How to Apply for Admission
Applicants should use the online application at www.ggu.edu. All required documents should be sent to: Golden Gate University, 536 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105. Electronic Documents should be sent to applications@ggu.edu. For help with questions about the application process, applicants may phone 415-442-7800 or email info@ggu.edu.
When to Apply
- Applications are accepted throughout the year, and typically, admission decisions are made within five business days after all required documents have been received. Application files that require an academic department review typically take ten or more business days. All documents submitted become the property of the university and cannot be returned. The application fee is nonrefundable.
- Applicants may apply for admission up to one calendar year prior to their intended enrollment start terms. Students may begin their enrollment in the Fall, Spring, or Summer term.
- Admission to academic programs and eligibility to enroll is valid only when verified and confirmed in writing in the letter of acceptance sent by the Office of Enrollment Services.
The Admission Process
- Applicants should apply online at: www.ggu.edu/apply
- The application fees are: $65 for graduate degree and certificate programs; $40 for graduate professional certificate programs; $40 for undergraduate degree and certificate programs; $25 for open enrollment status. International applicants planning to study in the US using an F or J visa are not eligible to apply for undergraduate programs, open enrollment status, or certificate programs.
- Admission to the university is based on the assessment of applicants’ educational and professional credentials and background and a determination of their ability to benefit from the particular academic programs for which they have applied.
- The Office of Enrollment Services, in consultation with the faculty, reviews all documents, including official academic credentials from other institutions, scores on any required tests, personal statements, professional resumes, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, and any other relevant information.
- Applications are reviewed individually and the admission decision may specify conditions and requirements as determined by the academic department, which may include: additional admission requirements, and/or admission conditions, and/or achieving additional academic progress standards. Applicants whose academic preparation does not meet the university admission criteria, but who have potential for academic achievement, may be conditionally admitted with the approval of the academic department. See the Academic Standing Standards for Conditionally Admitted Students for more information.
- Applicants who have been denied admission may not register for classes at any level or status and must wait a minimum of one year before reapplying. It is strongly recommended that applicants who are denied admission strive to improve their academic profile by completing additional courses at another regionally accredited institution.
- Students’ academic program requirements are associated with their admission start terms per their admission applications.
Priority Admission Deadline: New applicants are expected to complete their applications and submit all required supplemental documents before the priority deadline to receive an evaluation and an admission decision within five (5) business days. The priority deadline for applicants is 15 business days before the start date of each term. Applicants who are not able to complete their applications by the priority deadline may have their registration for courses delayed which can result in limited class schedule availability.
Cancellation of Application/Admission
An application may remain in pending status for up to one calendar year from the date on which it was received by the Office of Enrollment Services. If the applicant’s file is not completed within that year, the application will expire and the documents associated with that application will be destroyed. Admission is valid for the term for which the applicant was admitted, and the two subsequent terms. If applicant does not enroll during that time period (approximately one year), the offer of admission is cancelled and the documents associated with that application will be destroyed. Re-applying after that time will require a new application, application fee and the submission of all transcripts and other required credentials.
Pending Applications
Applicants to undergraduate and graduate studies may enroll in Open Enrollment pending final admissions decision. All rules applicable to Open Enrollment must be followed. Students who are denied admission are dis-enrolled.
Change of Program
Degree students wishing to change their degree objective or area of concentration must complete a Change of Degree Program Request form and submit it to the Office of Records and Registration. Students will be re-evaluated under the degree requirements in effect at the time the form is processed.
Students who are on academic probation may apply for a change of program. If the dean of the school of the requested program approves the change of program, the student must still achieve the minimally acceptable grade point average by the end of the probationary period. See Academic Standing Standards for more information.
Applicants who want to change their degree program prior to an admission decision should submit the request to the Office of Enrollment Services. There is no charge for this process.
Changing from Certificate-Seeking to Degree-Seeking Status
Certificate seeking-students who wish to pursue degree programs should submit the appropriate admission application and all required supporting documents and fees. Students seeking admission to degree programs will be required to fulfill the admission requirements for their desired programs that are in effect at the time of application. In addition to prior school records and test scores, performance in certificate program coursework completed at GGU is used as a criterion for admission to degree programs.
Changing from Open Enrollment Status to Degree or Certificate-Seeking Status
Open Enrollment status permits students with limited enrollment opportunities at GGU, but does not constitute admission to the university. Students who wish to pursue degree or certificate programs should submit the appropriate admission application and all required supporting documents and fees. Students seeking admission to degree and certificate programs will be required to fulfill the admission requirements for their desired programs that are in effect at the time of application. In addition to prior school records and test scores, performance in coursework completed at GGU is used as a criterion for admission to degree programs.
Maximum Number of Degree Programs
Students may be admitted to a maximum of seven GGU degree programs, as indicated below:
| Degree Level |
Maximum Number of Degree Programs |
| Associate’s Degree |
One (1) |
| Bachelor’s Degree |
One (1) |
| Master’s Degree |
Two (2) |
| Doctoral/Juris Doctor Degree |
One (1) |
| Graduate Law |
One (1) |
| DBA |
One (1) |
A student may be admitted to an additional degree program at the same degree level in excess of the maximums listed above (if offered) only upon approval of the dean of the school that offers the desired program. Students must provide adequate justification for how the additional degrees will assist them in their career goals in order for their requests to be approved. Students may not be admitted to additional degree programs at the same degree level that are significantly similar to programs which they have already completed. Students may seek admission to additional degree programs during their final terms of their in-progress degree programs.
Undergraduate Admission
This section pertains to admission to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and undergraduate certificate programs.
Undergraduate Admission Criteria
To be considered for full admission for any undergraduate program:
Students transferring with 12 or more semester units must:
- Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) or better. The GPA includes all grades received, including those for classes that have been repeated.
- Satisfy criteria for the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement if a non-native speaker of English.
- Submit official transcripts of all regionally-accredited college work.
- File an application with application fee.
Students transferring with fewer than 12 semester units will be considered for admission in certain cases. Such applicants must:
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (B) for all academic high school work. Any college work completed is considered when reaching a decision.
- Satisfy criteria for the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement if a non-native speaker of English.
- Submit official transcripts of all high school and regionally-accredited college work.
- Provide results from the General Education Development (GED) examination or the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) for those who have not completed high (secondary) school.
- File an application an application fee.
- Submit a resume showing three or more years of professional experience.
- Submit a statement of purpose stating why Golden Gate University is the right institution to meet the applicant’s personal and professional goals; in some cases, participate in an interview (by telephone or in person) with the dean.
A student whose GPA is slightly below 2.0 may still be conditionally admitted, but must submit a personal statement demonstrating how they can be successful in an advanced university degree program in order to be considered.
Undergraduate Advanced Placement Credit
High school graduates may earn up to 30 units (one academic year) of credit for advanced placement college-level courses completed in high school and validated by grades of three, four, or five on the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board. Also, advanced placement is offered to students who earn scores of five, six, or seven on the International Baccalaureate IB Higher-Level examination.
Choice of Major
Undergraduate degree programs applicants must choose a program of study. Applicants will not be admitted as “undecided.” Golden Gate University does not offer double major degrees. However, students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Business or Bachelor of Arts in Management programs may choose one or more concentrations.
Declaring Undergraduate Program Concentrations
Students may declare concentrations when they have completed the coursework required for their desired concentrations, or after the “Last Day to Drop Course without Tuition Charge” (per the Academic Calendar) for their final terms, if they will be able to complete their concentrations in their final terms.
To be eligible to declare concentrations, students must have already completed the required concentration coursework, or be able to complete it in their final terms without requiring waivers, substitutions, or directed study courses, unless they are approved in advance by the department chair, program director or dean.
Students may declare up to two concentrations in a given degree program. Students seeking to declare more than two concentrations will be required to appeal to the dean for approval. Students’ diplomas will list the concentrations that they had successfully completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional concentrations after their degrees have been conferred.
Concentrations may be declared in the following undergraduate programs:
Automatic Admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programs for Associate of Arts Program Students
Current GGU Associate of Arts program students who are nearing the completion of their programs may be automatically admitted into their choice of Bachelor’s programs by submitting the Associate of Arts/Bachelor’s Degree Program Request form. Alumni of the Associate of Arts program may submit this form after their degrees have been conferred, but must do so within one calendar year following the conferral of their Associate of Arts degrees to be eligible for automatic admission. Alumni who fail to submit the form in a timely manner will be required to apply for admission to a Bachelor’s program through the regular admission process.
Conferral of Associate of Arts Degrees for Bachelor’s Program Students
Current Bachelor’s program students who have completed the Associate of Arts program requirements may submit the Associate of Arts/Bachelor’s Degree Program Request form in order to have their Associate of Arts degrees conferred. Students must also apply for graduation via GGU4YOU from the Associate of Arts program after the program has been added to their records.
Earning a Second Bachelor’s Degree
Applicants who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree at Golden Gate University or other regionally accredited institution in the United States are not encouraged to pursue a second bachelor’s degree. A second bachelor’s degree has little educational or professional value. Except in the rare case of a student who is looking to earn the second degree in a discipline with a distinct difference from their first degree, a second bachelor’s degree would require duplication of course work previously taken. It is highly recommended that students who have completed a bachelor’s degree explore educational opportunities at the graduate level. Applications for a second bachelor’s degree may be denied admission by the dean, regardless of prior academic qualifications.
Pathway Programs
Applicants to certain GGU “Pathway” programs may take designated graduate-level courses and have those units applied to both their Bachelor’s degree and their Master’s degree or graduate certificate programs. Some pathway options allow for courses to be waived from their graduate programs, but not applied to both undergraduate and graduate program requirements, as described below.
Through the Path2CPA option, graduates of either the Accounting, BS or Business, Accounting Concentration, BS program may reapply up to 12 units of designated GGU graduate-level coursework toward the Master of Science in Accounting Data & Analytics (MSADA) program or the Master of Science in Taxation program. The graduate-level courses will be included in the unit totals and GPAs for both applicants’ undergraduate Accounting and graduate-level Accounting or Taxation degree programs. Students whose cumulative GPAs in the graduate-level courses fall below a 3.00 GPA will be conditionally admitted to either of these Master’s programs. See the Accounting, BS or Business, Accounting Concentration, BS program descriptions for course-related information.
Students enrolled in the Dual BAM/EMPA Degree program will have the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Management with Public Administration Concentration , which provides a solid foundation in essential management concepts, techniques, communication, and organizational behavior, and then continue on to earn the Executive Public Administration (EMPA) , which provides a thorough understanding of the advanced processes, issues, and practices associated with the management of high-performing public service and nonprofit organizations at the municipal, regional, state, federal and international levels of governance. The EMPA will introduce students to the relevant set of real-world knowledge and skills required to function effectively in a managerial or executive role within such organizational settings. Students will learn to organize, motivate, and lead individuals in diverse public and private business enterprises. Those who complete the dual degree program will be in a unique position to understand and navigate the complex interactions between the public and private sectors, including policymaking, ethics, and the increasing privatization of the public sector.
Applicants to any of the graduate Psychology degree or certificate programs who have previously earned Bachelor’s degrees from GGU with majors or concentrations in Psychology may have certain required graduate-level courses waived with comparable undergraduate-level coursework completed at GGU and used to satisfy the requirements of their GGU Bachelor’s degree programs. Eligible applicants will have the number of units required to complete their graduate programs reduced in accordance with the number of units waived. However, these courses will be included only in the unit totals and GPAs for the applicants’ Bachelor’s programs. See the following program descriptions for more information: Counseling Psychology, MA , Conflict Resolution Graduate Certificate , or Counseling Skills Graduate Certificate .
Graduate Admission
This section pertains to admission to master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs.
Three-Year Degree Graduate Admission Policy
Graduates of three-year baccalaureate programs may be considered for admission after consideration of the applicant’s educational and work experience.
Graduate Admission Criteria
For admission to degree and certificate programs the applicant must:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US institution or the equivalent from a recognized non-US institution. Applicants with degrees from US institutions that are not regionally accredited may be considered for admission on an exception basis. Admission and/or transfer of credit from unaccredited institutions is not guaranteed.
- Demonstrate academic and professional capability to study at the graduate level.
- Possess quantitative, writing and computing skills needed to succeed in a competitive and dynamic environment.
Applicants whose academic preparation does not meet the university admission criteria, but who have potential for academic achievement, may be conditionally admitted with the approval of the academic department. Conditionally admitted students must achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA within their first nine units of their academic programs. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. See Graduate Student Academic Standing Standards for more information. Note: International students, who require F-1 or J-1 Visas to study in the United States, may not be conditionally admitted due to U.S. Immigration regulations.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program applicants will be evaluated by a review of cumulative undergraduate grade point averages in combination with the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score. MBA applicants must fulfill the MBA degree proficiency requirements, including writing proficiency, and are expected to understand the degree requirements outlined in this catalog under Graduate Programs.
The GMAT is a basic aptitude test and does not require knowledge of business subject content. The GMAT is offered in a computer-adaptive format at various locations in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world. Test appointments can be made with the Graduate Management Admission Council by calling 1-800-717-GMAT or through the GMAT Web page at www.mba.com.
*Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT.
GMAT/GRE Waiver Policy
Some applicants to the MBA program are not required to provide a GMAT/GRE score. The exceptions are below:
- Applicants who have an earned master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited US institution.
- Applicants who have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher in studies leading to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited or approved institution.
- Four or more years of military service.
- Applicants who have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
- Applicants who have received other professional licenses or designations earned by passing a nationally recognized U.S. exam (e.g., CMA, CIA) and who petition and are granted approval from the Dean of the Edward S. Ageno School of Business.
- Applicants who can document more than five (5) years of substantial professional and/or supervisory managerial work experience, and who petition and are granted approval from the Dean of the Edward S. Ageno School of Business. Examples of professional experience are practicing CFAs; attorneys; physicians or other qualified professional careers; supervisory managerial work experience refers to experience directing others in the accomplishment of tasks.
Admission Application Documents
To be considered for admission to the graduate program, the applicant must provide the following:
- Admission Application Form and Fee.
- Official Academic Transcripts: Graduate applicants must submit transcripts from the degree-granting undergraduate institution. The transcript must clearly state that a bachelor’s degree or an industry standard equivalent has been conferred. However, to maximize transfer credit, we recommend submitting transcripts from all institutions attended. Note: Applicants for the Master of Science in Accounting or Master of Science in Business Analytics must provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Applicants who are non-native speakers of English must meet the criteria for the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement. Official transcripts must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services directly from the sending schools, colleges or universities issuing the documents.
- Test Scores:
- A GMAT score is required for MBA degree applicants unless the applicant meets the criteria for exception as noted in this catalog.
- The GMAT or GRE may be required of other master’s degree applicants if academic transcripts do not indicate sufficient academic preparation.
- Applicants whose first (native) language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement.
- Test score reports must be sent directly from the testing service office to the Office of Enrollment Services.
- Statement of Purpose (Optional for most applicants, required for applicants to the Master of Science in Business Analytics , Master of Science in Human Resource Management , Master of Science in Information Technology Management , and Master of Taxation Cohort Program .) In cases where the academic history of an applicant does not meet the minimum admission requirements, it is required that a written personal evaluation be submitted with the application materials. The statement should give a realistic appraisal of any academic work completed since graduation from high school. Note any inconsistencies in the academic record and the reasons for them. In addition, include a plan to affirm a commitment to academic success while attending Golden Gate University. Applicants are encouraged to be as forthright and open as possible, and should feel free to discuss unusual circumstances or situations of adversity that may have influenced their current values. Be aware that both the quality of the writing and the thoughtfulness of the statement will be evaluated.
- Certification of Finances: If you are an international student who will be attending on an F-1 Student visa or J-1 scholar visa, you must also provide a Certification of Finances form. Refer International Student Admission for more information.
Please note: All application materials become the property of the university and cannot be returned.
Declaring Graduate Program Concentrations
Students may declare up to two concentrations in a given degree program. Students seeking to declare more than two concentrations will be required to appeal to the dean for approval. Students’ diplomas will list the concentrations that they had successfully completed at the time their degrees were conferred. Students may not declare additional concentrations after their degrees have been conferred.
Additional Master’s Degrees
Applicants to master’s programs who have earned master’s degrees from other regionally accredited institutions may transfer-in up to 12 units of prior coursework to GGU and have it apply toward their GGU master’s degree programs, with the approval of their program directors or deans. However, the requirements for the GGU program, including academic residency, must still be satisfied. Applicants to master’s programs who have earned master’s degrees from GGU may have up to 12 units of coursework waived from each additional program, with the approval of their deans. However, the requirements for subsequent programs, including academic residency, must still be satisfied. See Graduate Transfer Credit for more information. See Graduate Academic Residency Requirement for more information.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
The following programs have additional admission requirements:
English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement
Undergraduate and graduate applicants whose first (native) language is not English must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement to be admitted to the university. Applicants may satisfy this requirement by one of the following:
- Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score: 79 Internet-based test or higher for graduate admissions; 53 Internet-based test or higher for undergraduate admissions.
- Seven years of documented, increasingly responsible, professional experience in the U.S. or other English-speaking country.
- Completion of English 1A/1B (or equivalent) at regionally accredited U.S. college/university with grades of B+ or better in both.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/ university or equivalent from recognized college/university in other English speaking country with at least 60 of the units earned in the U.S. or in the English Speaking country.
- Master’s degrees from a regionally accredited U.S. college/ university or equivalent from recognized college/university in another English-speaking country.
- Official IELTS Academic (Cambridge) Band: 6.5 or higher for graduate admissions; 6.0 or higher for undergraduate admissions.
- APIEL (College Board): 4 or higher for graduate admissions; 3 or higher for undergraduate admissions.
- Completion of three (3) years of high school in the U.S. or another acceptable English-speaking country with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.*
- Completion of a British-standard O-level (GCE Ordinary Level) examination in English Language/Literature with a mark of B or higher.**
- Completion of a British-standard A-level (GCE Advanced Level) examination in English Language/Literature with a mark of B or higher.**
- Official Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score: 57 or higher for graduate admissions; 48 or higher for undergraduate admissions.
- Waived by the dean of the school that offers the applicant’s program of study.
* Note 1: Not all English medium educational systems fulfill this requirement. Countries that qualify are: Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand.
** Note 2: Not all countries that offer O- and A-level examinations meet British examining board standards. Countries that meet this standard include: Bahamas, Belize, Brunei, Ghana, United Kingdom, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Graduate students who are able to satisfy the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement are also expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they are successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under the Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement .
International Student Admission
Golden Gate University enrolls international students from all over the world. However, students who need F-1 Student or J-1 Scholar visas to study in the U.S. can be admitted to graduate degree programs only. International applicants are not eligible to apply for undergraduate or certificate programs or open enrollment status and are strongly encouraged to carefully read the following.
The Application Calendar
The applicant must submit an original or certified transcript and certified English translation from each school previously attended. Examination scores and mark sheets may be submitted in lieu of a transcript for institutions that do not maintain transcripts. Acceptance of documents is the sole discretion of the admissions personnel.
International applicants are strongly advised to submit all supporting materials by the dates below based on their desired first terms of enrollment to provide sufficient time to complete the admission and visa approval processes:
| Start Term |
Recommended Submission Deadline |
|
Fall:
Spring:
Summer:
|
first week of June
first week of November of prior year
first week of March
|
Applicants may apply for admission up to one calendar year prior to the intended first term of enrollment.
Applying for Admission as an International Student
- Graduate of an American college or university who are applying for admission to a master’s degree program, must have earned a bachelor’s or higher level degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International applicants who are not graduates of a regionally accredited American college or university must have earned a degree comparable to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Enrollment Services from the institution.
- English test scores, such as TOEFL, IELTS and PTE, or other proof of fulfillment of GGU’s English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement are required of all graduate applicants who are non-native speakers of English.
- A Certification of Finances form must be submitted by all applicants intending to study while on an F-1 student or J-1 scholar visa. The information requested on this form is required by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and may be downloaded on the Golden Gate University website (www.ggu.edu), or by contacting the Office of Enrollment Services. Also, it is included in the application packet that bay be sent upon request.
- The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required of MBA applicants.
International Student Enrollment
Some international students may be required to complete more than the number of degree units in the program because additional academic preparation is required.
- The university is authorized by U.S. federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. The university will not issue the immigration related documents until the applicant has been fully admitted into a degree or certificate program, and has been financially certified by the university’s Certification of Finances approval process. (F1 students are required to pay a $1,000 tuition deposit as noted below.)
- Students with F-1 student or J-1 scholar visa must attend the GGU San Francisco campus.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires international students with F-1 student visas to remain enrolled for consecutive terms of sufficient duration and units, typically consisting of no fewer than nine graduate level units per term.
Tuition Deposit for Student Visa Holders (F-1 Student Visa)
All international students including students who are transferring from other schools in the U.S. and who require Form I-20 from Golden Gate University to obtain the F-1 student visa will be assessed a nonrefundable tuition deposit of $1,000. This tuition deposit is applied toward tuition in the first enrollment term. Payment is non-refundable* and non-transferable if the student fails to complete the enrollment process. Students may request deferred enrollment, which must be submitted in writing to the Admissions Office.
*Students who are denied a visa may appeal for a deposit refund of up to $900.
Admission to Certificate Programs
To apply for certificate programs, students should submit an admission application and fee.
- For undergraduate certificate applicants: An official transcript documenting that the student has been awarded the equivalent of a high school diploma from an approved institution is required. Students with 12 transferable semester units or 18 quarter units or more from a regionally accredited college or university must submit complete official transcripts detailing this coursework.
- For graduate certificate applicants: An official transcript documenting that the student has been awarded an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited US institution or the equivalent from a recognized non-US institution is required. Applicants with degrees from US institutions that are not regionally accredited may be considered for admission on an exception basis.
- Certificate students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. An official test score report or other proof of fulfillment of GGU’s English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement is required for all applicants whose native language is not English.
- Many certificate courses have prerequisite course requirements that must also be satisfied. Prerequisites may be satisfied through transfer of equivalent coursework from external institutions or by taking the courses at GGU. It is not guaranteed that every course required for a given certificate will be offered every term.
- Admitted certificate program students are required to maintain applicable academic progress standards, including grade-point average. See Academic Standing Standards for more information.
- All courses for a certificate program must be completed with Golden Gate University. No transfer credit is granted. Courses earned at GGU in a certificate program may also be used toward a degree program at the university.
- The certificate will be awarded at the end of the trimester in which the student successfully completes all of the coursework and submits a Certificate of Completion Request form to the Office of Records and Registration.
- Certificate programs are ineligible for Title IV federal financial aid.
Open Enrollment Status (Non-Matriculated)
Prospective students who are seeking to earn degrees or certificates, who have applied for admission to the university but whose applications have not been processed, may enroll in courses through open enrollment status. In addition, students who desire to take courses for personal enrichment but are not seeking academic credentials may request to enroll through open enrollment status. Permission to register for individual courses is based on prior academic performance and preparation in appropriate prerequisites.
- Registration under open enrollment status does not constitute admission to a degree program at Golden Gate University.
- Open enrollment students are required to submit an Open Enrollment Application and to have each course approved by an enrollment counselor prior to registration each term.
- For credential-seeking students, open enrollment registration is limited to a maximum of 2 terms while the student’s admission application is being processed. However, for non-credential-seeking students, there are no limitations on the number of terms or units for which students can register under open enrollment status.
- Open enrollment graduate-credential-seeking students may attempt and earn a maximum of 9 graduate units, which can also be applied toward meeting a graduate degree or certificate program requirements.
- Open enrollment undergraduate-credential-seeking students may attempt and earn a maximum of 12 units, which can also be applied toward meeting an undergraduate degree or certificate program requirements.
- Doctoral level courses may not be taken under open enrollment status.
- Open enrollment is not a permitted status for an international student studying on a Visa (F-1 or J-1).
- Open enrollment status students are not eligible for financial aid, including federal, state, grant and scholarship programs.
- Students registered in open enrollment status are not eligible to earn certificates. Certificate-seeking students must apply for admission to certificate programs.
- For credential-seeking students, the student’s academic performance in the open enrollment term(s) may be used in the admission decision. If the student’s GPA falls below the required minimum during the open enrollment term and the student is later admitted to the university, the student will be placed on academic probation upon admission and will be required to comply with the university’s probation policies.
- Open enrollment students who plan to enroll in graduate level courses must have earned a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Open enrollment students who plan to enroll in undergraduate courses must have earned a high school diploma or GED. No admission test scores are required for either graduate or undergraduate open enrollment students.
- Open enrollment students who are non-native speakers of English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirement prior to registration.
- Students who seek to enroll in English or Mathematics courses are required to complete a placement test prior to registration. See Academic Requirements for more information.
- Open enrollment students are allowed to make the Credit/No Credit Grade Election and to audit courses.
- Open enrollment students are required to maintain good academic standing to register for courses and to remain enrolled. Evidence of good academic standing for an undergraduate student is a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average, and for a graduate student is a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Students who fall below this standard will not be permitted to register for subsequent terms.
Open enrollment students who do not meet all of the requirements as noted above are not permitted to register and will be dis-enrolled in the event that ineligibility is determined after the term begins.
Readmission of Former Students (Returning Students)
Golden Gate University requires students to enroll in and complete at least one unit of academic credit every third consecutive academic period (i.e., fall, spring, summer) in order to maintain their academic program enrollment statuses at the institution. Students who fail to satisfy this enrollment requirement are considered to be stopped-out and are ineligible to enroll in courses. Students whose programs become stopped-out under this policy are required to apply for readmission in order to resume their academic studies at Golden Gate University. See the Regular Enrollment Requirement for more information.
Applicants for readmission must meet the admission requirements in effect at the time of readmission. See How to Apply for Admission for more information. Since many of the student records covered by the Student Records Retention Plan contain confidential information protected by federal and state law, the Office of Records and Registration is required to dispose of them appropriately to protect student privacy. Consequently, students that are reapplying for admission that have been inactive for five or more years will likely be required to resubmit all necessary documents.
Students who were on academic probation at the time they stopped enrolling at the university may be readmitted into the same academic program but will remain on probation and will be subject to the probation-retention plan in effect when they were last enrolled. Such students who are seeking admission into different academic programs may remain on probation if their prior course work is applicable to their new program’s requirements and if the resulting grade point average (GPA) is below the university’s standards. See Academic Standing for more information. All other readmitted students will be subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
Undergraduate Transfer Credit
Transferring to GGU is a convenient process, and many students receive the maximum number of transfer units possible. Advisors at Northern California community colleges and Admissions Office staff at Golden Gate University can be contacted for further transfer information.
Credits earned in academic programs from regionally accredited four-year institutions are usually acceptable, as are college-level academic credits from accredited community colleges; credits, not grades, transfer, and such credits will not count toward a student’s GPA. Credit may be granted only if the subject matter of courses is applicable to programs offered by Golden Gate University. General Education/Liberal Studies transfer credit varies by degree program. Credit for terminal, occupational, technical and vocational courses may be accepted on a limited case-by-case basis.
Transfer credit from all available sources cannot exceed 93 units. A minimum of 30 units must be completed at Golden Gate University. Specific articulation references are available at www.ggu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfers/. This site includes information on pre-approved courses and their equivalent Golden Gate course from over 100 colleges and universities located world-wide. If the institution you attended is not in this list, please contact the Admissions Office at GGU.
Associate of Arts (AA) or Science (AS) Block Transfer:
Students with a completed Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Associate of Science (AS) degree from a regionally accredited college or university at the time of admission may be eligible for a block transfer program of 60 units that completes many of the general education and liberal studies core requirements in the GGU bachelor’s degree programs. Information regarding articulated associate of arts block transfers can be found at www.ggu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfers/.
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)
Golden Gate University participates in California Community Colleges-Associate Degree for Transfer (CCC-ADT) program. California community college graduates participating in these programs who pursue the Bachelor of Arts or Science at GGU will typically have 63 or fewer units to complete the degree. More information can be found at https://adegreewithaguarantee.com/.
GGU Aspire Program
Golden Gate University’s Aspire Program is a collaboration with Study.com that empowers students to get a high quality bachelor’s degree on their own timeline and at a manageable price. In this program, students will take up to 93 units with study.com and transfer those units toward a UG degree at GGU. To complete the program, the student will take the final 30 units with GGU.
Intersegmental General Education (IGETC) or CSU GE Breadth Block Transfer:
Students with a documented certification for IGETC or CSU GE Breadth at the time of admission may be eligible for a block transfer program that completes the general education and liberal studies core requirements. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a transfer preparation process in which all California community and junior colleges participate. GGU honors IGETC guidelines for general education requirements. Information regarding IGETC can be obtained from all California community and junior colleges, and most of those institutions indicate IGETC approved courses in their course catalogs. The policies in effect at the time the student applies for certification at his or her community college campus will determine eligibility. Completion of either IGETC or CSU Breadth requirements must be verified through the certification process to maximize transfer credit. Students without that certification will be eligible for course-by-course evaluation. Information regarding courses waived with the certification can be found online at www.ggu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfers/.
Non-Coursework Transfer Credit:
Golden Gate University recognizes and grants credit for educational programs offered by alternative and nationally-recognized providers. Such programs include:
- Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board.
- CLEP Examinations from the College Board.
- DSST Exams from Prometric.
- Military Certifications, Training, and Education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).
- Training programs, certifications, and educational programs evaluated and recommended for credit by the American Council on Education’s CREDIT Service (ACE Credit) or the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).
- Prior Learning Assessment Portfolios completed through LearningCounts.
Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policies:
- A student may apply toward the Bachelor’s degree up to 93 semester units of credit transferred from other colleges and all other recognized sources. In order for a course to transfer, a minimum of a C- must be earned.
- Credits may be transferred from regionally-accredited community colleges, two-year and four-year institutions, and national testing services as noted above.
- A minimum of 30 units must be completed at GGU with at least a C-, with the exception of English composition courses in which the student must earn at least a C.
- Transfer credits for cooperative education units earned at other accredited U.S. institutions are subject to the approval of the appropriate school dean.
- The maximum number of transfer credits from any single source may be limited by Enrollment Services.
- Credits earned in certain subjects more than ten years before admission to Golden Gate University may not be accepted, or may be subject to review or additional documentation.
- Courses not specifically articulated may transfer as elective credit; additional courses may fulfill the Liberal Studies Core requirement based on content and units earned.
- A student may file a petition regarding disputes.
Graduate Transfer Credit
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 Academic Residency Requirement 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 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.
Students who have completed graduate work at another institution may be admitted with up to six units of advanced program (300-400-level) credit when courses submitted for transfer credit meet all of the following criteria:
- The course(s) were earned at the graduate level with a grade of “B” or better and not used toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree. Courses with a grade below “B” including “B-” are not transferred.
- The course(s) are applicable to the GGU degree objective.
- The course(s) were earned at a regionally accredited institution.
- The course(s) are approved by the faculty.
- Cooperative education units earned may be transferred with faculty approval.
- Professional Military Education (PME) or training courses evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) may qualify for transfer credit. In considering the ACE recommendation, the university assesses the level and determines the amount of credit.
- Courses taken by correspondence are not acceptable for advanced program graduate transfer credit.
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