Accreditation

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur founded the Academy of Notre Dame in 1851 in San Jose, California. The institution was chartered by the State of California in 1868 as College of Notre Dame and moved to Belmont, CA in 1923. The institution changed its name to Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) in 2001.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an accredited, independent Catholic, coeducational, master’s university offering graduate, credential, and undergraduate degree completion programs. WSCUC (formerly WASC) has continuously accredited NDNU since 1955.

Institutional Accreditation

Notre Dame de Namur University is accredited by the:
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402
Alameda, CA 94501
510-748-9001
www.wscuc.org

Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Gregory Zubacz, Associate Provost

Read the most recent Commission action letter (March 2024) and the associated Visiting Team report (December 2023).

Accredited and Approved Programs at NDNU

Education credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Per Federal Regulation 34 CR 668.43 (a)(5)(v)(A-C), NDNU has not determined whether these programs meet the licensure requirements in the other 49 states.

MS Clinical Psychology program with the Marriage and Family Therapy concentration (MSCP/MFT), or with the Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling concentration (MSCP/MFT/LPCC), is in compliance with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for programs leading to MFT licensure (MSCP/MFT), or to both MFT and LPCC licensure (MSCP/MFT/LPCC). Per Federal Regulation 34 CR 668.43 (a)(5)(v)(A-C), NDNU has not determined whether these programs meet the licensure requirements in the other 49 states.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits the following business programs at Notre Dame de Namur University:

Master of Business Administration (MBA); and Master of Public Administration (MPA).

State Authorization for Online Programs

The Department of Education requires that institutions offering online or distance learning programs outside of their home states must seek authorization to operate from regulatory bodies in those states. Each state has a different set of requirements when it comes to allowing out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online degree programs to its residents. Notre Dame de Namur University complies with such requirements and is working to increase the number of states where we can offer online programs. Notre Dame de Namur University currently welcomes applications to our online programs from residents from the following states:

Assessment

Assessment Leadership at NDNU

Assessment and Program Review at NDNU is led by the Assessment Council which is comprised of designated members of all schools and chaired by the Associate Provost. The Council is advisory to the Provost. The overall charge of the Assessment Council is to foster an understanding of assessment and its important role in a learning-centered university and to encourage assessment practices that contribute to the improvement of student learning and institutional effectiveness. The Assessment Council supports NDNU faculty who are responsible for creating and evaluating student learning outcomes and establishing standards of student performance.

The Assessment Council serves as a resource for improving academic (curricular and co-curricular) assessment processes at NDNU for the purpose of enhancement and documentation of student learning outcomes. The Assessment Council also serves as the steward for the assessment of institutional outcomes. It operates in accordance with the values of the Hallmarks of NDNU as a learning community and is guided by the principle of assessment as a means for improvement of the quality of student learning/success and institutional effectiveness.

Learning Outcomes

NDNU has developed learning outcomes at the program level which also reflect the requirements of external accreditors. Each program’s learning outcomes are included with the description of the program in the NDNU Catalog.

The Assessment Cycle at NDNU

The Assessment Cycle in the School of Education

CTC Framework:
Continuous improvement for all teachers is based on the “Cycle of Formative Assessment”

Step 1: Plan

Faculty prepare the academic year with these Professional Development activities:

CalTPA Mapping to align courses with particular CalTPA Cycle and step(s)
MSCRED Methods Course Articulation aligning scores to MSCRED in preparation for Literacy Standard (TPE 7)
Student Teacher Orientation, preparing teacher candidates with these resources and live in-person/hybrid orientation preparation for teaching practicum
Course syllabi includes alignment with Teacher Performance and CalTPA objectives

Step 2: Teach & Assess

During the school year, teacher candidates complete their coursework and conduct the following with NDNU faculty and mentors:

Supervisor Observation Notes and Evaluation Forms. Supervisors, Adjunct Faculty, and Cooperating Teachers use these forms during observations and assessment of their teacher candidates
Submit CalTPA In addition to completing coursework, teacher candidates also submit their TPA to Commission Teacher Credentialing for scoring.

Step 3: Reflect

During our SOE Retreat, faculty observe, analyze, and discuss the following assessments:

Step 4: Apply

Formative assessment: Faculty meet to plan and engage in improved practices for the coming year. Examples:

CalTPA Questions- For Univ Supervisors Handout for University Supervisors to ask and debrief with their teacher candidates Cal-TPA aligned questions
Improved Lesson Plan for teacher candidates, based on the areas that teacher candidates should improve on

Academic Program Review

The Academic Program Review (APR) process at Notre Dame de Namur University is a key method for evaluating the effectiveness of academic programs in promoting student achievement, with all programs reviewed on a cycle not exceeding six years. This review includes all baccalaureate and master’s degrees, post-baccalaureate credentials, and general education. Self-study documents must be timely, comprehensive, reflective, and evaluative, focusing on assessing student learning objectives and using results to improve program quality. The self-study aligns with annual assessments, and external reviewers are required for programs without specialized accreditation.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at hr@ndnu.edu. NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist.

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.