Business

For best results, print using Chrome.

Jump to the major map

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of Business

Concentration(s):

Finance

Program description

The concentration in finance prepares students for graduate-level study of finance and for careers in corporate finance, the securities industry, banking, financial planning, insurance/risk management and graduate-level study of finance.

Career opportunities

Careers include corporate finance, investments and commercial banking with a concentration in finance. Our program, recognized by the CFA Institute, applies an international focus to the study of financial markets. You’ll learn how to analyze and communicate findings on complex financial issues and how to take creative approaches to problems in the finance industry. Some of our Alumni employers include Bank of Virginia, JP Morgan Chase, Dominion Energy, Genworth Financial and Deloitte.

Change of major requirements

Students are eligible for admission into the advanced business program with a major in the School of Business upon meeting the minimum cumulative GPA requirement and successful completion of the Business Foundation coursework, as outlined here: http://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/business/undergraduate-information/shared-curriculum/

Bachelor-level job titles

Brokerage Clerks
Budget Analysts
Finance Analysts
Financial Examiners
Financial Managers Branch or Department
Fraud Examiners, Investigators
Investment Underwriters
Loan Officers
Personal Financial Advisors
Sales Agents, Financial Services
Securities and Commodities Traders

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Business

Plan of study in Bulletin

Business

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 200 or SCMA 212 or BUSN 212
SCMA 302

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

2.5 to declare finance/2.0 to graduate

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

Building/room location:

Snead Hall, Room B4163

Phone:

(804) 828-1620

Email:

usib@vcu.edu

https://business.vcu.edu/academics/finance-insurance-and-real-estate/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Take Math Placement and register for math classes each semester until you complete SCMA 302.
Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits per semester to declare your major at the end of your second year and graduate in 4 years.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Attend two or three School of Business events.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Take Winning Presentations to develop neede public speaking and communication skills.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Make sure to take INFO 165.
Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
Cultivate relationships with professors who can serve as references by attending their office hours.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Consider becoming a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Student Ambassador.
Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership & Civic Engagement Center.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Attend Black & Gold Academy, Career & Internship Fairs, and career events throughout the year.
Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Participate in Connect Mentoring Program through Office of Student Engagement.
Consider who you would like to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Join related Student organizations such as FMA or Gamma Iota Sigma.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Take FIRE 311 in Fall, and FIRE 312 and 317 in Spring.
Be aware of the 4 course sequence: FIRE 311---> FIRE 312---> FIRE 321---> FIRE 461. Seek Academic support early, do not get below a C.
Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.
Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival.
Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Seek advice from your faculty about internship sites.
Gain additional professional skills on Lynda.com.
Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, externships to gain practical and relevant experience.
Participate in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio program.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools.
Apply for CFA Exam Scholarship.
Join Professional Organizations with Student Memberships such as the Richmond Chapter of RMA.
Take a leadership role in your student organization.
Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Take FIRE 321, and 441 in the Fall and FIRE 417, 451, 461 in the Spring.
Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
Take MGMT 434 in your final semester. Be aware of the multiple prereqs!

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Serve in a leadership role of a local community organization or student organization.
Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
Complete at least one internship during your senior year at an employer where you would like to work.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Join groups on LinkedIn connected to your future career. Expand your network.
Prepare for and take the CFA Exam.
Complete other necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Business

School of Business

Concentration(s):

Finance

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Take Math Placement and register for math classes each semester until you complete SCMA 302. Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits per semester to declare your major at the end of your second year and graduate in 4 years.	Attend two or three School of Business events.	Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe	Take Winning Presentations to develop neede public speaking and communication skills.	Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility. Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
Experience	Year 2	Make sure to take INFO 165. Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead. Cultivate relationships with professors who can serve as references by attending their office hours.	Consider becoming a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, or Student Ambassador. Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership & Civic Engagement Center.	Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study.	Attend Black & Gold Academy, Career & Internship Fairs, and career events throughout the year. Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year.	Participate in Connect Mentoring Program through Office of Student Engagement. Consider who you would like to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation. Join related Student organizations such as FMA or Gamma Iota Sigma.
Experience	Year 3	Take FIRE 311 in Fall, and FIRE 312 and 317 in Spring. Be aware of the 4 course sequence: FIRE 311---> FIRE 312---> FIRE 321---> FIRE 461. Seek Academic support early, do not get below a C. Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.	Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility. Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center.	Experience VCU’s richness of diversity by attending VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival. Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.	Seek advice from your faculty about internship sites. Gain additional professional skills on Lynda.com. Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, externships to gain practical and relevant experience. Participate in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio program.	Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools. Apply for CFA Exam Scholarship. Join Professional Organizations with Student Memberships such as the Richmond Chapter of RMA. Take a leadership role in your student organization. Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation.
Excel	Year 4	Take FIRE 321, and 441 in the Fall and FIRE 417, 451, 461 in the Spring. Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam. Take MGMT 434 in your final semester. Be aware of the multiple prereqs!	Serve in a leadership role of a local community organization or student organization. Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs.	Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations. Complete at least one internship during your senior year at an employer where you would like to work.		Join groups on LinkedIn connected to your future career. Expand your network. Prepare for and take the CFA Exam. Complete other necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation.