Program Information
With an emphasis on the quantitative skills needed in the business environment, the Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) provides a solid foundation in the disciplines of accounting, finance, operations, management and business analysis. While studying the core subjects, students will also examine in depth a wide spectrum of business-related issues, such as how to run a business (including their own, should entrepreneurship be the goal); how to understand the changing definition of profit in today’s global marketplace; and the causes of business success and failure. The BS in business also provides a fast track for admission to the MBA, as well as Master of Science degrees in Taxation, Finance and Marketing as well as the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
The BSB implements a flexible course of study designed to build skills in the quantitative and analytical areas needed for success while maximizing the number of transfer credits counted toward the degree. The choice of eleven concentrations allows students to align coursework with their career interest, ensuring students develop the skills needed to reach their professional goals.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the BSB, including the general education program, will be able to:
- Construct written communications that articulate and promote business ideas, arguments, or solutions.
- Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills through persuasive speech, and in providing clear directions, instructions, and guidelines within a business setting.
- Address a complex business problem applying methods and tools from finance and accounting.
- Demonstrate ethical decision‐making in business and develop strategies, practices, and policies that advance ethical management practices and corporate social responsibility.
- Locate, evaluate and apply information, using a variety of research tools, in analysis of a complex business problem.
- Apply statistical concepts, methods and tools to analyze and interpret data in the formulation of business strategies and tactics.
- Demonstrate the self‐awareness and habits required to identify, integrate, and apply new information and skills that increase personal and professional effectiveness in business contexts.
- Integrate and apply concepts, theories, strategies, and tactics of business management to develop actionable solutions to business problems.
- Apply knowledge of the global economy in analyzing business problems.
Declaring 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 or vice president of academic affairs 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.
The following concentrations are available:
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Business
The BSB requires completion of 123 units as follows: 60 units of general education coursework (includes 21 units of liberal studies core and 21 units of foundation courses in preparation for the major), 30 units required for the major and 33 units of general electives or a combination of concentration and general elective units. Each course listed carries three semester units of credit, unless otherwise noted. A cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 “C” or higher is required in all courses taken at Golden Gate University.
All degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete their English, mathematics and critical thinking requirements within their first 27 units at Golden Gate University, unless they have already earned credit for the equivalent courses from another institution and have had those courses accepted in transfer by Golden Gate University. If either Math or English requirements for the degree have not been satisfied, newly enrolled students must take placement tests to ensure proper placement in the appropriate Math or English course. Students may also choose to waive the placement tests and enroll in the first course in either series, which are ENGL 10A and MATH 10 . (See the course descriptions below to identify courses that have prerequisite course requirements.)
General Education Requirements - 60 units
Liberal Studies Core - 21 units
Major Requirements - 30 units
Accounting Concentration - 33 units
The concentration in accounting prepares students for a career in the areas of financial and managerial accounting, internal and external auditing, consulting and taxation. It satisfies the education requirements for the CPA and CMA examinations. Beyond technical accounting skills, students will graduate with a sound foundation in economics, law, finance, management, information systems, quantitative methods and communications. Students who wish to engage in an accounting internship are encouraged to include ACCTG 198 in the general electives required for the program.
