Virginia Commonwealth University

What you'll study

The programme provides a broad foundation in the functional areas of business accompanied by quantitative and professional skills. Core topics typically include financial and managerial accounting, corporate finance, microeconomics and macroeconomics, marketing principles, organisational behaviour, operations and supply chain management, business law and ethics, and business statistics.

Students also study quantitative tools such as data analysis, business analytics and spreadsheet modelling, and are introduced to strategy, entrepreneurship and international business. Course sequences are designed to progress from foundational business concepts to more advanced, integrative courses such as strategic management and capstone projects.

Most students choose a concentration or track to specialise in areas such as Finance, Marketing, Management, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, Entrepreneurship or International Business. The curriculum emphasises applied learning: many courses incorporate case studies, team projects, internships and opportunities to work with local companies and start‑ups.

• Foundation courses: introductory accounting, business statistics, economics
• Core business: finance, marketing, management, operations, business law
• Quantitative and technical: data analysis, business analytics, forecasting
• Integrative experiences: strategy, capstone projects, internships and practicum
• Electives and concentrations: specialised courses in chosen major area

Entry requirements

Admission follows the university's undergraduate criteria. Applicants are expected to hold a completed secondary school qualification equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma and to have taken preparatory courses in mathematics and English. Admissions decisions consider academic record, rigour of curriculum, recommendations and extracurricular involvement.

International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or alternative evidence accepted by the university. Transfer applicants should present college transcripts; credit may be awarded for eligible university‑level work. The programme can be competitive, so a strong academic performance in relevant subjects is generally expected.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles across private, public and nonprofit sectors. Typical entry‑level positions include financial analyst, marketing coordinator, sales representative, operations analyst, human resources generalist, supply chain analyst and management trainee. With experience or further study, alumni progress to roles such as marketing manager, financial manager, operations manager, business consultant or entrepreneur.

The degree also provides a pathway to postgraduate study in business (MBA, specialised Masters) or related fields. Because of its applied emphasis, many graduates find employment through internship placements, cooperative projects with employers and the university's career services.

Why study at Virginia Commonwealth University

Located in Richmond, VCU offers strong connections to a diverse business community, providing students with internship and employment opportunities across finance, healthcare, government and creative industries. The School of Business emphasises experiential learning and industry engagement, and students can access entrepreneurship support, innovation centres and practicum placements to develop transferable skills.

VCU's urban campus promotes collaboration across disciplines—useful for business students interested in healthcare management, arts entrepreneurship or technology commercialisation—and the university provides career services, alumni networking and professional development to support job placement and graduate study preparation.