Program Details
Finance, Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Bachelor of Sciences in Finance prepares students with the knowledge and skills to analyze information and data to support effective financial decision-making; apply the fundamentals of finance, planning and budgeting to support businesses; and communicate financial analysis and conclusions in a manner which informs and improves quality of organizational and individual decision-making. Graduates of the program will be prepared for productive careers in a wide range of financial occupations including corporate financial management, financial planning and analysis, financial sales, business lending, credit analysis and management, treasury operations, commercial and investment banking, risk management, insurance sales, underwriting and claims management, securities analysis, investment management, and financial advisory functions.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program: Students will be able to identify and use relevant data to calculate appropriate quantitative measures that help in making informed financial decisions. Students will be able to describe and expound on several financial solutions in a structured, organized and deliberate manner with comparisons, anecdotal evidence and descriptive analysis. Students will be able to express the analytic, quantitative and ethical dimensions of a business problem and proposed solutions in a clear, well-organized manner that is free of bias or distortions. Students will be able to identify and analyze ethical dimensions of a business situation and relate those dimensions to general and professional ethical standards.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This degree prepares students for careers in corporate finance, the securities industry, banking, financial planning, insurance/risk management and graduate-level study of finance. Our program is recognized by the CFA Institute and applies an international focus to the study of financial markets. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes The admission requirements for the School of Business detail the deadlines and other requirements for students to be admitted to one of these major programs of study. The following courses must be completed before the student may declare a specific business major: ACCT 203, ACCT 204, BUSN 201 or BUSN 205, BUSN 212 or MATH 200, BUSN 225, ECON 210, ECON 211, UNIV 111, UNIV 112 and UNIV 200. The School of Business has special academic policies, including policies on transfer credits, that apply to all undergraduate degrees. All baccalaureate degree programs in the School of Business require successful completion of the business knowledge exam as administered in BUSN 499. Students may need to take additional mathematics courses as prerequisites to BUSN 212 or MATH 200. These credits will count as open electives in the degree program. No more than six credits from the BUSN 16X Digital Literacy courses may be applied to the degree. INTL 493 may not be counted toward a business degree. Credit for SPCH 121 or SPCH 321 will substitute for BUSN 225, and no more than three credits of these courses may be applied toward a business degree. Students who earned a minimum grade of B in either ECON 203 or ECON 205 at VCU may substitute that credit for ECON 210. The pass/fail grading policy may not be used for many course requirements. Students should check with their academic adviser before taking the pass/fail grading option. Students must receive a minimum grade of C in FIRE 317, FIRE 321 and FIRE 461, and they must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the remainder of the finance major requirements. The minimum grade of C in FIRE 317, FIRE 321 and FIRE 461 must be obtained after two attempts (a withdrawal counts as an attempt) or the student is asked to change majors. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's lower-level business courses with grades of B or better. Student must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to declare their business major. Missing lower-level courses must be taken before beginning the advanced business courses.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students may earn a B.S. in Finance and M.S. in Business with a concentration in finance in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | Our last survey showed an average starting salary for graduates of $69,200. Positions include budget analyst, personal financial advisors, and financial managers. Many graduates go on to receive the Chartered Financial Analyst or Certified Financial Planner certifications. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have successfully completed the appropriate courses and earned the Associate of Science or Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration should enter VCU as juniors, prepared to enter the Advanced Business Program portion of this degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have successfully completed the appropriate courses and earned the Associate of Science or Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration should enter VCU as juniors, prepared to enter the Advanced Business Program portion of this degree. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison University | Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Finance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online, In-Person |
| Radford University | BBA in Finance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Old Dominion University | Financial Management-BSBA | Bachelor | BS in Business Admin. | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Bridgewater College | Business Administration Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Roanoke College | Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Finance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Randolph-Macon College | Business - Marketing (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.S. in Financial Management | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Hybrid |
| University of Lynchburg | BA in Financial Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-2022.00 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2031.00 | Budget Analysts | Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 25-1011.00 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 11-1011.00 | Chief Executives | Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers. | Management Occupations |
| 11-1011.03 | Chief Sustainability Officers | Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy. | Management Occupations |
| 13-1141.00 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2041.00 | Credit Analysts | Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending money. Prepare reports with credit information for use in decisionmaking. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-3031.00 | Financial Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment. | Management Occupations |
| 13-2099.01 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | Develop quantitative techniques to inform securities investing, equities investing, pricing, or valuation of financial instruments. Develop mathematical or statistical models for risk management, asset optimization, pricing, or relative value analysis. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2054.00 | Financial Risk Specialists | Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2099.00 | Financial Specialists, All Other | All financial specialists not listed separately. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2051.00 | Financial and Investment Analysts | Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2099.04 | Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts | Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-1021.00 | General and Operations Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors. | Management Occupations |
| 11-3031.03 | Investment Fund Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors. | Management Occupations |
| 13-2072.00 | Loan Officers | Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, loan underwriters, and payday loan officers. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 13-2052.00 | Personal Financial Advisors | Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
| 11-3031.01 | Treasurers and Controllers | Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete