|
The Finance Major requires
the choice of one of the following three tracks: finance, insurance/risk
management or financial planning. (Curriculum
Information)
The finance track is concerned with financial management
of business firms, the operation and functioning of financial
institutions such as banks and insurance companies, and the investment
of funds by institutional investors and individuals. Increasingly,
there is also an international focus to the study of these activities
as financial markets become global in scope. Business firms, financial
institutions, and investment firms all utilize the talents of
individuals with professional training in finance.
The insurance/risk management track includes four areas
of study: employee benefits, commercial property-liability insurance,
risk management and personal financial planning in the life and
health side of the industry.
The financial planning track offers greater understanding
of investment principles, employee benefits, life insurance, and
tax planning. Students in this track are urged to also take two
modules in VCU's Financial Planning Certificate Program, in financial
planning and estate planning. A grade of "C" or better
in these two modules and the track's major requirements will earn
the student a Certificate of Completion in Financial Planning
from VCU (in addition to the BS degree), and permit the student
to sit for the examination that is required to become a Certified
Financial Planner (CFP).
The BS degree in Financial
Technology students may choose to continue their education
by enrolling in a masters program in financial engineering, mathematical
finance, etc. There is a list of such programs at http://www.iafe.org/?id=academicprograms.
The program offers perhaps the best undergraduate education necessary
for doctoral level study in finance. Graduates might find employment
in areas such as derivative instruments and securities, hedging
and financial risk management, asset allocation and investment
management,
quantitative trading and arbitrage, asset/liability management,
quantitative applications in corporate and public financial policy,
modeling and forecasting financial markets, and computer and information
technology in the financial services industry. See the job board
at http://www.garp.com/ for a
sample of the types of jobs for which graduates might qualify. (Curriculum
Information)
Students in the Financial Technology program must attain a grade
of "C" or better in all technically-oriented courses and
upper level courses. A student receiving a grade below "C"
in any of these courses will have to retake it until a grade of
"C" or better is received. In addition, a minimum GPA
of 2.5 or higher must be maintained. Students who fall below 2.5
will be placed on "program probation" and be given one
semester to bring their GPA's up to 2.5 or higher. Students failing
to bring their GPA up to 2.5 will be advised out of the program.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology degree,
a student must have a 2.5 GPA or higher.
Undergraduate Real Estate
and Urban Land Development major
The major in real estate and urban land development prepares students
for careers in land development, brokerage, valuation and investment
counseling, site analysis and selection, real property management,
mortgage lending, and bank trust and corporate estate departments,
as well as other real estate related careers in the public and private
sectors. (Curriculum Information)
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Real
Estate and Urban Land Development is designed for individuals
who desire an extensive knowledge of real estate and urban land
development and hold bachelor's degrees in other fields. Aspiring
real estate brokers are required to take four courses to satisfy
their broker educational requirements. By taking six additional
courses, real estate agents will have the opportunity to increase
their business and managerial proficiency through a cohesive program
of study at the university level. The certificate program is also
popular for other professionals, such as appraisers or mortgage
lenders, who desire to enter a coordinated real estate studies program.
(Curriculum Information)
Master of Science in Business
with concentration in finance program is primarily designed
for students who possess an undergraduate degree in business, although
some well-prepared students may possess an undergraduate degree
in economics or a technical background in mathematics or engineering.
(Curriculum
Information)
The Masters Degree
Program in Real Estate Valuation is one of only
eight programs in the nation that satisfies the rigorous
educational requirements
of the Appraisal Institute's MAI designation. Students can satisfy
most of the Appraisal Institute's education requirements
by completing
the concentration. This concentration emphasizes real estate valuation
while providing comprehensive education in related disciplines
so
that graduates' analytical skills and abilities to communicate
with other professionals are greatly enhanced. Whenever possible,
students
will be placed in interns with MAIs. Please visit the Real
Estate Program Homepage for more information about the VCU
Real Estate Programs. (Curriculum Information)
|
