This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Program accreditation

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Note: Admission to this program is temporarily suspended.

Program goal

The post-baccalaureate graduate Certificate in Business Administration is designed for professionals with little or no prior business course work who seek an opportunity for advanced study in core business function areas. The certificate provides students the ability to advance their careers while receiving recognition for academic accomplishment in the form of a graduate certificate. By completing the curriculum for the certificate, students will have satisfied the foundation course requirements in the M.B.A. and other master’s programs in business.

Student learning outcomes

  1. To apply communication skills in new and unfamiliar circumstances in a form that can be readily communicated to entry-level, midlevel and senior-level managers
  2. To analyze the ethical dimensions of a business situation, to relate those dimensions to professional ethical standards, and to formulate and defend possible resolutions from the perspective of entry-level managers
  3. To select, conceptualize and apply appropriate quantitative techniques or approaches in order to analyze business problems for the purpose of decision-making by entry-level managers 
  4. To critically evaluate and use accounting and/or other financial information for the purpose of decision-making by entry-level managers

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Other information

School of Business policies and procedures for graduate students are available on the school’s website.