Mission
Golden Gate University is an independent center of in-person and virtual learning that changes the lives of adult students through professional practice degree, certification and life-long learning programs in business, law, tax, technology and related professions.Golden Gate University supports this mission and achieves success through the hard work, commitment and dedication of its community of students, alumni, professional educators, staff, board members and friends who create, facilitate and support the learning process.
Vision
Golden Gate University aspires to be:
- A learner-focused, higher-education enterprise with a strong reputation, image and market position as the preferred provider of high quality, high value-added, professional-practice degree and life-long learning programs.
- Known and respected as a model for academic innovation and excellence, especially in integrating technology, pedagogy and learning.
- Financially strong and fully invested in its students, faculty, staff, alumni, technology, infrastructure and facilities.
Values
Golden Gate University, as an organization and as reflected in the efforts of its entire community, holds highest these principles:
- mutual respect for diversity of people and opinions
- teamwork and cooperation in ventures
- honesty in all communications
- continuous improvement in all agenda
- applied learning in all endeavors
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 is a leader in graduate and undergraduate education in business and management, information technology, 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, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Jose, Seattle, Walnut Creek and online through GGU's nationally recognized CyberCampus.
