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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Business

School of Business

Concentration(s):
Human Resources Management
Program description

The concentration in human resource management gives students a broad overview of the knowledge base and applications used by professionals in the field. Students receive exposure to a wide range of topics reflecting the body of knowledge recommended by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) standards for coursework in HR.. After graduation, students are prepared for employment in the public or private sector as human resource management generalists or as specialists in human resource management functions such as recruiting, compensation management or benefits administration.

Career opportunities

Human resource management is a major functional area of all businesses and includes employee recruitment and selection, training and development, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance evaluation, and human resource planning. Individuals working in human resources undertake a full range of activities related to attracting and selecting employees to work in an organization, motivating and facilitating high performance, and retaining employee talent. Decisions made in organizations about how to structure jobs, who to hire, how to reward them contribute directly to organizational effectiveness and a firm’s competitive advantage. These processes can be applied in small, medium, and large firms as well as non-profits. Early career opportunities typically include compensation analyst, employee benefits specialist, human resource assistant, human resource manager, employment recruiter, employment interviewer, and training and development specialist. Later stages may see transitions into senior management positions including chief human resource officer.

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
  • Benefits (Coordinator or Counselor)
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Human Resources (Coordinator, Assistant, Generalist)
  • Organizational Development Coordinator
  • Professional Development Coordinator
  • Recruiter
  • Staffing Specialist
  • Talent Acquisition (Coordinator or Specialist)
  • Training Specialist
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Benefits Analyst
  • Compensation Analyst
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Talent Acquisition Manager
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
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare major; 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, and 2.0+ major GPA to graduate
Transfer Maps

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Management
Building/room location:
Snead Hall, Room B4106
Phone:
(804) 828-1530
Email:
mgmt@vcu.edu
https://business.vcu.edu/academics/management/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
  • Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
  • Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
  • Explore funding for international opportunities.
  • Complete the major and career assessment for business majors to see the top 4 majors that fit your skills, interests, and motivators for working abroad.
  • Stop by the Office of Student Engagement, located in Snead Hall Atrium, to take a True Colors assessment, debrief with a team member, and learn more about yourself and how to professionally thrive in a multinational corporation.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships before the start of your final year and utilize LinkedIn Learning to develop your understanding of talent acquisition and compensation prior to taking on your first internship.
  • Take BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes and use SI sessions and tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • Make sure to take SCMA 301 in the spring semester as this is an important prerequisite course.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Center and get started by joining the VCU student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
  • Use SOC to find peer leadership opportunities like the New Leaders Retreat, Alternative Spring Break, or other organizations that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Consider studying abroad with the International Consulting Program (ICP).
  • Create a draft resume, submit it to VMock for initial feedback, and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services for a career exploration appointment to discuss your preparedness to work abroad.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Focus on your strengths by taking a free CliftonStrengths assessment with the Office of Student Engagement.
  • Talk with Business Career Services about securing externship opportunities in your sophomore year to build your resume.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Conduct three informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and through current business student scholarships.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Earn grades of C or higher to sustain 2.0+ cumulative and major GPAs to meet graduation requirements.
  • Take MGMT 331 and MGMT 310 in the fall semester and take MGMT 332 or MGMT 333 in the spring semester.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Consider becoming a resident assistant, orientation leader, or student ambassador to welcome new rams from all over the world.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Join Richmond SHRM, research the SHRM professional certification needed for your field, and get involved with their events directly and through the student SHRM chapter.
  • Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Get a 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect (meetings are flexible with your schedule), gain valuable professional insights, and attend at least one employer-sponsored networking event each semester with your mentor.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least one year in advance of deadlines and study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Complete BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
  • Take MGMT 332, MGMT 333, MGMT 431, and MGMT 434 and be aware of all of their prerequisites to ensure you can complete them all in the final year.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • By serving as a mentoring liaison to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors.
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about applying to graduate school abroad versus taking a job domestically.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • When involved in any student organization, work to be elected a chairperson and consider recruitment, secretary, and fiscal management roles.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Gain your second 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect (meetings are flexible with your schedule!) to gain new professional insights.
  • Update your business resume to include new experiences you have gained and skills you have developed, submit your resume to VMock, and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services to debrief.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Business

School of Business

Concentration(s):
Human Resources Management
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
  • Join RAMmalogues to talk with peers about social identities in the context of acceptance, belonging, and inclusion in life at VCU.
  • Check out the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs like the Peace Corps Prep Certificate.
  • Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101.
  • Explore funding for international opportunities.
  • Complete the major and career assessment for business majors to see the top 4 majors that fit your skills, interests, and motivators for working abroad.
  • Stop by the Office of Student Engagement, located in Snead Hall Atrium, to take a True Colors assessment, debrief with a team member, and learn more about yourself and how to professionally thrive in a multinational corporation.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships before the start of your final year and utilize LinkedIn Learning to develop your understanding of talent acquisition and compensation prior to taking on your first internship.
  • Take BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes and use SI sessions and tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • Make sure to take SCMA 301 in the spring semester as this is an important prerequisite course.
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Learn more about VCU’s Student Leadership and Involvement Center and get started by joining the VCU student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
  • Use SOC to find peer leadership opportunities like the New Leaders Retreat, Alternative Spring Break, or other organizations that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Consider studying abroad with the International Consulting Program (ICP).
  • Create a draft resume, submit it to VMock for initial feedback, and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services for a career exploration appointment to discuss your preparedness to work abroad.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Focus on your strengths by taking a free CliftonStrengths assessment with the Office of Student Engagement.
  • Talk with Business Career Services about securing externship opportunities in your sophomore year to build your resume.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Conduct three informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and through current business student scholarships.
Year 3
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • Earn grades of C or higher to sustain 2.0+ cumulative and major GPAs to meet graduation requirements.
  • Take MGMT 331 and MGMT 310 in the fall semester and take MGMT 332 or MGMT 333 in the spring semester.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Consider becoming a resident assistant, orientation leader, or student ambassador to welcome new rams from all over the world.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through InterviewStream or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Join Richmond SHRM, research the SHRM professional certification needed for your field, and get involved with their events directly and through the student SHRM chapter.
  • Use Handshake to apply to part-time jobs, internships, and externships to gain practical and relevant experience.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Get a 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect (meetings are flexible with your schedule), gain valuable professional insights, and attend at least one employer-sponsored networking event each semester with your mentor.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least one year in advance of deadlines and study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Complete BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam.
  • Take MGMT 332, MGMT 333, MGMT 431, and MGMT 434 and be aware of all of their prerequisites to ensure you can complete them all in the final year.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • By serving as a mentoring liaison to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors.
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about applying to graduate school abroad versus taking a job domestically.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • When involved in any student organization, work to be elected a chairperson and consider recruitment, secretary, and fiscal management roles.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services. 
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Gain your second 1:1 mentor through the Connect Mentoring program on VCU Bizconnect (meetings are flexible with your schedule!) to gain new professional insights.
  • Update your business resume to include new experiences you have gained and skills you have developed, submit your resume to VMock, and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services to debrief.