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Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Application Process & Policies

Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Application Process & Policies

The Naropa University Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies is designed for advanced professionals working in related therapeutic areas such as mental health counseling, medicine, chaplaincy, social work and other licensed practice areas.

Eligibility and Admissions Criteria
  • Applicants must hold an active license or registration in a counseling/psychotherapy field; a nursing or medical degree; or chaplaincy certification (BCCI); Licenses or certifications include: LSW/LCSW; LPC/LPCC; PhD psychologists; LMFT; MD; DO; acupuncturists; ND; PA; RN; PsyD.; BCCI, JD and others.


OR

  • Applicants must be in a post-doctorate, postgraduate internship, residency program, or have completed one unit of ACPE-Certified Clinical Pastoral Education by the time the program begins in May.
  • Applicants currently enrolled in the final year of a relevant graduate degree program with a clinical internship may be considered.
  • Federally recognized tribal enrolled Native Americans, First Nations, and Indigenous lineage carriers are encouraged to apply, regardless of clinical licensure.
  • On a limited basis, we will consider special cases for individuals working deeply in the psychedelic field who may not hold clinical licensure.


Per Lykos Therapeutics (formerly MAPS PBC) candidates for the optional MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Program add-on must meet
all of the following eligibility criteria: 

  • Hold an active medical or clinical license or are on track to obtain licensure through an advanced degree program or postgraduate professional experience
  • Completed or enrolled in specialty training in mental health OR demonstrate a minimum of 1,000 hours of experience providing behavioral health services 
  • Must live and work in U.S. and U.S. territories


Please note that the eligibility defined by Lykos Therapeutics is more narrow than what is required for Naropa’s certificate. Applicants who wish to add on the optional Lykos Therapeutics MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Program must be a psychiatrist or licensed mental health clinician. Licensed medical providers outside mental health specialties
must demonstrate additional training in mental health, such as IFS, Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, psychoanalytic training, and other trauma or behavioral health programs. 

On a limited space-available basis, Naropa may accept eligible participants who wish to complete only the MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Program add-on without enrolling in the full Naropa certificate program. Interested, eligible participants can join our waitlist, and will be notified if this option becomes available.

Naropa University especially encourages practitioners from historically underrepresented groups to apply and offers financial assistance as described below. Scholarships are awarded as part of Naropa’s commitment to helping promote diversity, equity, and access in the emerging field of psychedelic studies.

Questions about Program Eligibility

Please know that because Naropa assesses many factors in determining eligibility, it is difficult to determine in advance whether or not a prospective participant will be competitive for the program without a full application review. In general, trainees must be certified or licensed in their fields (or on the path to licensure or certification). Due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to provide an advance review of credentials for eligibility.

Live Info Sessions

Join us live online to ask questions and learn more about our 2024 Certificate program! You are welcome to attend the session that best fits your schedule. Simple advance registration is required. Click the links below to register.

 

Certificate
Info
Sessions

Thurs, January 18th, 2024,
Recording Now Available

With Sara Lewis, Ph.D, LCSW & Audra Barber, MA

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Info Sessions

Weds, January 31st, 2024,
5:00 – 6:00 pm MT 

With Victor Cabral, LSW & Syre Saniyah, Ph.D

Applications Open: Jan. 3, 2024

Applications Priority Deadline: Jan. 31, 2024

Current Admissions Status: Closed

Program Start: May 2024

Opening Retreat: May 15-19, 2024, Naropa University, Boulder, CO

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Event (Optional Add-on): July 18–23, 2024, 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA

Apprenticeship Training Retreat: Nov. 20-24, 2024, 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA

Program Ends: December 2024

Join us live online to ask questions and learn more about our 2024 Certificate program! Click the links below to register.

Thurs 1/18 — 12:00 – 1:00 pm MT
Recording Now Available

With Sara Lewis, Ph.D, LCSW & Audra Barber, MA

Thurs 1/31 — 5:00 – 6:00 pm MT
JEDI Info Session with Victor Cabral, LSW & Syre Saniyah, Ph.D

Key Program Dates

Applications Open: Jan. 3, 2024

Applications Priority Deadline: Jan. 31, 2024

Current Admissions Status: Closed

Program start: May 2024

Opening Retreat: May 15-19, 2024, Naropa University, Boulder, CO

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Event (Optional Add-on): July 18–23, 2024, 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA

Apprenticeship Training Retreat: Nov. 20-24, 2024, 1440 Multiversity, Scotts Valley, CA

Program Ends: December 2024

Application Process

Applications for the 2024 certificate program will be accepted through an online form beginning January 3, 2024. The program offers rolling admissions, meaning that applications will be reviewed as they are received until the program is filled. The priority deadline for applications is January 31, 2024. Naropa does not charge an application fee for the PAT certificate.

UPDATE: Due to high interest, 2024 program applications will close at 11:59 pm Mountain Time on March 1, 2024. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their completed materials by this deadline!

Applicants will be asked to submit the following as part of the application process: 

  • Education and licensure
  • Licensing board(s) and license/registration number where applicable
  • Total number of years of licensed care provided
  • Brief description of experience working with trauma and/or PTSD
  • Brief description of current treatment population, including the extent of service to marginalized communities (if any)
  • Interest and inspiration for working with Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
  • Contemplative practice experience
  • Brief description of strengths and growth edges as related to this program
  • A 3-minute video submission
  • Scholarship essay for eligible/interested applicants

Financial Assistance

Scholarships for Diverse, Historically Excluded, Underrepresented Groups

With generous support from donors, partner organizations, and related charitable initiatives, we offer various types of financial assistance, including Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarships, as well as support for specific program aspects, such as select Apprenticeship Training Retreats, in an effort to support program access for a diverse and dynamic cohort.

Naropa believes that psychedelic therapy may be a tool to support a just and equitable future. We recognize the need to support the training of psychedelic-assisted therapists from historically underrepresented groups to facilitate this vision. Historically-underrepresented groups include but are not limited to People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, military service members and veterans, persons with disabilities, those experiencing economic marginalization with demonstrated financial need, and those with related experience.

Members of historically underrepresented groups and those with related experience are especially encouraged to apply for JEDI scholarships, however, an applicant’s gender identity, race and/or national origin will not be a determining factor in the selection process:

Native American, Indigenous, and First Nations People

A limited number of full scholarships are available, with preference given to federally-recognized tribally enrolled members Native American, Indigenous, and/or First Nations individuals. Applicants are invited to submit a letter of support from an elder or tribal community member for consideration. 

People of the Global Majority (PGM)

People who identify as a Person of the Global Majority including those of Indigenous, African, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), Latine, Southwest Asia and North Africa/Middle Eastern and North African (SWANA/MENA), and other multiracial descent. 

LGBTQIA+ 

People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, two spirit, as well as others under the queer spectrum and/or those marginalized due to their gender and/or expression. People who identify as trans are especially encouraged to apply.

Military Service/Veterans

Active military service members, including Reserves, and military veterans.

People with Disabilities

People affected by or living with disabilities, chronic illness, and/or neurodivergence. Describe your qualifications for services or protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or if you otherwise identify as an individual with disabilities

Socioeconomic Accessibility

People whose self-reported income is in the lowest income bracket and experience economic marginalization. We are aware that multiple considerations can impact socioeconomic accessibility, including household size and number of dependents, expendable income, access to generational wealth, and debt-to-income ratio.

Continuing Education

In 2022 and 2023, the certificate program was approved to offer 40 hours of CE credits for certain credentials through the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA). Every effort will be made to offer the same to the 2024 cohort. CE credits for eligible credentials are included in the cost of program tuition.

Information on Continuing Education Credit for Health Professionals: 

  • CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 
  • The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. 
  • LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. 
  • SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their Certificate of Attendance for 4 years after the course concludes. 


For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact psychedelicstudies@naropa.edu. For questions about CE, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com.

Payment & Withdrawal Policies

Certificate Program Tuition Cost: $7,500

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Program (Optional add-on): $4,000

Retreat Costs

Program Tuition includes all course content conducted during each of the required program  in-person retreats and education events. Travel costs and accommodation for these retreats are not included in the certificate program tuition.

Opening Retreat: Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and lodging in the Boulder area. Naropa will provide on-site breakfast, catered lunch and refreshments, as well as basic travel information and resources for finding accommodation.

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Event (Optional add-on): Participants are responsible for booking their preferred retreat room and board directly with 1440 Multiversity via a dedicated registration gateway. Pricing ranges from $165 – $385 per night depending on lodging option, which is offered at cost and reflects Naropa’s special discounted rate for the program.

Apprenticeship Training Retreat: Participants are responsible for booking their preferred retreat room and board directly with 1440 Multiversity via a dedicated registration gateway. Pricing ranges from $165 – $385 per night depending on lodging option, which is offered at cost and reflects Naropa’s special discounted rate for the program.

Tuition Deposit

Once an applicant is offered admission to the 2024 program, an initial deposit of $1,500 of tuition cost is due by March 31, 2024. This tuition deposit payment will secure registration in the program.

Payment Plans

Should program participants require a payment plan, the remaining tuition, less any scholarships or other awarded aid, can be paid in six monthly installments.

Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Tuition – $7,500

MDMA-Assisted Therapy Education Program (Optional Add-on) – additional $4,000 


Opening Retreat – budget $150-$250/night for Boulder area lodging, plus travel and evening meals

Education Event (Optional Add-on) – budget $165 – $385/night for 1440 Multiversity depending on lodging preference, plus travel

Apprenticeship Retreat – budget $165 – $385/night for 1440 Multiversity depending on lodging preference, plus travel


In an effort to maximize participant access to the program, we have modified the 2024 curriculum to optimize the use of in-person and online education delivery, thereby reducing the overall number of required in-person retreat days. This cost estimate is provided as a courtesy and may differ based on individual participant’s lodging preferences. Participants will be fully responsible for costs not included in program tuition.

Due to the contemplative, cohort-based nature of this intensive training program, participants are strongly encouraged to commit to completing the entire program in a single iteration. However, participants who wish to withdraw may do so in accordance with the following policies. Requests for withdrawal must be documented in writing to the Directors and Coordinator for the program, and may require a meeting to ensure a mutually supportive transition. Tuition refund will be determined based on the program’s published policy and the documented date of the participant’s request (see below).  


Withdraws:
The following is the withdrawal fee schedule for participants who may choose to withdraw. Any scholarships, awarded aid, and processing fees will be deducted before refund, if any, is determined. Participants who have withdrawn may reapply for a future iteration of the program, but will be required to pay full tuition and complete all coursework for the new year. 

  • If a participant withdraws by April 13, 2024, all tuition paid to date will be refunded, less a $250 processing fee.
  • If a participant withdraws by July 6, 2024, then 50% of their full tuition (less any financial assistance) will be due, and the remainder will be refunded. 
  • If a participant withdraws on or after August 3, 2024, then the participant will be responsible for the full program tuition cost (less any financial assistance).

     

Please note that for withdrawals, scholarships and discounts do not carry forward from the original year: new application statements for scholarships and discounts must be submitted and reviewed. Tuition fees, including deposits, cannot be applied toward other Naropa programs.


Deferrals:
Because our program evolves each year in keeping with the rapidly changing nature of this field, accepted applicants may not defer their acceptance, and will need to reapply in a future year should they choose not to enroll in 2024. This includes those who begin the program and withdraw.

It is important to note that participants must complete the entire curriculum to earn the certificate. 


Live Classes
: Saturday virtual live classes are a critical aspect of the certificate program. For every live class missed, participants must write and submit a short reflection paper about the content in the corresponding module. If a participant misses more than two live sessions, they may be required to attend the closest equivalent live session the following year of the program.  Please note that participants’ certificate of completion will be held until all make-up work has been addressed in full. 

Clinical Skills Practice Groups: Participants may miss one practice group meeting without penalty. After the first absence, participants are required to write and submit a short reflection paper about the topic of the missed session. If a participant misses more than three practice group meetings, they will need to return the following year to continue with the certificate unless an exception to policy is granted in writing.

Participants who miss substantial live class sessions in full or part may be asked to complete the relevant portion(s) of the certificate training with a future program cohort, and the participant’s certificate conferral may accordingly be delayed. When possible, the Program Directors will work with participants to find reasonable solutions for unavoidable scheduling conflicts. Participants assume full responsibility for ensuring timely program completion, including any necessary make-up work.

Special Circumstances for Lykos Therapeutics Modules at Naropa University: We recommend an applicant carefully consider the cohort they are applying for and the dates of that cohort’s live education event(s). Participants are required to attend the designated dates for all classes, as well as a full MDMA-assisted therapy education event, within their cohort year. If an attendee misses 3-6 cumulative hours of any portion of the live events due to an emergency or illness, they are required to complete a makeup assignment. All coursework, including any makeup coursework due to missing a portion of the live events, must be completed to receive a certificate of Participation. Please note that attendees that miss 7 or more hours of the live events will be ineligible for a certificate of participation. Attendees are not eligible for makeup coursework if they cumulatively miss 7 or more hours of any portion of the live events.

Due to the sensitive nature of the content, Lykos Therapeutics does not permit the recording of education events for make-up or other use. It is ultimately the participant’s responsibility to determine and confirm make-up arrangements with Naropa. We therefore strongly recommend that applicants carefully consider the dates of our program’s MDMA-assisted therapy education event, including the live event portions, to ensure that full attendance at all Lykos Therapeutics components will be possible within the year of your admittance.

Governmental, University and vendor guidelines may continue to change in response to COVID variants. All certificate program retreats and education events will be held in person as described above unless prohibited by relevant governmental, University or vendor restrictions. In such cases, impacted retreat(s) will be moved fully online. There is otherwise no online-only option for retreats. Please note that attendance at the Program’s residential retreats is mandatory. All attendees are responsible for the costs of travel to the program retreats and Naropa is not responsible for refunding travel costs to participants who are unable to attend. 


All 2024 retreats will be held in person. In order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, Naropa University strongly encourages all participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We strongly encourage all participants to mask and take other relevant precautions during transit to each retreat, especially when traveling by air, to help ensure a safe and healthy retreat container for all. All participants must provide proof of a negative FDA-approved at-home test, rapid antigen, or PCR test taken within 24 hours prior to the start of each retreat. Participants are required to adhere to all health and safety measures as determined by Naropa University and partner retreat sites. Naropa University reserves the right to modify the delivery of or cancel retreats in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Participants who wish to seek any exception to the above-stated Withdrawal, Payments and Refund policies due to a medical emergency or extenuating circumstances may present a formal written petition to the Program Administrators via email. Petitions must provide a detailed summary and timeline of the relevant circumstance, and must be accompanied by supporting documentation. Completed petitions must be submitted in full within 30 calendar days of the last day of the program in which the participant was enrolled, or within 30 calendar days of the relevant due date or deadline, whichever is first.

The online components of the certificate program are primarily facilitated via Zoom along with industry-leading learning management software platforms, all of which include built-in accessibility features. The Opening Retreat will be held within ADA-accessible spaces at Naropa University’s Main Campus. The Intensives will be held at 1440 Multiversity, where most facilities are fully ADA accessible. Certificate program staff will notify 1440 of any accessibility needs. 

Admitted program participants requesting support services and/or reasonable accommodations from Naropa University are required to submit documentation of a qualified disability to verify eligibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Disability Resources policies. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with qualified disabilities after appropriate review by Naropa’s Office of Accessibility. For more information please contact psychedelicstudies@naropa.edu.

Consistent with its obligations under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act Amendments of 1985, the Naropa University Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies does not require the use of psychedelic substances by certificate program participants in order to successfully complete the training. As described for the 2024 certificate program, there are two options available for Apprenticeship Training Retreats. Throughout the program, participants will be educated in the competencies required for Federally-approved medical treatment and psychedelic research. Participation in Apprenticeship Training Retreats or Immersive Experience opportunities involving ketamine, psilocybin or other medicines shall be entirely voluntary, and all reference to such options will be to clinics or facilitators located in jurisdictions where the use of these substances for therapeutic or educational purposes is legal under both foreign and domestic laws at the federal level.

Commitment to Anti-Oppressive, Brave Space Learning Environment

Certificate program trainees are expected to contribute to the creation of an anti-oppressive, brave space learning environment by interrogating systems of oppression, engaging in their own inner work of examining their intersecting identities and experiences of power and privilege, and centering the experience of those most impacted. Our work is dedicated to going beyond espousing commitments to social justice; we are committed to embodying these commitments and operationalizing them in practice. We acknowledge that this is a process, and as such we are moving toward an aspirational goal of anti-oppressive space, which often requires a deep unlearning of ways of being that have been culturally ingrained over generations. We invite trainees to join us in this practice with gentleness, personal and collective accountability, and an openness to learning and growth.


Please see the Center’s Integrity Commitments for more details and resources.

Certificate Program and University Policy

Non-degree certificate program enrollment does not constitute admission to a Naropa University degree program. Non-degree certificate program participants are not eligible to earn a degree. Those seeking a degree must apply for the specific academic program of interest. Should a non-degree certificate program participant later enroll in a Naropa University degree program, no hours or work completed for a certificate program shall apply toward the requirements of a degree program. Participants registered in a non-degree certificate program are not eligible for federal financial aid, Naropa University student scholarships, or student employment positions. Non-degree certificate program financial assistance, including program scholarships and need-based aid, is administered by the respective program and is in no way related to Title IV federal financial aid funds.

Contact Us

You are welcome to email directly at any time: psychedelicstudies@naropa.edu. Questions about Program Eligibility? Please know that because Naropa and Lykos Therapeutics assess many factors in determining eligibility, it is difficult to determine in advance whether or not a prospective participant will be competitive for the program without a full application review. See Eligibility and Admissions Criteria for more information. Please sign up for the virtual open houses or open office hour sessions with the Center to get more information.

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you.

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.