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Research & Communication

In this area students deepen and sharpen their writing and research skills, weaving their own experience, ideas, social locations, and authentic purpose with broader social, historical, political, artistic, scientific, and cultural contexts. Students learn and practice research methods relevant to their emerging capstone projects, such as finding and evaluating sources, interviewing, and arts-based inquiry. Assignments and instruction address the writing process and writing strategies, providing frequent feedback to support student’s growth and development as scholars and writers.

Transfer students: Only research-based writing courses will fulfill the Research & Communication requirement. It cannot be fulfilled with any AP or CLEP scores. Students who transfer in the equivalent of a 3-credit research-based writing course will be required to take COR-400 Capstone Design (1-credit online asynchronous course) before COR-440 Capstone II.

COR-340 Capstone I (3)
In this collaborative learning environment, students explore personal and intellectual connections to what really matters in their lives and work as activists, artists, contemplatives, healers, scholars and social innovators. They read and write extensively, weaving their own experiences, ideas, social locations, and authentic purpose with broader social, historical, political, artistic, scientific, and cultural contexts. They learn and practice research methods relevant to their disciplines and emerging capstone projects, developing skills and frameworks for understanding ethical issues specific to their scholarly, artistic, and civic pursuits. Students leave the course with a capstone project proposal, preliminary literature review, and oral presentation.

Interested in Research & Communication?

Read our blog or listen to our podcast!

Person’s hands resting on an open book of Sanskrit or yoga text, symbolizing study and learning for Naropa University’s Graduate Yoga Studies low-residency program.
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Walking the Path Between Scholarship and Practice

As MA Yoga Studies student Sarah Spiegel prepares to graduate, she reflects on her grant-funded conference journeys and how they have transformed her as a scholar and practitioner. My first...

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Magazine

Naropa’s Recent Contributions to Contemplative Science

Since the earliest days of contemplative science, insights from ancient wisdom traditions have been significantly informing investigations on mindfulness....
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podcast

Episode 112. The Art of Truly Listening: Spiritual Care for a World in Transition

The latest episode of our podcast is available at Mindful U, Apple, Spotify, and Fireside now! In this episode, Ji Hyang Padma, PhD—Associate Professor in Naropa University’s Master of Divinity...

YOU ARE READY.

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

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About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

Admissions & Aid

If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

Support Naropa

At a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, Naropa University stands firmly rooted in its mission to create a more just and regenerative world by nurturing insight, awareness, courage, and compassion in its students. By making a gift to Naropa, you play a pivotal role in helping to create the authentic, effective & mindful leaders that the world desperately needs.

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Naropa University campuses are closed on 05/06/2026. 

From Naropa University: Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed on 05/06/26. All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. Classes that are delivered online in our low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.

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Spring and Summer Start Dates for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentrations

In support of students and in response to federal legislation impacting financial aid for graduate students, Naropa University will be accepting applications for MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for spring starts through January 10.

Graduate School of Counseling concentrations listed below will be offering online and low-residency courses to start their programs in January 2026 as well as our Summer 2026 terms.

Beginning a graduate program in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 means that you will have access to apply for Graduate Plus loans as these loans will be eliminated at the federal level starting in Fall 2026.

Contact Admissions (admissions@naropa.edu) today to learn how you can begin the next step in your graduate education journey.