Welcome Coopersmith Students
A Smooth Transition to Your Academic Success
Naropa University welcomes students from Coopersmith Career Consulting and is dedicated to providing a smooth pathway to earning your degree.
No matter where you are in your educational journey, Naropa will meet you there. We believe that Naropa’s approach to contemplative education, along with our commitment to building a more beautiful and just Naropa, will provide a strong, supportive, mindful community where you will feel safe, welcomed, and heard.
Coopersmith Interdisciplinary Studies Online Naropa Residency Classes
Naropa University’s interdisciplinary studies program allows students to bring many fields of inquiry together to create a focused program of study that is an expression of their unique interests. Some current combinations include Buddhist doctrine and environmental justice; Early childhood education, queer theory, and feminist practice; Afrofuturism and psychological theories on conditioning; Yoga studies, Art Therapy, and plant medicine; and painting and gender fluidity.
The program asks that students approach their work in a transdisciplinary and integrative way, meaning that they seek to discover what comes from the blending of their multiple fields of inquiry and practice.
INTD-301e Gateway to Design Thinking
In this project-based course, students join visionary creative thinking and dreaming with the hands-on conceptual and artistic work of designing individualized interdisciplinary programs that will guide their work at Naropa and beyond. We engage in design thinking, connecting our values, passions and commitments to the lives and work of changemakers working in diverse fields. We examine and experiment with integrative mindsets, models and practices in the context of a vibrant learning community-working alone and together to connect prior learning with future selves, integrating, honoring and building capacity through joining head, heart and hands. Student must be a declared INTD major.
COR442E BA Completion Capstone
Building on work produced in Capstone I, students implement an original project that reflects substantial research and work, which may include contemplative, community-based, creative, and social innovation components. This product could be a 25-30 page academic paper or its equivalent in creative or community-engaged projects (with a minimum 12-15 page text). The semester ends in celebration and ceremony, featuring student presentations of their work, which may include creative writing, dance-movement, film, music, theater, and visual arts as well as socially innovative curricula, programs and models.
ENV257E Food Justice
An introduction to the food justice movement, this course examines it from the local, national, and international levels. Topics include food policy, grassroots movements and action, food production and food access as they relate to the systems of privilege and oppression that shape them. Equally, this course explores the actions of various communities working towards empowerment and liberation. Students engage with relevant theory, hands-on service-learning site visits, as well as contact with professionals, activists, and impacted communities in the food justice movement.
ENV215E Watercolor
An introduction to the food justice movement, this course examines it from the local, national, and international levels. Topics include food policy, grassroots movements and action, food production and food access as they relate to the systems of privilege and oppression that shape them. Equally, this course explores the actions of various communities working towards empowerment and liberation. Students engage with relevant theory, hands-on service-learning site visits, as well as contact with professionals, activists, and impacted communities in the food justice movement.
Admissions Requirements
Students applying for the Bachelor of Arts in the Coopersmith Interdisciplinary Studies Online program at Naropa University must meet the following qualifications.
- Have completed the Naropa Coopersmith Application form
- Provide Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Have completed 18 elective credits fulfilled by Coopersmith Career Consulting
- Provide proof of 90 transferrable credits with a grade of "C-" or higher from approved sources
Approved Sources Include:
- Courses completed at a college, university or institution recognized by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
- Courses recommended for transfer credit by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS)
- Courses recommended for transfer by the American Council on Education (ACE).
- Foreign credits that have been formally evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Meet Your Admissions Counselor
- Ashley Stansbury works with students from Coopersmith Career Counseling.
Ashley Stansbury has been an advocate and pioneer of online education since 2009. With a specialty in nontraditional, first generation students, she has developed departments, programs, and policies to improve student and faculty retention and success. Ashley created the first student success department for a small college in Kansas, then worked as a program manager for the largest community college in the country developing custom curriculum for workforce development. Her interdepartmental work earned her the honor of receiving the Excellence Award from the National Institute of Staff and Organizational Development. She then transitioned to remote work in 2014 acting as an Online Program Chair and then Associate Director of Faculty Affairs for a fully remote university.
Ashley received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Purdue University School of Science and her Master’s in Theological Studies from Christian Theological Seminary where she studied comparative world religions and the psychology of spiritual experience.
Admitted Student Next Steps
Confirm Your Spot
To accept your offer of admission and reserve your spot in the program, please submit a $250 confirmation deposit within 15 days of your acceptance date. This deposit is applied toward your first semester’s tuition bill. It is not refundable and cannot be applied to a different semester if you defer your acceptance.
To pay your deposit, log into your Naropa Application Account here. Navigate to your application then to Decision History and click “Respond Now.”
Submit Official Transcripts
Naropa requires that students submit official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), and from all college-level institutions where the student has enrolled. Even if coursework was not completed, submitting the transcripts is required. Students should also submit Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test scores to receive credit.
Naropa students have until the end of their first semester to submit all college-level transcripts unless the transcripts are fulfilling minimum education requirements. Please ask your admissions counselor about what’s required before the start of your first semester. However, transfer credit cannot be awarded until official transcripts are received.
To be considered official, transcripts can be:
- Emailed directly from the school to admissions@naropa.edu using a secure email service. If a transcript is emailed not using a secure service, or not directly to Naropa, it cannot be considered official.
- Delivered in person or by mail in its original, unopened envelope.
- Mailed directly from the school to: Naropa University Office of Admissions, 2130 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302.
If you have questions about submitting transcripts, please contact your admissions counselor.
Access Your Student Accounts
All Naropa students are provided with a student email account, a student ID, and access to Naropa’s student portal, MyNaropa. In addition, Naropa students are provided with access to Microsoft Office 365 and its suite of applications. For assistance with student accounts, please contact Naropa’s IT Department via helpdesk.
MyNaropa
MyNaropa is Naropa’s student portal, providing important resources for financial aid, course registration, academic advising, and much more. Login credentials are emailed to students after acceptance.
Student Email
Accepted students will receive an email containing login information for their student email account. Login credentials are usually emailed within a couple days of acceptance and are sent to the student’s personal email account.
Naropa email accounts are considered the official communication channel between students and the university. Be sure to activate your student email account and check it regularly for important updates.
Access your student email either through the link at the top of MyNaropa or by going to Microsoft Outlook.
Microsoft Office 365
In addition to email, Naropa students are provided access to the online version of Microsoft Office, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and other popular Microsoft products. (Login credentials for Office 365 and student email accounts are the same.)
Access your Office 365 account at Office 365.
Student ID
All Naropa students are issued a unique student identification number by email within a few days of being accepted. If at any time you need to look up your student ID, you may view it in Student Self-Service under your User Profile.
Update Your Contact Information
Keep in touch
Now that you have been accepted to Naropa University, it’s very important to update your contact information if/when it changes prior to starting classes. This ensures that we will be able to maintain contact and support you throughout your journey here.
To update your contact information:
Step 1: Log in to MyNaropa and select Self-Service.
Step 2: At the upper right corner of the screen, click on your username and then click on User Profile.
Step 3: On this page, please confirm or update your addresses and contact information.
Step 4: Then, update or confirm your Emergency Contact information by clicking again on your username at the upper right corner and selecting Emergency Information.
Course Registration
As a Coopersmith student, you will agree to be registered by your academic advisor when you submit your application. Upon submitting your admission deposit, your advisor will register your for the four classes you will take at Naropa, and you will receive notification.
To be eligible for registration, accepted students must first submit a $250 Confirmation Deposit. (Please note that while students will be able to register for classes without first having submitted all official transcripts, official transcripts from all schools attended—including high school—must be provided by the start of the semester.
FAQs
What are Naropa's Accreditations?
Naropa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to award undergraduate and graduate degrees. HLC is a regional accreditor, recognized by the US Department of Education.
What is the Student Population?
- 1117 students.
- Average class size: 13 students and student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1.
Will my Naropa courses be taught online?
Yes, your final four courses will be offered completely online. Although asynchronous, these are not self-paced courses like you may have experienced previously. Students will be required to log into Canvas regularly, engage with their faculty and peers on discussion posts and assignments, and complete weekly assignments by the posted deadlines.
When Does the Semester Begin?
Naropa currently offers three starts a year. Fall semester begins in September, Spring semester begins in January, and Summer semester begin in May. Although your courses will be offered in two 8-week terms, you must be enrolled and ready to start on the first day of the semester. You cannot begin your final semester midway through the semester.
To see exact dates and stay up to date, you can view the full academic calendar here.
Will my Naropa instructor require any work to be submitted on the Sabbath or the Jewish Holidays?
Naropa will not require assignments to be due on the Sabbath. Naropa and Coopersmith work together to ensure that the Naropa staff and faculty are aware of the Holidays and will endeavor to modify assignment deadlines when possible if they would normally fall on a Holiday.
How are courses distributed across the final semester at Naropa?
Your final semester will include four courses for a total of 12 credit hours. The courses will be in two 8-week terms, over a 16-week semester. You will take 2 courses in the first 8 weeks and 2 courses in the second 8 weeks.
How do I access my Naropa course in the final semester?
Naropa uses the Canvas platform for all online courses.
Please note: Many instructors will not post any course material until the first day of class. You should expect to see your syllabus before classes start. You may access the material by clicking on weekly lessons in the left menu on Canvas. The lessons for each week will be categorized into folders.
How will I pay for my final semester at Naropa?
Participation in this program provides a significant tuition discount. Students should pay their Naropa bill using the Self-Service tool on MyNaropa. Tuition is due by the first day of the semester. Students who have not paid their balance or secured a payment plan by the designated fee payment deadline, will be administratively dropped from the course and must wait until the next semester to re-enroll.
For information on payment methods and payment plans please visit https://www.naropa.edu/admissions-aid/costs-aid/undergraduate-costs-aid/payment/
Will I be eligible to apply for any Naropa scholarships?
No, students in this program are receiving a significant tuition discount and as such, they are not eligible to apply for institutional scholarships.
Does Naropa Accept CLEP, AP, & IB Scores?
Naropa accepts CLEP, AP, and IB credit with the appropriate scores. All CLEP/AP/IB equivalencies are listed in the Academic Catalog <insert link>
CLEP, AP, & IB
- Naropa accepts ##+ CLEP exams
- Naropa accepts ##+ AP exams with a score of 3, 4, or 5 depending on the exam
- Naropa accepts ##+ IB Diploma Program exams with a score of 4 or higher depending on the exam
Credit by Exam
- Generally, Naropa students must first request permission to do credit by exam. So Coopersmith students should work with Naropa Advisor to ensure that their credit-by-exam will be articulated prior.
- A maximum of ## semester credit hours may be earned through credit-by-exam
- Student may not attempt the exam if they have a recorded grade, other than a W, for a course equivalent
How do I acquire an Enrollment Verification?
- Once admitted to Naropa, but not yet in your final semester of enrollment, you can request an enrollment verification via email by contacting registration@naropa.edu.
- Once you have started your final semester at Naropa, and prior to graduation, you can request an enrollment verification through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Where can I find Transcripts & Online Degree Audits?
Unofficial Transcripts
Once you begin your final semester of enrollment (12 credits) you will be able to generate an unofficial transcript utilizing the Self-Service tool on the MyNaropa student portal.
Online Degree Audit
Once you begin your final semester, you can also view your in-progress online degree audit utilizing the Self-Service tool on the MyNaropa student portal.
Official Transcripts
Once your degree has been conferred and processed by Naropa, you will be able to purchase an official transcript at any time though our secure server at National Student Clearinghouse. You may request a transcript be sent electronically, or by mail. Transcripts will not be released if a student has a pending transcript in transit to Naropa or financial hold. Electronic transcripts will be delivered within 1 business day of the order being processed. Orders requiring special shipping are processed within 2 to 5 business days. Please allow 7 to 10 days for delivery and processing of printed transcripts to domestic addresses.
Although Naropa will list all the Coopersmith student’s transfer courses on the academic transcript, Naropa does not release copies of transcripts received from other institutions or educational organizations.
Note: Students should not request an official transcript until their degree has been conferred. The National Student Clearinghouse allows you to order and pay for a transcript in advance and put a hold on the order until the degree is officially conferred.
Can Coopersmith students participate in the in-person Naropa commencement ceremonies?
Yes, all graduates are welcome to participate in the live ceremonies in December and May in Boulder, CO. However, you are not required to participate. Graduates must request tickets for the ceremonies in advance.
When will my Degree be Conferred?
Students will work with their assigned Advisor to complete a graduation application in their final semester. Graduation application deadlines are early December and early April. Students are encouraged to check their Naropa email account regularly for communications regarding graduation.
Naropa confers degrees three times a year once semester grades are processed and degree audits are completed. Degree conferral can take up to twelve weeks after the end of the semester. Official diplomas and transcripts will only show an earned degree once this process has been completed.
Once your degree has been conferred, you will receive an email from the Naropa diploma vendor with a link to download your electronic credential when it is available. Printed diplomas are mailed to the address provided on the graduation application and in the student record.
Can I Visit Naropa's Campus?
Absolutely! Naropa welcomes all Coopersmith students to visit the campuses, take a campus tour, and meet the staff, faculty, and students.
- Take a self-guided “walk” through our virtual tour.
- Schedule a campus tour and see our meditation spaces, edible landscaping, art galleries and classrooms.
Additional Resources and Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Undergraduate admissions counselors provide in-depth information regarding programs of study, financial aid, registration, housing, orientation, and important dates and deadlines. Meet the Admissions Team
Career & Life Development
Connect with us for the following:
- Career / Internship / Field Placement / Major Exploration
- Uncovering your core values, beliefs and strengths
- Savvy Job Search Strategies
- Resume and Cover Letter development
- Insider Interviewing Skills
- Graduate school preparation
- Entrepreneurial ventures
- Life Direction and Contemplation
Danielle Swaser, Assistant Director Career and Life Development 303-245-4763 / dswaser@naropa.edu
Student Financial Services
303-546-3509 / finaid@naropa.edu
Resource for loan counseling, tuition and fee payments, FAFSA verification, payment plans, and electronic refunds.
Registrar
303-546-3500 / registration@naropa.edu
Accessibility Services
Moises Hinojosa, Coordinator of Accessibility Resources
303-245-4749 / mhinojosa@naropa.edu
Assists students with disability accommodations and alternate format conversion.
Veteran & Military-Connected Student Services
Assistance for student veterans with application procedures for veteran education benefits, connections for veterans with campus resources, and certification of enrollment to the VA (Chapters 30, 31, 33, 1606, 1607). If you plan to use VA education benefits while attending Naropa, please contact us as soon as you have been accepted.
International Student Services
Tashi Browder, Coordinator, International Student & Scholar Services
303-546-3562 / tashi@naropa.edu
Provides ongoing support for international students and scholars, including visas and international student programming; Primary Designated School Official (PDSO).
Information Technology
If you need help accessing MyNaropa or any other IT related questions, please feel free to contact us or visit our IT Helpdesk Website.
helpdesk@naropa.edu / 303-245-4609 (M–F, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. / Please leave a voicemail if no one picks up. We do listen to them!)
