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

Business

School of Business

Concentration(s):
Management/Entrepreneurship
Program description

The activity of management is concerned with setting an organization’s strategic goals and formulating processes to achieve them. Managers carry out their administrative roles by handling such duties as preparing and administering budgets, planning and directing operations, and coordinating employees’ activities.


The management/entrepreneurship concentration empowers students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and complementary skill set needed to provide creative solutions for new ventures and existing organizations. Students gain knowledge of entrepreneurial and design concepts useful for questioning assumptions, exploring alternatives and developing creative solutions.

Career opportunities

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about the mechanics of how to start and grow a business (although you’ll certainly pick up some of those skills in the program). Rather, it is a mindset that enables you to seek opportunities, take risks, recover from failure, leverage your resources, and overcome obstacles to push an idea to implementation or to solve a difficult problem. Students in the entrepreneurship concentration develop an understanding of the whole entrepreneurial process, from the initial idea generation to the launch of a new business or social venture. They develop strong research skills, learning how to analyze markets for potential opportunities, and also develop the ability to identify and acquire resources needed to start new ventures. So, while entrepreneurship may mean starting a new business for some of our graduates, entrepreneurial careers can be found in just about every field where there are opportunities for creating new products, services, and other innovations.


Most of our graduates will in fact go to work for traditional companies, applying the entrepreneurial mindset and complementary skill set needed to provide creative solutions to organizational problems.  Job titles of recent graduates include project manager, workflow coordinator, customer logistics manager, business analyst, sales representative, and VP of Strategy & Business Development.

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
  • Account Manager
  • Brand Analyst
  • Business Consultant
  • Business Development Specialist
  • Franchiser
  • General Manager
  • Hotel Manager
  • Operations (Coordinator or Analyst)
  • Project (Coordinator or Manager)
  • Quality Control (Specialist or Analyst)
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • CEO
  • Executive Coach
  • Small Business Executive
  • Venture Capitalist
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

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.
  • Take BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
  • You should plan to complete at least two internships before the start of your final year so get started on building your professional network by joining LinkedIn groups related to your future dream internship.
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 tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • In the summer after your second year, study and work abroad with the International Consulting Program (ICP) and earn credit for BUSN 400 and BUSN 401.
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.
  • Attend alumni panel events like Black in Business, First 100 Days, or Women in Business to hear from business professionals who were once in your shoes and write about your experiences on LinkedIn.
  • Explore entrepreneurial programs across VCU and join related professional organizations like R.A.M.S., Collegiate DECA, and StartUp VCU.
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.
  • Get to know other VCU students, meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café, and get a group together to attend two or three School of Business events.
  • Update your 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.
  • Apply for current business major scholarships.
  • Conduct three informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths.

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.
  • Take and excel in MGMT 321 and FIRE 311 with a goal to sustain 2.0+ cumulative and major GPAs to stay on track to meet graduation requirements.
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 VCU rams from all over the world.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Complete practice interviews with a career coach in Business Career Services ahead of your internship interviews.
  • 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.
  • At least one year in advance of deadlines, research professional certifications needed for your field as well as potential graduate/professional schools, and study for and complete any licensure or placement exams the summer before senior year.
  • 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.

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 and be aware of the prerequisites for MGMT 434 to ensure you can complete both in your final semester.
  • Take MGMT 435 in the fall, MGMT 313 in the fall, and MGMT 436 in the spring.
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 and peer ambassador to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors.
  • Consider taking on a job in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs to support BIPOC communities.
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.
  • Complete an internship during your senior year at an employer where you'd like to work.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
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):
Management/Entrepreneurship
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.
  • Take BUSN 225 Winning Presentations to develop the public speaking and communication skills employers want.
  • You should plan to complete at least two internships before the start of your final year so get started on building your professional network by joining LinkedIn groups related to your future dream internship.
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 tutoring at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
  • In the summer after your second year, study and work abroad with the International Consulting Program (ICP) and earn credit for BUSN 400 and BUSN 401.
  • 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.
  • Attend alumni panel events like Black in Business, First 100 Days, or Women in Business to hear from business professionals who were once in your shoes and write about your experiences on LinkedIn.
  • Explore entrepreneurial programs across VCU and join related professional organizations like R.A.M.S., Collegiate DECA, and StartUp VCU.
  • 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.
  • Get to know other VCU students, meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café, and get a group together to attend two or three School of Business events.
  • Update your 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.
  • Apply for current business major scholarships.
  • Conduct three informational interviews on VCU Bizconnect to expand your network and gain more knowledge into potential career paths.
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.
  • Take and excel in MGMT 321 and FIRE 311 with a goal to sustain 2.0+ cumulative and major GPAs to stay on track to meet graduation requirements.
  • 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 VCU rams from all over the world.
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about applying to graduate school abroad versus taking a job domestically.
  • 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.
  • Complete practice interviews with a career coach in Business Career Services ahead of your internship interviews.
  • 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.
  • At least one year in advance of deadlines, research professional certifications needed for your field as well as potential graduate/professional schools, and study for and complete any licensure or placement exams the summer before senior year.
  • 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.
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 and be aware of the prerequisites for MGMT 434 to ensure you can complete both in your final semester.
  • Take MGMT 435 in the fall, MGMT 313 in the fall, and MGMT 436 in the spring.
  • 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 and peer ambassador to international students through the Connect Mentoring program, develop your leadership skills as you recruit, educate, and train fellow School of Business majors.
  • Consider taking on a job in the nonprofit sector, B Corps, or SCRs to support BIPOC communities.
  • 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.
  • Complete an internship during your senior year at an employer where you'd like to work.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • 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.