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Edward S. Ageno
School of Business
Business Education for Working Adults
At the Edward S. Ageno School of Business, our mission is to prepare students for managerial and professional careers in a broad range of business fields through innovative programs that combine theory and practical experience. We were founded on the core belief that professional qualifications are as important as academic experience. Therefore, our dedicated faculty is both academically and professionally qualified — working professionals that have done or are doing that which they teach. Whether you pursue a general management degree, or specialize with an MS degree, you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and well-earned confidence you need to succeed in today’s evolving business environment.
The Ageno School of Business offers relevant programs in our continuing effort to help working adults prepare for today’s competitive, rapidly changing global marketplace. With high-quality, in-depth instruction from practicing professionals, students will be able to apply what they learn today in the workplace tomorrow. We offer graduate degrees in business administration, business analytics, entrepreneurship, finance, financial analytics, accounting data & analytics, human resource management, information technology management, leadership, marketing, psychology and public administration, as well as several graduate certificates.
Study on your terms with flexible online and hybrid classes
Learn from industry experts who know what employers want
Solve real-world business problems through case studies
Take career-focused courses designed for the future of business
A Message from the Executive Director
Thank you for considering the Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University as you explore your options for advancing your education and career. Choosing the right program is an important decision — and at GGU, we believe business education should be led by people who live it every day.
For nearly 125 years, GGU has prepared working adults to advance their careers with education that is practical, flexible, and rooted in the realities of today’s business world. At GGU, we don’t just teach business — we connect you directly to it.
Learning from Leaders
More than 80% of our faculty are senior-level business leaders in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. They bring decades of business experience in leadership, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation directly into the classroom. You’ll learn from the same experts who are shaping the industries you want to join.
Programs That Keep Pace
Our curriculum is continually updated to reflect the skills employers demand most. GGU’s newest MBA concentration in Applied AI (one of eleven unique available concentrations) combines the breadth of a traditional MBA with the depth of applied AI. Every graduate course we teach is designed so you can apply what you learn immediately at work.
Micro-Credentials and Certificates
In addition to full degree programs, GGU offers targeted certificates and micro-credentials that let you build expertise quickly in high-demand areas. These programs allow you to establish yourself as a subject matter expert in your field. Many employers provide tuition assistance that covers the cost of GGU certificates, making them an affordable and impactful way to advance your career.
Connections That Open Doors
Our location in downtown San Francisco places you in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic business communities. Through our network of executives, 70,000+ alumni, and mentors, students gain access to internships, career pathways, and opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.
Opportunity for All
Our values of innovation, inclusivity, excellence, integrity, and leadership are woven into every program we offer. Guided by our values, we proudly serve first-generation students, working professionals, and students from around the globe. As an institution that has always expanded accessibility and opportunity, we help adult students reach their highest potential and strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent prepared to lead in business and technology.
I invite you to explore how the Ageno School of Business at Golden Gate University can help you achieve your professional goals. We look forward to welcoming you to a community where experience meets opportunity, and where your future is built on knowledge you can put to work right away.
Robert Shoffner
Executive Director
Ageno School of Business
Golden Gate University
Explore Ageno School of Business Programs
- Degree Level
- Area of Interest
- Format
Program
Degree Level
Format
Area of Interest
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Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Graduate Certificate
Online,
Hybrid
Business,
Psychology
Law Enforcement and Security
Graduate Certificate
Online,
Hybrid
Business,
Public Administration
Public Administration Leadership
Graduate Certificate
Online,
Hybrid
Business,
Public Administration
Security in Computer Systems Management
Graduate Certificate
Online,
Hybrid
Business,
STEM
AACSB International (AACSB) Member
Golden Gate University is a member of AACSB International (AACSB).
AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide. Through membership, accreditation, research, thought leadership, professional development, and advocacy, AACSB partners with over 1,850 organizations from more than 100 countries globally. Membership or participation in the Business Education Alliance does not imply accreditation.
Why Choose the
Ageno School of Business?
We offer both full-time and part-time programs designed for working adults to earn an MBA or other specialized master’s degree in a business-related field. We offer the widest range of interdisciplinary graduate business degrees and certificates in the San Francisco Bay Area, designed to help students achieve personal and professional goals. As Northern California’s first evening MBA program, GGU offers self-paced programs to accommodate individualized timetables for degree completion. In addition, our Master of Business Administration degree allows students to focus on an area of special interest with a large choice of concentrations.
GGU encourages students to participate in capstone projects and internship programs, when applicable, as a way to bring more professionally focused practice into their educational experience. Students are also encouraged to bring work projects into the classroom or online discussion rooms for in-depth analysis and exchange, for the opportunity to receive assistance from peers, and a fresh perspective on the issues faced daily. By graduation day, students will have the needed preparation and confidence to succeed.
The programs we offer are constantly updated to reflect current trends and practices, providing students with the most relevant know-how. Our programs provide students with an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills through interactive learning that promote deep understanding of concepts and their application in business settings. Through practical application, intensive case studies, problem solving, business simulations, and in-depth study of business, students become capable of entering high demand jobs in the global marketplace.
Increase Your Salary Potential at GGU
Golden Gate University master’s degree graduates earn 72% more than the national median for those with a graduate degree.
GGU offers graduate students an exceptional ROI. A GGU master’s degree can help you achieve a salary that is well above the national average, showing a strong return on your educational investment.
Source: WSCUC Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) — Summer 2025 Dataset. Earnings data is provided only for students who received federal financial aid and were working at the time of data collection (5 years after graduation).
Featured Programs
Our History
For 100+ years, the Ageno School of Business has been educating adult working professionals in the heart of San Francisco. The Edward S. Ageno School of Business grew out of the night school of the San Francisco YMCA. For much of the 20th century, it was the only place working professionals in San Francisco could earn an advanced degree. Our business school is home to Northern California’s first evening (and third largest) MBA program and the oldest Public Administration degree program.
Today, the school’s programs teach competencies that address the demands of the ever-evolving marketplace. Recently-revamped graduate degree programs have spawned a new Digital Marketing Concentration for the Master of Science in Marketing program, a Law Enforcement & Security Concentration for the Executive Master of Public Administration program, and the development of two master of arts degrees in psychology.
About Edward S. Ageno
Golden Gate University named its School of Business in March 2000 in honor of Edward S. Ageno. Edward S. Ageno was born and raised in Oakland, California. Born into an Italian immigrant family, he was the epitome of the self-made man who attained his goals through study, hard work and perseverance. He typified the Golden Gate University, adult working student who achieves his or her personal and career goals through our practice-based higher education.
While attending Golden Gate’s night school at the old Central YMCA building from 1934-1938, Mr. Ageno earned his B.C.S. degree in Accountancy despite a long commute by ferry and streetcar from the East Bay and a full-time work schedule. During those years he also worked for several companies doing accounting and auditing to help pay for his education and support his family.
Following his graduation, Mr. Ageno entered the public accounting field, eventually forming his own accounting firm. Through his accounting business, he made the contacts that led him into his entrepreneurial career. He was Accountant/Bookkeeper for Galileo-Capri Salami Company, eventually becoming its president and sole owner. The company is now a division of the Sara Lee Corporation.
Dean’s List
Take a look at the current Dean’s List for the Ageno School of Business, the Braden School of Taxation, and the School of Accounting.
Ageno School of Business Directory
Contact information for the faculty and staff of the Ageno School of Business.
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.
Admissions
Find out more about admission requirements for your program, tuition and financial aid, scholarships, and how to get started.
Student Experience
Discover what it’s like to be a Golden Gate University student and explore all of the resources available to our GGU community.
About GGU
Explore our university’s rich history and beautiful San Francisco campus as you discover what makes GGU different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our programs do not require work experience. However, it is required for admission to the PMBA, EMBA, MSHRM (cohort only), and MSITM. For details, please refer to our online catalog.
Each degree program has different requirements for admission. Please refer directly to your program of interest in our online catalog or reach out to our Enrollment Team for more details.
The GMAT is only required for the MBA and the DBA, however, the GMAT can be waived by meeting certain requirements. For our GMAT waiver policy, please refer to page 95 of our online catalog.
You may take advantage of open enrollment before being formally admitted. A maximum of 9 units can be completed in open enrollment status and can be credited toward meeting a graduate degree or certificate program.
Pre-requisites, proficiencies, and foundations do not necessarily need to be completed to be admitted to a program. In some cases, it is possible to take a proficiency exam at GGU to address a requirement.
The total cost depends on the program of choice and the number of units you’re required to meet. Please visit our Tuition page or get in touch with our Enrollment Team for more details.
Many GGU students use financial aid to help cover tuition costs. Explore our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about options that may be available to you. Note: Financial aid is not available for certificate programs and/or open enrollment.
Yes, there are graduate scholarships for new and continuing students and range from $500 to $3000 a semester. The deadline for scholarship essays is the first week in July. Students must be at least half-time status in the fall. Continuing students at GGU must be in good academic standing according to financial aid criteria and continuously enrolled. Contact our Enrollment Team for more information about scholarship opportunities.
With the exception of our cohort programs, GGU’s programs are self paced. Each student chooses a course of study that fits their life. The MS or MBA may be completed in 16 months.
This depends on your particular life circumstances. On average, a GGU student that is working full time will take 2 courses per term. Important note: In order to be eligible for financial aid, a student must be enrolled in courses with at least a half-time enrollment status.
Many programs have courses that require prerequisites. For details, please refer to your program of choice in our online catalog.
GGU offers 3 terms per year; Fall, Spring, and Summer. Please refer to our academic calendar for specific start dates.
Most in-person classes meet once a week on a weeknight. Cohorts often meet on Saturday or Sunday. Many of our online courses are asynchronous, meaning that you are able to watch lectures on your own schedule.
We recognize that for students juggling the responsibilities of work, community service, family and school, time is very valuable. To meet the demanding schedules of working professionals, classes are conveniently offered online or in person in the evenings and on weekends. Most degrees, with the exception of MS IMC and Psychology, can either be taken 100% online or in a hybrid mode, meaning that you can take a combination of online and in-person courses.
The average age of GGU students is 34. GGU students come from all over the world, creating a multinational classroom. Many of GGU’s students are working professionals.
A cohort is a group of fellow students that follow the program together, with a set schedule and completion date. We offer cohorts for the MS HRM, PMBA, EMBA & EMPA.
Yes, if you are admitted to the degree program.
Our fully staffed career services office offers individual career advising, resume & industry workshops, a job & internship board and more.
