Master of

Business Administration

Real-World Skills for Real Business Success

The MBA program offers a quality education that blends a foundation in core business disciplines – with essential soft skills such as effective communication, executive presentations, and team building. In two short years, you could be making a big contribution at technology, service, or accounting firms with a worldwide impact. Taught by faculty who are working professionals, the MBA degree program provides the practical skills you need to drive a business: finance, marketing, information technology, and more. GGU has been a fixture of downtown San Francisco for over 100 years and provides unparalleled networking opportunities through long-standing corporate partnerships and a pool of 70,000 successful alumni.

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1,050 /unit

54 Total Units

The Golden Gate University (GGU) MBA program will advance your leadership skills and business knowledge using an activity-based learning approach. Faculty members are seasoned professionals in their respective fields and will prepare you to lead in today's complex business environment.

GGU's MBA program builds your business acumen, leadership skills, and contextual knowledge throughout the practical degree design. It provides an integrated perspective of management, and allows you to tailor the program with one of 13 concentrations to meet your professional interests and goals. Concentrations include business analytics, entrepreneurship, project management and even the option to design your own.

Since launching the MBA program more than half a century ago, GGU has pioneered evening and online programs for working professionals to achieve their career objectives. You can proceed at your own pace in deciding how many courses to take in a given trimester and study fully in-person, completely online or a combination of both.

Students in the program come from the San Francisco Bay Area, the United States and more than 50 countries around the world. With our location in the heart of San Francisco's thriving business community, strong connections to Bay Area business leaders, and a distinguished community of more than 70,000 alumni, the educational experience and the networks available to you are unparalleled.

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Business Proficiency

Students will need to have an understanding of United States business practices to be successful in our graduate programs. Learn More

Computer Proficiency Requirement

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a working familiarity and skill with computers and software applications appropriate for graduate studies. This includes knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet analysis, visual presentation software and network access capabilities.

Faculty may require additional preparation for those students who have not achieved the needed proficiency.

Math Proficiency

Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to College Algebra (MATH 30). Learn More

Writing Proficiency

Graduate degree programs require proficiency in writing to ensure that students are successful in their course of study. Learn More

TOTAL UNITS — 54

FOUNDATION COURSES — 9 UNITS

ACCTG 201: Accounting for Managers
ECON 202: Economics for Managers
MATH 240: Data Analysis for Managers

CORE COURSES — 33 UNITS

CONCENTRATION COURSES — 12 UNITS

One of the following:

General Concentration
Accounting
Adaptive Leadership
Business Analytics
Entrepreneurship
Finance
Global Supply Chain Management
Human Resources
Information Technology Management
International Business
Marketing
Project Management
Public Administration

or choose Multiple Concentrations*

*Two or more concentrations may be taken in the MBA program. All of the courses for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation. Additional concentrations may not be requested after the MBA has been conferred. Diplomas will list all of the concentrations successfully completed prior to degree conferral.

PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE

Projected Schedule

CONCENTRATIONS

GENERAL CONCENTRATION

Whatever the student's goal in the world of business, the general concentration allows the student to tailor the MBA program to his or her individual needs.

Students may choose any four 3-unit courses from the GGU graduate catalog to build a custom course of study. With an array of electives to choose from, students can pick those courses that provide the set of knowledge and skills that they will need in their careers. Students may select courses from accounting, economics, finance, information technology management, international business, management, marketing, operations and supply chain management, project management, public administration, psychology or taxation.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

Four 300- or 400-level courses with the following prefixes:

ACCTG, ECON, EMPA, FI, HSM, ITM, MGT, MKT, OP, PR, PSYCH or TA.

ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATION

A computative-focused graduate concentration designed to train MBA students for an accounting specialty.

The concentration in accounting is recommended for MBA students with a background in accounting, or students who have a strong interest in the field. Whether students' career goals lie in the public sector, private industry, or not-for-profit organizations, they learn how to apply the theory and practice of contemporary accounting to a variety of management positions. They get abundant hands-on practice, a strong foundation in the latest technology used in the field, and the accounting and management tools needed to be a leader in their chosen organization.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

ACCTG 301: Introduction to Accounting Standards
ACCTG 301A: Intermediate Accounting I
ACCTG 301B: Intermediate Accounting II

Any other 300-level course with the ACCTG prefix, which may NOT include ACCTG 398.

ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP CONCENTRATION

This practice-based concentration educates students in an understanding of contemporary leadership and management theories with special emphasis on application and skill development. Students who take this concentration will be well prepared to manage, lead, and produce results in today’s complex, global business environment.

REQUIRED COURSES — 9 UNITS

LEAD 304: Leading Complex Change
LEAD 305: Adaptive Decision Making
MGT 348: Negotiating in Business

ELECTIVE COURSE — 3 UNITS

One of the following:

MGT 301: Entrepreneurship
MGT 304: International Business Strategy
MGT 312: Business Planning for Entrepreneurs
MGT 320: Management Leadership: Theory and Practice
MGT 324: Organizational Behavior & Process
MGT 353: Organizational Development
MGT 396CR: Conflict Resolution
MGT 398: Internship: Management

BUSINESS ANALYTICS CONCENTRATION

A targeted graduate concentration designed for MBA students to work within the business analytics field.

Business analytics has exploded in the last few years, offering many new opportunities for managers who understand business operations and are able to evaluate massive amounts of data. The Business Analytics Concentration is designed for the MBA student who must be able to apply data analytics tools and techniques to both structured and unstructured data, extracting information that the organization can use for strategic decision-making. Students taking this concentration will be introduced to specialized analytics tools and technologies.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

MSBA 300: Foundations of Business Analytics (Take This First)

Plus three of the following:

MSBA 301: Performance Management & Metrics
MSBA 304: Database Theory & Data Management Tools
MSBA 305: Business Intelligence & Decision Support
MSBA 320: Advanced Statistical Analysis with R & Python
MSBA 324: Web & Social Network Analytics
MSBA 328: Visualization & Communication Through Storytelling

ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONCENTRATION

For ambition persons who want to start and grow their own business, and / or manage innovation within a larger enterprise.

This concentration offers the opportunity to learn how to design, finance, and manage a new venture. Real-world practical skills combined with the most current theory provides a solid foundation. All students in this program will construct a business plan for their venture, and will also have the flexibility to choose additional courses to support their particular interests.

REQUIRED COURSES — 6 UNITS

MGT 301: Entrepreneurship & New Business Development
MGT 312: Business Planning for Entrepreneurs

ELECTIVE COURSES — 6 UNITS

Two of the following:

FI 318: Venture Capital & Start-Up Financing
MGT 304: International Business Strategy
MGT 348: Negotiating in Business
MKT 335: New-Product Decisions
OP 303: Managing Innovation & Technology
OR: Any 300 or above level course with permission of the Management Department Chair.

FINANCE CONCENTRATION

An analytical graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a finance specialty.

Whatever goal students have in the world of business, from corporate management to consulting and entrepreneurship, the study of finance gives them the grounding in decision-making techniques that will help ensure the financial health of their enterprise in the competitive global market. Students learn capital budgeting, capital structure, investment management, and short-term capital management. Our unique method; combining a theoretical knowledge of finance with extensive hands-on learning, using real-life case studies and our state-of-the art computer labs, gives students the abilities to be an effective and competent manager in any organization.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

FI 300: Corporate Finance

Three 300- or 400-level courses (9 units) with the FI or ECON prefix, which may include:

FI 497: Internship: Finance

GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION

A powerful graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for a career in supply chain management

Global supply chain management (GSCM) is a group of business processes involved in providing goods and services to customers including worldwide management of purchasing, production, logistics, inventory, order, technology, and international trade operations. The GSCM concentration provides students with the theories and practices to be successful in this area of modern business that is now critical for a competitive advantage. Students take two core and two elective courses that cover the key strategic, design, tactical, and execution management knowledge for advanced competency. The elective courses allow students to tailor their education in the most important areas of GSCM. This program uses real world application, key decision analytics, expert content, cases, and projects to prepare students to become change agents for GSCM evolution in their organizations. In addition to professional knowledge, each student will also have the opportunity to create a career plan to accomplish their goals with the support of academic, industry, and alumni advisors to create a regime of continuous learning and networking beyond the degree.

CORE COURSES — 6 UNITS

OP 321: Supply Chain Planning & Control
OP 329: Global Supply Chain Management Applications & Analytics
(to be taken as last concentration course)

ELECTIVES — 6 UNITS

Two of the following:

OP 301: Sustainable Supply Chain Operations
OP 302: Quality Management & Process Improvement
OP 303: Managing Innovation & Technology
OP 305: Supply Chain Management Technology & Information Systems
OP 320: Strategic Sourcing
OP 323: Supply Chain Logistics Management
OP 398: Internship: Operations Management

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION

In the competitive global marketplace, effective management of human resources is necessary for success. Students learn to understand the human resource issues brought about by technology and the international business environment, and how to apply their knowledge as a human-resources professional in organizations. Students will choose among courses to learn how to hire, train, develop, retain, compensate and ethically manage a workforce.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

Four of the following:

HRM 301: Work and Workforce Trends
HRM 302: Acquiring and Retaining Human Resources
HRM 303: HR as a Legal Partner
HRM 304: HR Data and Performance Metrics
HRM 305: Total Compensation
HRM 306: Learning and Development
HRM 307: International HRM
HRM 308: Ethics in Managing People at Work
HRM 398: Internship: Human Resources Management

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION

A focused graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students to work with or within the IT field.

The concentration in information technology introduces students to the capabilities made possible by IT, as well as the challenges associated with being an IT manager. Students learn about selecting and planning IT initiatives, applying data analytics to business problems, and addressing issues of security and privacy within the business environment. Upon completion, students will also understand how to align IT with business needs and how IT enables business value.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

ITM 300: Managing Information Technology in the Business Enterprise
ITM 323: Security, Privacy & Compliance
ITM 324: Data Analytics for Business
ITM 344: Project Governance: Portfolio & Program Management

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONCENTRATION

A global graduate concentration designed to train MBA students for a career in an international setting.

The globalization of the marketplace has increased the demand for internationally oriented managers. This concentration prepares students for a managerial career in an international setting. It is designed to respond to the changing demands for managers who are in tune with the international economy through the advanced electives in international marketing, international finance, or international operations management. Students gain a high degree of competence and confidence in understanding the context of international business.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

Four of the following*:

ECON 340: International Trade & Finance
FI 343: International Corporate Finance
MGT 305: Managing People in International Settings
MGT 306: Legal Aspects of International Business Transactions
MKT 343: International Marketing
OP 329: Global Supply Chain Management

*Other 300-level courses related to international business

MARKETING CONCENTRATION

A fundamental graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students for success in the rapidly changing marketing field.

Often considered the central discipline of business, the challenges and practices of marketing are evolving along with the changes in the contemporary business environment. This concentration prepares students to manage the marketing function inside private or public sector business organizations. General management and marketing techniques, such as market research and market planning, are covered along with the current trends and techniques in the field like digital marketing, social media, and the increasing mobile marketing trends.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

Any 300-level course with the MKT prefix.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION

A structured graduate concentration designed to groom MBA students for careers in project management

Golden Gate University is a PMI^® member.

The concentration in Project Management gives students grounding in multiple skills including budgeting, conflict resolution, communication, project scope, developing and using resources, leadership, and team building. Students gain knowledge from faculty who are certificated by PMI^®. The content of courses is integrated with the Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^®, Guide) - Fifth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc. 2013. As students progress through their courses, they are preparing themselves for the Project Management Professional (PMP^®) certification exam. The PM concentration provides an opportunity for those who wish to build on their MBA degree work by obtaining project management skills. The certificate is for those who may be working and intend to apply project management skills in their present and future professional endeavors.

PMP^® is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

PM 340: Project Management
PM 342: Agile Management for Project Managers
PM 343: Project Planning & Control
PM 345: Project Administration, Leadership & Team Dynamics

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATION

A progressive graduate concentration designed to prepare MBA students to navigate the bureaucracy of the public sector.

Outsourcing of public sector services to business and non-profit organizations has increased the need for private sector managers who understand how the government bureaucracy works. This concentration provides students with the necessary skills and Knowledge to be successful at public management, applying what they learned to approach the public sector with the mindset of a private sector manager. Students will learn to manage finances in a not-for-profit company, labor practices in the public sector, and running a business amid all the legal red tape that can come along with public administration.

REQUIRED COURSES — 12 UNITS

EMPA 300: Theory, Ethics, & Practice in Public Service

Two of the following:

EMPA 302: Public Policy Analysis & Program Evaluation
EMPA 304: Public Enterprise Management & Public Sector Business Relations
EMPA 305: Public Budgeting & Financial Management
EMPA 306: Public Service & the Law
EMPA 307: Public Personnel Management

Multiple Concentrations

Two or more concentrations may be taken in the MBA program. In addition to the course requirements for the concentrations, students must also complete the coursework for all the foundation and the advanced programs. All of the coursework for multiple concentrations must be completed prior to graduation; students may not request any additional concentrations after they have received their MBA. The diploma will list all of the concentrations that the student successfully completed by the date of graduation.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

General Graduate Admissions Requirements

GMAT / GRE

The GMAT / GRE is NOT required for applicants with more than 5 years of professional work experience (and a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited US institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign (outside the US) institution). See below for additional waivers.

Applicants with fewer than 5 years of professional work experience will be evaluated by undergraduate grade-point averages in combination with a GMAT or GRE score.

Additional waivers for the GMAT / GRE:

A master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited US institution.
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
A professional license or designation earned by passing a nationally recognized US examination (e.g. CMA, CIA) AND approval granted by petitioning the dean of the Edward S. Ageno School of Business.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates of the MBA program should be able to:

Demonstrate a general management "holistic" perspective.
Demonstrate managerial and leadership skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving, communications and presentations, self-awareness.
Master and apply general management analytic processes and tools for decision making.
Integrate strategic business objectives within competitive industry dynamics.
Integrate strategic business objectives within the socio-political-economic-ecological-global context.
Understand functional areas' impact on business and departmental interaction issues.
Demonstrate integrated business level planning.

MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT

Kathy Bell, Adjunct Professor
Tandra Bell, Adjunct Professor
Rick Berry, Adjunct Professor
Joe Black, Distinguished Adjunct Professor
Mary Anne R. Brady, Adjunct Professor
P. Marcia Brown, Adjunct Faculty
Katherine Chen, Adjunct Professor
Mike Cheng, MBA Program Director & Lecturer
Brian Chiaramonte, Adjunct Professor
Christine Chojnacki, Adjunct Professor
Daniel Popkin Clurman, Senior Adjunct Professor
LouAnn Conner, Adjunct Professor
Heather Cowan, Adjunct Professor
Terry Curl, Senior Adjunct Professor
Thomas Cushing, Senior Adjunct Professor
Lydia Daniels, Senior Adjunct Professor
Rose Davis, Adjunct Professor
Vincent Deluard, Adjunct Professor
Ronald Demerin, Senior Adjunct Professor
Carol Dixon, Adjunct Professor
Sylvia Doss, Adjunct Faculty
Lawrence Ebert, Adjunct Professor
David Fickbohm, Distinguished Adjunct Professor
John Ford, Adjunct Professor
Paul Fouts, Professor
Peter C. Freeman, Senior Adjunct Professor
Philip Friedman, Professor
Gwendolyn Giblin, Senior Adjunct Professor
Robert Gigliotti, Adjunct Professor
Steven Gilman, Senior Adjunct Professor
Reem Gohar, Senior Adjunct Professor
Donetta Gunnells, Adjunct Professor
John L. Hansen, Adjunct Professor
Wanda Harmon, Senior Adjunct Professor
Felicia Harris-Foster, Adjunct Professor
John Hawes, Senior Adjunct Professor
Aben Hill, Adjunct Professor
Pamela Hopkins, Adjunct Professor

Robert Hughes, Adjunct Professor
S. Phillip Dillard II, Adjunct Professor
Tina Jackson, Senior Adjunct Professor
Manvinder "Mini" Khroad, Adjunct Professor
Marianne Koch, Associate Dean, Ageno School of Business
Mary Jean Koontz, Senior Adjunct Professor
Aisha Leach, Adjunct Professor
Steven Lee, Adjunct Professor
Judith Lee, Associate Professor & Department Chair, Business Innovation & Technology
Christopher Lynch, Adjunct Professor
Roldan Mallorca, Adjunct Professor
Robin Miles, Adjunct Professor
Shari Moore, Adjunct Professor
Marion Moreno, Adjunct Professor
Tommy L. Moreno, Adjunct Professor
Deborah Morton-Padilla, Adjunct Professor
Sharon Mulgrew, Adjunct Professor
Maureen O'Keefe, Adjunct Professor
Ly Huong T. Pham, Adjunct Professor
Gianna Phillips, Senior Adjunct Professor
Nabil Rageh, Professor
Peter Rocha, Adjunct Professor
George Romanko, Adjunct Professor
Alan R. Roper, Senior Adjunct Professor
Marcia Ruben, Chair, Graduate Management Program
Patrick Schmidt, Adjunct Professor
Henry Siegel, Senior Adjunct Professor
Dorothy J. Smith, Senior Adjunct Professor
Yvette L. Smith, Senior Adjunct Professor
Walter Stevenson, Professor
Tom Taylor, Senior Adjunct Professor
Dana Waldman, Adjunct Professor
Bruce M. Wasserman, Senior Adjunct Professor
Jeremy Welland, Adjunct Professor
Constance Williams, Senior Adjunct Professor
Jan Wilson, Senior Adjunct Professor
Harry Wittenberg, Adjunct Professor
Jeffrey D. Yergler, Associate Professor, Management & Department Chair, Management

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I was already a working professional, so my criteria for graduate school was that I needed classes that fit my schedule, I needed a location that was close, and I needed a program that wasn't going to take too long. I felt that GGU was really tailored toward working professionals. It was like a perfect fit for me.

Carrie SwingMBA 01

Getting my master's degree had been on my to-do list for 8 years. In choosing a school, I did my research. The flexibility of the every other Saturday classes was a deciding factor.

Sana LodhiMBA 17

Here at GGU — in a city where being an entrepreneur and being innovative can take you to the next level — you will be challenged and engaged. You will walk away with both technical and soft skills: better decision-making, understanding management, leadership skills, and values

Victor ShinMBA 04