Saint Mary's College of California Reviews

"The Saint Mary's College of California M.S. Hybrid Accounting Program is perfect for those who are currently working professionals. The Program is also a great opportunity to enter the accounting industry as a whole. The class schedule and class times are set so it is very easy to get into a routine and know what to expect week by week and quarter by quarter. I would recommend this program for anyone considering becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or considering sitting for the CPA exam. The course material will be necessary to become fully certified once the test sections have been passed. The instructors all come from unique backgrounds in that some are academic professors and some are working professionals contributing to the Program as well. Overall the experience has been phenomenal and will be worth every penny upon graduation!Read Less"

"I can't say enough terrible things about this program. For an apparent "counseling" program most of the professors and advisors don't try to even listen or even understand students. There is absolutely ZERO support for grad students in terms of helping with field placement (most of the students in my class are having the worst experience) They also require 30 hours of mandated counseling and have absolutely no means of supporting or helping with the cost. The counseling department isn't allowing students to use the counseling services on campus unless we have a "psychological need" whatever that means. The program attempts to instill honesty and genuineness but completely counteracts this and in return are not empathetic, understanding, and assume that we "have it all together" because we are "counselors". I would NEVER recommend this program to anyone. Most of the professors in this program create an atmosphere that doesn't allow anyone with a different belief to speak or share with others - the complete opposite of creating an empathetic and understanding environment. It even counteracts the purpose of education to begin with - self-growth and learning. If you have any belief that is slightly different from the professors at this school you usually remain silent and are ridiculed for not having the same values, ideas, beliefs, and opinion. It also doesn't help that you pay 60,000 without any support to get a job after graduation or even any services to help during the program. I have never been so disappointment with an educational system that prides itself on acceptance and understanding when I have seen anything but this. If I didn't waste 30,000 already I would have left the program.Read Less"

"Expensive program that provides very little value. Administrators are continuing to just take students money and do not seem focused at all on the quality of education. Even after students write in the surveys that the class was useless, they continue to offer them."

"The school has a pleasant atmosphere, beautiful campus, and 15 student to one teacher ratio."

"It is a small college, but it has been growing well and has a good school for business majors. The Big 4 recruit from their accounting program."

"Saint Mary's College of California is an excellent institution that provides a quality liberal arts education and prepares each student to think critically. In my personal experience I felt like I was fully supported and challenged by my professors to reach my educational and professional goals."

"Saint Mary's is definitely not for everyone, but it is perfect if you are looking for a small, close knit community, small class sizes, and wonderful opportunities to get to know classmates and professors on a different level. They encourage collaborative thinking and exude a passion for social justice. The opportunities that Saint Mary's gave me are incredibly unique and have helped form memories and skills that will last a lifetime."

"The college has a small campus but continues to grow and improve year over year. I would recommend it more to students in the area, and the master's programs are good for those working full time."

"I graduated from SMC in 2016 and jumped into their MBA program in the same year. The school is all about community and you truly get to know your classmates and professors in and out of the classroom. I transferred there for my undergraduate and can speak to the difference between a big school where you get lost in everything and one where you get a quality education from everyone around you."

"Saint Mary's College was an incredibly rigorous yet fulfilling school to attend. Immersed in the small community which consisted of attentive and caring professors as well as collaborative students, I believe I achieved my full potential there. The small atmosphere fostered personal learning and I always felt supported. They have an excellent business program and a science department that helped prepare me for medical school. I would definitely recommend this school to any student considering!"

"The campus is beautiful and the class sizes are very small. I also liked some of the reading courses that were required. It's a school where you focus on your major, but also teaches you to become a more cultured individual by creating at atmosphere where you can have great experiences outside of your major."

"The Counseling Graduate program at St. Mary's College is excellent, and it's graduates a wonderful reputation for professionalism and preparedness in the community. I am enjoying the program, developing my counseling skills and interacting with my professors, as well as my peers. The program emphasizes personal and professional growth and being a well-rounded and skilled counselor. Although pricey, it's well work the expense!"

"Saint Mary's provides an insular and supportive environment for its writers. Funding is low and hard to come by, though faculty and staff do offer great flexibility and accessibility. The path from school into the professional world is a difficult one that students are expected to navigate on their own. However, there are resources available to assist with this. I am grateful for my experience at SMC, though it is not what I initially pictured when I was applying for graduate schools."

"The School Psychology Program is great, and really pushes you to reach your full potential! The workload is intense, but once you are through it, your new found work ethic and Master's Degree + PPS Credential will open up numerous job opportunities for you."

"If you want a graduate program that has small class sizes, a personal experience, accessible and experienced professors that practice in the field, a beautiful campus, and a stellar reputation then St. Mary's College of California is for you! St. Mary's is a Catholic college but is accepting of all students regardless of religious (or lack of) beliefs. It truly is the most welcoming and supportive environments that I have experienced in my academic career. There are few cons to attending St. Mary's. One is expensive but their financial aide department is great and the career center has one-on-one scholarship advising. St. Mary's is a somewhat secluded campus, it adds to it's beauty really, but it only about a 30 trip to San Francisco on BART.Read Less"

"The MFA in Dance is a new program at St. Mary's College. The emphasis in design and production is the only program in the nation that specifies design and production for dance. All of the faculty are dedicated to their students and helping the students become successful artists upon graduation. Because it is a new program financial aid is limited, but the program directors are doing as much as they can to make the program as affordable as possible. Overall, this is a great new and developing program that will continue to grow and improve.Read Less"

"The program is very nurturing. It prepares you for an amazing career in writing and the faculty are revered as some of the best writers in the nation."

"I love that this graduate program is very quant based. It will provide me with the technical background and the educational background to work in the investments and securities field. It also helps that the program is geared towards working professionals who do not want the lost opportunity cost of being continuously employed. Although, it may be tough at times to juggle both the program and work, I am confident that it will be dividends in the future."

"The graduate program was the driving force to coming to Saint Mary's for both undergraduate and graduate studies. In the undergrad education programs we take classes from professors that work with graduate students as well. This builds a level of familiarity and trust in the graduate programs. We also have the great opportunity to meet with students in the graduate programs to pick their brains about the jump to graduate school and entering the workforce. Saint Mary's however is so isolated from the larger Bay Area. Tucked away into the sleepy town of Moraga it takes 20 minutes to reach the freeway so getting anywhere can be a hassle. Saint Mary's has fantastic connections to schools all over the Bay Area for students to work with and learn from. Many placements become permanent jobs as all graduates for the education program found work.Read Less"

"St. Marys is a really good program. However, it should be a little more structured toward full time working adults. There are a lot of assignments in a short period to time and extreme deadlines without the proper guideance to complete assignments. Overall, it is a good program and a few adjustments it can become an even better program. Need to do more interactive learning assignments to really gain better knowledege and understanding of concepts."