Graduate: Proficiency Requirements

Please review the below proficiencies required for enrollment to programs at Golden Gate University. Should you have any questions, please contact us at 1-800-GGU-4YOU.

GRADUATE WRITING PROFICIENCY

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. The priority admission deadline for graduate program applicants is 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 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 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. With the exception of accounting students, those who enroll in English 200 enroll concurrently in Business 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.

The Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement is satisfied for students who meet one of the following:

Ageno School of Business

  • 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 a graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or the equivalent from Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand), or
  • Passed a nationally recognized US exam that includes a significant written component such as the CPA, CFP, or 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 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 graduate writing course at a recognized institution of higher learning in Australia, Anglophone Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and New Zealand), or
  • Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from an institution based in Australia, Anglophone Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand), or
  • Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning (or the equivalent from an institution based in Australia, Anglophone Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, or New Zealand),or
  • Earned a GMAT score of 4.5 on the analytical writing section, or
  • Earned a GRE combined score of 4.5 on the analytical writing sections, or
  • Passed a nationally recognized US exam that includes a significant writing component such as the CPA, CFP, or Bar Exam, or
  • Earned a score on the Graduate Writing Placement Exam high enough to receive a waiver, or
  • Waived by the Dean, Department Chair, or Program Director, based on applicant’s submission of an Enrollment Services Petition form

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GRADUATE MATH PROFICIENCY

Graduate programs may require a math proficiency to ensure that you are successful in your course of study. Please refer to the required Math proficiency on the degree program page of interest for specific details.

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GRADUATE BUSINESS PROFICIENCY

Graduate students in the Edward S. Ageno School of Business (except DBA, EMPA and Psychology) and Braden School of Tax are required to possess an understanding of United States business practices. Students can meet this requirement with one of the following: