Finance
Our programs
- B.S. in finance
- Discover creative approaches to finance industry challenges.
- B.S. in financial technology
- Apply math and programming to the financial, risk management and actuarial disciplines.
- B.S in finance, concentration in risk management and insurance
- Analyze and communicate findings about complex financial issues.
- M.S. in business, concentration in finance
- Gain hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of finance theories.
- Minor in actuarial science
- Gain perspective through two core courses and a wide range of electives.
Industry connections
Capital Markets Center: Access real-world industry tools through a facility that replicates experience and technology of a Wall Street trading room.
Financial Management Association: Learn about corporate finance, banking and investment through dynamic speakers, educational trips and networking events.
Student Managed Investment Portfolio: Gain real-world investment experience through management of an equity portfolio for the School of Business Foundation.
STUDENT DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Student of the Year: The Student of the Year Award is presented to a senior or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership.
Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a student who has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community.
Student of the Year: Benny Brack
Benny’s academic performance is exceptional, earning him recognition as a top student by his professors for his thorough and accurate work. As a claims intern at the Virginia Farm Bureau, Benny gained hands-on experience in critical finance skills, including risk assessment, data analysis and financial modeling. He plans to pursue a Master’s in Business with a concentration in finance at the School of Business and is also considering the possibility of pursuing a doctorate in the future.
Distinguished Service Award: Breanna Machado
As president of the VCU Actuarial Club, Breanna has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. Under her guidance, the club gained recognition as a registered organization within the School of Business. She meticulously drafted the club’s constitution and delivered engaging presentations, increasing student interest in actuarial science. In addition to her leadership, Breanna has excelled academically, showing significant growth in her analytical abilities and knowledge. Her proactive involvement and academic achievements make her a deserving recipient of this honor.
Adam Leathers, from Keswick, Virginia, graduated in December 2022 with a 4.0 GPA, earning a degree in finance with a minor in risk management and insurance. During his time at VCU, he was honored to serve as a teaching assistant for FIRE 312 Financial Modeling. In his senior year, Adam was selected as a Market Regulation Intern at the State Corporation Commission (SCC). After graduation, he secured a full-time role as a Market Examiner in the Life & Health Division of the Bureau of Insurance at the SCC. Adam deeply appreciates his family’s sacrifices, which have been instrumental in his success.
Jeffrey Metts has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in finance throughout his time at VCU. He has participated in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) for seven semesters and currently serves as its president. Since June 2021, Jeffrey has worked as an investment intern at VCU Investment Management Company (VCIMCO). During his senior year, he was a member of VCU’s CFA research team, competing in a financial case study competition against other universities. Currently, he serves as a Robinhood Fellow conducting intensive research on exchange-traded funds, holds a leadership role in VCU’s Student Economics Association and contributes to the School of Business’s strategic planning committee. After graduation, Jeffrey will join VCIMCO as a full-time investment analyst..jpg)
Through his studies in the School of Business, Derrick has honed his problem-solving skills and demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, all while maintaining an excellent GPA. He played a key role in launching the Actuarial Club in fall 2020 and currently serves as chairman. Derrick is also one of four analysts in the financial sector of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, where he has been an active member since fall 2019. Additionally, he is a member of Gamma Iota Sigma Fraternity. Derrick successfully passed his Financial Mathematics actuarial exam in 2020 and plans to sit for his Probability exam later this spring. He has accepted a 12-week actuarial internship with Genworth Financial for summer 2021.
Nicoleta has excelled academically, maintaining an outstanding GPA while actively engaging with the Finance Department and the broader VCU community. She is a recipient of the prestigious Arconic Foundation Community Scholarship for Business and Engineering, which covers full tuition and fees for all four years at VCU. Nicoleta serves as a Level IV tutor for the Campus Learning Center and has been a teaching assistant for FIRE 311 for the past three semesters. As a Pearson Campus Ambassador, she manages accounts for the entire VCU campus. In addition to being a board member for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, Nicoleta will soon take on a new role managing social media, outreach and alumni relations. She has accepted an accounting internship with CarMax for summer 2021 and plans to pursue a career in accounting, finance or analytics after graduation.
