2026-2027
Information Systems
School of Business
Program description
The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems prepares students for successful careers as information systems professionals through a curriculum that combines technical computing knowledge, skills and techniques with relevant business knowledge. The curriculum provides hands-on experience in supporting the secure delivery and management of information systems, buoys career success through rigorous academic inquiry, and supports the information systems needs of the business community-at-large throughout Greater Richmond.
REAL opportunities are found in INFO 491, INFO 492, and INFO 493.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Science in Information Systems produces competitive graduates for entry-level roles in information technology (IT). Through hands-on training, alumni find positions in programming, software development, web development, networking, cyber security, and database administration. Students also build management skills and are well-suited to accept roles in management, business systems analysis, IT consulting, data analytics, and IT implementation. Departmental partnerships with private and public sector organizations allow resume- and skills-building opportunities. Our alumni are employed in all sectors of the economy including multinational companies, local small businesses, start-ups, and state and federal agencies.
Change of major requirements
Students interested in changing their major to the School of Business should first review the available programs offered. Click here for a list of available programs. Then, a student must attend a School of Business-Change of Major Session. You can view the available change of major sessions by clicking here. Please note, in order for a student to be eligible to attend a change of major session, a student must (a) earned a “C” or higher in one of the following courses: MATH 129 or MATH 139 or MATH 141 or MATH 151 or MATH 200 or BUSN 212 or (b) have an active math placement score.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Computer Security Analyst
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Computer User Support Specialists
- Database Administrator
- Information Technology Project Managers
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Programmer
- Systems Analyst
- Web Administrators
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Chief Technology Officer
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Director of Information Technology
- Information Technology Auditor
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 200 or BUSN 212
Science required
- Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA to graduate, 2.0+ major GPA to graduate.
Transfer Maps
Contact information
Department name:
Information Systems
Building/room location:
Snead Hall, Room B4210
Phone:
(804) 828-1732
Email:
businfosys@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Take 15 credits per semester and maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA to declare your major in 2 years and graduate in 4 years.
- Take BUSN 201: Foundations of Business to explore fundamental business environments, functions, and practices.
- Take the math placement assessment and register for math classes each semester until you complete calculus (MATH 200 or BUSN 212).
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
- Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
- Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
- Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
- Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Be prepared for a challenging year of accounting, economics, and math classes by attending free tutoring sessions at the Campus Learning Center to get ahead.
- Earn grades of C or higher in INFO 202 and MATH 211 as these courses are key prerequisites to core Information Systems course work. Be sure to work with your academic advisor to stay on track.
- Take BUSN 301: Career and Professional Development and BUSN 325: Business Communications to help prepare you for career readiness and build your communication skills with confidence and professionalism.
EXPAND 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.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!
- Join the Information Systems Organization (ISO) student org to get connected and stay current with the industry.
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.
- Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
- 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.
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 Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Information Systems internships recruit heavily in the fall of your junior year so have your resume reviewed by Business Career Services before you leave for the summer.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
- Complete INFO 350, INFO 364, and INFO 370 to meet degree prerequisites for INFO 465 to ensure you stay on track with your graduation plans.
- Talk to your advisor about your eligibility for INFO 493 Internship in Information Systems, which requires 12+ credit hours in upper-level information systems classes.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview 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.
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Consider seeking out leadership positions in your business student organization to gain experience and build transferable skills for your resume.
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.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
- 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.
- Research professional credentials like the Information Systems Analyst (ISA) certification or the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) licensure.
- Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about job options post-graduation.
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.
- Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Ace BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam in your final year.
- Know the INFO 465 and MGMT 434 prerequisites and talk to your advisor to make sure you're on track.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
- Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
- Talk to your information systems professors about ways to get connected in DevOps.
- Update your business resume to include new experiences you have gained and skills you have developed and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services.
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.
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
2026-2027
Information Systems
School of Business
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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