Historic Catholic master's university in Silicon Valley, pioneering women's higher education since 1851.
Notre Dame de Namur University operates three schools: Business and Management, Education, and Psychology. The university offers master's degrees, undergraduate degree completion programs, and professional credentials including an MBA with concentrations in AI, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance, Healthcare Administration, and Public Administration. Notable programs include a PhD in Art Therapy (launched 2013, one of the first in the nation) and teaching credentials. The university is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission, though currently operating with a notice of concern due to ongoing financial challenges.
The 46-acre suburban campus in Belmont sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, less than 30 miles from both downtown San Francisco and San Jose. The historic Ralston Hall mansion, built in 1864 and purchased by the Sisters in 1922, anchors the campus and features distinctive steamboat gothic interior design. Academic buildings include Cuvilly Hall (School of Business), St. Mary's Hall (largest instructional building with science labs), and Gavin Hall (Art Therapy program). The university discontinued athletics in 2020 and has transitioned to primarily online and hybrid delivery models.
NDNU welcomes working adults and career-changers through flexible scheduling, with most classes meeting once weekly. The university offers degree completion programs for bachelor's degrees, master's programs, and professional credentials. International students and military/veterans are supported through dedicated services. Admissions requirements and detailed information are available through the official website, with virtual info sessions offered monthly for prospective students.
The university emphasizes values-based professional work and community engagement for social justice. Notable alumni include NASA astronaut Barbara Morgan, Olympic athletes, and international leaders. NDNU established the Sister Dorothy Stang Center for Social Justice and Community Engagement and in 2022 became the first West Coast university to provide temporary housing for Afghan refugees. The university maintains strong ties to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Catholic intellectual tradition.