How to Decide Which Degree Program is Right for You

You’ve made the wonderful decision to attend Golden Gate University, but you may now be wondering what degree program is right for you. Some students make these decisions together, but sometimes they are made in sequence, as not every college offers the same options as GGU.

What do you want to study?

When considering your options, first think about your educational goals. Do you have an interest in a particular field or do you have a career goal that requires a specific degree program? Here are a few ways to help you figure out what you may want to study.

Priorities

When considering fields of study, you’ll want to also consider your professional goals. Do you want to study something you're passionate about, something that will pay well or something that you think you could be good at?

Interests

Most people, including students, tend to do better at things that they enjoy. By considering the degree programs available at GGU that interest you may find your coursework more enjoyable.

Skills

Consider the things you are good at or have experience with when deciding what you may like to study. If you're good at math, for example, courses in engineering may not be as difficult for you as they could be for someone else.

Pay

They say money can't buy happiness but pay is definitely a factor when looking at future employment options. But there's also give-and-take with higher-paying jobs and the education required.

What kind of degree do you need?

Depending on the industry and career path, you may need to hit a specific educational level to be considered qualified, or even competitive. Different levels of responsibility and pay can also play into your decision on what kind of degree you need.

Certificate

If you need a few very specific training courses, then a certificate may be the right option. It takes a few weeks to a few months to complete a certificate, depending on the program. Certificates can be completed in conjunction with, before or after completing a degree program.

Undergraduate Degree

A four-year degree, which requires about 120 credit hours, the bachelor's degree is typically required for any post-graduate degree. Many jobs have this degree as a requirement, and degrees are primarily a Bachelor’s of Arts and a Bachelor’s of Science. GGU offers undergraduate degrees in areas like accounting, data analytics and organizational leadership. Check out all the options here.

Postgraduate Degree

There are several options for a postgraduate degree or a Master's degree at GGU. These in-depth programs are usually one or two years long and are available in fields such as public administration, advanced financial planning and human resource management. Many of these programs are offered both full and part-time.

GGU Law

The GGU Law program gives students skills and experience to be competitive in the legal job market asfter graduation. Students can attend the traditional day program or the JD Flex Online. There are also opportunities to combine the JD program with an MBA.

Learn more about how practical degrees and flexible scheduling make GGU the perfect fit for military-connected students.