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Insurance Major

 

Insurance Major

The insurance major at Illinois State University prepares students for careers in insurance and risk management. The major was created in 1991 as part of the continuing cooperation between the University and insurance industry. This major offers two sequences, the general insurance sequence or the specialization in business information systems (BIS). For all majors, including non business, an insurance minor is available.

Careers

The insurance major provides skills and knowledge appropriate to a wide range of activities in the insurance and the financial services industries. Study of insurance and the financial service industries leads to careers in insurance companies, insurance agencies, financial services firms, reinsurers, regulation, and a wide variety of firms allied with the industry. Careers in insurance include personal and business financial planning, underwriting, claims, information processing and computers, sales, sales management, insurance accounting, public relations, employee benefits, corporate operations and management, portfolio management, insurance brokers, actuarial science, and risk management.

Curriculum

The insurance program emphasizes effective teaching and student involvement in learning. Highly respected scholars teach all courses, sharing professional experiences and academic research with their students. The general insurance sequence provides an in-depth study of insurance and financial services combined with the general business core curriculum. The business information systems sequence enables students to combine a general insurance background with skills in computer programming, systems analysis, and systems design. Approximately half of the 120 semester hours required for the undergraduate degree in business are provided by study in the liberal arts, sciences, humanities, and fine arts.

Specialization is also available to provide in-depth study of insurance financial services through courses in life and health, property, liability, risk management, and financial planning, as well as through courses offered in other academic programs such as actuarial science, health sciences, loss control, accounting, management, law, investments, applied computer science, and economics.

Industry Support

Illinois State’s insurance program has received several million dollars in industry donations. An advisory board of top executives from Illinois insurance companies helps keep the program relevant to the needs of a changing business climate. Industry-sponsored and academic scholarships are available to qualified students. More than $111,000 in scholarship support is available annually. Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 are awarded to students based on academic achievement, need, and leadership.

Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services

Illinois State is home of the Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services, which sponsors cutting-edge insurance research, speakers, panels, short courses, and professional education. Industry leaders, representing national and regional insurance and financial services organizations, serve on the school's Insurance Advisory Board of Executives and provide guidance for the insurance program. The Katie School's unique developmental advantage is its ability to connect students to the industry. This connection is supported by the Katie School in the following ways:

  • An Academic Experience Committee comprised of industry executives recommends appropriate student experiences and course curriculum to optimally prepare students for the industry.
  • A Speakers Bureau provides faculty with a database of industry presenters and coordinates speaker presentations to permit them to come to campus to share their expertise.
  • Gamma Iota Sigma is the insurance fraternity and provides insurance students the opportunity to network with industry practitioners as well as other insurance students.
  • The Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Mentorship Program links students to CPCUs for job shadowing experiences as well as professional and career advice.
  • The Internship Program provides a way for students to learn skills and experience working in the insurance industry.
  • The Industry Events Program brings insurance students to various industry educational conferences and events, exposing students to the issues and challenges faced by practitioners.
  • The Student Leadership Program in Risk Consulting brings together top students from the college to participate in an eight-month program culminating with a student risk consulting project at one of several local not-for-profit organizations.

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