Program Information
The GGU Master of Business Administration (MBA) program will advance your leadership skills and business knowledge using an activity-based learning approach. Our faculty members are seasoned professionals in their respective fields and will prepare you to lead in today’s complex business environment.
The GGU MBA builds leadership skills throughout the program, provides an integrated perspective of management and allows you to tailor your program with one of our 13 concentrations to meet your interests and goals. These concentrations include business data analytics, entrepreneurship, project management and even the option to design your own.
Since the founding of its MBA program over half a century ago, GGU has pioneered evening and online programs for working professionals to achieve their career objectives. You will proceed at your own pace in deciding how many courses to take in a given trimester and study fully in-person, completely online or a combination of both.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a general management “holistic” perspective
- Demonstrate managerial and leadership skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving, communications and presentations, self-awareness
- Master and apply general management analytic processes and tools for decision making
- Integrate strategic business objectives within competitive industry dynamics
- Integrate strategic business objectives within the socio-political-economic-ecological-global context
- Understand functional areas’ impact on business and departmental interaction issues
- Demonstrate integrated business level planning
Requirements for the Master of Business Administration
GMAT/GRE Requirement
The GMAT/GRE is NOT required if you have more than 5 years of professional work experience and hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign (outside the US) institution. If you have less than 5 years of work experience, you will need to take the GMAT or GRE. For additional details, please view our graduate admissions requirements.
Business Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to this program are required to possess an understanding of U.S. business practices equivalent to BUS 201 . This requirement must be completed in your first term, and you must have completed this requirement no later than your first nine units at GGU. A grade of “C-” or better is required for BUS 201. However, graduate students must maintain a 3.00 “B” cumulative grade point average to remain in good standing.
Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Students are expected to possess a level of writing skill and knowledge equivalent to ENGL 201 . Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria. For further information, refer to our website. https://www.ggu.edu/shared-content/enrollment/proficiency-requirements/#graduate-writing-proficiency
Computer Proficiency Requirement
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working familiarity with computers and software applications appropriate for graduate studies. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis and network access capabilities are included for evaluation. Deficiencies in computer proficiency may require additional work as determined by the faculty.
Math Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to College Algebra (MATH 30 ).
Multiple Concentrations
Two or more concentrations may be taken in the MBA program. In addition to the course requirements for the concentrations, students must also complete the coursework for all the foundation and the advanced programs. All of the coursework for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation; students may not request any additional concentrations after they have received their MBA. The diploma will list all of the concentrations that the student successfully completed by the date of graduation.
The following concentrations are available:
Foundation Program - 9 Units
The three-course foundation program provides the groundwork for the advanced program core and concentration courses. Some, or all, of the foundation course requirements may be waived if they have previously completed comparable undergraduate courses at a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of “C” or better. Students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the entire foundation program, but they must complete the foundation program by the time twelve units have been earned in the advanced program.
Advanced Program - 33 units
The core courses in the advanced program are taken by all MBA students. This ensures that all MBA graduates have an understanding of the important skills for effective management and in integrative knowledge of the core area of business, regardless of their area of concentration. Although they are required to choose either a concentration or a general concentration when they apply for admission, the common core allows students to rethink their concentration (or general concentration) decision, and to change it with minimum course penalty.
Skills Courses - 12 units
Contextual Courses - 6 units
Functional Courses - 12 units
Capstone Course - 3 Units
Concentration - 12 units
The four concentration courses in the advanced program allow the student to develop expertise in a specialized area of business. The concentrations may include required and elective courses. Currently, GGU offers several MBA concentrations. Or, students can choose a general concentration. Courses listed carry three semester units of credit unless otherwise noted.
For those students who wish to develop on-the-job experience in the program, they can develop hands-on experience through an internship program by taking three units of an internship course in the student’s field of interest. For three months, under the supervision of GGU faculty, students will work for a business or nonprofit organization, applying their Golden Gate education to real-life circumstances.
Project Management Concentration - 12 units
Golden Gate University is a PMI® member and a PMI® Registered Education Provider (REP).
The concentration in Project Management gives students grounding in multiple skills including budgeting, conflict resolution, communication, project scope, developing and using resources, leadership, and team building. Students gain knowledge from faculty who are certificated by PMI®. The content of courses is integrated with the Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®, Guide)-Fifth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc. 2013. As students progress through their courses, they are preparing themselves for the Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification exam. The PM concentration provides an opportunity for those who wish to build on their MBA degree work by obtaining project management skills. The certificate is for those who may be working and intend to apply project management skills in their present and future professional endeavors.
