CALIFORNIA PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM GUIDE
Why Choose NDNU's School of Psychology?
Compare What Matters.
Not all psychology programs offer the same learning experience. At Notre Dame de Namur University, students benefit from flexible learning options, professors who practice what they teach, personalized support, and professional connections across California.
Explore NDNU's School of Psychology →THE NDNU DIFFERENCE
Flexible Learning. Personal Connection.
Choosing the right psychology program is about more than finding a university that offers the degree you want. It's about finding a learning environment that fits your life, supports your goals, and helps you build connections for your future career.
At NDNU's School of Psychology, graduate students can choose to complete their coursework fully online, attend classes in person, or combine both formats. This flexibility gives working adults, career changers, and students balancing family commitments the ability to pursue graduate education while staying connected to professors and classmates. Students can take 1–4 classes per semester without a fixed course load, with afternoon, evening, and weekend options to accommodate different schedules.
Unlike programs that emphasize only one theoretical perspective, NDNU offers an integrative, depth-oriented approach to psychology. Students explore psychological, developmental, relational, cultural, and biological dimensions of human experience while learning from faculty with real-world professional expertise.
Professors Who Practice What They Teach
Learn from experienced clinicians, scholars, and professionals who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom.
Online, In Person, or Both
Choose live online graduate courses, in-person classes, or a combination of both. Graduate coursework can be completed fully online. Take classes at your own pace—based on your time and finances.
Personalized Faculty Support
Build meaningful connections through smaller classes, individualized advising, faculty interaction, and student support services.
Integrative, Depth-Oriented Education
Explore psychodynamic, relational, humanistic, systems, cognitive-behavioral, and other evidence-informed perspectives in applied psychology.
Professional Development
Access weekly job and career updates, professional speaker series, networking, career fairs, panels, referrals, and professional opportunities.
Statewide Clinical Training Network
Explore opportunities through NDNU's network of more than 100 practicum sites across California.
Choose Your Course Load
Take 1, 2, 3, or 4 classes per semester. No fixed number of courses is required each term.
Classes That Fit Your Schedule
Afternoon, evening, and weekend courses accommodate working professionals and modern learners.
Licensing Exam Preparation
Current students and alumni can access MFT and LPCC licensing exam preparation materials at no charge.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
How Does NDNU Compare?
Some psychology programs are available exclusively online. Others require students to attend in person. NDNU offers the flexibility to choose between these experiences, alongside a range of academic and professional resources.
| Program Benefits | NDNU School of Psychology | Online-Only Model | In-Person-Only Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete graduate coursework fully online | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Take graduate courses in person | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Combine online and in-person graduate courses | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Choose 1–4 graduate courses per semester without a fixed course load | ✓ | ? | ? |
| Afternoon, evening, and weekend course options | ✓ | ? | ? |
| MFT and LPCC licensing exam preparation materials at no charge for students and alumni | ✓ | ? | ? |
| Professors who practice what they teach | ✓ | ? | ? |
| Integrative, depth-oriented curriculum | ✓ | ? | ? |
| Personalized advising and faculty support | ✓ | ? | ? |
| Professional speaker series and networking | ✓ | ? | ? |
| 100+ practicum sites across California | ✓ | ? | ? |
| MFT and MFT/LPCC graduate pathways | ✓ | ? | ? |
Comparison note: Online-only and in-person-only describe illustrative delivery models, not specific competing universities. A question mark indicates that availability varies and should be verified with the individual institution. The chart is not a ranking of California universities.
REAL-WORLD CLINICAL TRAINING
Experience That Extends Across California
One of NDNU's strengths is its extensive clinical training network. The School of Psychology maintains relationships with more than 100 practicum sites across California, extending beyond the San Francisco Bay Area into Northern, Central, and Southern California.
These opportunities help eligible students apply classroom learning in clinical, behavioral health, educational, nonprofit, and community-based environments.
Students receive support through the School of Psychology and its Director of Clinical Training, including access to information about sites, professional connections, and the clinical training process.
Explore Our Clinical Psychology Partnerships →Real-World Experience. Statewide Opportunities.
Practicum opportunities are subject to program eligibility, site availability, and NDNU's clinical training placement process. Placement at a specific site is not guaranteed.
YOUR EDUCATION, YOUR GOALS
Four Psychology Pathways. One Supportive Community.
NDNU offers programs for students at different stages of their academic and professional journeys.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Complete your bachelor's degree through 100% online, asynchronous coursework, with optional live interaction.
Explore the BA Program →Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Develop advanced psychological knowledge for applied, clinical, human services, social work, business, organizational, consulting, and related non-licensure career interests.
Explore the MSCP Program →MS in Clinical Psychology / MFT
Prepare academically to pursue California Marriage and Family Therapist licensure through integrative coursework and clinical training.
Explore the MFT Program →MS in Clinical Psychology / MFT / LPCC
Prepare academically for both California MFT and LPCC licensure pathways while developing clinical knowledge and practical skills.
Explore the MFT/LPCC Program →Clinical licensure requires additional supervised experience, examinations, and other applicable state requirements after completing the degree.
Exam preparation materials are educational resources and do not guarantee licensing exam results.
QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE ENROLLING
What Should You Compare When Choosing a Psychology Program?
Select each question to explore important considerations.
Can I complete my psychology graduate degree fully online?
NDNU's graduate clinical psychology programs offer online and in-person learning options. Students can complete graduate coursework fully online, choose in-person classes, or combine formats. The MFT and MFT/LPCC online courses include live synchronous instruction rather than being entirely asynchronous.
Will I learn from professors with real-world experience?
NDNU emphasizes its scholar-practitioner model, connecting students with professors who practice what they teach. Faculty bring professional experience, clinical perspectives, scholarship, networking, referrals, professional opportunities, and community involvement into their teaching.
How important are practicum partnerships?
For licensure-oriented students, clinical training is a significant part of professional preparation. NDNU maintains more than 100 practicum sites across California and offers personalized support through its Director of Clinical Training. This training often leads to future careers and job opportunities as an associate or licensed therapist.
What professional development opportunities are available?
NDNU highlights weekly job and professional development updates, speaker series, professional panels, career fairs, alumni networking, referrals, and connections with practitioners and organizations.
Which NDNU psychology program is right for my goals?
The BA in Psychology supports undergraduate degree completion. The 37-unit MSCP is a non-licensure graduate pathway. The 60-unit MFT and 67-unit MFT/LPCC pathways provide academic preparation for their respective California clinical licenses. All graduate programs prepare students for future doctoral study. Students should discuss individual goals with Admissions and confirm all current licensure requirements.
Can I choose how many classes to take each semester?
Yes. NDNU graduate psychology students can take 1, 2, 3, or 4 classes per semester, with no fixed number of classes required each term. Afternoon, evening, and weekend courses help accommodate work, family, and other commitments. Course availability and academic planning may vary by term.
Does NDNU provide MFT and LPCC licensing exam preparation resources?
Yes. NDNU offers MFT and LPCC licensing exam preparation materials to current students and alumni at no charge. These resources can help students prepare for licensing examinations; exam outcomes depend on individual preparation and applicable licensing requirements.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Why Settle for Just One Way to Learn?
Experience a psychology education built around flexible learning, personal connection, experienced professors, and meaningful professional opportunities.
Explore NDNU's School of Psychology →
Questions? Call (650) 508-3600 or email admissions@ndnu.edu.