Naropa University — Attraction in Boulder

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...

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...

I attended Naropa for two semesters to pursue a Psychology degree. The teachers and courses were unique, thought-provoking and wonderful to work with. However, you'll be paying a VERY high price for those qualities.

I enrolled in Naropa because of the scholarship they offered me and because of what I had heard about their programs. However, I came to find out (a week before my first semester ended) that a student will not be eligible for any scholarships without a cleared FAFSA form.

The Finance department is awful. They don't communicate well and don't set students up to succeed. I attended most of my summer 2024 semester (thinking that financial aid worked out & scholarships were applied) just to find out (a week before the semester ended) that no financial aid was applied (therefore no scholarships can be applied) despite me reaching out on this several times throughout the semester.

I tried to work with the Finance department but couldn't meet their requirements for paying off the balance. If you cannot pay off the balance immediately or commit to a very aggressive payment plan ($1500+ a month), Naropa immediately sends the balance to collections. I did their online program for two semester and received a collections bill for $19,093.75.

For a school that's meant to be so big on mindfulness/balance/humanity, their Finance Department is severely lacking and put me in a very bad spot financially. This is an incredibly expensive school when you can source most of the knowledge you'll learn through their recommended books.

If you choose to attend this school, I highly recommend being very proactive about making sure that financial aid goes through before you commit to any classes for...