Bachelors FAQ

Naropa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
312-263-0456; Fax 312-263-7462

Naropa University represents the vision of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Trungpa Rinpoche (1940–1987), a Buddhist meditation master, scholar, and teacher, founded Naropa in 1974 as a summer institute. It was his view that Western education would be greatly enhanced if combined with the mindfulness training offered by Eastern traditions.

While Naropa University is Buddhist-inspired, it is also nonsectarian and open to all. The mission of the school is to create a safe container where students of all faiths can explore their spirituality. A Naropa education is marked by a spirited interchange among persons of diverse views and traditions, provoking a greater understanding of the breadth of human experience. The majority of our students are not Buddhist, nor are the majority of faculty and staff.

Naropa University’s learning philosophy of contemplative education is rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The integration of contemplative disciplines into the curriculum helps students to devote their full attention to their studies, classmates, and the community at large. Each class or degree program integrates varying degrees of Buddhist philosophies and traditions. Classes may open with a short period of silence or require meditation practice, while others will be conducted as a traditional college course.

Contemplative education balances the study of specific academic and artistic fields with the traditional practices for training in mindfulness and awareness. Through the practice of contemplative disciplines such as sitting meditation, yoga, and t’ai-chi ch’uan, students develop a strong sense of awareness which assists the absorption and assimilation of new information, as well as synchronizing body, speech, and mind. The contemplative approach inspires openness, inquisitiveness, and kindness to oneself and others.

Naropa University offers a Visiting Student Program for anyone who would like to study with us for a semester, an academic year, or as a participant in our Summer Writing Program. As a visiting student, you must apply for admission by filling out a visiting student application. If you are visiting from another college or university, you may not receive Naropa’s financial aid; however, we are willing to sign consortium agreements with your home college to enable you to receive federal financial aid while visiting Naropa. As a visiting student, you will work with an admissions counselor to create a full-time academic schedule that suits your needs. Learn more about the Visiting Student Program.

2022-2023 Academic Year

Naropa is a private institution, and therefore does not offer a difference in tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

• TOEFL:
  • 550 by paper (pBT)
  • 213 by computer (cBT)
  • 80 by internet (iBT)
• IELTS: 6.5

Please refer to the Facts at a Glance page.

Naropa University students may take classes offered through the University of Colorado Access program, or through the Boulder Evening Program for the Colorado in-state tuition rate. Classes taken through these two programs can apply toward Naropa’s degree programs. Students must work with their academic advisor to get approval for this process. Naropa students may also take advantage of many of the services and activities the University of Colorado offers, including the five branches of the Norlin Library, musical performances, cultural events, and the Conference on World Affairs.

• A narrative describing the subjects studied per year and the modes of learning for each subject
• A list of extracurricular/community activities, such as team sports, volunteer positions, and group membership
• A list of any academic achievements during high school that support academic preparedness for college, such as internship positions
• A parent or teacher narrative
• A self-evaluation of their work and how it contributed to their intellectual growth
• Transcripts from any college level courses taken (if applicable)
• Transcripts from any mainstream high school courses taken (if applicable)
• SAT and/or ACT scores are optional

Naropa will accept a GED in lieu of a high school diploma. Along with submitting an official copy of their GED, it is recommended that applicants also submit a transcript from any high school attended.

Naropa University operates on a semester system; therefore, all credit granted is in semester hours or credits. If you are transferring to Naropa from a college or university that has used the quarter system, you can expect that you will lose some credits in the total transfer. For example, if you took a class for 4 quarter credit, it would equal 2.5 semester credits. The table below displays the quarter hour to semester hour conversion.

Naropa University graduates enter the world with strong academic, communication, and critical thinking skills, as well as a strong sense of self. Many of our students go on to pursue careers in their chosen field.

To meet our alumnx, please visit our Alumnx Stories page. Applicants also have the opportunity to speak with alumni from their program of interest if desired. To set up communication with alumni, please email admissions@naropa.edu.

Accepted students may request to defer their acceptance for one semester or two consecutive semesters (one year). To request a deferral, accepted students must put their requests for deferral in writing and send it to the Office of Admissions through the post or by email at admissions@naropa.edu. After the first day of classes, new students may no longer defer.

Each request for deferral is reviewed by the Admissions Committee and is accepted or denied on a case-by-case basis. Reasons for an acceptance of deferral would include traveling, service/volunteer work, family situations, financial situations, or personal timing.

If an accepted student’s deferral request is denied, the student may not reapply for admission at another time.

If a student’s deferral is approved, their accepted status will be applied to the future entry term. If the student has already paid the admissions deposit of $250, it will be forfeited (nonrefundable). During this deferral time, the student may not attend another college.

Toward the end of their deferral time (one semester or two consecutive semesters), students will be contacted by their admissions counselor to determine if the student is interested in applying again for the following semester. If so, the Admissions Committee will once again review the student’s application, and then will let the student know of the admissions decision. While in many cases deferred students are accepted again, this is not guaranteed.

If you were previously a Naropa student and want to return but have not been an active student in the last two semesters, you will complete the Application for Readmission.

If you do not know your Naropa Student ID, you can simply enter any 6 digits and Naropa will find your correct ID number.

Once your Application for Readmission is submitted, the Office of the Registrar and Financial Aid will review it. You will then get communication about the next steps if there are any issues to resolve.