Naropa University

Naropa University -- A Fully Accredited Buddhist-Inspired University

Naropa University is a private, liberal arts university in Boulder, Colorado that was founded in 1974 by Tibetan Buddhist Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, one of the foremost teachers of Buddhism in the West. Naropa's curriculum combines contemplative Eastern studies with traditional Western scholastic and artistic disciplines. This approach is designed to help students know themselves more deeply, spark inspiration among students, and construct engagement with others. By exploring inner resources and reflecting on the interplay of discipline and delight, a Naropa education prepares students to meet the world as it is and work to change it for the better.

Naropa University is the first fully accredited Buddhist-inspired university in the United States, and the foremost institution of contemplative education in North America. In addition, Naropa commits to green practices by offsetting 100% of its electricity from wind power renewable energy credits.

An Undergraduate Education at Naropa University

The multidimensional core curriculum at Naropa University combines artistic expression, civic engagement, contemplative practice, and scholarship to provide students with strong academic backgrounds that are rooted in worldly experience. The base curriculum includes a set of core seminars and additional core area requirements that use a variety of teaching and learning techniques to accomplish Naropa's mission.

Naropa offers 11 bachelor degree opportunities from their 4 academic schools. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is awarded to students who successfully complete 120 credit hours of study.

The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics

The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University is comprised of the Department of Writing and Poetics, Summer Writing Program, and the low-residency creative writing master's program. The school offers the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Writing and Literature, which incorporates writing workshops and critical analysis with traditional literary studies requirements.

All faculty members at the school are active, published authors, who incorporate practitioners' insights into their curriculum. The school's interdisciplinary courses are designed to teach students how to exercise performance skills and perfect their craft as practicing writers in the world. Curriculum integrates such diverse topics as ecology, philosophy, physics, and visual arts within the range of literary forms.

A Range of Traditional and Non-Traditional Degree Opportunities

Naropa University offers 10 bachelor's degrees and 6 certificate programs outside of the Jack Kerouac School. The recently formed School of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies offers a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, BA in Traditional Eastern Arts, BA or certificate in Religious Studies, and a certificate in Yoga Teacher Training. Minor areas of study include religious studies, Sanskrit, Tibetan language, and gender and women's studies.

The School of Natural and Social Sciences offers 4 bachelor's degree programs, including the BA in Environmental Studies and a BA in Peace Studies. Students can also complete BA or certificate programs in Contemplative Psychology or Early Childhood Education. Minor areas of study include contemplative education, early childhood education, environmental studies, and peace studies.

The School of the Arts combines performing arts from different fields within each of their degree and certificate programs. Students can complete the BA or certificate programs in Music or Visual Arts, or pursue the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performance. Minor areas of study include music, performance, and visual arts.

Distance Learning Opportunities from Naropa

Naropa University provides an innovative approach to contemplative education by using the latest technology. Distance learning opportunities at Naropa include online courses, low-residency degree programs, and low-residency certificates. Online courses available include "Emotional Roots of Development," "Ecology Concepts and Applications," "Transpersonal Psychology," and a "Contemplative End-of-Life Care Certificate Program."

Students planning to pursue graduate degrees can continue at Naropa through their low-residency degree and certificate programs, which allow students to complete graduate degrees by attending short classes on campus and completing the rest of the degrees from home. Certificates are available in Authentic Leadership and Contemplative End-of-Life Care.

Passionate Expert Faculty at Naropa

Students at Naropa complete a number of seminars as part of their core requirements, including seminars in writing, humanities, contemplative practice, diversity, and civic engagement. Seminar faculty members use their particular expertise and passion within these seminars to provide students with a rich educational experience. For example, associate professor Michelle Naka Pierce was born in Tokyo, Japan, and has authored 4 books, including several books of poetry. Her latest manuscript addresses the political overtones of Rothko's murals.

Professor Richard C. Brown co-founded the Department of Contemplative Education at Naropa in 1990. Brown's commitment to contemplative education has lead him to develop several contemplative schools, publish a Buddhist view of child and adolescent spiritual development, consult on 3 continents about how to bring contemplative education to schools, and work with the government of Bhutan to reform the nation's education system.

Financial Aid Opportunities at Naropa University

Naropa University is dedicated to providing students with quality educations at a manageable cost. Two-thirds of undergraduate students receive financial aid. A number of institutional grants and loans are available, as well as state scholarships, student employment, and work-study opportunities. Naropa University Grants vary from 10 percent to 60 percent of tuition in value, and are awarded to full-time degree-seeking students with high financial need.

In addition, qualified students may also be eligible for Naropa scholarships. For example, Naropa Honor Scholarships and Naropa Presidential Scholarships are awarded to a limited number of entering, full-time students with outstanding academic merit and financial need. The John W. Cobb Scholarship is awarded to 1 student each year engaged in peace studies. The Aimee Grunburger Award is awarded to 1 nontraditional student each year who demonstrates an excellence in poetry.

Located in Boulder, Colorado

Naropa University is located in Boulder, Colorado, a city known for its diversity, cultural strength, and creativity. The Beat writers heavily influenced the city, which still celebrates art and artists through performances, musical venues, and festivals. Outdoor activities also abound, with many opportunities nearby for hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, and more.

Boulder has been named the number 1 Most Educated City in America by "Forbes" magazine. It has also been listed in the top 5 for Best Green Places to Live in America by "Country Home" magazine and Cities with a High Percentage of Workers Employed in High-Tech Work by the American Electronics Association.

• Education
• Early Childhood Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Health and Physical Education Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Religious Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Visual and Performing Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine/Studio Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Performance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied137
• Accepted125
• Acceptance Rate91%
• Enrolled425
• Female Applicants86
• Females Accepted82
• Female Acceptance Rate95%
• Male Applicants51
• Males Accepted43
• Male Acceptance Rate84%
• Applying
• Application Fee$50
• Required for All Essay or personal statement
  Transcript of high school record
  Letter(s) of recommendation
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading
• SAT Math
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$26,200
• Out-of-state tuition *$26,200
• In-district tuitionN/A
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$160.00
• Room and board *$8,712.00
• Room only *$5,310.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students425
• Male Student Percentage40%
• Female Student Percentage60%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino6.82%
• Black or African American1.18%
• White or Caucasian60.94%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.24%
• Asian.94%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more races4.94%
• Unknown22.12%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout1.9% representing 9 other countries
• Out-of-state Students69% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 18%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station No
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services No
• Health clinic No
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center No
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities No
• Greek sororities No
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations ROOT: Reconnecting on Outdoor Terrain, Restorative Justice Training Group, Team Asana, Naropa Way of Tea, SUN: Students for a United Naropa
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Not Reported
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Not Reported
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other foot and vehicle patrol 4:30 pm to midnight, 24 hour on-call Safety and Security Manager

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty175
• Full-time Percentage27%
• Part-time Percentage73%
• Female Percentage57%
• Male Percentage43%
• Student:Faculty Ratio9:1 or 565 students to 64 faculty