How to Apply

Naropa University seeks students who have a strong appetite for learning and enjoy experiential education in an academic setting. Those interested in engaging in a personally rigorous program within a contemplative community are encouraged to apply. GRE scores and Miller Analogy tests are optional.

Suggested Deadlines

All graduate programs use a suggested deadline as the initial deadline for receiving completed applications. Any applications received after the suggested deadline will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee if space is available. Consequently, we encourage early application. To see if spaces are open after the suggested deadline, email admissions@naropa.edu.

As of April 1, we are accepting applications for all programs.

• January 15 for summer semester admission (MFA Writing & Poetics, MFA Creative Writing, MA Contemplative Education and MA Transpersonal Psychology)
• January 15 for fall semester admission
• October 15 for spring semester admission (MFA Writing & Poetics, MFA Creative Writing and MA Religious Studies)

Three Ways of Applying

Apply to one of Naropa University ’s graduate programs in one of the following ways:

• Apply online. When you apply online, you will be required to submit the application fee with a Visa or MasterCard. Current students, staff, faculty and alumni are not required to submit an application fee.
• Download the Naropa University graduate application.
• Request that an application be mailed to you.

The links below are PDF files and require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Graduate Application Requirements

Regardless of which method of applying you choose, a completed application includes the following items:

• Completed application form or a completed visiting student application form;
• $60 nonrefundable application fee;
• Three-to-five-page typed, double-spaced statement of interest;
• Résumé;
• Three letters of recommendation (all must be on the forms provided, must not be older than twelve months and may not be from family members, spouses or current therapists);
• Official transcripts of all previous college-level study that reflect the completion of a bachelor's degree, sent directly to Naropa University’s Admissions Office from the registrar of previous institutions or in a sealed envelope with the application;
• In addition to the standard graduate application requirements listed above, supplemental application materials and/or prerequisites are required by the following programs:
• MA Contemplative Education
• MA Contemplative Psychotherapy
• MA Environmental Leadership
• Graduate Religious Studies Programs
• MA Somatic Counseling Psychology
• MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology
• MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy
• MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology: Wilderness Therapy
• MA Transpersonal Psychology (low-residency)
• MA Transpersonal Psychology: Ecopsychology (low-residency)
• Master of Divinity
• MFA Creative Writing
• MFA Theater: Contemporary Performance
• MFA Theater: Lecoq Based Actor Created Theater
• MFA Writing and Poetics

 

Please note that Naropa University now offers many of its prerequisite courses online.

International Students

International students must also supply the Office of Admissions with the following additional materials:

1. An official TOEFL score sheet showing a score of 250/600 (computer-based/paper-based) for all international students who have not previously been educated using the English language.
2. All records of postsecondary education, including grades earned in each subject, must be translated into English and evaluated before being submitted along with the other application materials.
3. A Source of Funds document.

Visiting Students

Naropa University’s Visiting Student Program allows graduate students from other universities to study at Naropa for a summer, a semester or a year. A student who wants to attend our renowned Summer Writing Program for graduate credit may do so as a visiting student. In addition to the application requirements listed above, visiting students must also provide:

• A list of all courses they wish to take in order of preference. See the academic catalog.

Establishing Transfer Credit

Naropa University’s graduate programs may accept up to 6 semester units of transfer credit from other universities. This is not an automatic policy; it is at the discretion of each department. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Credits must have been earned within five years of application to Naropa and must carry the grade of “B” or better. No Pass (P), Credit (CR) or Satisfactory (S) work will be accepted. Credits must come from a regionally accredited college (international on a case-by-case basis), and no credit will be awarded for contemplative practice courses.