This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. 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.
The concentration in human resource management gives students a broad overview of the knowledge base and applications used by professionals in the field. Students receive exposure to a wide range of topics reflecting the body of knowledge required for the Professional in Human Resources certification exam administered by the HR Certification Institute. After graduation, students are prepared for employment in the public or private sector as human resource management generalists or as specialists in human resource management functions such as recruiting, compensation management or benefits administration.
Learning goals
The goal of the curriculum for the human resource management concentration is for students to understand human resource management concepts and principles needed to design and implement policies and practices that enhance an organization's ability to attract, motivate, develop and retain effective employees.
- General management competencies
Graduates will develop skills in managing people and other resources to help achieve organizational goals. - Analytical competencies
Graduates will have quantitative and analytical skills that can be applied to the solution of managerial problems.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Depth of knowledge
Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts of management that relate to the shaping of employee behaviors toward the achievement of organizational goals - Communication skills
Communicate a personal leadership vision that reflects self-awareness, knowledge of leadership theories and concepts, and appropriate oral communication skills - Analytic skills
Use knowledge of human resource management concepts and data to suggest solutions to management problems - Quantitative skills
Identify and use relevant data to help make informed decisions about management issues
Special requirements
The School of Business has special academic policies, including policies on transfer credits, that apply to all undergraduate degrees.
School of Business progression policy
Students enrolled in undergraduate programs of the School of Business engage in a demanding curriculum designed to set them up for success in the world of business. In order to successfully maintain progress towards graduation, students are required to meet the following criteria in order to remain in their majors:
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Students are required to pass major and ancillary requirements within two attempts. If a student withdraws from a course, it will count as an attempt.
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Upon the third attempt at a course, students will be placed on business probation and must pass the course successfully in that third attempt.
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Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 major GPA.
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If a student's major GPA drops below 2.0, they will be placed on business probation and allowed one semester to raise their major GPA to 2.0.
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Upon notification of being placed on business probation, students will receive a registration hold, and must meet with their business adviser prior to the add/drop deadline of the pursuant semester in order to create an action plan to either pass the repeated course successfully, or increase their major GPA.
Students who do not meet the performance expectations of business probation in that same semester will be required to change their major prior to the start of the next semester.
Students may appeal the change of major via the associate dean of the School of Business. Students must initiate the appeal with their assigned academic adviser. The associate dean may, at their discretion, extend the time period needed to meet the requirements, generally by only one semester. A student who wishes to appeal must submit his or her appeal at least one week prior to the start of the next semester in which they register for classes.
Degree requirements for Business, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in human resource management
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| MGMT 319 | Leadership | 3 |
| SCMA 302 | Business Statistics II | 3 |
| • Concentration requirements | ||
| MGMT 331 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGMT 332 | Staffing Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 333 | Compensation Management | 3 |
| MGMT 431 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 3 |
| • Major electives | ||
| General management elective (select from list below) | 3 | |
| Global elective (select from list below) | 3 | |
| Human resources electives (select from list below) | 6 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| • Ancillary core requirements | ||
| ACCT 203 & ACCT 204 | Introduction to Financial Reporting and Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 6 |
| BUSN 301 | Career and Professional Development | 1 |
| BUSN 323 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 325 | Business Communications | 3 |
| BUSN 499 | Business Knowledge Exam | 0 |
| ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| ECON 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| FIRE 311 | Financial Management | 3 |
| INFO 360 | Business Information Systems | 3 |
| MGMT 303 | Creativity and Ideation | 3 |
| MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 434 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| MKTG 301 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
| SCMA 301 | Business Statistics I | 3 |
| SCMA 320 | Production/Operations Management | 3 |
| • Additional ancillary requirements | ||
| BUSN 201 | Foundations of Business 1 | 3 |
| or BUSN 205 | Introduction to the World of Business | |
| BUSN 212 | Business Problem Solving and Analysis (either satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
| or MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. 2 | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
BUSN 205 satisfies general education AOI for global perspectives.
Students may choose electives to reach the minimum total of 120 credits.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Approved general management electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUSN 400 | Principles of Consulting | 3 |
| FIRE 309 | Risk Management and Insurance | 3 |
| MGMT 305 | Design Thinking for Personal Growth | 3 |
| MGMT 321 | Survey of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGMT 491 | Topics in Management (variable, with no more than six credits total) | 1-3 |
| SCMA 350 | Introduction to Project Management | 3 |
Approved global electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BUSN 329 | Introduction to Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| BUSN 401 | International Consulting Practicum | 3 |
| ECON/INTL 329 | International Economics | 3 |
| MGMT/INTL 418 | International Management | 3 |
| MGMT/INTL 446 | International Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MKTG/INTL 320 | International Marketing | 3 |
Approved human resource electives
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIRE 444 | Occupational Safety, Health and Security | 3 |
| FIRE 449 | Employee Benefit Planning | 3 |
| MGMT 403 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| MGMT 405 | Negotiation, Influence and Conflict Management | 3 |
| MGMT 447 | Human Resource Information Systems | 3 |
| MGMT 493 | Internship in Management | 3 |
| PSYC 310 | Industrial Psychology | 3 |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| BUSN 201 or BUSN 205 | Foundations of Business or Introduction to the World of Business | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| UNIV 191 | Student Success Special Topics (satisfies open elective) or Introduction to the University or Education and Career Planning | 1 |
| Open elective (prerequisite to BUSN 212 suggested) | 3 | |
| General education courses | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ACCT 203 | Introduction to Financial Reporting | 3 |
| BUSN 212 or MATH 200 | Business Problem Solving and Analysis (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| ECON 210 | Principles of Microeconomics (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and/or AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ACCT 204 | Introduction to Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSN 301 | Career and Professional Development | 1 |
| ECON 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MGMT 310 | Managing People in Organizations | 3 |
| SCMA 301 | Business Statistics I | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| MGMT 319 | Leadership | 3 |
| MGMT 303 | Creativity and Ideation | 3 |
| SCMA 320 | Production/Operations Management | 3 |
| SCMA 302 | Business Statistics II | 3 |
| General management elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| BUSN 325 | Business Communications | 3 |
| MGMT 331 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MKTG 301 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Human resources elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| FIRE 311 | Financial Management | 3 |
| INFO 360 | Business Information Systems | 3 |
| MGMT 332 | Staffing Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 333 | Compensation Management | 3 |
| General education course | 1 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| BUSN 323 | Legal Environment of Business | 3 |
| MGMT 431 | Strategic Human Resource Management | 3 |
| Human resources elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 5 | |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| BUSN 499 | Business Knowledge Exam | 0 |
| MGMT 434 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| Global elective | 3 | |
| Open elective | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.