Notre Dame de Namur University

My 5 Star Review is based entirely on one thing, employment after graduation. Specifically I am concerned with how long it took me to gain employment in a respectable field that paid well. I started my collegiate career at NDNU in 2004, but finished my undergrad elsewhere. I am now back to earn my MBA. I start in the Spring of 2016 and within a month of applying I had a job that I love! I haven’t even started yet ad I have a sweet job.
While the argument could be made that it had more to do with my undergraduate degree rather than my anticipated Masters, but that is not the case and I will tell you why. I used my NDNU network to start my career. Two former teammates connected me with a regional recruiter in the Bay Area who helped me every step of the way. My admissions counselor knew the Area Manager and Regional VP at our company and was able to put in a good word for me… and that’s here in Colorado. So while yes it may cost more to go here it has paid off for me. I also didn’t major in something useless like dance or creative studies. I don’t know how people can waste their time with majors like that and then wonder why they can’t find a good paying job? Blows my mind.
As for campus life… it was fun. There is never a shortage of parties to go to and the Cal Train takes you into San Fran all day and night. If you’re smart you’ll visit Napa and Tahoe while you are there and see things. If you don’t you’ll probably have a boring time as Belmont doesn’t stay open past 8:00pm. Go here if you’re an athlete who can’t make DI… while they don’t give full athletic rides they do make up for it with merit scholarships.

My wife finished her masters in art therapy in May. We moved to Las Vegas due to my job transfer. NDNU does not require enough courses for my wife to get her intern license here! REALLY??? 90,000 FOR A MASTER DEGREE SHE CANT USE??? So I guess if you stay in CA, in one of the most expensive places to live in the country you are good. Of course NDNU does not want to help her in any way! BTW The school is so run down the WIFI hardly ever works! Parking is horrible!

The campus is small but very manageable apart from a large university. The atmosphere is very calm and respectful. The student body is less than 3000 I believe and most classes have about maximum 22 students. NDNU STUDENTS are successful partly because of the individual attention they receive from professors instead of having a student body of 8000 kids and only communicating through email with a professor.

Communication with this school is beyond difficult. They have dropped the ball on so many things that I’ve now lost count. This school is not worth the money!!! I completed my Master’s in School Admin in December and am still waiting for them to pass my info onto the CTC. After several emails and phone calls, I am still waiting to here back from them. Sadly this has been the story all along… no response from anyone.

I got my BA at USF and did some graduate field work there, also. However, I’ll never regret EVER going to NDdeN University for my teaching credential +CLAD. Years later I’ve earned my MEd there. The teaching supervision, guidance, classes and faculty were all helpful and challenging, and highly qualified.
I inquired about attending NDdeN on registration day, and one of the Ed. Dept. faculty walked me through the lines and process! The cost IS high per unit, but after graduation the mention of a credential from NDdeN puts me on a higher level in hiring preference than the state universities or on-​line credential programs I’ve been told by several CA districts. The reputation of NDdeN U. credential graduates is well-​known apparently — information I’ve gleaned from interviewers. Many would have hired me on the spot had I not been «shopping» for the best situation.
There are a lot of students in the work-​study program who staff the reception and primary office areas. They are not always the best informed personnel, so it’s best to ask one of the permanent staff for more detailed information. It’s also prudent to ask for that detailed information prior to deadline dates because one can avoid a humungous crowd of last minute students — the same crowd that one finds at every college or university. One can also get more personalized assistance if one can think ahead to find information, requirements, etc.
The cafeteria food was varied and substantial. I envied the on-​campus students who could eat that great food every day.
Thanks NDdeN University!!!

I have to disagree with other students who have been commenting about NDNU here on Unilocal.I’ve had nothing but a great experience at NDNU. I can’t say I’ve had a bad experience anywhere on campus even in the cafeteria (where all the workers are so nice and helpful and the food is really good).
I’m in the MBA program. I’m taking 3 classes and all my professors are great. One of them has 3 degrees from Yale, Columbia, and NYU. All my professors try their hardest to help us as did the staff at different departments when I started the program.
I have never seen anyone smoking, fighting, or any negative thing on campus. Students are courteous and help each other. People at NDNU have morals and the school encourages that in its code of conduct or «Hallmarks.» When I walk around the campus, all I see and feel is happiness!
Why are so many people trying to hate? Did you slack and not make good grades and lose your financial aid? Did you break the Hallmarks (school code of conduct) and get expelled? Did you turn in assignments late and get bad grades? From my perspective, it seems that something went wrong on your end that caused you to feel so angry that you wanted to go to Unilocal and slander the school.
NDNU is a GREAT school and people are getting a great education! It is a RANKING school and it is ranked HIGHER than San Francisco State University as well as many others!

I have never in my life been more sorry than signing up for anything than signing up for the NDNU credential program. Not only will they take your money happily but they will gladly and easily give you A’s all along making you think your doing great! Let me tell you… they think their sh** doesn’t stink! Especially Dr Ferrara who thinks he’s better than anyone! He’ll pick on you if he thinks your trying to one up him and will look down on you because he is so high and mighty! Don’t ask anyone for help because noone will answer their emails and noone will answer the phones! Unless, of course, you still have $$$$ to pay then they love you! Sorry sorry pathetic excuse for a CATHOLIC university institution. So unprofessional and so rude! I should have stayed at SFSU where the professors care and they will help you.

I am posting to respond to the virulent post by Oscar M. on 3÷3÷2015.
I met Oscar when I saw him protesting at the end of the driveway on Ralston. He gave me a cigarette and we spoke for a good while. I told him I was there to apply to be a student. He gave me some rather fantastic accounts of his time at NDNU and warned me not to apply. From this interaction, and judging from his post that is indicative of delusions of persecution (and downright incivility), his views should not be seen as representative of the truth of the situation.
I have had the pleasure of working with Jean Grech Condé on a number of projects in my two years at NDNU. For example: Table of Plenty, the Diversity Council, the Planning Commission, the LGBTQ Club, and a recent round table discussion with Muslim students. I found her to be open and receptive to questions and alternative views.
NDNU has helped me take ownership of my education and to grow alongside the institution. There are ongoing renovations and modernizations. There is now a Retention Office that is bringing together different departments and improving communications on campus. I have found a place at this university and I did it by contributing and seeking out leadership positions through volunteering — not by ripping at its weaker points with misplaced expectations.

Review is purely for the business office– they are money hungry and you would think thousands of dollars in tuition would suffice but no– they suck your blood dry too for every penny u have. Also– the manager of this department is the rudest most unprofessional excuse of a woman that I have ever come across. Yuck!

I attended this school for a short time before I transferred! Don’t get me wrong, I, as well as many, was involved at NDNU in athletics, clubs and other organizations. Although I think that this school is much better than some other universities such as, San Jose State and most Public universities. It is not the best at all for being a private university. I am happy that I will not be graduating from here! Yes it has less students, WAY less. This makes it possible for students to almost always get the classes that they want, but the professors are not the best at all and it is not worth the money. Let me be honest, now that i am at a more rigorous and challenging academic university, I can truly see the difference between NDNU and other private and public universities, it is much easier than some other universities! Most students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher at NDNU would NOT have that high of a GPA at another university with higher academics, guaranteed. FAVORITES are almost always being played whether that is in classes or in leadership positions, trust me! I have heard from ALOT of alumni that they do not get the jobs they deserve after graduating from NDNU. You will only get the job you deserve if you are lucky and work hard. Most of my friends at NDNU have transferred to other universities as well, some better and some worse. The only good thing about this school was the sense of community and social justice, can’t forget about the cute deer as well! Everything else is not what I wanted from college. I didn’t think I would say this, but it really kind of did feel like an extra year of high school to a certain extent, because it was so small. Almost everyone knows each other. Another thing that really sucks is that the «Bonners» who pride themselves for standing up for «social justice» and «volunteering» in reality actually get «paid» ALOT for going to NDNU. They receive excess scholarships from NDNU as well as from other places who work with Bonners. Which is really NOT FAIR at all. Bonners are supposed to volunteer for the love of what they do and the true passion and dedication to their community. Many students who receive this kind of financial aid and extra scholarships REALLY do not deserve it. Give it to the students who really can not afford to go to schools like this. I know many students, especially alumni who would agree.
Overall, NDNU is a good school but is certainly not the best at all. This would be a back up type of school for sure. Needs some major improvements, from everyone in a place of authority, deans and the President herself.

I love NDNU for their dedication to social justice. The online graduate programs are well designed to meet the scheduling challenges of working adults, and the curriculum is both thorough and applicable to many professional endeavors.

I’ve applied for my graduate studies here and after dealing with some of their employees I’ve decided to drop them from my list of potential schools. Why would I want to spend $ 25k on a school that talks down to its potential student? I’ve dealt with one employee in particular in the business office named Tammy Martinez. She claims to be the «assistant manager» but from the way she talks to you you’d think she’s in high school. Horrible phone etiquette and rude and unprofessional. Another department I dealt with told me they couldn’t help but they would ask someone else to call me about my question. One week later still no call. This is a second rate private school that charges a ton of money for an education you can get from a state school. Don’t waste your money or time here.

I took time off to start a family and now I’m back to finish what I started. This college offers evening courses that caters to people that work full-​time. The campus is beautiful. The Ralston mansion is historical and if you are looking for a wedding site take a look at this place.

I am surprised to see so many negative reviews. I am in the Business School now and everyone has been great with the exception of one instructor. He is a bit of nightmare at times and I have made a complaint. I have an A in the class by the way; the class is Business Values. He has negative reviews on rate your professor. If you are a person that is not proactive in your education and careless about staying on top of your bills, I could see some difficulties arising in the business office. The same would go for any college, holds are place on records, but this school is great at giving a $ 2500 leeway on paying tuition.
I transferred from a junior college, and I was so happy to have small class sizes, one on one help, accommodating counselors, and great cafeteria food. Your instructors know your name and the instructors go out of there way to help, just ask for it!
Internships, ask an instructor, or counselor and they will direct you to the resources you need. I have had instructors help me with my resume, and even help me find internships.
I came from a school that was more into «customer prevention» budget cuts, no available classes, over crowded classes, grumpy faculty, 2 month appt. to see a counselor, almost zero resources. There is a chance of getting a difficult instructor like anywhere, but communicate with them. Yes, private school is more expensive than public school, but you get your moneys worth. Just be proactive in your education.
Also, I receive financial aid and there are deadlines to meet. This has nothing to do with the school and everything to do with meeting GOVERNMENT DEADLINE times and tax forms. If you miss a deadline, your financial aid will be delayed. This has nothing to do with the school and everything to do with the person applying to financial aid. The financial aid office also gives you the resources to find scholarships and they even pay the sites for you. Come on people, place blame where it is due.
Gosh, some of these comments on here sound like spoiled children. My mother and grandmother both graduated from here and both had positive experiences too.
My recommendation to the people who posted negative comments, try going to a junior college at this point in time. I’m sure your perspective will change.

Located in Belmont hills off of a main street. Very nice campus; we came for all day volleyball tournaments. The school is well kept, clean, quiet and very serene. We even saw a family of deers grazing on campus.

Waste of time and money. The art program is terrible. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN ART MAJOR DO NOT GO HERE. Right now I’m enrolled in community college because I literally learned nothing from the four year art program. I’m in SO much financial debt, paying off loans for a program that didn’t help me at all in my career or with my passion. I actually LOST my passion for art at this school. Went from drawing 4 – 6 hours a day to not wanting to do art at all for two years. Anyway, I can’t afford to move out of my parents house because of the debt I’ve acquired from NDNU, I had to go back to school to actually build a portfolio and actually LEARN something so there’s more money out of the bank. Now I’m doing under grad classes again at Ohlone and after two days of school I’ve felt I’ve learned more than my entire time at NDNU. (This is referring to the art program only) It’s REALLY sad. I wish I could call them and get my money back because literally my family has no money either because of this sad excuse for a under grad program.
I won’t speak for the other programs, because I definitely had some good professors while doing my GE, and the on campus living was pretty nice but when it comes down to it I paid way too much for a piece of paper with no skills to show for it. I completely regret ever going to my school. I’m trying my best to stay positive and make up for four years of debt and the waste of time that was NDNU. Go to community college if you can’t get into another University. Transfer to a state school, the art programs are probably better anywhere else. No joke. We did the same still life’s every semester, my teachers were close minded, only taught their style, which was extremely limited. Didn’t teach any skills or techniques, it was all pure bullcrap. The only people I learned from were my peers. By the time I realized it, it was too late for me to transfer. :(
Thanks NDNU, here’s a middle finger, one star, for really messing up my life. Don’t let them take your money.

I’m currently in NDNUs credential program and the classes I have taken thus far have been great. Dealing with the business and fin aid office… nightmare!!!
If you plan on attending this school expect delays on your fin aid and unclear/​unorganized «help» from the business office. No excuses for their lack of professionalism and complete lack of interdepartmental organization.

I have done two teaching credentials and a masters at NDNU and have highly mixed feelings about the campus. I’ll share why:
Starting with the negatives:
First off, the organization in the campus in general is highly lacking. Departments don’t communicate well with one another, which is very frustrating as a student. You have to check with 3 – 4 people about every question or issue, then get their responses in writing so that you can prove they said it at later dates when others question.
Within weeks of enrolling, the university sent me threatening letters that my account was not paid in full and that I would be dropped from my classes. I had never received a bill. I clarified with them that this is an auto letter and because I had just enrolled in classes, it was sent out with the rest of the batch of people who had enrolled the end of the previous school year and over summer who should have already paid.
Next, they lost my transcripts and I had to re-​order, repay for them, and send them again. The transcript service sent me proof that they mail them through some type of certified mail and they have proof it was delivered to NDNU.
A week or two later (3 weeks into classes starting) NDNU lost my entire file, but because of someone quitting their job and being replaced, it was later found under a stack of papers on someone’s desk.
During my second year I enrolled for a class and spent part of my summer conversing with the student teaching placement coordinator about my work schedule and how it would fit into student teaching. She said it would work out. On the first class meeting she told me I would either have to quit my job and take my schooling seriously, or I would have the drop the class and take it later. I had to go to another person with written proof of our conversation to work something out because otherwise I would be charged a partial amount for dropping the class so late. Luckily the second person I went to made things right.
Most recently I’ve spent 5 days dealing with a parking violation showing up on my student account for a day two weeks ago that I was not on campus, of which I received no notification other than the charge. I have spoke with 7 different people who all do not realize they are telling me different things. Each person tells me that I need to provide certain information for them to answer my questions, yet no one has given me any information about how this error could have happened. I have been provided no written information about the violation other than a line item on my online account. Each person I deal with tells me I need to speak to someone else and that it is not their job to help me. This is highly frustrating, especially considering I pay $ 120 for a parking permit and very high tuition.
Overall the lack of communication and organization of the school gets negative stars as far as I am concerned.
Now the positives:
However, there are also amazing staff members who will do everything in their power to help you succeed. Judith Doktor, Terrance Hannah, Lu Chang, Stephanie Demaree, Irv Rollins, Fred Thompson, Tami Schilling, Annabel Jensen, these are just a few of the wonderful people who work for NDNU as advisors and professors. These people teach new teachers about real life experience in the classroom. They give insight into what to focus on, and how to help in real situations. Anabel Jensen is an inspiration and teaches her classes the way that she tells teachers to teach. I took many lessons from her class and used them directly or in a modified way into my classrooms. Terrance Hannah works tirelessly with the ever changing requirements from the state on teaching credentials to make sure students receive as up to date and accurate information about their courses and requirements as possible. These people who actually are invested in their students and care about their job are the reason I continue recommend this school despite all of the frustrations with the campus and how unprofessionally they often handle situations.
If this school could revamp the way in which their billing, enrollment and public safety systems work and how departments communicate with one another, I believe it would be one of the best universities (at least for educators) in California. Unfortunately, I have spent so much money and so much time invested in this school with so many frustrations and so little help when I needed it, that I can only rate the school with two stars.

I absolutely love this school. I will be walking the stage this Saturday, shaking hands, accepting my diploma, and tossing my cap way up in the sky! Finally, I’ll be done. ((sniff sniff))
A few years ago I completed my Undergrad in Accounting & Finance here. Last December, I completed my last Graduate class. (Graduation ceremonies occur once a year in May.)
NDNU is located in Belmont, surrounded by lush trees, wonderful weather, pretty animals, and even a beautiful mansion (Ralston Hall).
NDNU has an extensive faculty of distinguished staff and professors with prestine wisdom and experience. The MBA program follows a stellar curriculum, applying assignments and projects to current, real world/​global issues.
Another great thing about NDNU is it’s comprised of well diversed students with different backgrounds. Having such a diverse group enhances your education and brings more experience to the table, which is required in our global economy.
Tuition at NDNU is definitely on the pricier side. However, this is a private university and it’s worth it. Classes are intimate, enabling students with the luxury of a more one-​on-​one type of education. Students are not considered numbers here, but rather treated as well respected peers.
Regarding education, you get exactly what you put into it. Each person may have their own opinion of this school, but what really matters is what you take away from what you’ve learned. NDNU has provided the necessary tools (ie staff, professors, and program), now it’s up to each student & what they want to do with it.
P. S. I am so done with writing school papers!

I’m a fan for a few reasons. I’m taking the accelerated business program. Each class is 7 weeks. It’s a little intense, but it’s short enough to keep my attention. It basically means, that I don’t have time to mess around (much)
Each class houses up to 25 people. So far, my classes have been just a little over half filled. I prefer it that way. Smaller class usually means more face time with the professors.
It’s close to home and the café’s got decent food. The teachers I have encountered have been really nice so far.
I have had issues with financial aid but I think that may be more of an issue with the lender as opposed to the school administration. (long story)
Overall, I’m glad I picked this place. I’ll be even happier once I’m out of here!