Notre Dame de Namur University Reviews

  • 126 Reviews
  • Belmont (CA)
  • Annual Tuition: $15,300
81% of 126 students said this degree improved their career prospects
95% of 126 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Christine
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"Since I was young, becoming an art therapist has been my dream. Coming to NDNU has been a key part in fulfilling that dream and equipping me to practice art therapy. Entering this program has allowed me to meet other individuals who are seeking to bring healing and help to society through art. This has been both inspirational and encouraging. The art therapy faculty have impressed me with the quality of education they provide, and the passion they have in their field. Faculty that have taught me have a wealth of experience in art therapy and counselling. They have shared this experience effectively and treat students with respect and understanding. They are also able to educate students on difficult topics such as trauma and abuse with sensitivity. From what I have experienced, the art therapy program at NDNU is instrumental in educating and training future art therapists and providing much needed assistance to society. Students are sent out to provide their services in schools, shelters, hospitals and more. This program is extremely valuable, not just to students and faculty, but to the local community and society as a whole."
Tabitha
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I highly recommend the Art Therapy graduate program at NDNU. The courses are great and prepare you for licensure. The professors are experienced professionals who bring great insight. I was fully supported throughout my time there and while navigating my traineeship. I continue to stay in touch with many of my peers and professors."
Jennie
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"NDNU's Art Therapy Psychology Department is rigorous, has extremely qualified professors and definitely prepares you for the field of Art Therapy. As one of the only art therapy programs in CA, it has been a pioneer in the field and continues to prepare students to enter a profession full of meaningful work. My experience in the program offered me a flexible and supportive environment while also creating high standards for my work as a student. The classes were unique, interesting and like nothing I had experienced as an undergrad. I had to take rigorous (yet creative) coursework, complete a practicum and write a thesis about a research project I had to complete. It was a lot of work! Not only do the professors prepare you professionally but they also prepare you personally to deal with what you might face in a career helping others heal. I highly recommend this program for those seeking a degree in Art Therapy -it will change your life."
Vannesa J
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"As a current student of the Ph. D Art Therapy program, I express my support and my  connection to the Art Therapy Psychology department. I am a transplant from Texas, I selected NDNU because of the Master's Art Therapy program and continued my education by perusing a Ph. D. The NDNU Art Therapy Department has been instrumental in the support with my degrees, tools, and resources. Due to the support, I currently work in the Bay Area and provide mental heath support, resources, and community education tools to our underserved community.  In a time of fear, political climate, and social injustices, the Art Therapy Department continues to plant seeds for a larger investment in the field of mental heath. The students of the program are part of a systemic change. Whether that be through community engagement, mental health awareness, advocacy, reasearch, and challenges to social injustices our country faces today. It is with my highest regard and responsibility that I continue to advocate for the future of the Art Therapy program that has shaped my life in more ways than I can count. "
Pinar
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"When I started NDNU as a graduate student, I had limited expectations. As a busy mom of two young children, I had to choose a school, which was close to my home. I was planning to get my degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and to start my private practice immediately. However, things did not go the way I planned as I fell in love with the school and with art therapy. NDNU is a beautiful school, but what makes it unique is the faculty. Dr. Carolan, Dr. Backos, and Dr. Sanders are exemplary professors and mentors, who continuously inspire and motivate their students. By providing a diverse and rich curriculum, the PhD. program in art therapy prepared me to be one of the pioneers in my field. As an ESL student, during my studies, I developed very important skills, which will serve me well not only in my private practice but also in my research career. I am truly grateful."
Kate O’Malley
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Marriage & Family Therapy
"The joint graduate degree program in Marriage & Family Therapy and Art Therapy at Notre Dame de Namur is an exceptional program taught by incredible professors who are leading the field in research and publication. Classes are small, providing opportunities to truly connect with the professors and to benefit from their years of experience in the field. The continuing education program offers lectures and workshops in so many areas, with guest lecturers from around the country. Becoming a student of the MFT/Art Therapy program means you’re joining a family of passionate, creative people with whom you’ll grow into becoming the therapist you long to be!"
Monica Campbell
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I will never forget my years at NDNU. I was so impressed with the experience, compassion, education, and resources in Dr. Arnell Etherington, Dr. Doris Arrington and Dr. Richard Carolan. They competently and passionately introduced me into a world I never knew existed but was made for me: the combination of psychotherapy and art therapy. The program was small and a perfect way for me to explore and learn. And the connections my professors made to community mental health agencies was staggering. There were over 50 types of intern positions available to me as a trainee, making available many different ways Many of my colleagues continued on in their internship sites as full time employees; if I had chosen to stay in the Bay Area I would have been able to do the same. The greater mental health community in the Bay Area has profited tremendously from this valuable program, as have I personally and professionally. I found "my people" at NDNU's art therapy program, and my living."
Ashley
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The Art Therapy Psychology program was a wonderful experience. We are lucky to have such supportive professors that are invested in our future careers and development. The program goes a great job at challenging each individual while encouraging growth. I always appreciated the ability to incorporate art making into the classes. The relationships that this program has formed with the community are both strong and impactful."
DA
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I graduated from the art therapy and marriage and therapy master’s program. All professors were very professional and compassionate; they were always open to help and share their knowledge. NDNU is the only school that has art therapy in the Bay Area. The NDNU art therapy program has a lot of recognition inside and outside the U.S."
Serena
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I have met some of the most wonderful, kind, and intelligent human beings in the Art Therapy Psychology Department. The classes are small but full of learning! The doctoral art therapy program hosted many world-renowned art therapists as guest lecturers, which taught innovative approaches to assist becoming better therapists and researchers. I was able to learn from incredibly skilled clinicians- both professors and classmates. I am grateful for the learning community within the Art Therapy Psychology Department at NDNU."
Jeehee Moo
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The Art Therapy program is the only one in the Bay Area and it is a great program to become an art therapist and/or a marriage and family therapist. The program provides many classes that cover diverse topics in the field. Moreover, NDNU Art Therapy program has PhD which is rare, and it gives more opportunities to meet experts in art therapy. All of the art therapy professors have their own interests and it leads students to find their own interests!"
Moon
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"The Art Therapy program is the only one in the Bay Area and it is a great program to become an art therapist and/or a marriage and family therapist. The program provides many classes that cover diverse topics in the field. Moreover, NDNU Art Therapy program has PhD which is rare, and it gives more opportunities to meet experts in art therapy. All of the art therapy professors have their own interests and it leads students to find their own interests!"
Andres De Alba
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I'm currently in my second semester of the Art Therapy program at NDNU and I absolutely love it. The quality of the professors is wonderful as they are engaged and truly want the best for their students. The Art Therapy program has provided an amazing opportunity for me to gain knowledge about the field through experienced teachers and the curriculum. This program has a large impact on our surrounding community and teaches us invaluable lessons for our future careers. I look forward to advancing in this program while I continue to engage and build relationships with my peers and professors."
Heesu Jeon
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I am an Art Therapy Doctorate first year student. NDNU Art Therapy Doctorate degree program has provided me with both practical and theoretical knowledges appropriate as doctorate level study. The faculty members has been very supportive in guiding all aspects of learning experience. The curriculum is well designed to provide and stimulate students learning experience as well. Knowledge and experience from NDNU ATD will definitely advance my career. I will recommend this program to any future students considering advanced education, doctorate level, in Art Therapy."
Katrina Bobo
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"Notre Dame de Namur University provided me the opportunity to prove to myself that I can make an impact in the world. I studied art therapy and marriage and family therapy at NDNU. I was given the opportunity to make and impact in our homeless community. This experience has led me to continue to work with the Bay Area homeless population. In addition to this work I represented the art therapy department through NDNU's student senate. I feel that this opportunity has given me the confidence to serve as a board member for our Northern California Art Therapy Association (NORCATA). Through the support or NorCATA and our northern California art therapist community I have been able to be part of the recovery process related to the Paradise fires in Butte county that took place last year. NDNU has given me the confidence to go out into our world and make a difference through the use of art therapy. I was not a traditional student, I was in my thirties and had children (one who is disabled). NDNU never made me feel out of place, too old or too burdened by family life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to educate myself and make a difference in the world that NDNU gave me! It is my hope that they will be able to continue helping people achieve their education goals."
Andrea Jones
  • Reviewed: 3/2/2020
  • Degree: Psychology
"Attending the Graduate Art Therapy Department at NDNU has been one of the highlights of my life. I am so grateful to be in a learning environment where the Professors, who are leaders and major contributors to the field of Art Therapy, are also highly accessible. The culture in the department is highly inclusive and diverse and I feel totally supported in achieving my dreams. I especially appreciate the balance of experiential and theoretical learning. And I absolutely love my advisor!"
Sonja
  • Reviewed: 3/1/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I've loved the art therapy program at NDNU so far. The professors are knowledgeable and supportive of students, and the department emphasizes a creative learning community of students, alumni, and professionals working in the field. It's an engaging program that will push you to stretch and grow."
Victoria D
  • Reviewed: 3/1/2020
  • Degree: Marriage & Family Therapy
"NDNU's Art Therapy/MFT program in unmatched. The program has some of the best, most qualified professors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The amazing faculty truly make the entire program what it is. They work so incredibly hard in order to provide us with the best education possible, while honoring the university and its values. They care deeply about all of their students and set us up for success. Professors are always available and prioritize students, our wellbeing, and our education. I can't imagine being in any other program."
Christine
  • Reviewed: 3/1/2020
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"I am proud of my education at NDNU and was well equipped for a future as an MFT and art therapist. The professors are amazing mentors who deeply care for their students and take pride in the rigorous education they provide in psychology and art therapy. The program has relationships with agencies, schools, and Hospital settings throughout the bay that has served as a path from internship to career. I love the program and believe in it so much that I have recently applied and gotten accepted into the PhD art therapy program. Not only am I able to have the career I want, but my passion for the field has been fostered in ways I never thought possible!"
Shelly Palmer
  • Reviewed: 3/1/2020
  • Degree: Marriage & Family Therapy
"The instructors in the Graduate Art Therapy Department are leaders in their field who have empowered me with the knowledge to help individuals succeed in overcoming their emotional challenges. The Art Therapy Department at NDNU has greatly exceeded my expectations in supporting me on my journey to becoming the best therapist I can be."