Undergraduate Programs
Minimum Grade-Point Average
To maintain good academic standing and to be eligible for degree conferral or certificate award, undergraduate students must achieve a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 “C” or higher for all coursework completed at Golden Gate University. For more information, please refer to the Undergraduate Student Academic Standing Requirements .
General Education at Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University’s undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare graduates with the intellectual skills, critical thinking abilities, and broad-based liberal education necessary for leadership in their professional careers and for responsible citizenship in an increasingly interconnected world. The General Education and Liberal Studies Core requirements are structured to develop the skills essential for independent, effective learning and action. The Liberal Studies Core helps foster a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental areas of human knowledge, the methodologies used to explore them, and their relevance to real-world professional applications. To ensure that all graduates have obtained an education that will serve them as thinkers and as doers, all baccalaureate students must complete these foundational requirements in addition to acquiring specialized knowledge within a professional major.
The General Education and Liberal Studies Core courses are designed to equip students with a strong foundation of essential skills, knowledge, and intellectual habits. Through this curriculum, students will develop:
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively in both written and oral forms.
- Competence in critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to access, evaluate, and apply information using a wide variety of research tools, including print and electronic resources (information literacy).
- Proficiency in quantitative skills.
- An understanding of how knowledge is acquired and applied through the lenses of the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- Ability to identify ethical issues in professional and personal life, to analyze ethical reasoning, and to formulate responsible, well-reasoned opinions and positions on questions related to ethics.
- Understanding of the methodologies for lifelong learning and self-reflection, with respect for education as a continuous and evolving process.
Each subject area within the Liberal Studies Core explores a distinct field of knowledge and the methods used to study and apply it. Courses are designed to highlight the practical relevance of each subject to professional domains such as business, technology, and students’ chosen fields of study.
General Education and Liberal Studies Core Requirements
Degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete their English, mathematics, critical thinking, and Gateway course requirements within their first 27 units at Golden Gate University, unless they are transferring those courses or equivalent credits from another institution or acceptable source. Students who do not place into ENGL 50 or ENGL 60 must complete the prerequisite courses with grades of “C-” or better before taking ENGL 50 or ENGL 60 . Students who do not place into the required mathematics course(s) for their programs must satisfactorily complete the prerequisite MATH 10 or MATH 20 course before enrolling in the required courses.
In compliance with the standards set for accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, the basic General Education and Liberal Studies Core requirements for students admitted to Golden Gate University are as follows:
- Students must complete 33 units of General Education and Liberal Studies Core coursework.
- A course used to fulfill a General Education or Liberal Studies Core requirement may also be used to fulfill other degree requirements.
- All courses taken for General Education or Liberal Studies Core requirement at GGU must be taken for letter grades. Students may not use the Credit/No Credit Grade Election for these courses.
English Placement Test and CLEP Exam
Students wishing to enroll in ENGL 50 or ENGL 60 and who have not satisfied their English requirements through courses completed elsewhere must take the English Placement Test. The results of the test will be used to determine if the student will be required to complete ENGL 10A and/or ENGL 10B prior to enrolling in ENGL 50 . If a student qualifies for ENGL 50 , they have the option to complete a second assessment to place into ENGL 60 . Students are allowed an hour and a half to complete each test, and no outside materials may be brought in to assist with these computer-based tests. Tests are offered by GGU Testing Services and can be arranged by email at ggutesting@ggu.edu. These tests are administered free of charge. Students may also place out of ENGL 50 with a score of 50 or higher on the CLEP English Composition with Essay exam. For more information, visit Testing Services on the GGU4YOU website (login required).
Math Placement Test and CLEP Exam
The math placement test, ALEKS, is an online artificial intelligence-based system designed to place students into the math class that best suits their current skills. Based on this test, students are either placed into (or waived out of) one of the following algebra courses: MATH 10 , MATH 20 , MATH 50 , or MATH 30 . Students must test out of MATH 30 in order to be placed into the introductory statistics course MATH 40 . Students may register for MATH 10 without taking the placement test. Students should email Testing Services at ggutesting@ggu.edu to obtain a class code and to sign up for an ALEKS PPL student account. To schedule an exam session, students should visit Testing Services on the GGU4YOU website (login required).
Students may also place out of the required Math courses with a score of 50 or higher on the CLEP College Mathematics, College Algebra, or Precalculus exams, depending on the course. For more information, visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/
Lower- and Upper-Division Requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to complete lower-division requirements (courses numbered 1-99) before enrolling in upper-division courses (courses numbered 100-199). This sequencing supports academic success, as many upper-division courses require lower-division prerequisites that must be completed successfully prior to enrollment.
General Electives
The number of general elective units required varies by degree program. The number depends on the total coursework already required for basic proficiencies, major requirements, concentration (if applicable) and other program-specific components. General electives offer students the flexibility to explore courses across any academic discipline, allowing for academic exploration, the development of new skills, or the pursuit of personal or professional interests.
Academic Residency Requirement
To earn a degree from Golden Gate University, students must complete a minimum number of units in residence at GGU, as outlined below:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) Degrees: Minimum of 30 units must be completed at GGU.
- Associate of Arts (AA) Degree: Minimum of 15 units must be completed at GGU.
These units may be drawn from any part of the degree requirements, unless the degree program specifies that certain courses must be completed at Golden Gate University.
Note: Students who wish to request an exception to this policy must submit a petition to the Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies. Students should first consult with their academic advisors before submitting a petition.
Graduate Programs
Minimum Grade Point Average
To maintain “good” academic standing and to be eligible for degree conferral or certificate award, graduate students must achieve a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 in the academic programs in which they are enrolled.
Students who fall below this GPA requirement may be subject to academic probation or dismissal as outlines in the Graduate Student Academic Standing Requirements .
Time Limit for Completion of Master’s Degrees
Students are generally expected to complete all requirements for a master’s degree within six calendar years from the date of admission to the graduate program. An extension of this time may be granted with approval from the appropriate school dean. In such cases, students may be required to fulfill updated degree or program requirements that have been implemented since their original admission.
Graduate Academic Residency Requirement
Graduate degree-seeking students may transfer up to six units of 300-400 level graduate coursework completed at other regionally accredited institutions into GGU, with the approval of their program directors or deans. Transfer allowances may differ if stipulated by corporate or government contracts or agreements. Students who have previously earned master’s degrees at regionally accredited institutions may be eligible to transfer up to 12 graduate-level units to GGU master’s degree programs, with the approval of their program directors or deans. The remaining coursework must be completed at GGU. While it is strongly recommended that the final six units be completed at GGU, those units may be transferred with prior faculty approval of the specific coursework if the twelve-unit transfer limit has not yet been met. Students should note that certain 300-400 level course requirements may not be fulfilled by courses taken at other institutions, as determined by the faculty. See Graduate Transfer Credit for more information.
Students who hold a master’s degrees from GGU may have up to 12 units of coursework waived toward a second or subsequent GGU graduate program, with dean approval. However, such coursework will not be included in the program GPA for the additional degree. See Graduate Student Academic Standing Requirements for more information.
For graduate certificate programs, students must complete all required coursework at GGU. There is no limit to the number of GGU units from a degree program that can be applied toward a certificate, regardless of whether the degree has been conferred.
Exceptions to these policies may be made only on petition to and approval by students’ program directors or deans.
Proficiency Requirements
To support academic success in graduate-level coursework, all graduate students at GGU must demonstrate proficiency in writing and mathematics.
Admitted students are expected to:
- Complete any required proficiency tests or assessments during their first term of enrollment.
- Fulfill all outstanding proficiency requirements within their first nine (9) units of coursework at GGU.
Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Graduate students are expected to possess strong writing skills. This requirement can be satisfied by one of the following:
- Students whose first (native) language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement , or
- Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning, or
- Earned at least the grade of “B” in a graduate-level writing course from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or
- Passed a U.S. nationally recognized professional/career exam that includes a significant written component such as the CPA, CFP, Bar Exam, or Foreign Service Officer exam, or
- Waived by Dean, Department Chair, or Program Director, based on the applicant’s submission of an Enrollment Services Petition form.
Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement
Graduate students must also meet GGU’s mathematics proficiency standard. Newly admitted students are expected to enroll in appropriate coursework to meet this requirement in their first term, and complete the mathematics proficiency requirement within their first nine units of GGU coursework. For more information, see the Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Tests for specific placement options and requirements.
MATH 20 Applied Intermediate Algebra
Applicants to the following programs are required to possess a level of mathematical skill equivalent to GGU’s MATH 20 Applied Intermediate Algebra course:
Students who are unable to demonstrate adequate mathematical proficiency will be required to enroll in and successfully complete appropriate mathematical courses and/or noncredit workshops offered or recommended by Golden Gate University’s Mathematics Department. This requirement is designed to ensure students possess the foundational quantitative skills necessary for success in their academic programs.
To assess minimum required mathematics proficiency, the university uses the following alternative criteria:
- Transfer of MATH 20 (or higher-level mathematics course) from a regionally accredited college or university with a grade of “C-” or better.
- Completion of MATH 20 at GGU with a grade of “C-” or better; note: graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (“B”) to remain in good academic standing.
- Pass GGU’s Math Proficiency Exam with a score of 70 percent or better.
- Pass the College Mathematics CLEP Exam with a score of 50 or better.
- Score at or above the 50th percentile on the Quantitative Section of the GMAT Exam.
- Score at or above the 50th percentile on the Quantitative Section of the GRE Exam.
Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Tests
Students who have not received credit for MATH 20 (or a higher-level mathematics course), either through transfer credit or by successfully completing the course at Golden Gate University, may satisfy this requirement by passing one of the following exams: GGU Math Proficiency Exam or College Mathematics CLEP exam. For additional options and eligibility criteria, refer to the Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement section.
Proficiency Test for MATH 20
This math proficiency test is available exclusively to graduate students and is designed to assess proficiency in algebra at the level required to waive MATH 20 . Students who achieve a passing score may satisfy the MATH 20 requirement without taking the course. The test is administered by GGU Testing Services free of charge and timed for 2.5 hours. For more details and scheduling information, please visit Testing Services and view the “Math Placement & Proficiency Assessment” information.
Graduate Program Foundation Course Waivers
The graduate foundation courses below may be waived based on undergraduate coursework transferred from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of “C-” or better, by passing the applicable CLEP exam with a score of 50 or greater, or by completion of the equivalent GGU undergraduate course with a grade of “C-” or better. The number and type of foundation course waivers granted will vary depending on the student’s academic background and the specific course. An initial waiver evaluation is conducted upon admission, and results are communicated in the acceptance letter. If students believe additional waivers should be granted, they may submit a written petition to the Office of Enrollment Services, accompanied by supporting documentation such as course descriptions, syllabi, and lists of required texts, etc.
Waivable Foundation Courses and Equivalent Undergraduate Coursework
| Graduate Course |
GGU Undergraduate Equivalent |
Waiver Criteria/Notes |
| BUS 240 Data Analysis for Managers |
MATH 40 and MATH 104 |
Minimum of six semester units in statistics and regression, including coverage of: probability theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, multiple regression analysis, and forecasting. |
Note for MS Business Analytics Applicants:
|
