Notre Dame de Namur University

What is the history of Notre Dame de Namur University?

Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) traces its origins to a school established in 1851 by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in San Jose, California. The institution later moved to Belmont, became known as the College of Notre Dame, and adopted its university name in 2001.

NDNU's history matters to applicants because its present academic profile differs substantially from that of a traditional residential college. It ended its traditional undergraduate programs in 2020 and shifted its emphasis toward graduate education and undergraduate degree completion. Historical descriptions of its campus, sports teams, or student activities should therefore not be taken as evidence that those opportunities are offered to current applicants.

What are the faculties and departments at Notre Dame de Namur University?

NDNU's recent academic focus is graduate study and undergraduate degree completion, rather than a broad selection of programs for students entering directly from high school. Education, business, and psychology are among the fields associated with its more recent offerings.

Applicants should check the current program catalog for the exact credential, format, and admission route they want. A field appearing in historical enrollment or earnings records does not establish that NDNU still admits students to that major. This distinction is particularly important for applicants seeking a first bachelor's degree, a teaching credential, or a program that requires supervised clinical or field experience.

What is the location of Notre Dame de Namur University?

NDNU is associated with Belmont, California, a suburban city on the San Francisco Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. Its historic campus is on Ralston Avenue.

Belmont has a Caltrain station, although reaching a particular classroom or office may require an additional local trip. Peninsula housing and transportation can be significant expenses for students who need to attend in person. Because NDNU has changed its instructional model, applicants should establish where their specific program meets before making commuting or relocation plans.

What is the mission and vision of Notre Dame de Namur University?

NDNU's stated educational identity is rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Its mission emphasizes learning, ethical responsibility, and service to others.

That heritage helps explain the university's longstanding attention to education and community-oriented professional preparation. It is a statement of institutional purpose, not a measure of any individual program's outcomes. Applicants who want to understand how the mission shapes their coursework can look for requirements such as field placements, service learning, or professional ethics in the relevant program catalog.