At Notre Dame de Namur University, psychology is more than a discipline studied in the classroom — it is a commitment to service, healing, advocacy, and community transformation. We are the “practitioner’s program,” and we practice what we teach. Through clinical training, community engagement, and whole-person education, NDNU’s School of Psychology continues to make a meaningful impact across California by preparing future mental health professionals while simultaneously expanding access to care for underserved populations.
As highlighted in NDNU’s recent Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) Impact Report, the School of Psychology’s reach extends far beyond campus walls, supporting individuals, families, and communities throughout the state through thousands of hours of mental health services and community-based engagement.
About the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is a statewide organization representing more than 80 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities across California. AICCU advocates for educational access, student success, academic excellence, and the public value of independent higher education. Through its annual Impact Report, AICCU highlights how member institutions contribute to their communities through education, workforce development, research, and public service initiatives across the state.
Delivering Mental Health Services Across California
NDNU’s Clinical Psychology Program provides approximately 20,000 hours of complimentary mental health services each year, helping address growing community mental health needs across California. These services are delivered through partnerships with more than 97 practicum sites spanning over 15 counties across a 777-mile region of California.
This extensive network allows NDNU students and faculty supervisors to support a wide range of communities, with a particular focus on underserved and marginalized populations that often face barriers to accessing quality mental health care.
Through these practicum partnerships, students gain hands-on clinical experience while providing meaningful support to:
- Children and adolescents
- Families and caregivers
- Veterans
- Older adults
- Diverse multicultural communities
- Individuals experiencing trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, severe mental illness, addictions, and other mental health challenges
By combining rigorous clinical training with community-centered service, NDNU’s School of Psychology ensures students graduate with both professional competence and a deep understanding of relational, ethical, and culturally responsive care.
A Commitment to Community Engagement
NDNU’s impact begins even before graduate clinical training. Students in the BA Psychology Degree Completion program actively participate in community-based learning experiences designed to connect academic theory with real-world social impact.
As part of the Community Engagement course, each undergraduate student completes a minimum of 15 hours of service, encouraging students to directly engage with organizations and initiatives that support local communities.
This emphasis on service-learning reflects NDNU’s broader educational philosophy: preparing students not only for careers, but for lives of purpose, compassion, and meaningful contribution.
Psychology Rooted in Whole-Person Education
NDNU’s School of Psychology approaches mental health education through a whole-person lens that recognizes the complexity of human experience. Students are encouraged to explore psychology through clinical rigor, relational understanding, community engagement, and deeper human inquiry.
NDNU’s School of Psychology emphasizes:
- Clinical excellence and ethical practice
- Cultural humility and social responsibility
- Relational and community-centered approaches to healing
- Depth psychology and transformative learning
- Advocacy for underserved and marginalized populations
This integrative approach prepares students to thoughtfully navigate the evolving mental health landscape while remaining grounded in empathy, reflection, and service.
Preparing Future Mental Health Leaders
As mental health needs continue to grow across California and the nation, NDNU School of Psychology remains committed to educating compassionate licensed marriage and family therapists (MFTs), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs), mental health clinicians, advocates, directors, and leaders capable of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Whether through thousands of hours of complimentary clinical services, extensive practicum partnerships, or community-based undergraduate engagement, NDNU students and faculty continue to demonstrate the transformative power of psychology rooted in service and human connection.
The school’s ongoing impact across California reflects NDNU’s enduring mission: fostering education that empowers individuals to contribute to a more compassionate, equitable, and healing world.
To learn more about NDNU’s School of Psychology, visit: