided upon enrollment)
Technical Requirements
ADA Accommodations: The Center for Restorative Justice is committed to promoting knowledge and academic excellence for all learners. The University of San Diego's Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center helps students with verified disabilities obtain meaningful academic accommodations and support to help improve access to the Center for Restorative Justice and courses. If you are a student who would like to be considered for academic accommodations, please visit USD's Disability and Learning Difference Resource Center's website and follow the instructions under Requesting Services.
Refund Policy: To receive a refund, students need to drop the course through the MyPCE@USD student account portal before midnight (11:59PT) on the third day of the course. The refund of the course fee will be returned less a processing fee of 10% of the course tuition. No refunds will be issued after this deadline.
Enrollment Open Through: Maximum enrollment is met, or through the first day of the course, whichever happens first.
Prerequisites:
EDU-X785R, Introduction to Restorative Justice: A Global Social Movement and EDU-X786R, Restorative Justice Facilitation and Skill-Building Intensive must be completed before beginning this course.
Number of Sessions: 8
Once you have enrolled in your course, log in to your account to access the Academic Integrity Policy. A Welcome email will be sent no later than 48 hours prior to your first course meeting. This email will include directions on how to access the facilitated Zoom meetings and directions on how to submit your final project.
Course Format: Online Fixed-Date – Courses will be fully online but with scheduled meeting times. These synchronous sessions will be every Thursday, from 4-6PM PT. This includes weekly assignments with deadlines due within the course.
Number of Sessions: 9
Course Format: Online Fixed-Date – Courses will be fully online but with scheduled meeting times. These synchronous sessions will be every Wednesday, from 4-6PM PT (except for November 26, 2025). This includes weekly assignments with deadlines due within the course.
Course Format: Online Fixed-Date – Courses will be fully online but with scheduled meeting times. These synchronous sessions will be every Thursdays, from 4-6PM PT starting on April 9 – May 28, 2026. This includes weekly assignments with deadlines due within the course.
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How is the learning structured? In an online fixed-date course, you and your classmates will proceed through the curriculum together, collaborating in a shared learning experience. Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
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This was an AMAZING program and I HIGHLY recommend it!
David was an excellent instructor, as was Justine, and her engagement with and support of students were exceptional. I was not expecting the strong sense of community that we built (over zoom!) during the program, and appreciate the network of support and new colleagues and practitioners that I now have. It was a great foundational course both in terms of philosophy/values and also practice. I hope very much that there will be a second, advanced series that might be offered as a continuation of the deep-dive into RJ and the skill building. Thank you for an amazing year, and for the professional and personal growth you have given me.
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