Undergraduate Programs
Golden Gate University grants three undergraduate degrees: Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science. Partial requirements for the degrees are listed in the chart below and described in detail in the paragraphs that follow.
| UNIT REQUIREMENTS |
AA |
BA |
BS |
| Total |
60 |
123 |
123 |
| General Education* |
48 |
39-60 (Varies by program.) |
39-60 (Varies by program.) |
| Proficiencies* |
15 |
0-18 (Varies by program.) |
18 |
| Liberal Studies Core |
21 |
21 |
21 |
| Foundation* |
12 |
6-12 (Varies by program.) |
9-21 (Varies by program.) |
| Major Requirements* |
n/a |
21-33 (Varies by program.) |
30 |
| Electives* |
12 |
45-51 (Varies by program.) |
15-33 (Varies by program.) |
*Unit requirements are indicated in the individual academic program descriptions in this catalog.
Minimum Grade-Point Average
To maintain good academic standing and to be conferred a degree or to be awarded a certificate, undergraduate students are required to achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 “C” or higher in all courses taken at Golden Gate University. See Academic Standing Standards for more information.
General Education at Golden Gate University
Golden Gate University’s curriculum is designed to equip graduates with the intellectual skills, habits of mind, and broad-based liberal learning they will need for leadership in their professional careers and to live intelligently and responsibly as citizens of a globally interdependent world. The basic General Education and Liberal Studies requirements are designed to develop in students the skills that make autonomous and efficient learning possible. The liberal studies core helps students develop a broad understanding of the fundamental areas of human knowledge, their methods of inquiry, and their application to professional life. Therefore, in addition to mastering a body of specialized knowledge through in-depth study in a professional major, all baccalaureate students must complete the university’s General Education and liberal studies core requirements.
The General Education and liberal studies core courses are designed to teach the following skills, basic knowledge, and understanding:
- Competence in communication.
- 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 intellectual traditions 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 and respect for the value of education and lifelong learning.
Each subject area in the liberal studies core introduces students to an area of knowledge and to ways of studying and using it. The courses are also designed to introduce in each subject area its practical relevance and application to business, technology, and other areas of focus in students’ major programs.
General Education 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 1A with a minimum score on the English Placement Test must satisfactorily complete the prescribed pre-ENGL 1A Writing Workshop sequence ENGL 10A and ENGL 10B before taking ENGL 1A . Students who do not place into the required mathematics course(s) must satisfactorily complete the prerequisite MATH 10 or MATH 20 course before enrolling in the required courses.
English Placement Test and CLEP Exam
Students wishing to enroll in ENGL 1A 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 1A. Students are allowed an hour and a half to complete the test, and no outside materials may be brought in to assist with this computer-based test. Tests are offered by GGU Testing Service ggutesting@ggu.edu. The test is administered free of charge. For more information, visit Testing Services. Students may also place out of the required English courses with a score of 50 or higher on the CLEP English Composition with Essay exam. For more information, visit Testing Services.
Math Placement Test and CLEP Exam
The math placement test is designed to place students in the math class that best suits their current skills. On the basis of this exam, students are placed into either MATH 10 , MATH 20 , MATH 30 or MATH 40 . Students may register for MATH 10 without taking the placement test. Tests are offered by GGU Testing Services. To schedule an on campus exam session or find out how to take the exam remotely visit Testing Services. The test is administered free of charge by GGU, though there may be a fee if the exam is proctored by a third party. 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 Testing Services.
Lower- and Upper-Division Requirements
Students should try to plan their courses of study so as to complete lower-division requirements (courses numbered 1-99) before taking upper-division courses (courses numbered 100-199).
General Electives
The number of general electives differs from degree program to degree program, depending on the number of courses required as basic proficiencies, required for the major, general electives or combination of concentration and general electives. General electives can be courses in any academic discipline.
Academic Residency Requirement
Students must complete a minimum of 30 units at Golden Gate University for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees and a minimum of 15 units for the Associate of Arts degree. These units may be drawn from any part of the degree requirements, except in cases where specific degree programs require that specific courses are to be taken at Golden Gate University. The unit minimum can be taken anytime within the degree program. Students pursuing undergraduate certificates must complete all courses required for the certificate at Golden Gate University. Exceptions to these requirements will be made only on petition to and approval by the dean of the program.
General Education and Liberal Studies Core
In compliance with the standards set for accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the basic proficiencies and liberal studies core requirements for students admitted to Golden Gate University in fall 2002 or thereafter are as follows:
- Students must complete the number of units prescribed by the major for the general education requirements. Degree descriptions in this catalog should be consulted.
- Students must complete 21 units within the liberal studies core.
- A course used to fulfill a General Education or Liberal Studies requirement or a subject area requirement in the liberal studies core cannot be used to fulfill any other degree requirement. Likewise, a course used to fulfill a major requirement of any kind cannot be used to fulfill a General Education or liberal studies core requirement.
- All courses taken for General Education or liberal studies core credit at GGU must result in letter grades.
Graduate Programs
Minimum Grade Point Average
To maintain “good” academic standing and to be conferred a degree or to be awarded a certificate, graduate students are required to achieve at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) in the academic programs in which they are enrolled. See Academic Standing Standards for more information.
Time Limit for Completion of Master’s Degrees
Students ordinarily complete the requirements for a master’s degree within six calendar years from the date of admission to the graduate program. This period may be extended with permission of the appropriate school dean, and may require change of degree and program requirements.
Graduate Academic Residency Requirement
Graduate degree program students may transfer up to six 300-400 level units to the advanced program from graduate coursework completed at other regionally accredited institutions, or the number of transfer units stipulated in corporate or government contracts or agreements, with the approval of their program directors or deans. Students who have 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. 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 have earned master’s degrees from GGU may have up to 12 units of coursework waived from each additional graduate program, with the approval of their deans. However, this coursework will not be used in calculating students’ program GPAs for those additional programs. See Graduate Student Academic Standing Standards for more information.
Graduate certificate program students must complete all courses required for their certificates at GGU. There is no limit on the number of GGU units that can be applied from a degree program to a certificate program, regardless of whether the degree has been conferred or not. Exceptions to these requirements will be made only on petition to and approval by students’ program directors or deans.
Proficiency Requirements
Master’s degree applicants are required to meet basic proficiency requirements in writing, mathematics, and computer skills shown below. Enrolled students are expected to register for classes to satisfy their proficiency requirements in their first term, and to have completed all outstanding proficiency requirements no later than within the first nine units of credit taken at Golden Gate.
Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Graduate programs require proficiency in writing to ensure that students are successful in their course of study. Students may satisfy the Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement by one of the following options, depending on which school offers the programs to which they have been admitted:
Ageno School of Business:
- Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, or New Zealand), or
- Earned at least the grade of “B” in a graduate writing course from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand), or
- Passed a nationally recognized U.S. exam that includes a significant written component such as the CPA, CFP, Bar Exam, or Foreign Service exam, or
- Earned a score on the Graduate Writing Placement Exam high enough to receive a waiver, or
- Waived by Dean, Department Chair, or Program Director, based on applicant’s submission of an Enrollment Services Petition form.
Braden School of Taxation and School of Accounting:
- Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, or New Zealand), or
- Earned at least the grade of “B” in a graduate writing course from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand), or
- Earned at least the grade of “B” in an upper division undergraduate writing course from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland or New Zealand), or
- Passed a nationally recognized U.S. exam that includes a significant written component such as the CPA, CFP, Bar Exam, or Foreign Service exam, or
- Earned a score on the Graduate Writing Placement Exam high enough to receive a waiver, or
- Waived by Dean, Department Chair, or Program Director, based on applicant’s submission of an Enrollment Services Petition form.
Newly admitted students who cannot satisfy the Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement with one of the options listed above are required to take the Graduate Writing Placement Exam a minimum of ten (10) business days prior to the start dates of their first enrollment terms. Students who do not take the placement exam by this deadline will be registered into one of the following courses: ENGL 200 Graduate Communications for students who do not possess degrees from U.S. institutions, or ENGL 201 Graduate Writing for students who do possess degrees from regionally accredited U.S. institutions.
Graduate Writing Placement Exam
All students who have not satisfied the Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement as detailed above must take the Graduate Writing Placement Exam. Students must be admitted to a program before registering for the exam. For exam registration and remote testing information visit Testing Services. The priority admission deadline for graduate program applicants is fifteen (15) business days before the start date of each term. New students should take the Graduate Writing Placement Exam as soon as possible after being admitted, but no later than ten (10) business days prior to the start of the term. Students who have not completed the exam in a timely manner will have limited eligibility for registration.
The Graduate Writing Placement Exam is a web based exam and asks students to read an article and write a multi-paragraph response. Students have ninety minutes (one-and-one-half hours) to complete the test. Performance on the writing placement exam determines placement. There are three levels of placement: waiver of further writing requirements, placement into ENGL 201 Graduate Writing , or placement into ENGL 200 Graduate Communications .
ENGL 200 is a six-unit course that focuses on building skills in both written and spoken English that lead to success in Golden Gate University’s graduate business degree and certificate programs. Note: ENGL 200 may be taken a maximum of two times. Failure to earn a “B” or better grade after the second attempt will result in the student’s immediate academic disqualification without a right to appeal. With the exception of accounting students, those who enroll in ENGL 200 enroll concurrently in BUS 201 Economic and Regulatory Essentials of U.S. Business , a three-unit course that introduces students to the economic and regulatory environment of business in the U.S.
Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement
Master’s degree applicants are required to meet basic proficiency requirements in mathematics. Enrolled students are expected to register for classes to satisfy their proficiency requirements in their first term, and to have completed all outstanding proficiency requirements no later than within the first nine units of credit taken at Golden Gate. See Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Tests for more information.
MATH 20 Intermediate Algebra
Applicants to the following programs are required to possess a level of mathematical skill equivalent to GGU’s MATH 20 Intermediate Algebra course:
Students who cannot demonstrate adequate mathematical skills will be required to enroll in and satisfactorily complete appropriate mathematical courses and/or noncredit workshops offered or recommended by Golden Gate University’s Mathematics Department.
To screen for minimal skills, the university uses the following alternative criteria:
- Transfer of Intermediate Algebra 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; however, graduate students must maintain a 3.00 “B” cumulative grade point average to remain in good standing
- Pass GGU’s Intermediate Algebra Proficiency Exam with a score of 70 percent or better
- Pass the College Mathematics CLEP Exam with a score of 50 or better
- Score in the 50th percentile (or above) on the Quantitative Section of the GMAT Exam
- Score in the 50th percentile (or above) on the Quantitative Section of the GRE Exam
Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Tests
Students who have not received credit for MATH 20 or MATH 30 , either through transfer credit or by taking the courses at Golden Gate University, may satisfy these course requirement(s) by taking one of the tests listed below, or the CLEP exam. See Mathematics Proficiency Requirement for additional ways to satisfy the MATH 20 or MATH 30 requirement.
Proficiency Test for MATH 20 and MATH 30
This test is available for graduate students only and is designed to establish proficiency at a given level of algebra to eliminate the need to take the course. MATH 20 or MATH 30 can be waived for students who pass the proficiency test with an acceptable score. Tests are offered by GGU Testing Services. Students are allowed 2 1/2 hours to complete the test. The test is administered free of charge. For more information, visit Testing Services and view the “Graduate Math Proficiency Requirements” information.
Graduate Program Foundation Course Waivers
The graduate program 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 of waivers a student receives will depend on a variety of factors and the particular foundation course. Prospective students who have questions about waivers should consult with the Office of Enrollment Services. An initial evaluation of the academic records of all admitted students identifies waivable courses, and students are informed of the results of this evaluation with their acceptance letter. If there are additional courses that the student believes should be waived given the rules, he or she may file a written petition and accompany the request with appropriate documentation including catalog descriptions, course syllabi, lists of required texts, etc.
Waivable foundation courses and their associated waiver rules for applicable undergraduate course equivalents are listed below.
- ACCTG 201 Accounting for Managers
Waiver Rule: A minimum of six semester units of accounting coursework covering both financial and managerial accounting including financial statement analysis, or current CPA status. If this coursework has not been completed in the last seven years, students must also pass the Accounting Currency Examination. GGU undergraduate course equivalence is ACCTG 1A and ACCTG 1B .
- ECON 202 Economics for Managers
Waiver Rule: A minimum of six semester units of microeconomics and macroeconomics. GGU undergraduate course equivalence is ECON 1 and ECON 2 .
- MATH 240 Data Analysis for Managers
Waiver Rule: A minimum of six semester units in statistics and regression including coverage of probability theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, multiple regression analysis and forecasting. GGU undergraduate course equivalence is MATH 40 and MATH 104 .
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