Program Overview

Business

School of Business

The School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a concentration in Finance, which prepares students for graduate-level study of finance and for careers in corporate finance, the securities industry, banking, financial planning, and insurance/risk management.

Program Description

The concentration in finance applies an international focus to the study of financial markets. Students learn how to analyze and communicate findings on complex financial issues and how to take creative approaches to problems in the finance industry.

Career Opportunities

Careers include corporate finance, investments, and commercial banking with a concentration in finance. 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.

Bachelor-Level Job Titles

• Budget Analyst
• Equity Research Analyst
• Finance Analyst
• Financial Examiner
• Financial Manager: Branch or Department
• Fixed Income Analyst
• Fraud Examiner/Investigator
• Loan Officer
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Sales Agent
• Securities and Commodities Traders

Graduate and Professional Level Job Titles

• Chief Financial Officer
• Hedge Fund Manager
• Management Consultant
• Venture Capitalist

Professional Associations and Resources

• Financial Management Association, VCU Student Chapter
• Risk Management Association, Richmond Chapter (RMA)

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the Finance concentration include:

• Highest level of math required: MATH 200 or SCMA 212 or BUSN 212, and SCMA 302
• Science required: Core only
• Foreign language requirements: No
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements: 2.5 to declare finance, 2.0 to graduate

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the Finance concentration is outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Major Map

The major map for the Finance concentration is a four-year plan that outlines the courses and activities that students should complete each year to graduate on time.

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help
  • Take Math Placement; register for math classes each semester through SCMA 302
  • Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits a semester to declare your major at the end of year 2 & graduate in 4 years
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Apply to join the Honors College
  • Apply to live in one of VCU's four Living-Learning Programs
  • Get involved and meet new friends through VCU Student Government or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond's many museums and parks
  • Use REAL's Student Opportunity Center platform to take the hassle out of finding hands-on experiences and make your first-year extraordinary
  • Attend two or three School of Business events
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Consider Peace Corps Prep through VCU Globe to expand skills in global leadership and intercultural communication
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore study abroad and national scholarship opportunities
  • Review the OMSA website and follow them on social media for events, resources & other ways to engage
  • Visit a study abroad fair and complete Rams Abroad 101 online to learn about study abroad options
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study (FWS) job on- or off-campus through Handshake
  • Explore innovation and business
    on-profit creation with the da Vinci Center
  • Create a draft resume, submit it to VMock for initial feedback, and meet with a Career Coach in Business Career Services to discuss it
  • Plan to complete at least 2 internships before the start of your 4th year
  • Take Winning Presentations to develop needed public speaking and communication skills
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future
  • Build a LinkedIn profile, connect to at least 10 people, and check out the VCU alumni page
  • Explore "What Can I Do With This Major" to learn about employers in your field of study
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) to connect to VCU traditions, networking opportunities, and fellow Rams
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON and math classes
  • Make sure to take INFO 165
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue
  • Join related Student organizations such as FMA or Gamma Iota Sigma
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization
  • Investigate spending a summer abroad with the International Consulting Program or participate in a Study Abroad opportunity
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events
  • Complete a "Gap Analysis" Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING:
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning
  • Be aware of the 4 course sequence: FIRE 311, 312, 321, and 461
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
  • Create a community-engaged research project
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals
  • 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:
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience
  • Update your ePortfolio
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
  • Seek advice from your faculty about internship sites
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines
  • Update your business resume to include new experiences you have gained and skills you have developed

Year 4: 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 FIRE 321, and 441 in the Fall and FIRE 417, 451, 461 in the Spring
  • Complete the BUSN 499 Business Knowledge Exam
  • Take MGMT 434 in your final semester
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY:
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY:
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations
  • Read the VCU Common Book, and participate in community-related events
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE:
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at Business Career Services
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation