Founded in 1901, Golden Gate University (GGU) is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to serving the needs of working adults. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s financial and technology district, GGU offers career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for today’s dynamic professional landscape. A leader in online education for more than 30 years, GGU delivers instruction in both hybrid and online modalities-giving students the flexibility to learn in ways that fit their lives. GGU alumni form a global network of nearly 70,000 graduates leading and innovating across industries and communities.
History
Golden Gate University, a private nonprofit university, has been helping adults achieve their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in accounting, law, taxation, business, and related areas since 1901. GGU traces its origins to an evening lecture series started by the San Francisco YMCA during the California Gold Rush.
The first degree-conferring program of the university started in 1901, with the formation of California’s first evening law school. By offering classes at night, Golden Gate University made legal studies available to the working adult.
Today, Golden Gate University is a leader in graduate and undergraduate education in law, accounting, taxation, business and related professions. As always, GGU emphasizes hands-on learning taught primarily by professionals practicing in the field or with substantial professional experience.
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 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, and the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California for the limited purpose of completing the ABA-approved teach-out of its Juris Doctor (JD) program, currently in progress. The university remains accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the School of Law is 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. Graduates participating in the ABA-approved teach-out program will retain eligibility to sit for the bar exam in accordance with the rules and guidelines in place at the time of their graduation.
Approach
Golden Gate University’s approach to education is rooted in real-world relevance and professional application. Programs are designed to meet the evolving needs of working adults, with flexible delivery formats-including online, hybrid, and in-person instruction-that support academic progress alongside work and life responsibilities.
Courses are taught by practitioner faculty who are leaders in their respective industries, bringing current, real-time expertise into the classroom. Instruction emphasizes practical skills, applied learning, and engagement with contemporary challenges facing the professional world.
Academic programs integrate emerging technologies, industry-standard tools, and experiential components that enhance learning outcomes and workplace readiness. Small class sizes and a culture of accessibility allow for personalized instruction and mentorship, reinforcing GGU’s commitment to student achievement and career advancement.
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 5,475 students attended Golden Gate University during the 2024-2025 academic year, of which 10 percent were in undergraduate programs, 88 percent were in graduate business programs, and 2 percent were in law school programs. There were 436 international students and 2,976 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.
All students, including those enrolled in distance education, are required to authenticate through our institutional Identity Provider (IDP), which uses secure Single Sign-On (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). This system governs access to our learning management system (LMS), student information system (SIS), and other academic platforms. Each student is issued a unique institutional credential, and access is monitored and restricted through MFA protocols.
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.
Texas
Conspicuous Notice: Per Tex. Educ. Code. §132.202, a school or educational institution described by Section 132.001(1)(B) shall post a conspicuous notice on the homepage of its website. This statement serves as this notice and that 1) the career school or college is not regulated in Texas under chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code; 2) Golden Gate University is regulated by the Bureau of Private and Post-Secondary Institutions and Western Association of Schools and College; these bodies approve and regulate the school’s programs in the state where the school is physically located and in which it has legal authorization to operate; and 3) any complaints or contact information for regulatory agencies can be found here.
States other than California
| Authorized |
Exempt but cannot offer internships or practicums |
Exempt and can provide internships and practicums |
Not Authorized |
| AK |
FL |
AZ |
AL |
| CA |
KY |
CO* |
AR |
| CT |
LA |
HI |
DC |
| IA |
NH |
ID* |
DE |
| MI |
TN |
IL |
GA |
| MS*** |
WA |
IN* |
KS |
| MT |
|
MA |
MD |
| OH* |
|
ME* |
MN |
| OK |
|
MO* |
NC |
| NY** |
|
NE |
NJ |
| ND |
|
NV |
NM |
| PA |
|
SC |
OR |
| RI |
|
SD |
WI |
| TX |
|
VT |
|
| UT |
|
|
|
| VA** |
|
|
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| WY |
|
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| WV |
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*These states are limited in the number of praticums and internships that may be offered. For details, contact your program director.
**These states are authorized but cannot offer internships or practicums.
***Authorized online for the MBA and MSHRM programs.
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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