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, students can choose from one undergraduate degree-completion pathway and three graduate pathways. The BA in Psychology offers 100% online, asynchronous coursework with optional live interaction and Term I and Term II course options, helping students balance degree completion with work and family commitments. Graduate psychology students can complete coursework online, attend classes in person, or combine formats. Graduate students may take 1–4 classes per semester, with afternoon, evening, and weekend options, subject to course availability and academic planning.
Across its undergraduate and graduate pathways, NDNU emphasizes learning from faculty with real-world professional expertise. The graduate clinical psychology curriculum offers an integrative, depth-oriented approach that explores psychological, developmental, relational, cultural, and biological dimensions of human experience.
Professors Who Practice What They Teach
Learn from experienced clinicians, scholars, and professionals who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom.
Flexible Formats for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
BA in Psychology students complete 100% online, asynchronous coursework with optional live interaction and Term I and Term II options. Graduate students may choose live online courses, in-person classes, or a combination of formats.
Personalized Faculty Support
Build meaningful connections through smaller classes, individualized advising, faculty interaction, and student support services.
Integrative, Depth-Oriented Graduate Education
Graduate students 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 Graduate Clinical Training Network
Eligible graduate clinical students can explore opportunities through NDNU's network of more than 100 practicum sites across California.
Graduate Course-Load Flexibility
Graduate students may take 1, 2, 3, or 4 classes per semester, subject to course availability and academic planning.
Scheduling Options by Program
BA students benefit from asynchronous online coursework and Term I and Term II options. Graduate students can explore afternoon, evening, and weekend courses.
Graduate Licensing Exam Preparation
Eligible MFT and LPCC students and alumni can access licensing exam preparation materials at no charge.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
How Does NDNU Compare?
NDNU offers distinct undergraduate and graduate psychology pathways. The comparison below separates benefits by academic level so you can identify the learning format and opportunities that fit your goals.
Undergraduate: BA in Psychology Degree Completion
The undergraduate pathway is designed for students completing a bachelor's degree. Its 100% online, asynchronous courses are different from the live online and in-person options available in NDNU's graduate programs.
| Undergraduate Program Benefits | NDNU BA in Psychology | Online-Only Model | In-Person-Only Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete undergraduate coursework 100% online | Yes | Yes | No |
| Asynchronous coursework | Yes | Varies by program | Not applicable to in-person-only delivery |
| Optional live interaction | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Term I and Term II course options | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Undergraduate psychology degree-completion pathway | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
Graduate: Clinical Psychology Pathways
The following features apply to NDNU's graduate psychology programs, with clinical training and licensing preparation applying to eligible pathways only.
| Graduate Program Benefits | NDNU Graduate Psychology | Online-Only Model | In-Person-Only Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete graduate coursework fully online | Yes | Yes | No |
| Take graduate courses in person | Yes | No | Yes |
| Combine online and in-person graduate courses | Yes | No | No |
| Choose 1–4 graduate courses per semester, subject to availability | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Afternoon, evening, and weekend course options | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Professors who practice what they teach | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Integrative, depth-oriented graduate curriculum | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Personalized advising and faculty support | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Professional speaker series and networking | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| Access to 100+ California practicum sites (eligible clinical pathways) | Yes, for eligible students | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| MFT and MFT/LPCC graduate pathways | Yes | Varies by program | Varies by program |
| MFT and LPCC licensing exam preparation materials (eligible students and alumni) | Yes, for eligible students and alumni | Varies by program | Varies by program |
Comparison note: Online-only and in-person-only are illustrative delivery models, not named competing universities. Availability at other institutions varies. Graduate practicum and licensure-related resources do not apply to the undergraduate BA program. This chart is not a ranking of California universities.
REAL-WORLD CLINICAL TRAINING
Graduate Clinical Experience Across California
For eligible graduate clinical psychology students, 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 graduate 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 for eligible graduate clinical psychology pathways, not the BA in Psychology, and 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 and Term I and Term II course options.
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 an NDNU psychology degree fully online?
Yes. The BA in Psychology degree-completion program offers 100% online, asynchronous coursework with optional live interaction and Term I and Term II course options. 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 graduate 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?
For graduate psychology students, 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?
For eligible graduate clinical psychology pathways, 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?
Explore undergraduate degree completion through asynchronous online courses or graduate psychology pathways with online and in-person learning options, supported by experienced faculty and a connected academic community.
Explore NDNU's School of Psychology →
Questions? Call (650) 508-3600 or email admissions@ndnu.edu.