Program Information
Transform Yourself. Transform the World.
At Naropa University you will be earning more than just a bachelor’s degree. You will enter a transformative process. Through the alchemical process of contemplative education you will meet: Yourself. Your community. A creative space for exploration. Resilience, presence and compassion will be your friends along the way. Naropa provides the crucible-like container to facilitate transformative change.
Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a private, nonprofit, liberal arts university offering many unique undergraduate degree programs. Our undergraduate majors are in the arts, education, environmental studies, peace studies, psychology and religious studies disciplines.
Transfer students follow the same application process and are afforded all of the same benefits as first-time students. Please submit all college transcripts, as well as high school transcripts when applying for admission.
Meet BA Art Therapy Student Luci Gaddie
Luci Gaddie is an undergraduate student majoring in Art Therapy at Naropa University. She is involved with various student groups on campus, including serving as student representative on the Naropa Board of Trustees and as a Student Union of Naropa officer for visual arts programs and students who are BIPOC. In their role on the board of trustees, Gaddie acts as an advocate for the student voice and hopes to help build sustainable, artistic, BIPOC spaces.
Originally from Houston Texas, Gaddie moved to Boulder to attend Naropa. She speaks about how her experience has been transformative personally and professionally.
Find Your Undergraduate Major
Find Your Undergraduate Minor
A minor is an optional, 12-credit academic specialization within a focused curricular area.
New Psychedelic Studies Minor
Also offered online
Naropa University’s BA Psychedelic Studies Minor equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the emerging field of psychedelic studies, while fostering critical thinking and ethical awareness. At the heart of our curriculum is a humanities-focused approach, offering a comprehensive introduction to psychedelic practices. We delve into the rich tapestry of history, examining the development and cultural appropriation of psychedelic traditions. Through rigorous coursework, students develop the analytical tools needed to tackle the complex challenges inherent in this evolving industry.
While our program does not aim to train students to conduct psychedelic-assisted therapy, it serves as a springboard for thoughtful exploration of key issues in the field. Similar to pre-law or pre-med concentrations, our minor provides a solid foundation for engaging in meaningful dialogues surrounding the therapeutic, spiritual, and communal dimensions of psychedelics.
Required Course
INTD-220/220E Introduction to Psychedelic Studies (3)
Choose 9 Credits from the Following Courses:
- PSYB-354/354E Transpersonal Psychology (3)
- PSYB-415/415E Maitri: Working With Emotions (3)
- PSYB-471/471E Theories of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies (3)
- PSYB-495/495e Advanced Practicum in Psychological Research (3)
- WRI-490/490E Special Topics: White Rabbit: The Poetry of Psychedelics
- PSYB-440/440E Science of Psychedelics (3)
- REL-360/360E Religion & Psychedelics (3)
- ENV-415/415E Ecopsychedelics
Art Therapy Minor
Also offered online
Required Courses
- ATH-230 Introduction to Art Therapy (3)
- ATH-330 Art Therapy Theory and Applications (3)
- ATH-430 Art Therapy Studio Methods (3)
- PSYB-314 Psychology of Mindfulness Meditation (3)
Total Credits 12
Contemplative Education Minor
Choose 12 credits from the following courses:
- EDU-245 Multicultural Education & Contemplative Critical Pedagogy (3)
- EDU-300 Nature and Education (3)
- EDU-330 Holistic & Contemplative Teaching Methods (3)
- EDU-370 Teaching the Exceptional Student in the General Education Classroom (3)
- EDU-445 Multicultural Children’s Literature (3)
Total Credits 12
Contemplative Martial Arts Minor
To minor in Contemplative Martial Arts, students must complete 9 practice credits in one Contemplative Martial Arts discipline (Taijiquan or Aikido) plus 3 credits in another Contemplative Martial Arts course.
Total Credits 12
Creative Writing & Literature Minor
Also offered online
To minor in Creative Writing & Literature, students may choose any 12 undergraduate WRI credits. This can include Summer Writing Program (2–6 credits).
Total Credits 12
Environmental Studies Minor
Also offered online
To minor in Environmental Studies, students may choose any 12 undergraduate ENV credits.
Total Credits 12
Gender & Women's Studies Minor
Required Courses
- INTD-210 Introduction to Gender & Women’s Studies (3)
- INTD-310 Feminist & Queer Theory Methods of Inquiry (3)
Choose 6 credits from the following courses:
- PSYB-355 Dynamics of Intimate Relationships (3)
- REL-212 Queer Theory, Feminism & Religion (3)
- REL-334 Hindu Tantra (3)
- WRI-441 Literature Seminar: Women Writers (3)
- Special Topics upon approval of INTD program chair
Total Credits 12
Leadership Minor
Only Offered Online
Required Course
- COL-220E Exploring Leadership (3)
Choose 9 credits from the following courses:
- PSYB-474E Leadership Development(3)
- INTD-350E Nonprofit Organization Skills(3)
- PAX-370E Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship(3)
- ENV-401E Environmental Leadership Skills(3)
- ENV-250E Restorative Principles and Practices(3)
- COL-450E Internship(3)
- INTD-301E Gateway to Design Thinking(3)
Total Credits 12
Music Minor
To enhance experience in the arts, students may wish to pursue a minor in Music. Students may choose any 12 music credits to fulfill minor requirements.
Total Credits 12
Performance Minor
To enhance experience in the arts, students may wish to pursue a minor in Performance. Students may choose any 12 performance credits to fulfill minor requirements.
Total Credits 12
Psychology Minor
Also offered online
To minor in Psychology, students may choose any 12 Psychology credits.
Total Credits 12
Religious Studies Minor
Also offered online
Required Courses
Choose 3 credits
- REL-150 Buddhist Journey of Transformation: An Introduction (3)
- REL-210 Religion & Mystical Experience (3)
- REL-247 Embodying Sacred Wisdom: Modern Saints (3)
Choose 9 credits
- REL-150 Buddhist Journey of Transformation: An Introduction (3)
- REL-158W Breeze of Simplicity: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL-160 Meditation Practicum I: Freeing the Mind (3)
- REL-210 Religion & Mystical Experience (3)
- REL-212 Queer Theory, Feminism, and Religion (3)
- REL-229 Contemplative Judaism (3)
- REL-240 Integrating One’s Inner and Outer World (3)
- REL-247 Embodying Sacred Wisdom: Modern Saints (3)
- REL-250 Spirituality and Creative Expression (3)
- REL-255W Opening the Heart: Meditation Weekend (1)
- REL-314 Contemplative Islam: An Introduction to Its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
- REL-321 Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)
- REL-323 Religious Experience in Africa: Flash of the Spirit (3)
- REL-325 Contemplative Christianity (3)
- REL-334 Hindu Tantra (3)
- REL-338 Sufism: An Introduction to its History, Thought, and Practice (3)
- REL-345 Zen Buddhism (3)
- REL-346 Wisdom and Compassion: A Buddhist Path (3)
- REL-351 Theories of Alternate Spiritualities and New Religious Movements (3)
- REL-355 Introductory Sanskrit: Language of the Gods (3)
Total Credits 12
Note: For students interested in taking courses on Buddhism, it is recommended that they be taken in the following order: (1) REL-150 and/or REL-240, (2); REL-346, (3); REL-348. The additional meditation courses, including REL-345: Zen Buddhism, can be taken at any time.
Sanskrit Language Minor
Also offered online
Sanskrit may be taken to fulfill a minor requirement. A sequence of four courses (4 credits each) is offered in Sanskrit. The requirement of the minor is to take the first three of these four courses. However, students are encouraged to consider taking the fourth semester of the language as an elective.
- REL-277 Sanskrit I (4)
- REL-287 Sanskrit II (4)
- REL-377 Sanskrit III (4)
Total Credits 12
Visual Arts Minor
Also offered online
To minor in Visual Arts, students may choose any 12 Visual Arts credits. At least one World Art course is recommended.
Total Credits 12
Yoga Studies Minor
Also offered online
To minor in Yoga Studies, students must complete 9 practice credits in yoga plus 3 credits in another Yoga Studies course.
Total Credits 12
