Notre Dame de Namur University Reviews

"Deep understanding of the subject matter as well as the laws and ethics one must know inside and out as a therapist were held in the highest regard. The classrooms were safe places to ask questions and practice “doing therapy” with fellow students at the close watch of the professor. In each class, through practicum, supervision, and internships I felt guided and prepared to go into the field. Of course I experienced nervousness in the beginning but quickly found answers through my supervision and continued availability of my professors even after I graduated. I loved my experience at NDNU’s Art Therapy Graduate program!"

"NDNU gave me in the form of the art therapy program a career that in my earlier life I could have never imagined for myself and it is thanks to them that I have a job that makes an impact in the world. Don’t take that away from future students let them have an administration that cares about them and helps fund their futures"

"I am in awe of the support and mentoring by the faculty of NDNU that has helped me to grow and develop professionally. It is rare to find such knowledgeable and compassionate leaders who are also willing to journey with you as you develop your ideas. The faculty always encourage the students to actively help the field of art therapy evolve and develop. What an amazing experience!"

"I am in the Art Therapy Psychology Department, and I would advise this highly-prestige program to anyone interested in receiving their Marriage and Family Therapy license, and an Art Therapy credential. The professors are top-notch and #1 in their field! It is a very fun and innovative program to be apart of, and the school campus is located in a beautiful area of Belmont,CA."

"The Art Therapy / MFT program offers a distinctive curriculum and sets up graduate students for success. Students leave the program with the resources and expertise needed to have a profound impact on their community. The professors are leaders in the field of art therapy and psychology, offering students an unparalleled experience. NDNU’s art therapy department rivals as one of the best in the nation and is the only graduate program of its nature serving the robust needs of the Northern CA area. After having the honor to graduate from this program, it is clear why students from around the nation and the globe come to NDNU for an art therapy graduate education. The program was a life changing and transformative experience, both personally and professionally."

"The Art Therapy Psychology program at NDNU was pivotal in my career. I have not regretted my choice in schools and feel that the education I received was excellent in preparing me for a deeply rewarding career. The professors were warm, welcoming, and encouraging. I am grateful for my experiences while there."

"Fantastic faculty who are extremely qualified, passionate and authentically care for all students. NDNU's Art Therapy Department pushes positive boundaries, allowing for great strides in the fields of Art Therapy, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Counseling. Students and faculty desire to learn and grow together, both in and outside the classroom. I highly recommend NDNU's Masters in Art Therapy, MFT, LPCC!"

"The Art Therapy Psychology Department provided me the best training in coursework, fieldwork experience, relevant research in the field, and mentorship and supervision from renowned professors in the worlds of Art Therapy, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. As one of two approved programs offered to me in the entire state of California at the time I entered my masters, NDNU provided an invaluable presence in the education, service, and betterment of the world. NDNU also offered values for higher education, social justice, and community that align with my views being a professional and citizen of the world."

"Getting my Masters in Art Therapy at NDNU was a good experience, and I've experienced a positive return on my investment in terms of professional income. The professors were engaged and engaging and art-making is centered in the program, which is crucial in the development of Art Therapist skills. There was a lack of diversity in the faculty that I hope will be addressed over time, as well as a current trend (since my graduation) to hire their own PhD graduates to teach in the program, resulting in a lack of institutional cross-pollination . The program prepared me quite well to function in my internship, and I found myself more knowledgable about Law and Ethics and Theoretical Orientations than my compatriots. I appreciated the perspectives of the adjunct faculty who taught weekend and summer classes and some of them were my standout instructors in the program that I still refer to and notice their influence on my practice."

"The M.A. MFT/Art Therapy program is unmatched. It offers a truly unique and invaluable education, with faculty who are not only extremely knowledge in their field, but care deeply about their student’s success. Not only will you leave the program with all the tools and support you need to embark on your career, but you also leave with a passion for social justice and a drive to give back to the community."

"The Art Therapy Program is led by amazing professors who are supportive, knowledgeable, and well-respected in the field. The classes offer plenty of opportunity for self reflection, opportunity to create and learn useable skills, and community building with your peers. The campus is beautiful and an oasis in the busy-ness of the Bay Area."

"My experience in the MFT & Art Therapy program at Notre Dame de Namur has been very positive. I have been able to continue my learning and work towards the completion of my degree with the support of my professors who have been fully invested in providing the best education and contribute to my learning. The classes, especially, the core classes have expanded my knowledge in Psychology as a whole and have been useful in acquiring new knowledge of how art therapy can contribute to the healing process as well. The fellow students and our shared desire to become therapists has really encouraged me and has made my participation in the NDNU community very enjoyable and self-fulfilling. I am very excited in having a career and entering into a field where my work will be valuable and will have a lasting effect in people's lives. I am hopeful that this community keeps thriving so that more people can benefit and heal through the work that students like myself are learning to do."

"I really liked the fact that I could obtain a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy AND Art Therapy from the Art Therapy Psychology Department at NDNU. I feel that the faculty and curriculum prepared me well for my Practicum and for my career once I graduated. I am now licensed and continue to use art therapy in my work and I remain connected to alumni and faculty at the school. The small classes and programs allow students to take the time to process experiential interventions, get to know one another and remain connected in the community. My only suggestion would be to add a course involving the pros and cons of private practice and inviting professionals in the community in to discuss how they started and lessons learned."

"Faculty in this graduate program are exceptionally experienced in their field and share real-life, applicable information and true-and-tested clinical knowledge with their students. Neither theory nor serviceable action seems to be dominant in the program. Instead, our staff aims to teach both on equal footing and attempts to relate them together as much as possible. It is also clear that each and every staff member genuinely cares about their students. They promote active participation, authentic conversations, and critical processing while maintaining an atmosphere of openness, confidentiality, and compassion. Staff are willing to work with individual students regarding personal issues, as well as educational disruptions, in a sincere attempt to give each student the best chance at success of understanding and applying the knowledge and material presented in each class. I feel that this program is providing me foundational, applicable, and deeply substantive knowledge about psychology and art therapy. I am truly grateful to have the privileged to study under the faculty in our program and grow together with my cohort to become the next generation of art therapists and advocates."

"I was one of the few who attended NDNU for undergrad and graduate school. Both of my experiences were great. During my time here, I felt supported and connected with many of my classmates and professors. The school is small but that’s part of its charm. Having such small classes makes it easy to create positive relationships with the students and professors, made me feel comfortable to participate in discussions and made it impossible to slip through the cracks. Every teacher I had here at NDNU made me feel like they genuinely cared about me succeeding. I will never forget several professors in particular who would notice something stressing me out and then would take the time to check in on me before or after class to make sure I was doing okay and if I wasn’t, they would help me figure out what I needed. After moving back to my hometown and reconnecting with high school friends I’ve come to learn that NDNU is one of the few schools that actually care and put effort into developing its students as a whole. NDNU cared not only about students achieving academically but they provided countless opportunities to grow spiritually and emotionally with numerous meditation or self care events, encouraging students to take a break while studying, countless volunteer and community engagement opportunities and fun events to reward everyone’s hard work. During weekly student mass (which was respectful towards students with different religions/spiritualities and was never mandatory like other religious schools) the priest would speak with the intention of relating the homily to the students. They would invite students to come up and share but never forced anyone or shamed them for declining. Even though I went inconsistently, the priest and other parish faculty began to recognize me and would talk to me throughout the week. For the first time, I felt comfortable enough to participate in mass. During the graduate program, professors would check in with students and would always stress the importance of self care. During class, sometimes it would seem silly, but now that I’m working full time in the mental health field, I see other therapists who are just as new as me, burning out while I’m still practicing my daily self care and feel ready to continue. Many of the professors here encourage students to always self reflect and check in with how what they are doing relates to their inner values and the hallmarks set forth by the school. NDNU provided me many opportunities to work with children and gain the experience I needed to pursue my goals. After graduation (both times) I was able to get a job within a month doing something that I loved and actually putting my degrees to work. I currently work for a non profit doing art therapy with children and their families and I love it. Without NDNU I don’t think I would be where I am now."

"The caliber of the professors was excellent. In the MFT & Art Therapy program we were challenged to become the best therapists we could be, thinking outside the box, always considering the others’ perspective with a eye to social justice. I have since returned to the east coast to put in practice all the skills they taught us and helped 100s of Domestic Violence survivors overcome their trauma using those very skills. The students who graduate from this school make a difference in the world."

"I appreciate and am so grateful for my masters experience in the Art therapy/psychotherapy department at NDNU. I gathered a solid clinical base and an expertise in the field of art therapy. The professors were all knowledgeable and passionate about the field."

"Norte Dame de Namur has a unique program integrating Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy. Instructors are knowledgeable and art therapy interventions are woven into class instruction. I moved from an out of state to be in a program that was strong in research and intervention."

"Before attending NDNU I felt questionable about my chosen path in life. I never felt as if I fit into the communities attached to my chosen majors at my previous campus, therefore I had my doubts going into my masters program. Those doubts vanished the day I attended open house at NDNU and the first day stepped foot into the Art Therapy program to attend class. I was welcomed with such warmth and open arms by my professors and fellow colleagues. It is at NDNU I realized that Art therapy is the path that I want to be on in life and it is a path that I hope to continue on with the help of NDNU."

"As an alumni, my experience with Notre Dame de Namur’s Art Therapy Psychology program was one that I will forever cherish. The amount of knowledge gained, support given, and community created by the staff and it’s members is incomparable. I am incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to not only study with Notre Dame de Namur’s Art Therapy Psychology program, but to remain connected beyond the classroom walls, as well. If you are passionate about the field of Art Therapy, Notre Dame de Namur’s Art Therapy Psychology program is a place where that passion will be nourished and will flourish."