1. What is Naropa University?
2. Is Naropa University accredited?
3. How was the school started?
4. Do you have to be a Buddhist to attend Naropa University?
5. What role does Buddhism play in a student’s education at Naropa University?
6. What is contemplative education?
7. Do you require the GRE or other tests for entry into Naropa University?
8. Do you have in-state and out-of-state tuition?
9. What does it cost to attend a graduate program at Naropa University?
10. What are the demographics of Naropa University?
11. Does Naropa offer PhD studies?
12. Does Naropa offer any online classes or degree programs?
13. Can I get licensed as a counselor with a master’s degree from Naropa University?
14. What is the difference between the MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and the low-residency MA in Transpersonal Psychology? Is it possible to start online and transfer?
15. What is the difference between the MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and the MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy?
16. What are your alumni doing?
17. What if I don’t want to get a degree but wish to be involved with Naropa?
18. How do I find housing in Boulder?
19. What is it like to live in Boulder?
20. What is the deferral policy for graduate applicants?
21. What are the similarities and differences between the three graduate programs that lead to licensure:  the MA Somatic Counseling Psychology, MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, and MA Contemplative Psychotherapy programs?

What is Naropa University?

Naropa University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian liberal arts institution with a mission of contemplative education. This approach to learning integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational traditions, helping students know themselves more deeply and engage constructively with others. The university comprises a four-year undergraduate college and graduate programs in the arts, education, environmental leadership, psychology and religious studies.

Is Naropa University accredited?

Naropa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504 
312-263-0456; Fax 312-263-7462
www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org

How was the school started?

Naropa University represents the vision of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Trungpa Rinpoche (1940–1987), a Buddhist meditation master, scholar and teacher, founded Naropa in 1974 as a summer institute. It was his view that Western education would be greatly enhanced if combined with the mindfulness training offered by Eastern traditions.

Do you have to be Buddhist to attend Naropa University?

Naropa University is nonsectarian and open to all. The majority of our students are not Buddhist, nor are the majority of faculty and staff.

What role does Buddhism play in a student’s education at Naropa University?

Naropa University’s learning philosophy of contemplative education (see below) is rooted in the Buddhist tradition. The integration of contemplative disciplines into the curriculum can help students to devote their full attention to their studies, classmates and the community at large. Each class or degree program integrates varying degrees of Buddhist philosophies and traditions. Classes may open with a short period of silence; some may require meditation practice, while still another will be conducted as a traditional college course.

What is contemplative education?

Contemplative education balances the study of specific academic and artistic fields with the traditional practices for training in mindfulness and awareness. Through the practice of contemplative disciplines such as sitting meditation and t ’ai-chi ch’uan, students develop this sense of awareness which assists the absorption and assimilation of new information, as well as synchronizing body, speech and mind. The contemplative approach inspires openness, inquisitiveness and kindness to oneself and others.

Do you require the GRE or other tests for entry into Naropa University?

No, scores from the GRE or Miller Analogy Tests are not required for admission to Naropa University. NOTE: for GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) is required.

Do you have in-state and out-of-state tuition?

Because we are a private college, tuition rates are the same for both in-state and out of state. Graduate tuition for summer 08/fall 08/spring 09 is $726 per credit hour, plus a $250 student fee charge per semester (summer fees are $120). In fall and spring semesters, there is a transportation fee of $38 (summer cost is $19). It costs the student an average of $1,200 per month to live in Boulder. This estimate includes room and board and miscellaneous expenses.

What does it cost to attend a graduate program at Naropa University?

Naropa University charges tuition per credit taken, not via a block system. Since our graduate programs range in number of credits from 36–78 as well as vary in their length of time, semesters attended and unique fees required, it is difficult to give an exact answer. The provided chart will give you an estimate of program costs, given our usual rate of 5 percent tuition increase each year. It is important to remember that this is an estimate only. To view the estimated cost per program, click here.

What are the demographics of Naropa University?

See the Facts at a Glance page.

Does Naropa University offer PhD Studies?

Naropa University does not have PhD programs at this time. After earning a master of arts degree from Naropa University, students do go on to doctoral programs at various institutions including American University, Antioch University, California Institute of Integral Studies, The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, New School for Social Research, San Francisco State University, University of Chicago and the University of Kentucky.

Does Naropa University offer any online classes or degree programs?

Yes, various academic departments at Naropa offer online classes which change from semester to semester. To find out what classes are being offered, and for more information, click here. In addition, there are three low-residency master's degrees: MA Contemplative Education, MA Transpersonal Psychology with or without a concentration in Ecopsychology and MFA in Creative Writing.

Can I get licensed as a counselor with a master’s degree from Naropa University?

See the Graduate School of Psychology Licensure page.

What is the difference between the Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology and the low-residency Master of Arts in Transpersonal Psychology? Is it possible to start the low-residency MA in Transpersonal Psychology and then transfer into the MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program?

The MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology is a three-year residential program which prepares students for a specific career path as a counselor or psychotherapist. Students are eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselor exam in the state of Colorado.

The MA in Transpersonal Psychology is a two-year, low-residency program. The residential component consists of the two weeklong summer residential intensives held during the first and second summers of the program. While this program emphasizes service to a variety of populations, personal growth and possible preparation for a PhD program, it does not prepare students to become Licensed Professional Counselors.

These programs are distinct in many respects and do not overlap. Admission to one of these programs does not guarantee admission to the other. Students who choose to change programs must withdraw from the first program and then apply for acceptance into the second program. We do not recommend that students interested in the MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program initially apply to the MA Transpersonal Psychology program.

What is the difference between the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program and Contemplative Psychotherapy?

It is helpful to know the similarities between these two programs before discussing the differences.

SIMILARITIES

• Program Length: Both programs are three years in duration (Transpersonal Counseling Psychology has a fourth year option if necessary).
• Professional Outcome: The professional outcome of both programs is also similar. Graduates from both programs are able to work in a variety of settings, including mental health agencies, Social Services, Human Resources departments, nonprofit agencies and private practice.
• Meditation: Both programs have meditation requirements as a part of the core curriculum. The MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy meditation requirement extends throughout the duration of program to include five hours per week of sitting practice, regularly scheduled meetings with the student’s meditation instructor, specific classes (e.g. "Psychology and Meditation") and the Maitri program (see below). This ongoing meditation requirement creates a common ground for the members of each class as they study and discuss the main principles of both Buddhist and Western psychology. The Transpersonal Counseling Psychology meditation requirement includes four classes (two years) of the Psychology of Meditation. During those classes the student fulfills a sitting practice requirement and meets regularly with his or her meditation instructor. However, continuation of meditation practice after the completion of the courses is up to the student.

DIFFERENCES

• Community: The feature of community is a strong learning component of the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program. Students begin the program and take every class together, including the off-campus Maitri retreat. Community serves as a mirror to one’s mind as well as a continual laboratory for working with others. Classmates become a close intimate group during the three years of the program.
• The MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program—due to flexibility in the scheduling of classes—does not rely on community to such a degree, although it is still present. This flexibility in course scheduling is a unique feature of the MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program, where each class is offered at a variety of times, including evening classes. So, for a student who needs a lot of flexibility, and for whom the aspect of community is not as high a priority in their educational experience, the MA in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology may be for them.
• Counselor Training Approaches: The counselor training approach of the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program includes training in current counseling theories and their applications, theory and practice of group therapy, participation in Group Process, a meditation practice requirement and the Maitri program. Throughout the three-year program, students spend a total of about ten weeks living together as a learning community. Held in a retreat center in Northern Colorado, the Maitri programs include intensive sitting meditation, the study of Buddhist teachings and the Maitri space-awareness practice. For more information on the Maitri practice look at the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program page.
• The counselor training in the MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program includes one year of training in a client-centered approach and one year of Gestalt. The students work with these therapeutic modalities under the guidance of professional therapists. It is here that the sense of community comes into play in the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program.

What jobs are the graduates pursuing, how long after graduation did they get the jobs and what is their average salary?

Of 173 alumni who responded to a recent survey, 136 are working in the field of their MA or MFA degree. Of those 136 people, 98 took an average of 4.5 months after graduation to get a job in their field. Of those 136, 34 earned under $25,000; 47 earned $25,000–$39,000; 22 earned $40,000–$54,000; 4 earned $55,000–$70,000 and 6 earned more than $70,000. Several respondents chose not to divulge their salary.

What if I don’t want to get a degree but wish to be involved with Naropa University?

Naropa University Extended Studies offers an excellent and diverse selection of seminars and classes for people interested in learning, and are not pursuing a degree. Contact them at 303-546-3578. In addition, Naropa unveiled a distance learning program in fall 1999. The distance learning program offers degree and nondegree Naropa classes over the internet. Click here for more.

How do I find housing in Boulder?

See Naropa's Housing Resources page, housing@naropa.edu.

What is the deferral policy for graduate applicants?

The following deferral policy applies to all of the graduate programs at Naropa University EXCEPT the MFA Writing and Poetics and the MFA Creative Writing programs.

At any point in the application process, you (the applicant) may defer your application for up to one academic year. To do so, email or write the admissions counselor who handles the program so that we have a written record of your decision to defer. If you defer before completing your application, you will defer at the same status. If you were accepted into the program, you lose your acceptance status. If you paid the $250 confirmation deposit, you forfeit the deposit. An admissions counselor will then contact you before the deadline for the following year (January 15) to see if you are still interested in applying to the program. If so, your current application will be sent to the department for review. If the department requires an in-person interview, you may be asked to schedule one, even if you had an in-person interview the previous year. Acceptance into the program is not guaranteed.

The following deferral policy applies to the MFA Writing and Poetics and the MFA Creative Writing programs:

You (the applicant) may defer twice, for a maximum of one academic year. Accepted applicants who defer for one semester retain their accepted status, while those who defer two or three semesters lose their acceptance status; their applications are reconsidered for admission closer to the relevant semester. Applicants who defer before completing their application will defer at the same status.

Deposits are made for a single specific semester and are not transferable, so it is recommended that applicants defer before placing a deposit. To defer for these programs contact the Admissions Counselor by email at donna@naropa.edu.

What are the similarities and differences between the three graduate programs that lead to licensure:  the MA Somatic Counseling Psychology, MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, and MA Contemplative Psychotherapy programs?

SIMILARITIES

• Program Length: All three programs are three years in duration (Transpersonal Counseling Psychology has a fourth year option if necessary; Somatic Counseling Psychology can be completed in four or five years ). 
• Professional Training:  Students get hands-on experience in the mental health field through placement in agencies during their practicums and in their final year during their 700-hour internships.
• Professional Outcome: The professional outcome of the three programs is also similar. Graduates from these programs are able to work in a variety of settings, including mental health agencies, Social Services, Human Resources departments, nonprofit agencies and private practice.
• Contemplative Practice: All of these programs have meditation requirements as a part of the core curriculum. The MA in Contemplative Psychotherapy meditation requirement extends throughout the duration of program to include five hours per week of sitting practice, regularly scheduled meetings with the student’s meditation instructor, specific classes (e.g. "Psychology and Meditation") and the Maitri program. This ongoing meditation requirement creates a common ground for the members of each class as they study and discuss the main principles of both Buddhist and Western psychology. The Transpersonal Counseling Psychology meditation requirement includes four classes (two years) of the Psychology of Meditation. During those classes the student fulfills a sitting practice requirement and meets regularly with his or her meditation instructor. However, continuation of meditation practice after the completion of the courses is up to the student.  The Somatic Counseling Psychology meditation requirement includes two credits of coursework in the first year.  In the Somatic Counseling Psychology program, contemplative practice also takes place through conscious engagement with movement and sensate awareness. 
• Developing the Therapist:  All the programs are similar in that they, to varying degrees, emphasize attendance to the personal and spiritual development of the therapist, with the aim of working more effectively with others.  While students develop skillful means to work in a variety of clinical settings, they learn to acknowledge their clients as whole human beings, by first uncovering and acknowledging their own innate qualities of wisdom and compassion.  

MAIN FEATURES OF EACH GRADUATE COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM

Contemplative Psychotherapy

Community:  The feature of intentional community is a strong learning component of the MA Contemplative Psychotherapy program. Students begin the program and take every class together, including the off-campus Maitri retreat. Community serves as a mirror to one’s mind as well as a continual laboratory for working with others. Classmates become a close intimate group during the three years of the program.

Contemplative Practice:  Because the ground of working with others is familiarity with one’s own experience, the program places great emphasis on student meditation practice and body/mind awareness.   

Buddhist and Western Psychology: The Contemplative Psychotherapy program is the only program in the US that joins psychotherapy training with Buddhist meditation and a deep understanding of the mind.  Grounded in the belief that one’s ability to be present with whatever arises in the moment is the foundation of meaningful psychotherapy, the program aims to assist future therapists in developing the abilities that allow them to form genuine healing relationships with their clients.   

Transpersonal Counseling Psychology

Transpersonal Counseling Psychology considers spirituality fundamental to wholeness.  The process of Transpersonal Counseling Psychology includes techniques derived from modern psychology, consciousness research and ancient spiritual practices.  Students engage in a process that emphasizes intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual awareness.

All three concentrations (Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy, and Wilderness Therapy) share a commitment to the transpersonal vision and excellence in counselor training. Flexibility in course scheduling, depending on the concentration, is a unique feature of the MA Transpersonal Counseling Psychology program, where each class is offered at a variety of times, including some evening classes.

Counseling Psychology:  The Counseling Psychology concentration offers both experiential and theoretical study.  Its primary methods include meditation, Gestalt awareness practice, and psychodynamic approaches and client-centered therapy.  Students have the opportunity to explore areas of personal interest through a variety of elective offerings. 

Art Therapy:  Approved by the American Art Therapy Association, the innovative Art Therapy concentration integrates intensive studies in the visual arts and the social sciences with psychotherapeutic skills.  The program prepares the student for additional credentialing as a Registered Art Therapist.

Wilderness Therapy:  Grounded in nature’s ability to nurture spirituality and human wholeness, wilderness therapy refers to a broad field of psychology that utilizes wilderness as a context for therapeutic intervention.  The concentration offers students theoretical and practical experience in the fields of ecopsychology, ecology, adventure therapy, outdoor skills, and group dynamics and leadership.  Most of the second year takes place in outdoor settings. 

For more information on the Transpersonal Counseling Psychology programs, see

Somatic Counseling Psychology

By attending to the bodily foundation of experience, Somatic Counseling Psychology brings an appreciation of the unique role of the body and its movement to understanding and transforming human behavior.  In this approach, the body is the vessel of feeling, the tool of perception, the vehicle of action and the storehouse of memories and belief systems.  Based in awareness practices that draw from traditional cultures as well as modern neuroscience, the program provides students with the theoretical, clinical and professional skills to be effective psychotherapists, grounded in the integration of body, mind and spirit. 

The department offers two concentrations: Dance/Movement Therapy and Body Psychotherapy.

Dance/Movement Therapy:  Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process that furthers the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual.  Beyond the foundational Somatic Counseling Psychology curriculum, students in the DMT concentration are trained in classical as well as innovative forms of dance/movement therapy.  This program is approved by the American Dance Therapy Association, and graduates are qualifies to apply for the Dance Therapist Registered (DTR) credential upon graduation. 

Body Psychotherapy: The Body Psychotherapy (BP) concentration focused on integrating body work, movement, and somatic education principles with counseling and psychotherapy skills. Beyond the foundational Somatic Counseling Psychology curriculum, the students in the BP concentration are trained in traditional and innovative therapeutic practices with attention to sensation and body states, which allow unconscious material to manifest and be worked with using breath, touch, movement, sensation and imagery.