Risk Management/Insurance - Business Administration
Why earn a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a risk management/insurance concentration at Coe College?
The risk management field is experiencing significant growth, driven by global economic uncertainties, regulatory changes, evolving weather patterns and increasing reliance on risk mitigation strategies. The increasing demand for a risk management skill set is prevalent in the insurance and financial industries.
Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing and controlling threats to an organization's capital, earnings and operations. It involves proactively taking steps to prevent or minimize the impact of potential problems, rather than just reacting to them after they occur. This includes financial, legal, strategic and security risks.
With Coe, you’ll have several advantages as you study risk management:
- The Cedar Rapids area is home to numerous financial and insurance firms, which provide excellent opportunities for job shadowing, volunteering and interning to gain real experience. These experiences are essential for those seeking entry-level jobs in risk management and insurance. Coe has ranked as a Top 25 Best Private Schools for Internships for 6 of the last 8 years according to The Princeton Review.
- Class sizes are small, allowing for individual attention and learning. Classrooms are highly interactive, promoting opportunities for critical thinking and hands-on projects related to risk management and insurance.
- Coe has the #18 Most Accessible Professors in the nation, according to The Princeton Review.
- Students benefit from taking a broad core of courses in business administration along with specialized courses in risk management and insurance. You’ll build a business foundation to be more nimble in your career
- Coe is one of only a handful of small private colleges to offer a risk management/insurance concentration.
Careers for risk management students
The job market is booming for careers tied to risk management and insurance:
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts financial management positions will undergo 17% growth with a $161,000 median salary over the next decade.
- Management analysts can expect 11% growth and a $102,000 median salary. (BLS)
Nearly 100% of reporting Coe graduates are employed or in grad school within nine months of graduation. Other potential job titles include:
- Insurance agents
- Claims adjusters
- In house risk assessment
- Financial planners/advisors
- Attorney
- Risk manager
- Compliance officer
- Internal auditor
- Financial manager
- Financial risk specialist
“The circumstances are right for Coe students to thrive in this field. Jobs related to risk management are estimated to grow at a double-digit percentage increase over the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this will be one of just a handful of risk management concentrations available at the small private college level.”
Josh Christensen Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Economics
Course examples:
Insurance Company Operations
Examines the internal operations of insurance companies and the insurance industry as a whole. Students will explore fundamental concepts, including financial operations, underwriting, claims management, risk assessment, regulatory compliance and marketing within the insurance industry. Emphasis will be placed on operational efficiency, financial performance and emerging industry trends.
Personal and Business Risk Management
Studies the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for identifying, assessing and managing risks encountered in both personal and business contexts. Students will examine insurance policy considerations for life, health, property, liability
and casualty insurance.
Advanced Topics in Risk Management/Insurance
Examines one or more advanced topics in risk management/insurance. May be taken more than once for credit, provided the topics are substantially different.
