Global Programs
Global programs at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business are designed to develop understanding, knowledge and skills for living and thriving in an interdependent, culturally diverse world.
Our programs include partnerships worldwide tailored to the needs of participating students and institutions. We continuously seek partnerships for graduate, undergraduate and study abroad opportunities around the globe.
Eligibility: Undergraduate VCU students
(VCU Graduate students considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information.)
Prerequisites: At least one 300-level course and a minimum 2.8 GPA
Courses and credits: 6 credits; BUSN 400, BUSN 401
Term: Summer
Destination: Rome, Italy
In this unique program, students earn six credits while engaging in consulting projects for real clients across two continents.
In the first portion of the International Consulting Program, students participate in an in-person consulting class where they learn the skills necessary for consulting while tackling a strategic dilemma for a real local client in Richmond, Virginia.
In the second portion, students travel to Rome, Italy, where they work with other students at the American University of Rome to complete a second consulting project for an international client.
Throughout the program, participants must navigate what professionalism looks like in different cultures.
The application for ICP opens each fall. Full program details—including dates, cost and application—can be found through Education Abroad by searching “International Consulting Program."
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate VCU students, alumni and community members*
(*Note that only current VCU students are eligible to use the $1,000 donor voucher towards the cost of their program fee.)
Prerequisites: Minimum 2.0 GPA
Credits: 1 credit
Term: Winter break; spring break
Destination: Varies
Students looking to begin exploring global business with a short-term program are invited to consider participating in Global Gateway.
These experience-rich, one-credit opportunities give students exposure to various design thinking elements, business practices, multidisciplinary collaborations and unique cultural excursions.
All Global Gateway programs are co-led by an educational provider in-country and include a fully bilingual guide who speaks fluent English.
With two different destinations each year, students have the opportunity to participate in up to three Global Gateway experiences to build a three-credit elective in global business.
Past Global Gateway programs have traveled to Strasbourg, France; Heidelberg, Germany; Costa Rica; and Milan, Italy.
Full details—including dates, cost and the application—can be found through Education Abroad by searching “Global Gateway.”
Eligibility: Undergraduate VCU students majoring in information systems, computer science, electrical engineering or computer engineering with junior status (or above)
Prerequisites: Minimum 2.75 GPA. Each major has specific areas of focus and required courses to ensure students are adequately prepared:
- Computer science: CMSC 355 - Fundamentals of Software Engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering: EGRE 364 - Microcomputer Systems
- Information systems: INFO 361 - Systems Analysis and Design
Courses and credits: 6 credits; two INFO 491 - Topics courses (one based on major)
Term: Summer
Destination: Córdoba, Spain
The Global STEMConverge program is a collaboration between the VCU School of Business, the VCU College of Engineering, the Universidad de Córdoba (UCO) School of Business Administration and the UCO Polytechnic School.
This program is designed to equip students in computer science, electrical and computer engineering and information systems with the technical, business and cross-cultural skills needed for global success.
Through a hands-on approach, students collaborate in small, interdisciplinary teams with peers from UCO to tackle real-world projects.
Starting in Richmond, where they apply project management principles to local initiatives, students then travel to Córdoba, Spain, to work on projects that blend technical problem-solving with meaningful cultural engagement.
Full details—including dates, cost and the application—can be found through Education Abroad by searching “Global STEMConverge.”
VCU Global Business Voucher Program
We want to ensure that all students who want to study abroad can participate in at least one international business experience during their time at VCU. Thanks to a generous donor gift, VCU Business students may apply a one-time $1,000 Global Business Voucher toward a School of Business study abroad experience during their time at VCU.
Qualifying students will have the voucher automatically applied to the program fee of the program for which their application is approved.
Eligibility: To use the voucher, you must be a current, degree-seeking student enrolled in a program through VCU. Only faculty-led study abroad programs run by the School of Business are eligible. Students may use the voucher only once, toward the program fee for their first study abroad experience. For any subsequent programs, students must pay the full program fee.