Naropa University

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• Anynomous

  20 February 2018

  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.

• Anynomous

  16 January 2018

  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.

• Anynomous

  02 October 2017

  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.

• Anynomous

  17 May 2017

  Transform yourself. Transform the world. Make the most of the opportunity if you have it

• Anynomous

  11 May 2017

  What a waste of money. Take it from a graduate. Overpriced and under delivered on all fronts.

• Anynomous

  07 December 2016

  If i could give no stars i would. I spent two years at Naropa and it was the worst experience of my life. The professors do whatever they want without being monitored. For a tuition fee of $29,000 i would be expecting a degree from Stanford not Naropa. There is a reason an employee stole $300,000 and was arrested after the IRS caught their error. Another triumphant moment is when a Teacher was having sex with a student against her will. please do more research before you even think about going to Naropa.

• Anynomous

  16 September 2016

  Naropa! The groovy school experience for the body with lackluster undergrad academics. The documentary Crazy Wisdom helps understand the school's founder, worth a watch if considering to apply.

• Anynomous

  09 August 2016

  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.