Part-time, Non-degree Students
The part-time, non-degree student program allows an individual to take Naropa classes for credit as a nonmatriculated student. Part-time, non-degree students need not apply through the Office of Admissions. Students with part-time status may register for 0.5 to 11.5 undergraduate credits per semester or 0.5 to 8.5 graduate credits per semester. Those wishing to take more credits must apply through the Visiting Student Program. Courses are only open to the public on a space-available basis, and not all classes are open to the public. Contact the registrar’s office at 303-546-3500 or visit the Public Registration tab on MyNaropa for more information.
There are a several ways to attend Naropa University as a non-degree student. Students may take courses for noncredit through Naropa's Extended Studies program. Students may also take online classes for credit or noncredit through our Distance Learning Program. Lastly, students may take some of our on-campus courses for credit.
Please see Naropa University Extended Studies for extensive noncredit course offerings. Non-degree students may not audit other Naropa classes. Please keep in mind that courses taken for noncredit are not graded, will not be recorded in a transcript, receive no academic credit, and cannot be transferred into a degree program. They cannot be converted to credit at any later date.
Non-degree students can take many online classes for credit or noncredit. See Distance Learning at Naropa for information including list of classes, FAQ, credit and noncredit options, tuition and fees, demonstration classes, and directions on registering for online classes. Please keep in mind that courses taken for noncredit are not graded, will not be recorded in a transcript, receive no academic credit, and cannot be transferred into a degree program. They cannot be converted to credit at any later date.
Non-degree students seeking credit can register for some Naropa courses on a space-available basis. Please see the schedule of courses available to the public for a complete list. Each semester non-degree students may take a maximum of 11 undergraduate credits or 8 graduate credits. Students wishing to take more credits should apply as visiting students.
Complete instructions on how to register as an on-campus non-degree student.
Start by looking at the "Courses Available to the Public" schedule for a complete list of classes available to you. Students who wish to take a course that isn't on the "Courses Available to the Public" list must obtain permission from the department on the registration form. Departments can be reached by calling 303-444-0202; emailed permission is also accepted.
If a class has a prerequisite or a special requirement (as indicated in the schedule), the student must confirm with the instructor before the first day of class in order to ensure that they are properly prepared for the course. Students who fail to confirm with the instructor run the risk of being asked to leave the course if they do not meet the prerequisites. Students should get in contact with faculty through the department by contacting the department administrator. In some cases, the department administrator may contact the instructor on the student's behalf.
Non-degree students must complete the following two forms and submit them with payment in full during the registration period. Forms and payment must be submitted to
Student Administrative Services, Naropa University, 2130 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302 (fax 303-546-3536). Offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration periods, including add/drop dates, are available in our course schedules. Please note that some courses have alternate calendars.
Nondegree students must adhere to all Naropa policies and procedures. A current copy of the academic catalog and academic policies is available at the Naropa Library.
For assistance or questions, please contact Student Administrative Services at 303-546-3500 and ask for the non-degree student registration coordinator.
Tuition and Fee Information
Non-degree students do not pay a registration fee.
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- Tuition for academic credit at Naropa is dependent on the program, ranging from $750-$1,090 per credit. For example, if you are interested in earning credit for a 3-credit on-campus course with a cost of $750 per credit, the cost would be $2,250.
- To register for non-credit, the cost is $250 per class.
- Some courses have specific fees associated with them. This information can be found in the schedule. Refer to the course listing in the academic catalog.
Payment in full is due at the time of registration although it will not be processed until admission in the class is confirmed. Payments are accepted in the form of cash, check, and MasterCard/Visa. For questions about tuition and for credit card payments by phone, contact the Coordinator of Student Accounts at 303-546-3554 or email tuition@naropa.edu. Federal financial aid is not available for non-degree students, though some scholarships may be available through Naropa University.
Confirmation of Enrollment
All non-degree students can attend class from the first session, but formal entry into class will be determined on the first day after the course add/drop period (when space availability is finalized). Students will then be notified by email regarding their registration status. Tuition and fee payments will not be processed if there are no spaces available.
CU Student Discounts
University of Colorado degree-seeking students may be eligible for a discount when taking campus-based Tibetan and Sanskrit courses for credit. Contact the Coordinator of Student Accounts for current discount levels. CU students are allocated spaces in Tibetan and Sanskrit courses immediately upon receipt of registration materials and payment.
Transfer Policies
There are specific transfer policies for graduate and undergraduate programs. If you are taking courses with the intent to transfer them into any degree-seeking program you should check carefully with your program to ensure the transfer will be approved. If you are intending to transfer credits into a Naropa graduate or undergraduate program, check with the Office of Admissions about how courses you wish to take may fit into the program you're interested in. Be aware that Naropa will only transfer in courses taken for credit. Courses taken for noncredit cannot later be changed to for-credit.
Obtaining a Transcript
To obtain a transcript of the classes you took for credit, please follow the procedure for Transcript Requests. Naropa does not issue transcripts for courses taken for noncredit.
Grade Notification
Grade reports are sent to students' home addresses approximately four to six weeks after the semester's end.
Questions?
Contact Student Administrative Services at 303-546-3500.
Visiting Students
This program is for undergraduate students who would like to spend a semester or year at Naropa as a full-time student. To study at Naropa University as a visiting student for longer than one year, the student must reapply. Visiting students must apply for admission using the visiting student application. They will work with an academic advisor to choose classes and work out details between the two educational institutions. Consortium agreements may be created to allow an exchange of some financial aid. This program is for full-time students only. A visiting student may apply to become a degree-seeking student at Naropa after spending a semester or year as a visiting student. Application materials from the previous application may be used, and no additional fee is required.
While Naropa University offers a unique and exceptional educational experience, we understand that it may not be feasible for you to spend your entire bachelor’s career with us. We have, therefore, created a program that allows undergraduate students to study at Naropa for a summer, a semester, or a year.
The Visiting Student Program allows you to register for degree classes, receive advising, and participate in all Naropa activities. Visiting students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Naropa culture and community and are supported in exploring a contemplative practice, such as sitting meditation, yoga, t’ai-chi ch’uan, or aikido.
As a visiting student, you are given the opportunity to register early for classes. While not every course is open to visiting students and some may require permission of the instructor or prerequisites, we will do our very best to ensure that you are able to take the courses that meet your diverse needs and interests.
In order to be eligible for the Visiting Student Program, students must be full time. Students pay regular Naropa University tuition.
If you are a student who is visiting from another college or university, you may not receive Naropa’s financial aid, but we are willing to sign a consortium agreement with your home college to enable you to receive financial aid while visiting Naropa.
If you would like to take a course at Naropa and do not want to become a full-time visiting student, please explore attending Naropa as a non-degree student.
Visiting students may apply through any one of the following methods:
- Apply online. This is the preferred method of applying. When you apply online, you will be required to submit an application fee with a Visa or MasterCard. Current students, staff, faculty, and alumni are not required to submit an application fee.
- Request that an application be mailed to you.
Regardless of which method of applying you choose, a completed application to Naropa University's undergraduate visiting student program includes the following items:
- The Undergraduate Visiting Student Application form. Using the online application is strongly encouraged. Applicants may also print off the visiting student application form and mail it to the Office of Admissions.
- A $50 nonrefundable fee. If you do not submit your payment online, then you may send the Office of Admissions a check or money order, made payable to "Naropa University." Your name must be clearly indicated on the check.
- Official transcripts of every undergraduate institution you have attended.
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher or someone who knows you well. The letter may not be from family members, spouses, or current therapists. The letter must be on or attached to the letter of recommendation form. You can download the letter of recommendation form here. This letter must be in a sealed envelope, and must be signed by the recommendation writer. Scans, faxes, copies, emails, and opened letters can not be accepted. If extenuating circumstances prevent the use of mail, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@naropa.edu.
Please email us at admissions@naropa.edu if you have any questions. We welcome you as a visiting student to experience the wisdom of Naropa University.

Extended Studies supports Naropa’s mission in the larger community by offering workshops, lectures, conferences, online courses, and professional development programs. Graduate and undergraduate courses are available at a reduced tuition rate if not taken for credit. Letters of attendance are available upon request for selected programs. There is no admission process for those wishing to pursue noncredit study at the university. However, certain professional development programs do require an application to be submitted to the program director. Students taking classes on a noncredit basis do not receive course work evaluation or transcript services. To check on current offerings, visit the Extended Studies webpage. To register, visit the Public Registration tab on MyNaropa for more information.

Distance Learning
Distance Learning offers a variety of courses and low-residency degree programs from the heart of its curriculum, translated for interactive online delivery by Naropa faculty. The dynamic online learning communities utilize the latest available technology to allow students to complete course material with a minimum of technological needs. Students interact with other students and the instructor through a variety of means, including message boards, a journal feature, chat rooms, and a document-sharing page. Students use password-protected web pages to access printed lectures, audio and video lectures, message boards, and online discussion areas. The classes are not self-paced; students progress with the instructor and other students throughout the traditional semester dates. Graduate and undergraduate classes are available. Students should expect to spend between six and ten hours per week during the semester to complete each class. Learn more on the Distance Learning webpage or visit the Public Registration tab on MyNaropa for more details.
- Applicants who would like information about pursuing a low-residency graduate degree at Naropa may visit the Admissions section of www.naropa.edu, may email admissions@naropa.edu, or may call 303-546-3572 or 1-800-772-6951 (outside the 303 area code).
- Students who would like to take an online course and have registration questions may call 303-546-3511 or email registration@ecampus.naropa.edu.
- Students who have questions about online learning may call 303-245-4702 or email inquiry@ecampus.naropa.edu with “Naropa Distance Learning Inquiry” in the subject line.