We recommend meeting with your advisor at least once per semester to check in on your progress and plan your classes for the following semester.
If you’re a current student interested in changing your major to business, register for a change of major information session.
Business major requirements
Students are admitted into the Business Foundation Program. As you approach your junior year, you will work with your advisor to take the steps necessary to declare your major of choice. To qualify, you’re required to have a 2.5 minimum GPA, 54 earned credits and have completed the following courses:
- ACCT 203 and 204 Introduction to Accounting I and II
- BUSN 201 Business Foundations
- BUSN 225 Winning Presentations
- ECON 210 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON 211 Principles of Macroeconomics
- BUSN 212 Differential Calculus & Applications for Business (or Math 200)
- UNIV 111-112 Focused Inquiry I and II
- UNIV 200 Inquiry and the Craft of Argument
You must complete the above requirements at the end of the semester in which you attempt at least your 60th credit hour. See bulletin for complete details.
If you are a transfer student (sophomore or above) or changed your major to business foundation with more than 30 credits, then you must apply to a business major in the minimum number of semesters needed to meet the remaining requirements. See bulletin for complete details.
Once your major is officially declared, you may register for 300-400 level courses without an override from your advisor.
If you have not completed the requirements to declare your major on time, you can appeal for a deadline extension.
If you miss the deadline and aren’t granted an extension, you’ll be required to seek a major outside of the School of Business. At this point, you will have most likely completed a general business minor.
If you need help deciding on a new major, contact University Academic Advising. You can also look into VCU’s Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, an individualized program that allows you to create a unique curricular pathway toward the BIS degree.
Make an appointment
To schedule an advising appointment, log in to our online portal with your VCU eID and password. Click on “Make an advising appointment” to find a time to meet with your advisor. Be sure to provide your phone number and indicate the reason for your appointment. School of Business minors should call the office rather than using the portal.
You can also make an appointment by calling (804) 828-3710 or stopping by the advising office located in Room B1102 in Snead Hall. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Use our advising prep worksheet to get ready for your appointment.
When making your advising appointment, you will have the opportunity to schedule appointments via in-person in room B1102 in Snead Hall or via Zoom.
VCU Permanent Pass Fail Policy
VCU is excited to announce a new, permanent pass/fail grade option policy for undergraduate students effective Fall 2020. Please note that the temporary pass/fail grading option made available for Spring 2020 only is no longer valid.
The full policy is available in the VCU Bulletin. It is important that you read the policy thoroughly now and recognize that it is an option that is available to you
Students may NOT use the pass/fail grade option:
- To satisfy a prerequisite that requires a minimum grade of B
- For courses that may count toward the requirements of the student’s major, minor or certificate program
It is very important you meet with your academic advisor to discuss this policy in detail. Click here to make an appointment with your academic advisor.
Under the pass/fail grade option, students would have grades reported as either:
PP: Grade of pass (equivalent to letter grade of A, B or C) is awarded for certain courses to denote satisfactory completion of requirements equivalent to the letter grades of A-C. The grade of PP is not included in the calculation of GPA. The grade of PP will satisfy course requirements of a minimum grade of C to advance to another course.
PS: Grade of pass (equivalent to letter grade of D) is awarded for certain courses to denote satisfactory completion of requirements equivalent to the letter grade of D. The grade of PS is not included in the calculation of GPA. The grade of PS will not satisfy course requirements of a minimum grade of C to advance to another course and students may have to retake the course if they change their major and a minimum letter grade of C was required.
F: Grade of fail (equivalent to letter grade of F) is considered not passing and is included in the calculation of the GPA.
- Depending on a student’s individual degree program, not every course is eligible for the pass/fail option: the pass/fail grade option may not be used to satisfy a prerequisite that requires a minimum grade of B nor for courses that may count toward the requirements of the student’s major, minor or certificate program.
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For the Spring 2024 semester, students may select the pass/fail option for eligible courses no later than Friday, March 29, 2024 by 11:59pm EST. Click here for submission form.
- No more than 15 credit hours can be taken under the pass/fail grade option over the entirety of a student’s degree program.
- Students should consult with an advisor to understand the implications of their decision.
School of Business students CAN NOT use the permanent pass-fail policy for the following:
1) Business Foundation courses:
- ACCT 203
- ACCT 204
- BUSN 212
- MATH 200
- ECON 203
- ECON 205
- ECON 211
2) Advanced Business Core-Required/Ancillary Requirements:
- FIRE 311
- INFO 360
- MKTG 301
- MGMT 310
- MGMT 303
- MGMT 434
- SCMA 301
- SCMA 320
3) Any course that counts toward the calculation of the major GPA (within the “Major” and “Concentration” block in degree works)
4) Any course that counts toward a minor or certificate requirements
Financial Technology majors within the School of Business CAN NOT use the permanent pass-fail policy for the following:
1) Any course that counts toward the calculation of the major GPA (within the “Major” and “Concentration” block in degree works)
2) Any course that counts toward a minor or certificate requirements
If you are currently enrolled in one of the courses listed in the “Current School of Business Students section,” it is important you DO NOT use the permanent pass/fail policy for these specific courses.
Students who have utilized the permanent pass/fail policy on a course deemed ineligible by the School of Business (see “Current School of Business Students section”) that later decide to change their major to Business Foundation will be reviewed individually upon registration for a Change of Major Session. This review will be conducted by the Director of Academic Advising or the Associate Dean of the School of Business. Once a decision is made, the student will be informed prior to officially changing their major to Business Foundation. An exception is made for pass/fail courses taken during the Spring 2020 semester. If you have any specific questions, please contact usib@vcu.edu.
Here is the link to the Permanent Pass-Fail Submission Form. Prior to submitting this form, it is important you meet with your academic advisor to discuss this further. Click here to make an appointment with your academic advisor. The deadline to submit for Permanent Pass/Fall for Spring 2024 is Friday, March 29, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. EST.
We recommend you meet with your academic advisor to discuss this policy in detail. Click here to make an appointment with your academic advisor.
Academic Success Resources
The School of Business Undergraduate Studies advisors have created a series of academic success worksheets to help aid you in your courses. They are designed to help you refine your study skills, time management, and goal setting to increase your comprehension and knowledge retention so that you can decrease your stress and improve your grades!
General Worksheets:
- How to Set SMART Goals
- SMART Goals worksheet
- Grit & Resilience
- Growth Mindset
- Time Management Skills
- Time Management worksheets
- Active Studying
- Enhancing Your in Class Engagement
- Successful Study Skills
- Taking the Test
- VCU Resources for Business Students
- Working in Groups
- Zoom Tips