Notre Dame de Namur Psychology Programs

Notre Dame de Namur Psychology Programs combine tradition with breakthroughs backed by 100 years of modern education experience. You can advance your career or start your experience in mental health through these programs that have trained California and Bay Area mental health professionals for four decades. You’ll have the flexibility to choose between 100% online or in-person learning options that fit your lifestyle.

Notre Dame de Namur’s psychology programs create opportunities through higher education. The MS/CP/MFT and MS/CP/MFT/LPCC programs deliver rigorous preparation and high first-time pass rates for MFT/LPCC exams, equipping you with skills needed for professional success. Evening classes help you balance other responsibilities while managing work and personal commitments. This complete guide explains everything about these respected 42-unit programs.

School info

Notre Dame de Namur University began its journey in 1851 as the Academy of Notre Dame in San Jose, California. The institution relocated to Belmont, California in 1923 and evolved into Notre Dame de Namur University in 2001.

This accredited, private, Catholic, co-educational master’s university sits at the center of Silicon Valley. The university proudly stands as the third oldest college in California and made history as the first college in the state to grant baccalaureate degrees to women.

Since 1955, the university has managed to keep its accreditation from WSCUC (formerly WASC). The School of Psychology operates with strong academic standards and ethical values, providing undergraduate and graduate programs at its Belmont campus on 1500 Ralston Avenue.

Students who choose psychology at NDNU experience a unique learning environment. With average class sizes of 8-10 students, students and faculty develop strong connections. This tailored educational approach supports the university’s mission to create a diverse and inclusive learning community. Students learn to apply values and ethics consciously in their personal, professional, and public lives.

Students find the compact campus layout convenient, with easy access to all buildings.

Programs offered

Notre Dame de Namur’s School of Psychology helps students achieve their career goals through multiple academic paths. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the undergraduate level through the degree completion program.

The school’s Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology program offers specialized tracks at the graduate level. Students can pick between marital/family therapy and a combined track in marital family therapy/licensed professional clinical counselor. These programs meet California’s academic requirements needed to become licensed marriage and family therapists (MFT) and licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC).

The programs stand out because of their practical focus. Working adults can easily attend classes scheduled during late afternoons, evenings, and weekends. You can also choose between part-time and full-time study options based on your schedule.

The clinical psychology graduate training welcomes students from backgrounds like:

• Social work and sociology
• Biology and business
• Education and law
• Medicine and allied health

Students achieve high first-time pass rates on their MFT/LPCC exams. This shows how well they’re prepared for licensure or competitive doctoral programs. The school’s Annual Practicum and Associates Training Fair connects students with community agencies that offer placements across the Bay Area. This hands-on training helps graduates succeed in medical settings, mental health, social services, education, and business careers.

Online options

Notre Dame de Namur Psychology Programs put flexibility first with detailed online learning options. Students can complete their psychology education 100% online starting Fall 2024. This setup helps them balance their academic goals with work and personal life.

NDNU offers two different ways to learn online. Synchronous Classes let students join virtual sessions where they can participate in live discussions and work together with their classmates. Students get the classroom experience without spending time on commute. Asynchronous Classes give students complete control over their schedule. They can watch pre-recorded materials and finish assignments when it suits them best. Both options include virtual meetings and professor office hours to make sure students get personal attention throughout their studies.

The 37-unit Master of Science in Clinical Psychology (MSCP) program runs completely online. Students learn to work in clinical settings, consulting, organizational leadership, and business management as unlicensed professionals in mental health. The MSCP program welcomes students from selected states across the US and other countries, not just California.

Students can also complete their BA in Psychology entirely online. Every program focuses on building practical skills like research methods, clear communication, and people skills. These skills develop naturally whatever learning format students choose.

Accreditation

Notre Dame de Namur Psychology Programs showcase their quality and credibility through detailed accreditation credentials. The university has managed to keep its accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) since 1955. NDNU now has “Accredited with Notice of Concern” status, which shows it meets WSCUC standards but needs monitoring.

This accreditation is most important to psychology students. The MS Clinical Psychology programs with Marriage and Family Therapy concentration (MSCP/MFT) and the dual MFT/LPCC concentration meet all California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for licensure. Your education will give a solid foundation that meets state standards.

The program’s quality shines through its high first-time pass rates for MFT/LPCC licensing exams. These results show how well the curriculum prepares students for their professional practice.

NDNU has earned several specialized accreditations:

• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for education credential programs
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs for MBA and MPA programs

WSCUC plans its next reaccreditation site visit for September 10-12, 2025. These accreditations prove that your Notre Dame de Namur psychology education meets 70-year-old standards of excellence in academic content and professional preparation.

Admission Requirements

Notre Dame de Namur Psychology Programs have specific admission criteria that help ensure your success. Graduate programs need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Some psychology programs require you to meet extra standards beyond this baseline.

The psychology programs need these core application materials:

• Official transcripts that show your undergraduate courses (proof of bachelor’s degree)
• Personal statement or letter of intent (autobiographical statement)
• Two references with contact information, though you might not need formal letters
• Professional resume or CV
• Interview with a program director

International students must submit extra documents:

• Official course-by-course transcript evaluation from trusted services like SpanTran, WES, or ECE
• English proficiency proof through TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other accepted tests
• Certificate of Finance
• Copy of passport

NDNU psychology programs stand out because they don’t require the GRE, which makes the application process more available. Your program director will meet with you after admission to plan your academic journey. The Office of International Admissions helps non-domestic applicants with documentation and visa requirements throughout the process.

Tuition

Notre Dame de Namur’s education requires careful financial planning. The Graduate Psychology Programs cost $1,028 per unit, making them the most specialized offerings at the institution. Undergraduate psychology students pay different rates based on their learning format—$412 per unit for online courses and $678 per unit for in-person classes.

The semester schedule determines payment deadlines. Students must pay all tuition and fees by the posted due date or during registration for late enrollments. The Campus Portal accepts online payments, while international students can use PayMyTuition for their transactions.

Your total educational investment has these additional components:

• Room and board: approximately $14,676 per academic year
• Books: around $1,020 annually
• Transportation: estimated at $1,496 yearly
• Other educational costs: about $3,904

Financial aid is accessible to more people at Notre Dame de Namur. First-year students receive some form of financial aid at a rate of 95%, with average assistance reaching $28,217. Students aged 65 and older get a substantial 50% discount on all tuition subtypes. The discounted rates apply exclusively to regularly scheduled NDNU courses and exclude fees or consortium offerings.

Additional Information

Notre Dame de Namur psychology students get more than just classroom learning through research and clinical opportunities. The department’s specialized research facilities help us understand human behavior better. The BRAIN Lab at the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families breaks down how violence exposure shapes development through individual, family, and community systems. The Sleep and Health Research Lab studies how insomnia affects overall health and its connection to depression.

Students work with faculty members as research collaborators. This hands-on experience makes Notre Dame psychology undergraduate programs stand out. The Globally Engaged Citizens program helps students broaden their worldview through cultural activities on and off campus.

Psychology facilities are spread across several locations:

• Corbett Family Hall with its faculty offices, research labs, and classrooms covering three floors and 100,000+ square feet
• William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families on Ironwood Road
• Notre Dame Psychological Services Center on Hill Street

These centers provide affordable mental health services to the community and serve as training and research hubs for doctoral students and faculty. Students develop critical thinking and communication skills through these clinical opportunities that are valuable to graduate schools and employers.