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Core Curriculum Transfer Credits

At Naropa University, we make an effort to transfer in as many credits as possible. We recognize the cost and time that transfer students have expended in their studies prior to coming to Naropa, and wish to make your transition seamless. Below is a list of each core curriculum area of study, along with sample classes that can typically count towards transfer credit. 

Writing Seminar I (3 credits)

This is an expository/writing-intensive course. Transferable courses typically include:

  • Writing 1 or 101
  • Composition 1 or 101
  • English 101
  • Expository writing
  • Creative writing if listed as nonfiction
  • AP score of 3 or better and IB or CLEP equivalent
  • First Year Seminar that is writing intensive

Writing Seminar II (3 credits)

This course includes development of research skills. Transferable courses typically include:

  • Writing 2 or 102
  • Composition 2 or 102
  • English 102
  • Advanced Composition
  • Research Writing

Unacceptable transfer courses for Writing I and/or II include:

  • English beyond 102
  • Creative writing in poetry or fiction
  • Literature or literature dept courses
  • Business writing
  • Speech
  • Communication
  • Journalism
  • Screenwriting

Contemplative Learning Seminar (3 credits)

Introduces the tradition of contemplative education as it has been developed at Naropa University, with an emphasis on its vision, purpose and application to the academic, artistic, and psychological disciplines taught in the various majors. Transfer credit is not accepted for this area of our core curriculum.

Diversity Seminar (3 credits)

Aims to explore the range of diverse human experience and to build respect and understanding for profound differences. The classes should examine issues of power and difference.

Transferable courses typically include:

  • Broad classes such as “Gender, Race, and Class." 
  • Courses must be studying multiple diversity/identity categories as they exist in the United States.
  • The classes should examine issues of power and difference.
  • GLBT Studies with a component of interlocking oppression

Non-acceptable transfer courses include:

  • Topics classes focusing on only one identity or issue
  • Diversity classes studying systems in foreign countries
  • General sociology (i.e. Intro to Sociology)
  • Cultural anthropology
  • Government

 Sustainability Seminar (3 credits)

The Core Sustainability Seminar invites students to apply their vision and creativity toward a flourishing future and away from crisis. This course introduces students to principles, perspectives, and practices of regenerative community, resilience and sustainability, and analyzes current environmental, economic, and social trends. With the aim of developing skills and lasting commitment to create vibrant and equitable systems, the course draws upon sustainability studies, contemplative education, ecological thinking, citizen engagement, and other innovative approaches.

Acceptable transfer courses:

  • Courses must involve both theory and practice in the area of sustainable systems
  • Service learning and collective impact in the area of social, economic, ecological and personal sustainability
  • Courses focusing on UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Courses involving an aspect of sustainability praxis, 40 hours or more.
  • Courses involving participating, reviewing, and suggesting change in community resilience or community sustainability

Non-acceptable transfer courses:

  • Ecology
  • Biology
  • Political Science
  • Government
  • AP/CLEP/IB exams
  • Engineering systems

Artistic Process (3 credits)

Courses in the performing arts, visual arts, and creative writing bring awareness and understanding to the process and cultural contexts of artistic expression. Students experience the discipline, delight, and rigor of creativity, and are introduced to the social and political dimensions of art and art making. See also Naropa University courses that fulfill this requirement. 

Transferable courses typically include:

  • Visual art
  • Performance (e.g. dance, theatre, voice)
  • Music
  • Poetry
  • Creative writing

Non-acceptable transfer courses include:

  • Private music lessons
  • Musicianship/ear training, theory or appreciation

Body-Mind Practice (3 credits)

By training in practices that encourage us to track sensation, learn traditional movement skills, and develop an authentic knowledge of our body, we develop kindness toward our experience and empathy for others as our innate ‘knowing’ becomes creative and effective. Transfer credit is not accepted for this area of our core curriculum.

Cultural and Historical Studies (3 credits)

Courses emphasize the development of knowledge, critical thinking, analytic skills, and interpersonal and inter-group interactions necessary for living and working in societies characterized by racial, political, economic, social, religious, gender, and sexual diversities.

Transferable courses typically include:

  • Peace studies
  • Diversity topics (e.g. women’s, gender, race, class, etc., studies)
  • Culture studies or area studies, especially within a study abroad program
  • History courses focusing on a specific period of history
  • History courses focusing on a specific discipline (e.g. History of Jazz, World Art I, Nonviolence in and Through History)
  • History with focus on social context and/or identity (queer theory, feminism and religion)
  • Political studies related to civil rights and/or identity
  • Government studies related to civil rights and/or identity
  • Humanities courses related to diversity and/or identity (e.g. Latin American Literature)

Unacceptable transfer courses include:

  • Sociology, government
  • Foreign language

Science and Sustainability (3 credits)

Courses are intended to deepen students’ familiarity with the empirical, observational and mathematical modes of inquiry. The lens of scientific investigation emphasizes precision, understanding complex systems and the importance of evaluating evidence.

Transferable courses typically include:

  • Physical anthropology
  • Astronomy
  • Math
  • Science
  • Geology
  • Environmental science
  • Horticulture
  • Political science
  • Nutrition
  • Engineering
  • Research-based classes such as experimental psychology, sociology, logic
  • Geography
  • Anatomy/physiology
  • Astronomy
  • Archaeology
  • Economics

Unacceptable transfer courses:

  • Holistic/general health
  • Comparative religions
  • Business
  • Government
  • Musicianship or ear training
  • Human culture in relation to the earth
  • Chinese energetics
  • Architecture
  • Computer science
  • Astrology

World Wisdom Traditions (3 credits)

Students inquire into the wisdom that resides in the traditions of many different human communities. They investigate the relationship between their own experience and ancient teachings, exploring the relevance of those teachings to contemporary life.

Transferable courses typically include:

  • Survey of world religion
  • Religion
  • Religious studies department courses
  • Indigenous culture courses concerning spirituality
  • Cultural anthropology course that includes religion or spirituality study
  • Courses derived from an established traditional approach to spirituality (e.g. Anthropological Approaches to New Age Spirituality)
  • Philosophy courses which concern a specific religious/cultural tradition (e.g. Confucianism in Chinese culture)

Non-acceptable transfer courses include:

  • Ethics
  • General philosophy courses
  • New-age theories
  • Non-traditional spiritual modalities (e.g. astrology, Reiki, psychic studies)