About GGU
Educating Working Professionals
Since 1901
Our university traces its beginnings to a night school started by the San Francisco YMCA during the California Gold Rush in the early 1850s. It was formally established in 1901 as institution of higher education.
Ever since, GGU has been helping individuals achieve their professional goals by offering degrees and certificates emphasizing practical, skills-based education. Today, GGU offers programs in accounting, law, finance, taxation, business, and technology.
Our Vision
The world’s first global, multilingual university: built for working adults, anchored in San Francisco at the heart of the AI economy.
Education for Your Real World
Our History
Golden Gate University traces its origins to an evening lecture series started by the San Francisco YMCA during the California gold rush in the early 1850s. Even then, lectures focused on practical issues of the day such as gold assaying and English.
The first degree-conferring program of the university started in 1901, with the formation of California’s first evening law school. By offering classes at night, Golden Gate made legal studies available to the common person. Four students comprised the law school’s first graduating class.
Today, Golden Gate University continues as a pioneer of adult education in business and management, accounting, taxation, and law. As always, GGU emphasizes hands-on learning taught by professionals practicing in the field. Campuses and teaching sites are located in San Francisco and online through GGU’s nationally-acclaimed eLearning programs.
Since 1901, Golden Gate University has remained true to its core mission. We continue to ask the market what it needs, engage the industry experts in designing the practically based curriculum, add the relevant skill sets that set our students apart — regardless of their profession — and graduate exemplary individuals who continue to go forth and set wonderful examples of achievement and contribution.
We have passed the 125 year mark since one man found the need for practically-based, professionally focused education for working adults and did something about it. That something eventually grew into the proud institution that is Golden Gate University today. We fully anticipate being around for at least another 125 years, and can’t wait to see what’s in store.
GGU’s Philosophy
GGU delivers education focused on practical issues of the day by offering classes when and where students can attend: days, nights, weekends and now online and blended experiences, uniquely making professional education available to the working person as well as the college graduate seeking to pursue an advanced education in law, tax, psychology, technology, business, accounting and other related professions.
We emphasize hands-on learning taught by professionals practicing, or with prior distinguished practice and scholarship, in their fields of expertise so that our students can make measurable contributions to their profession while they’re still in school.
Golden Gate University also believes that students come to us wanting a transformational classroom experience, which takes all that they arrive with and helps them leverage it for their unique success.
Born of our beginnings at the YMCA, we also believe that education is for the many — not the few. If you bring motivation, determination, aspiration, a willingness to learn and a desire to get a degree, we believe you should be given a chance and that it is the institution’s duty to create an educational experience at GGU that will support the success of that goal.
Explore Student & Alumni Stories
Discover what our students and alumni have to say about their GGU experience.
Find Your Program
Explore our online and hybrid programs in business, law, taxation, and more.
