Business
VCU’s School of Business is one of the largest schools of business in the state, offering undergraduate, certificate, master’s, doctoral and executive education programs. The school prepares students to meet the challenges affected by current and future business environments and readies them for graduate study and professional careers in business, government, research and education.
The School of Business provides service to the local business community, engages in and encourages research in business-related fields, provides service to other schools in the university, and contributes to identifying and solving problems related to the university’s mission. The general course requirements taken by business students provide a broad knowledge of the liberal arts while major requirements provide them with an opportunity for extensive study in specific fields.
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, VCU’s School of Business is the leader in real estate and insurance education in the state. VCU accounting graduates have some of the highest pass rates in Virginia on the CPA exam. The school’s information systems program is recognized for excellence on the East Coast, and the undergraduate program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. One of only 20 programs in the nation to achieve this distinction, VCU’s program was the first within a school of business to earn this accreditation, as well as the first program of its kind in Virginia to receive this endorsement.
Metropolitan Richmond, with its broad base of corporations — including several Fortune 500 companies — is an ideal location for students who are interested in studying business. The School of Business fosters a close relationship with the Richmond business community. Alumni and other business leaders often serve as speakers for classes and student organizations and in a myriad of advisory capacities.
The Richmond business community also provides support for scholarships, technology and facility improvements. Additionally, internships and cooperative education experiences are available with numerous firms in the Richmond area. Students also can join major-related honorary and professional organizations on campus that put them in touch with area business leaders and add to the excitement of preparing for a career in business.
Degree requirements
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the bachelor of science degrees offered by the School of Business. Programs of study leading to the baccalaureate degree are organized into two components: the foundation and the advanced program. The foundation program specifies the course requirements during the freshman and sophomore years of study. The advanced program outlines the course requirements for students admitted to a major.
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Admission to one of the majors in the advanced program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 and completion of 54 credits in the foundation program including the following VCU courses or their equivalents:
- ACCT 203-204 Introduction to Accounting
- ECON 210-211 Principles of Economics
- ENGL 200 Writing and Rhetoric Workshop II
- MATH 200-201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry (required for financial technology majors instead of MGMT 171 and 212)
- MATH 211 Mathematical Structures (required for information systems majors only)
- MGMT 171 Mathematical Applications for Business
- MGMT 212 Differential Calculus and Optimization for Business
- UNIV 111 and UNIV 112 Focused Inquiry I and II
Calculation of the GPA requirement for admittance into the School of Business advanced program considers all grades earned at all institutions attended.
Students who plan to transfer from a two-year community college should follow an associate of science degree program. Courses in business or business-related subjects, other than principles of economics and introduction to accounting, should not be taken. Business courses that are required at the junior and senior levels at VCU are not transferable if taken at the freshman or sophomore level from the transferring institutions. Courses taken as part of an associate of applied science or an associate of applied arts degree program generally are not transferable. Grades of “C” or better must be earned in all courses eligible for transfer credit.
An evaluation of transfer credits is made by the Office of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Business after receipt of an accepted applicant’s final transcript. The evaluation, printed on a curriculum guide, is mailed to the applicant and indicates the transfer credits accepted, as well as the VCU courses to be completed for the intended program of study.
Additional information
Questions concerning the transferability of courses into the School of Business should be directed to:
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Business
Office of Undergraduate Studies
1015 Floyd Avenue
P.O. Box 844000
Richmond, Virginia 23284-4000
Phone: (804) 828-3710
Toll-free: (866) VCU-4BUS
Fax: (804) 828-8884
E-mail: usib@vcu.edu
