Program Details
Finance with concentration in Risk Management and Insurance, 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 Science in Finance with a concentration in risk management and insurance prepares students for careers in the insurance 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.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program: Students will be able to identify risks, measure them and find mitigating solutions using all financial hedging instruments and insurance. The students will use relevant data to measure risks and solutions including design risk/awards and forecasting, loss reserves, frequency and severity. The students will be using appropriate quantitative measures for making informed risk management decisions as well as financial plans. Students will learn how to interpret data and apply the analysis and design they create to various situations. Students will be able to produce written reports and to express verbally the analytic, quantitative and ethical dimensions of risks and risk management of various entities to a variety of audiences. Students will be able to identify and analyze ethical dimensions of every element in risk management situations and relate those dimensions to professional ethical standards. Specifically, students will understand and articulate their fiduciary responsibility in a variety of topics and scenarios.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | The concentration in risk management and insurance prepares students for careers in the insurance industry on all levels, including (but not limited to) 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. |
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 309, FIRE 317 and FIRE 479 and must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the remainder of the risk management and insurance concentration requirements. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in minimum grade of C in FIRE 309, FIRE 317 and FIRE 479? after two attempts or they will be asked to change concentrations. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Our most recent graduate survey showed economics majors had a 100% positive outcome score, meaning they were employed or pursuing graduate studies. The average salary of graduates was $72,000. Because of their analytical, quantitative and decision-making skills, students who major in economics are sought after for a wide array of positions in management and sales. In particular, the specific skills economics majors acquire provide employment opportunities in large organizations that forecast business conditions and analyze economic data.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | As a student, your networking opportunities will include multiple industry conferences and access to local industry associations’ business meetings through the VCU Risk Management Insurance Program. This program also provides access to scholarships, internships, and full-time positions. |
Program Successes & Highlights | The VCU Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) Lester Fellowship Program is a catalytic experience through which students explore different areas of the RMI industry during a three-month paid rotational internship program. Lester Fellows spend one month each at three RMI companies. The Fellowship connects academics to the real world, and begins to develop specific career interests and talents. Students gain exposure to different areas and job functions such as: claims processing, claims resolution, claims operations, underwriting, account management, sales and delivery process, risk services, operations, and others. |
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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
