1. What is Naropa University?
2. Is Naropa accredited?
3. How was Naropa University started?
4. Do you have to be Buddhist to attend Naropa?
5. What role will Buddhism play in my education?
6. What is contemplative education?
7. What if I don’t want to earn a degree at Naropa University?
8. How much will it cost to attend Naropa?
9. Does Naropa offer in-state tuition discounts?
10. Do you require SAT/ACT exams?
11. Do you require a TOEFL exam for international students?
12. What are the demographics for the undergraduate program?
13. What type of housing does Naropa University provide?
14. What is Naropa’s relationship with the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU)?
15. What if I have been home schooled?
16. What if I have a GED versus a high school diploma?
17. Will my credits transfer to Naropa?
18. What is the difference between quarter and semester credits?
19. What kind of things are Naropa graduates doing with their careers?
20. If you're considering deferring, our deferral policy is:

Naropa University's undergraduate program is a four-year, fully accredited bachelor degree granting program. We accept first-time students, as well as first year, sophomore and junior transfers into our university. Our core curriculum, is a highly individualized program in which first and second-year students work closely with faculty to create a path of study. Naropa University offers eleven undergraduate majors in: Contemplative Psychology, Visual Arts, Environmental Studies, Writing and Literature, Early Childhood Education, Music, Peace Studies, Religious Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, Traditional Eastern Arts and a BFA in Performance.

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 Naropa University started?

Naropa University represents the vision of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Trungpa Rinpoche, a Buddhist meditation master, scholar and teacher who lived between 1940 and 1987, 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, such as aikido, yoga or meditation.

Do you have to be a Buddhist to attend Naropa?

Naropa University is nonsectarian and open to all. The mission of the school is to create a safe container where students of all faiths can explore their spirituality. A Naropa education is marked by a spirited interchange among persons of diverse views and traditions, provoking a greater understanding of the breadth of human experience. The majority of our students are not Buddhist, nor are the majority of faculty and staff.

What role will Buddhism play in my education?

Naropa University's learning philosophy of contemplative education (see next question) is rooted in Buddhist tradition. The integration of contemplative disciplines into curriculum can help a student devote his or her full attention to their studies, classmates and community at large.

Most classes in each of our eleven majors integrates varying degrees of Buddhist philosophies and traditions. One may open with a short period of silence, another may require meditation practice, while another will be conducted as a traditional college course. Students can integrate Buddhism into their experience at Naropa as much as they desire.

What is contemplative education?

Contemplative education balances the study of specific academic and artistic fields with traditional practices for training in present moment awareness. Through the practice of contemplative disciplines such as sitting meditation, t'ai-chi ch'uan, yoga and many others, students develop a sense of awareness that assists the absorption and assimilation of new information, as well as synchronizing body, mind and spirit. The contemplative approach inspires openness, inquisitiveness and kindness to oneself and others. Students enrolled in Naropa University must complete two to four courses in contemplative practice prior to graduation.

What if I don’t want to earn a degree at Naropa University?

Naropa University offers a Visiting Student Program for anyone who would like to study with us for either a summer (Summer Writing Program only), semester or an academic year. Visiting students must apply for admission by filling out a visiting student application. Students visiting from other colleges or universities may not receive Naropa’s financial aid, however we are willing to sign consortium agreements with their home college to enable them to receive federal financial aid while visiting Naropa. Visiting students work with an admissions counselor to create a full-time academic schedule that suits their needs. Learn more about the Visiting Student Program by clicking here.

How much will it cost to attend Naropa?

Tuition and fees: $23,420
Books: $1,200
On-Campus Room and Board: $7,758
Misc: $3,402
Transportation: $1,300
TOTAL: $37, 080

For sophomore, junior and senior students who would like to live off-campus, the estimated room and board cost is $8,478.

Does Naropa offer in-state tuition discounts?

Naropa is a private institution, and therefore, there is no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Do you require the SAT/ACT exams?

Naropa University operates a test-optional admissions program. If you would like to submit ACT and/or SAT scores, we would be happy to include them in our review process. Our ACT code is 4853 and our SAT code is 0908. Of our first-year students who entered in the fall of 2008, 24% submitted their ACT scores with an average score of 25. The average SAT score was 1756.

Do you require a TOEFL exam for international students?

Applicants who are citizens of a country in which English is not the primary language must send documentation of English proficiency in order to be admitted to the university. Proof may include the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TOEFL scores of 550 for undergraduate applicants (for the paper test, the computer based test score needs to be 213 or above), and a score of 600 is required for graduate applicants (for the paper test, the computer based test score needs to be 250 or above). It takes approximately four to six months from the time the applicant first contacts TOEFL for scores to reach our Admissions Office. Applicants who take the exam in Europe (including Cyprus, Great Britain, Iceland, and Turkey) should write to CITO TOEFL, P.O. Box 1203, 6801 BE Arnhem, Netherlands or phone (609) 882-6601 to locate the nearest TOEFL center. Applicants should request that scores be sent directly to Naropa University (school code: 3342).

What are the demographics for the undergraduate program?

Total Undergraduate Enrollment: 464
Female: 61%; Male: 39%
Caucasian: 74%; Hispanic/Latino: 4%; Asian American: 3%, Black/African American: 3%; Native American/Alask Native: 3%; Multiracial: 1%; Did not respond: 11%; International: 3%
In-State: 28%, Out-of-State: 69%; International: 3%; First Generation Students: 27, 17%
Average Age: 24
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Average Class Size: 13
Class Size Range: 2–32
Students Receiving Financial Aid: 70%
Pell-Eligible: 48%
Average Aid Package: $24,637
First-year students: 45; Average Age: 19

What type of housing does Naropa University provide?

Naropa University provides housing for first time students, and first-year transfer students.  You may click here for more information on Naropa University Housing. All other Naropa students live off campus in a variety of living situations. Our housing coordinator would be happy to assist you in finding resources for your search. You may contact the housing coordinator at housing@naropa.edu or 303-245-4621. Visit our housing resources page.

What is Naropa’s relationship with the University of Colorado at Boulder?

Naropa University students may take classes offered through the University of Colorado Access program or through the Boulder Evening program for the Colorado in-state tuition rate and may apply it to their Naropa degree program. Students must work with their academic advisor to get approval for this process. Naropa students may also take advantage of many of the services and activities CU offers including the Rocky Mountain Regions largest collection of books, publications and periodicals found in the five branches of Norlin Library, as well as various performing art and musical performances, cultural events and the Conference on World Affairs.

What if I have been home educated?

Naropa University welcomes applications from home-educated students. In lieu of a high school transcript, Naropa University requests that home-educated students present a portfolio of their work completed during their high school years. Home educated students may be creative in their presentation, but at a minimum, the portfolio should include the following:

• A narrative describing the subjects studied per year and the modes of learning for each subject
• A list of extracurricular/community activities, such as team sports, volunteer positions and dance classes
• A list of any academic achievements during high school that support academic preparedness for college, such as internship positions
• A parent, teacher, mentor, or boss narrative
• A self-evaluation of their work and how it contributed to their intellectual growth
• Transcripts from any college level courses taken (if applicable)
• Transcripts from any mainstream high school courses taken (if applicable)
• SAT and/or ACT scores are optional

What if I have a GED versus a high school diploma?

Naropa will accept a GED in lieu of a high school diploma. It is recommended that students submit a transcript from any high school attended. Students must submit an official copy of their GED with their admission application.

Will my credits transfer to Naropa?

Naropa University accepts many forms of transfer credit, including the following: Naropa University accepts many forms of transfer credit, including the following: Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Exams, CLEP scores, DSST scores, DANTES Exams, some military credit, and most credits with a grade of C or above from regionally accredited colleges. Naropa will transfer in a maximum of 60 credits, which may be applied only to core requirements or electives (not major requirements). For detailed information on the core curriculum, please click here. Students must complete an additional 60 credits at Naropa. Naropa will accept a maximum 30 credits that are of a vocational nature and a maximum of 30 of AP or IB credits.

Students should be aware that all prior transcripts or potential credits should be submitted to Naropa for evaluation.  Unofficial transcripts, including those marked "Issued-to-Student" or not sent from the transcript institution, will not be accepted. Please be sure to submit these materials as early as possible in the application process to ensure your best chance at getting the classes you need.  Naropa enrolls fall semester start students in up to six credits of core area requirements and we require your transcripts to properly place you.

After evaluation, students are permitted one semester to make any appeals to their transcript evaluation or submit additional transcripts for courses completed before matriculation at Naropa. 

Additionally, once transferred in, transfer credit cannot be removed from your record. 

Transfer Students

Students who have completed 30 semester credits or more are eligible to apply directly to a Bachelor of Arts major or the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance. Of the 120 total semester credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree, the final 60 must be taken at Naropa University. Residency is required in the first semester.

Establishing Transfer Credits

College-level courses completed at regionally accredited institutions of higher education with a grade of at least “C” must be counted toward transfer credit. A maximum of 60 credits will be accepted. A pass, credit or satisfactory grade is not accepted unless the transcript states it is equal to a “C” or that the course was offered for pass/fail only. A maximum of 30 technical or vocational credits will be accepted. No physical education credits will be accepted unless they resemble courses offered at Naropa.

No contemplative practice credits will be accepted to fulfill core requirements; these may only be applied as electives. Naropa does not award transfer credit for remedial courses taken in college. Once credit has been transferred, it cannot be removed from the student record.

The categories below describe ways of earning transfer credit for learning completed outside the traditional college classroom. AP, IB and other forms of nontraditional transfer credit such as CLEP may not be counted toward major, minor or prerequisite requirements. A maximum of 30 semester credits may be earned through a combination of the following alternative transfer possibilities:

1. College Level Examination Program

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a national program administered by the College Board to measure college-level learning completed outside the traditional college classroom. Naropa University grants up to 30 semester credits for all exams passed in subject areas that do not duplicate prior college course work, using the minimum passing score recommended by the American Council on Education.

For more information about the College Level Examination Program, including a list of exams, exam centers and registration information, please visitwww.collegeboard.com.

2. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate

Naropa University accepts both advanced placement and international baccalaureate credit.

• AP exams with a score of 3, 4 or 5 are granted 3 semester credits each.

• AP exams may not be allowed to fulfill core requirements but are brought in as electives with the exception of COR 110/Writing Seminar I.

• IB Diploma: 30 college credits and sophomore standing will be given if all six examinations received the score of 4 or above. If any exam score was under 4, 6 college credits will be given for HL scores above a 4 and 3 college credits will be given for every SL score above a 5.

• For students who took IB courses but did not seek anIB Diploma, 3 college credits will be given for HL scores of 4 or above. No college credits will be given for SL scores.

3. DSST/DANTES Exams

DSST/DANTES exams are available in a wide range of topics. Naropa University grants up to 30 semester credits for all exams passed in subject areas that do not duplicate prior college course work, using a minimum passing score recommended by the American Council of Education. See www.getcollegecredit.com for more information.

4. Naropa University also transfers in credit from an official military transcript.

Applicants Educated Outside the U.S.A.

Applicants (including U.S. citizens and permanent residents educated outside the United States) must have all non-U.S. records of secondary and postsecondary education—including grades earned for individual subjects—evaluated by a professional evaluation service (such as Joseph Silny or AACRAO) and forwarded to the Naropa Admissions Office for evaluation with other application materials. In these cases, transcripts are not required to be sent directly to Naropa from the non-U.S. school or college.

Transcript Evaluations

Once a student is accepted to Naropa University, the Registrar’s Office will prepare a transcript evaluation, documenting all transferable credit and how it applies toward the core requirements. Upon arrival at Naropa, new students should meet with their advisors to approve the transcript evaluation. Students have only their first semester at Naropa to make any changes to this document. This includes any course work or AP/IB exams taken before matriculation that may not have been sent to the Office of Admissions. After one semester, no changes may be made.

What is the difference between quarter and semester credits?

Naropa University operates on a semester system; therefore, all credit granted is in semester hours or credits. If you are transferring to Naropa from a college or university that has used the quarter system you can expect that you will lose some credits in the total transfer. For example, if you took a class for 4 quarter credit, it would equal 2.5 semester credits. The table below displays the quarter hour to semester hour conversion.