Golden Gate University, a private nonprofit university located in the heart of San Francisco’s financial and high-tech district, empowers working adults to achieve their professional goals with nationally renowned undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. Founded in 1901, GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, and its programs offer maximum flexibility for modern students. GGU graduates join nearly 70,000 alumni.
History
Golden Gate University traces its origins to a night school started by the San Francisco YMCA during the California Gold Rush in the early 1850s. It was officially established in 1901 as a place where working adults could acquire education and skills to advance their careers. A nonprofit, independent university, Golden Gate University serves working adults who want a practical education, empowering them to have a successful career and improved quality of life. GGU has been a leader in online education for nearly three decades, and our programs offer maximum flexibility for modern students. GGU has always understood and met the unique educational needs and demands of working adult students.
Accreditation
Golden Gate University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501; 510-748-9001.
Golden Gate University School of Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA), 750 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611; 312-988-6743; the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State of California, 180 Howard St., San Francisco CA 94105; 415-538-2000; and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). GGU Law is also a member in good standing of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036-2605; 202-296-8851. GGU Graduates qualify to take the bar exam in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia.
Approach
Golden Gate University offers a wide range of courses, both on campus, online, and in a hybrid flex model for students at all levels of higher education. Whether finishing a degree, working toward career advancement, or seeking new skills through a certificate program, GGU has programs that fit the needs of all students. Contemporary programs, new technology, and academic innovations coupled with experiential and classroom learning make the Golden Gate experience especially relevant. We are recognized for our practical and professionally focused approach to education. Coursework is often based on the current challenges facing society. Program and course formats are designed to maximize learning outcomes.
Faculty
Our scholar practitioners include full-time faculty and professors of practice who bring decades of professional experience to the classroom. Outside of class, 80% of our professors work as CEOs, directors, vice presidents, entrepreneurs, consultants, partners, and managers at Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Fortune 500 companies of all sizes. GGU uses the case-study method of instruction to teach students how to put theory into practice.
Schedules
Golden Gate University is a trimester institution offering classes in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Most courses are scheduled in 15-week and 7.5-week lengths, but some courses may be offered in different lengths. See the Academic Calendar for term dates and deadlines. See the Course Schedule for specific offerings. Programs are available either in-person at our San Francisco campus, in a hybrid mode with a portion of classes taught online and a portion required at our San Francisco campus, or fully online for distance learning. Degree programs can be completed in an intensive cohort or at one’s own pace.
Class Size
Most classes are kept small so students can receive personalized attention from their professors, but the university reserves the right to cancel low enrollment courses if the pedagogical and curricular quality of the course would be negatively impacted.
Student Demographics
More than 4,800 students attended Golden Gate University during the 2023-2024 academic year, of which 27 percent were in undergraduate programs, 67 percent were in graduate business programs, and 6 percent were in law school programs. There were 504 international students and 1,142 Worldwide program students enrolled at GGU.
Mission Statement
Golden Gate University prepares individuals to lead and serve by providing high quality, practice based educational programs as a nonprofit institution in an innovative and challenging learning environment that embraces professional ethics and diversity.
Locations
Golden Gate University’s urban campus is in the heart of San Francisco’s thriving high-tech and financial district, an epicenter of global innovation. Home to one of the largest U.S. economies, delightful weather, world class food, arts and culture, plus endless options for active outdoor living, the Greater San Francisco Bay Area is one of America’s most popular regions to visit, work, and reside. With the city as our extended campus, San Francisco’s incredible diversity and rich blend of cultures from around the world prepare students for today’s global market. Our campus is surrounded by easy access to public transportation, giving students multiple commuting options and access to explore this exciting city and its beautiful surrounding region.
San Francisco
536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
415-442-7800 • fax: 415-442-7807
email: info@ggu.edu
eLearning (Online-Asynchronous)
536 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105-2968
415-369-5250 • fax: 415-227-4502
email: elearning@ggu.edu
See eLearning for a description of GGU’s online learning platform and student participation expectations.
myGGU Portal
myGGU is the university’s online service system. User accounts are created automatically at the time of admission. Usernames and passwords are sent to students’ e-mail address on record at the time of account creation. Students who do not receive their myGGU account information or have any other questions may e-mail help@ggu.edu for assistance.
Students may use the myGGU system to update their address and contact information, specify chosen names (e.g., “lived” names), view course schedules, register for courses, drop/withdraw from courses, see their grades, view unofficial transcripts, view academic program evaluations, view financial aid information, view registration charges and student account information, and make payments.
State Authorizations
Alaska
Conspicuous statement: Golden Gate University online programs are exempt from authorization under AS 14.48 and 20 AAC 17.015 because the program is online or distance delivered and Golden Gate University does not have a physical presence in the state.
States other than California
Golden Gate University is formally authorized to provide online education to those living in the following states: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wyoming.
The university is not allowed to offer online education to students living in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, D.C., Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, or Wisconsin.
The university may offer online education to students living in all other states without receiving formal authorization.
Liability Disclaimer
Golden Gate University assumes no liability, and hereby expressly negates the same, for failure to provide or delay in providing educational or related services or facilities, or for any other failure or delay in performance arising out of or due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the university, which causes include, without limitation, power failure, fire, strikes by university employees or others, damage by the elements, and acts of public authorities. The university will, however, exert reasonable efforts, when in its judgment it is appropriate to do so, to provide comparable or substantially equivalent services, facilities, or performance; but its inability or failure to do so shall not subject it to liability.
The university reserves the right to change regulations, curricula, courses, course locations, tuition and fees, or any other aspect of its programs described in this catalog.
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