Restorative Justice

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Vermont State University’s innovative and comprehensive Restorative Justice Concentration is one of the first of its kind in the nation. Restorative justice is a growing movement within judicial systems, school systems, human services, and advocacy organizations. Restorative justice is a proven approach that helps people who have been harmed by another to heal through discussions with the person responsible, which can also prevent further crime/harm.

With an emphasis on learning key restorative facilitation skills, you’ll graduate with the hands-on experience to use restorative justice practices in a variety of settings. You’ll benefit from this concentration whether your career plan includes psychology, human services, social work, or education.

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Joe Zeitler

Assistant Director of Admissions

802.468.6042

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Pat Brougham

Assistant Professor

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Students graduating with restorative justice credentials work in the following areas: 

  • Victim-offender mediation  
  • Diversion and delinquency prevention 
  • Restorative justice practice in schools and universities 
  • Victim assistance  
  • Trauma and resiliency work 
  • Conflict resolution 
  • Anti-violence work 
  • Restorative re-entry 
  • Community justice 
  • Youth advocacy and outreach workers 

Why Study Restorative Justice at Vermont State

  • Strong Partnerships: The program has strong partnerships with leading restorative justice professionals in the state of Vermont. Many students have interned or worked with the St. Johnsbury Community and Restorative Justice Center, the Lamoille County Restorative Justice Center, and Orleans County Restorative Justice Center. Students may also work as restorative facilitators of youth justice panels through a unique collaborative program between the Caledonia County District Attorney’s office, the St. Johnsbury Community and Restorative Justice Center, and Vermont State’s Restorative Justice Program.
  • Flexibility: You’ll have the option of completing a concentration in restorative justice, or criminology, or both, giving you the ability to tailor your degree plan to match your interests and professional goals.
  • Career Preparation: You’ll be ready for a range of careers, including diversion and delinquency prevention, law, juvenile justice, victim advocacy, and human services. You’ll also be prepared for advanced study in graduate school.
  • Strong Alumni Connections: Our alumni work in top positions with federal and international law enforcement agencies and are eager to help you.

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Sample Courses

  • Community and Restorative Justice 
  • Peacemaking Criminology 
  • Facilitating Restorative Justice Practices 
  • Trauma, Resilience, and Restorative Justice 
  • Victimology 
  • Victim Assistance and Advocacy  
  • Punishment and Corrections 

Other Concentrations in This Program

  • Criminology

Student Stories

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“Vermont State is really the only school that has an in-depth Restorative Justice program. I put a lot of value on that… Not a lot of people have a belief in restorative justice going into the criminal justice field. I feel like I have the ability and motivation to change the system to make it fairer. I would have never gotten that if I hadn’t gone to Vermont State.”

Cole Stillson

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