2018-2019
Business
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
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 200 or SCMA 212 or BUSN 212
- SCMA 302
Science required
- Core only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
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) 828-3162
Email:
usib@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
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.
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.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
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.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
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
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 | ||
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| Explore | Year 1 |
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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