Program Overview

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Finance Program

The major in finance prepares students for graduate-level study of finance and for careers in corporate finance, the securities industry, banking, financial planning, and insurance/risk management.

Concentration in Risk Management and Insurance

The concentration in risk management and insurance prepares students for careers in the insurance and personal financial planning industry on all levels, including underwriting, claims adjusting, employee benefits, risk modeling and analysis, risk management in all sectors of the economy, financial planning, and graduate-level study of risk management.

Career Opportunities

Careers include corporate finance, investments, and commercial banking with a concentration in finance. The program, recognized by the CFA Institute, applies an international focus to the study of financial markets. Students learn how to analyze and communicate findings on complex financial issues and take creative approaches to problems in the finance industry. 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

• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in risk management and insurance
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in risk management and insurance, accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Plan of Study

• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in risk management and insurance
• Finance, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in risk management and insurance, accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's

Requirements

• Highest level of math required: MATH 200 or BUSN 212
• Science required: None
• Foreign language requirements: None
• Additional tuition/fees: Yes
• GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major): 2.5 to declare finance/2.0 to graduate

Program Structure

The program is structured over four years, with each year having specific goals and objectives.

Year 1: Explore

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enroll in a student success course
  • Map out a full degree course plan
  • Meet with a writing consultant
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor
  • Sharpen study skills
  • Take the math placement assessment
  • Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits a semester
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community
  • Consider applying to the Honors College
  • Get involved in student clubs and organizations
  • Connect with a Resident Assistant
  • Participate in RAM CAMP
  • Register to vote in Virginia
  • Attend BOSS Days
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Join RAMmalogues
  • Review Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets
  • Visit a study abroad fair
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Activate a Handshake profile
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader
  • Seek research opportunities
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center
  • Learn about professional strengths
  • Take Winning Presentations
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Access a free credit report
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Explore "What Can I Do With This Major"
  • Join Students Today Alumni Tomorrow
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan
  • Join VCU Business Mentoring Program

Year 2: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Consider planning for an accelerated program
  • Explore innovation and business
    on-profit creation classes
  • Get familiar with the research process
  • Schedule an appointment with an advisor
  • Be prepared for a challenging year of ACCT, ECON, and MATH classes
  • Earn at least a 2.5 semester GPA and 15 credits a semester
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty
  • Join the Residence Hall Association
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience
  • Take a service-learning class
  • Volunteer to address a social issue
  • Join related Student organizations
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship
  • Explore social issues
  • Investigate globally-focused courses
  • Investigate spending a summer abroad
  • Consider learning a language
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend career and internship fairs
  • Complete a gap analysis
  • Explore global career options
  • Organize examples of academic and professional experiences
  • Pursue a digital badge
  • Seek out practical experience
  • Get involved with the Financial Management Association
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile
  • Conduct informational interviews
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink
  • Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center
  • Join the Information Systems Organization

Year 3: Experience

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • See academic and career advisors
  • Take a virtual library tour
  • Use LinkedIn Learning
  • Consider applying to the FIRE department's accelerated Finance bachelor's-to-master's pathway
  • Be aware of semesterly FIRE course sequencing
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend civic meetings
  • Design a community-engaged research project
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office
  • Motivate peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed
  • Research social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility
  • Become a tutor in the Campus Learning Center
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency
  • Explore new cultures
  • Get required REAL experience
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary teams
  • Experience VCU's richness of diversity
  • Participate in VCU Arts Qatar Day
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program
  • Get expert advice from VCU Alumni
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities
  • Attend OSE alumni panel events
  • Meet with a Business Career Coach
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be an academic and professional mentor
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed
  • Make a plan with advisors for applying to graduate school
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school
  • Update a business resume
  • Attend career and internship fairs
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Business Career Services about graduate school versus a job
  • Apply for CFA Exam Scholarship
  • Join the Richmond Chapter of RMA

Year 4: Excel

• MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Choose REAL electives
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor
  • Complete MGMT 434 and BUSN 499
  • Watch out for fall- and spring-only courses
  • Take FIRE 321 and 441 in the Fall and FIRE 417, 451, 461 in the Spring
• GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply for post-graduation programs
  • Attend professional association conferences
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus
  • Get connected with the Business Alumni Society
  • Consider jobs in the nonprofit sector
• DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects
  • Plan for how to grow second language fluency after graduation
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization
  • Read the VCU Common Book
  • Complete at least one internship during the senior year
• EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Consider becoming an educator
  • Meet with an academic or professional mentor
  • Publish original research
  • Become a mentee in the Business Mentoring program
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed
  • Pursue Bloomberg Certification
• PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations
  • Prepare for graduation
  • Single out prospective employers
  • Attend career and internship fairs
  • Prepare for and take the CFA Exam