Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Business

Concentration(s):
Risk Management & Insurance/Corporate
Program description

The goal of the risk management and insurance concentration is provide students with skills in financial management, risk management and financial planning. Graduates will be able to analyze and communicate findings on complex financial issues.

Students in the RMI/corporate concentration will develop in-depth knowledge and skills in the commercial aspects of corporate RMI while personal RMI is still covered. The learning outcomes will be emphasized in the area of enterprise RMI, property and casualty insurance, catastrophe coverage and models. Students will learn about life cycle RMI, life and health insurance and annuities, social insurance, pensions, and employee benefits.

Career opportunities

Risk management insurance is a high-demand industry with 500,000 new jobs projected in the next five years.  Students who graduate with a degree in Business and a concentration in Risk Management and Insurance/Corporate are typically employed as underwriters, claims professionals, Risk Managers, Managers, and Analysts. VCU Alumni from the Risk Management program are employed with Markel Corp. James River Insurance Co. Argo/Colony, Kinsale and a variety of local agents and brokers.

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
  • Administrative Services Managers
  • Business Continuity Planners
  • Claims Examiners, Property & Casualty Insurance
  • Compliance, Security or Logistics Managers
  • Credit Analysts
  • Financial Managers, Branch or Department
  • Financial Quantitative Analysts
  • Insurance Underwriters
  • Occupational Health & Safety Specialists
  • Risk Management Specialist
Degree requirements in Bulletin
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 major/2.0 to graduate
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park

Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • 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.
  • Take INFO 160, 161, 162.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
  • Attend two or three School of Business events.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities. 
  • Take Winning Presentations to develop neede public speaking and communication skills.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor, to help you identify and schedule pre-professional experiences.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take INFO 165 and MATH 200 or SCMA 212.
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • Visit the RISC Center Snead B2170 and introduce yourself to Professor Tim Cook. Visit your professors during their office hours.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program.
  • Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
  • Take FIRE 311 fall; FIRE 312 and 317 Spring. FIRE 309 or 419, along with FIRE 459 (Fall only) and FIRE 439 (Spring Only).
  • Earn a C in FIRE 309 and FIRE 311, and a 2.0 avg. in major classes to meet grad requirements.
  • Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Meet with Tim Cook, Director of the RISC Center.
  • Attend the RISC Conference in March.
  • Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.
  • Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network on LinkedIn.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools.
  • Research professional certifications like the CPCU. Get coaching for right certification from Prof. Cook.
  • Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation.
  • Take a leadership role with Gamma Iota Sigma.
  • Apply for RISC Scholarships.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Take final senior coursework and RISC Electives, FIRE 429 and 479 (Fall only) and FIRE 449 and 469 (Spring Only).
  • Earn a C or better in FIRE 479 and 449 and a 2.0 avg. in all major classes.
  • 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
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
  • Attend the RISC Conference in March.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at Business Career Services.  
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation.
  • Attend Business Career Fair and career events throughout the last year.
  • Attend Local Professional Organization Meetings for RIMS, CPCU and R.C.A.
  • Apply for RISC Scholarships.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Business

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
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
  • 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.
  • Take INFO 160, 161, 162.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
  • Attend two or three School of Business events.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers/job titles in your field of study.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities. 
  • Take Winning Presentations to develop neede public speaking and communication skills.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor, to help you identify and schedule pre-professional experiences.
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people.
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Take INFO 165 and MATH 200 or SCMA 212.
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes. Use tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • Visit the RISC Center Snead B2170 and introduce yourself to Professor Tim Cook. Visit your professors during their office hours.
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program.
  • Consider learning a language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day and apply for the Qatar Leadership Exchange.
Year 3
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
  • Take FIRE 311 fall; FIRE 312 and 317 Spring. FIRE 309 or 419, along with FIRE 459 (Fall only) and FIRE 439 (Spring Only).
  • Earn a C in FIRE 309 and FIRE 311, and a 2.0 avg. in major classes to meet grad requirements.
  • Take summer or winter intersession classes to make up credits, if needed.
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
  • Meet with Tim Cook, Director of the RISC Center.
  • Attend the RISC Conference in March.
  • Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.
  • Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network on LinkedIn.
  • Create a job or graduate school search strategy by researching potential employers and schools.
  • Research professional certifications like the CPCU. Get coaching for right certification from Prof. Cook.
  • Learn to solve problems in Creativity and Ideation.
  • Take a leadership role with Gamma Iota Sigma.
  • Apply for RISC Scholarships.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Take final senior coursework and RISC Electives, FIRE 429 and 479 (Fall only) and FIRE 449 and 469 (Spring Only).
  • Earn a C or better in FIRE 479 and 449 and a 2.0 avg. in all major classes.
  • Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
  • Take MGMT 434 in your final semester. Be aware of the multiple prereqs!
  • 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.
  • Attend the RISC Conference in March.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at Business Career Services.  
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for your next steps beyond graduation.
  • Attend Business Career Fair and career events throughout the last year.
  • Attend Local Professional Organization Meetings for RIMS, CPCU and R.C.A.
  • Apply for RISC Scholarships.