School Discipline Reform Certificate

About the School Discipline Reform Certificate at Loyola

As an education professional, you have a commitment to serving your students and community by understanding, shaping, and implementing prevention-oriented approaches to school discipline. Through the School Discipline Reform certificate program at Loyola University Chicago, you will learn on-the-ground strategies that are alternatives to the longstanding overuse of suspension and expulsion and the racial/ethnic and special education disparities within current disciplinary practices.

This one-of-a-kind program, delivered through Loyola Online, draws on the expertise of Loyola faculty across a broad range of disciplines, including school psychology, anti-racism, law, education, restorative practices and policy. Through this certificate program, you will learn to look at the root cause of discipline inequity drivers and gain skills to respond in a planful way so that you can engage with students differently than traditional punitive means.

The Loyola School Discipline Reform certificate program is designed for a range of school practitioners, including superintendents, principals, other school and district-level administrators, school attorneys, discipline deans, school psychologists, school social workers, counselors, teachers, and other educators.

Program Structure

The School Discipline Reform Certificate is a part-time program delivered through Loyola Online.

Why Choose Loyola for the School Discipline Reform Certificate?

Led by faculty experts across disciplines

You will learn from faculty across a range of disciplines, from law to school psychology.

Gain the tools and skills you need to lead comprehensive initiatives to reduce suspensions and expulsions and their adverse impacts on vulnerable students.

This program is for a broad range of school practitioners, from superintendents to principals and school psychologists to teachers.

While other programs focus on practices like restorative justice, Loyola's school discipline reform certificate is believed to be the first to integrate expertise across disciplines.

This part-time program is delivered through Loyola Online, allowing school practitioners like you to build knowledge and skills while you continue to work in your role.

With the trend to change titles and roles from discipline dean to culture and climate facilitator, this program benefits school practitioners who are facing such changes.

Meet the Faculty

Professor Pamela A. Fenning, Ph.D., ABPP, is the chair of the School Discipline Reform program. She brings her work as both a licensed clinical and school psychologist and researcher who has studied the topic of discipline disparities for years. She is joined by Miranda Johnson and Kathleen Hirsman with the School of Law who bring their experience as attorneys.

Restorative justice practitioners add to the complement of faculty expertise with on-the-ground restorative work in schools and with training cadres of educators and administrators.

Additional faculty are practicing school administrators and psychologists who round out the faculty with bringing the realities of implementation to the forefront.

Faculty

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the School Discipline Reform Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide School Discipline Reform Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic Catalog

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the School Discipline Reform Certificate totals $7920.00, or 8 credit hours at a cost of $990.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.

More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.

Visit and Connect With Us

Take advantage of a variety of different visit opportunities to find your place in our Loyola community. Loyola offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Early in your search?

Connect with an Enrollment Advisor to help find your fit.

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Connect with an admissions team member to help you through the process.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the School Discipline Reform Certificate are listed below. We encourage you to apply early as decisions may take longer during busy periods.

Fall: June 15
Spring: November 15

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the School Discipline Reform Certificate include:

  • 3.0 Minimum GPA

  • Personal Statement

  • Resume/CV

Personal Statement Details

Your statement should be 1-3 pages and describe your personal and professional interests and reasons for pursuing this program.

International Student Requirements

Additional information regarding the application process for international students can be found on the International Student Requirements page.

Additional Details

For general information and a step-by-step guide to applying for graduate and professional study, please visit our Admission Process page.

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