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Insurance

Program Description

Just the Facts

Insurance. A program that prepares individuals to manage risk in organizational settings and provide insurance and risk-aversion services to businesses, individuals, and other organizations. Includes instruction in casualty insurance and general liability, property insurance, employee benefits, social and health insurance, loss adjustment, underwriting, risk theory, and pension planning.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:



Related Programs

Often similar programs have different names. Be sure to explore all your options.

Additional Information

Insurance and risk management students learn to assess the risks behind certain business practices or projects.

A wide variety of four-year programs in insurance and risk management are offered throughout the United States.

One program can be found at the Katie Insurance School at Illinois State University. The school offers a comprehensive undergraduate program with both a major and a minor in insurance.

"It is a four-year program, and students are able to complete it in this time frame," says Debbie Babcock, associate director of the school.

"Students are strongly encouraged to have an internship or an international study experience as well as be an active member of the Gamma Iota Sigma student insurance fraternity."

You can also minor in insurance while pursuing other majors. Some common majors include actuarial science, accounting, finance, marketing and human resources management.

"Students can elect to enroll in cooperative education if they wish. This includes a work term -- similar to an internship -- in each of their third and fourth years," says Norma L. Nielson, chair of an insurance and risk management program.

Students graduating from this program "will have a basic knowledge of the insurance industry that complements their strong education in general management," Nielson says.

You'll need good communication and computer skills.

"Students should have a well-rounded high school education with exposure to business classes and also outside activities that might include work, volunteer experience, school clubs or sports and leadership positions," says Babcock.

Take as much math as possible, up to pre-calculus or calculus if available. Courses in consumer economics and advanced biology may be helpful for certain health and liability positions.

The main costs are tuition and books.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners and Investigators

Treasury and Risk Management Magazine
A magazine for professionals