Naropa University - Boulder, Colorado

Josh W.

Setting aside the fact I met my wife there, which was outside Naropa's purview, I could not be happier with my Naropa education. During my 20+ year clinical career since earning my Master's degree there, I have been struck by how well trained I was. I am much more comfortable doing group therapy and sitting with individuals suffering from extreme states of mind than many of my colleagues, even those who have been doing the work as long or longer than me. That is because of my training at Naropa. Also, my personal growth journey there was hard to beat, on top of the excellent clinical training. If I had gone to Naropa ONLY to grow as a person, I'd be happy with the experience. Same is true if I'd gone ONLY to become a therapist. The fact that I was 100% happy with BOTH elements leads to a five star review and a very happy life both personally and professionally. And yes I had to take on loans; and yes as with all private schools it's not cheap; and yes their endowment does not allow for much financial aid. But you know what? I know from having been on the STAFF after I graduated, no one is getting rich at Naropa. It costs a lot to run a private school, especially in Boulder. So I have no issue with it and I recommend Naropa highly.

Rebecca H.

I earned my undergraduate degree from Naropa University in the late 90's in Religious Studies and Writing and Poetics. Both students and faculty were passionate about the programs offered and this created a lively atmosphere for learning. When the program was over it seemed to have come too quickly, the sign of a good experience. Years later, I feel that Naropa's contemplative bent has enabled me to continually feel enriched by whatever life brings me next. Studying there instilled within me a deep sense that it's not what happens but how you meet what happens that matters most.

murungakkai

Studied here for 2 years to finish my undergraduate degree. Had many life changing experiences. Teachers and staff were phenomenal. Classes always had great content and very enlightening discussions. Naropa is a rare gem in a sea of samsara, grateful to have been able to spend time here.

Arakhthanda ?. O. T. L.

If Naropa were to have a chance to be a great school, first it must live up to its promise as a contemplative college which helps people define why they came to learn what they learn in the first place rather than to be a hippy school where students can make excuses to not do the work in college while their parents have to pay a hefty price for such school. In fact, as an independent student, i rather take less loans and pay less for a school that teaches me well than a school that only manage to please their students. Second, Naropa really needs to get more ambitious with how they handle students like myself because I am no student any faculty will ever dare to take lightly.Having ambitions is valuable and without such virtues, the school will plummet to mediocrity and has little hope to change the world.
Anyone reading this, i want you to take the time to research Naropa University or come and visit the school, and observe how the students react to the school or how they are acting in front of you before coming to the school because I expect students to think on their toes and see challenges as reasons to grow, not reasons to cower.

J J.

Be informed before you enroll, make sure you will be able to get the job (or into the Masters program) you want after you get out.

Students voiced they loved their alternative bachelors program but also voiced how hard it was to get a job afterwards (many had to get a Masters before they could get a job). Make sure the Masters you want will accept an alternative bachelors degree like Naropa as not all will.

If you are doing one of the Masters psych programs check Accreditation. Most have not been accredited which causes extra problems when you get out of school and want a job/to get licensed/to open a practice. Latest statement on the web page says all the Master's psych programs are applying for accreditation - that is what I was told 10 years ago. Don't expect it to happen until it does. If you want a license to practice in a specific state, check out what that state requires and plan to work to make your classes fit the requirements including taking extra classes (that includes if you want a license in Colorado). Expect little help from Naropa staff to get your license (no matter what they say before you enroll or during your enrollment) and expect the hurdles to be much bigger than what they portray.

Smaller school Masters psych programs, like Naropa's, will change a lot depending who is leading the department and who the teachers are when you are there, including potentially changing drastically in the middle of your program. Classes being taught, content in the classes, and skill level of the teacher change drastically each year. Some classes gave true value as a future psychotherapist, some taught standard material (typical book learning), and some were just taking up space to have the course without much learning. Do as much visiting and talking to students as you can to learn the pros and cons of the main teachers and the adjuncts who will be there the year you start the program. Understand that teachers can and will just disappear between semesters so that one you really were interested in may not be one you will ever have. Make sure many of the teachers are ones you would like to learn from, including the core staff which you will have more often. Understand you may or may not get a lot out of some of the classes, depending on the teacher. Understand it is a small school with the benefits (lower teacher to student ratio) and problems (obtaining and retaining good teachers and program, organization, steady non changing program, etc.) that small schools have.

Talk to Alumni and find out if they are doing jobs that use their psych degree (amazingly many are not depending on the specific program), what psych related jobs they are doing and what personal skills/abilities they had before Naropa that allowed them to obtain those jobs (not all students come in or leave with the same skill level). Than honestly look at yourself to see people who entered the program with your level of knowledge and skill level and that did the level of work you plan to do to see if they have the job you want.

Understand this is an expensive program (time and money) and plan accordingly. Naropa is 60 credits and some/many of those credits will ask for more than the typical 3 hours outside of class for every credit (hour inside of class). This does not include your internship or practicum hours. Work hard to keep your loan costs as low as you can. When you talk to Alumni find out their yearly net income (what they take home after expenses and taxes). You likely will be unpleasantly surprised (depending on the specific program). Having a huge loan over your head when you can't pay it back may not be your goal.

On the positive side, attending a program like Naropa's Master's programs, that has you working on your psychotherapy skills from day one, will put you ahead programs in other schools of which have mostly book learning and little hands on training.

Knowing what I know now, even though I would again make the choice to go to a school that focuses on hands on training, I am not sure I would choose Naropa.

JRS

Its an amazing place.

I am a former undergraduate student at Naropa. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Contemplative Psychology with a Concentration in Transpersonal & Humanistic Psychology in 2004. Although I found my experience there invaluable and the tangible and intangible benefits of a Naropa education are useful and unique, I am in the middle of a job search, and am finding my lack of science and math experience to be hampering.

Ignatious M. (.

I attended this university as an undergraduate, studying contemplative psych, religious studies, and traditional eastern arts. I received an excellent education, although the academic components were lacking at times. Still, the uniqueness and strength of my Naropa education has prepared me for one of the best graduate programs in the country.

It takes a brave person to attend this school, one who understands that success is more complicating and simple than our culture recognizes. Naropa trains its students to be curios, individually minded, community skilled, and heartfelt, with the greatest emphasis on knowing yourself. Students leave Naropa confident, holding a unique approach to complex problem solving.

The negative posts about particular aspects of Naropa are valid. Naropa faces some organizational weaknesses, typical of a university at this developmental stage. It is one of the youngest accredited universities in the country.

Naropa's famous programs include contemplative psychology, the allen ginsberg school of disembodied poetics, and religious studies. Friends who have attended other programs, such as environmental studies, the arts, and early childhood education, have noted their program's edgy niche as well; I don't list them simply because they're not "the most famous."

The teachers are down right dedicated. They love their fields and love teaching them through a contemplative lens. Their commitment to Naropa and their students is demonstrated by their choice to teach there despite the fact they are often paid bellow market salaries. The classroom environment is intimate, and most teachers are readily available. I have created wonderful relationships with my teachers, and regard them as mentors to this day.

I hope this was helpful, Cheers.

M M.

I would suggest to any parent (or student) to do their research before committing to the cost of tuition at this university. The level and quality of education do not align with the cost in any way. It's a loosely organized institution with random campuses spread about miles apart. There's a constant turnover of staff and faculty, programs are loosely organized, and funds are being cut in several areas. Just a fair warning. Consider CU as an alternative if the desire to be in Boulder is a priority.