University of Central Arkansas

What you'll study

This programme combines core business subjects with specialised insurance and risk-management modules. Early study covers foundational business topics such as financial accounting, microeconomics, business law and introductory finance, followed by progressive insurance-specific courses.

• Principles of Insurance and Risk Management – concepts of risk, pooling, insurance contracts, moral hazard and insurable interest.
• Property and Casualty Insurance – personal and commercial property, liability exposures and coverages.
• Life and Health Insurance – life products, health coverages, group employee benefits and underwriting considerations.
• Commercial Insurance and Specialised Coverages – commercial package policies, professional liability, marine and inland, surety and bonds.
• Underwriting and Pricing – risk selection, rating principles, exposure measurement and the underwriting cycle.
• Claims and Loss Adjustment – claims handling process, investigation, negotiation and litigation exposure.
• Insurance Law and Regulation – regulatory environment, contract interpretation and compliance issues.
• Reinsurance and Risk Financing – mechanisms for transferring and financing catastrophic risk.
• Insurance Accounting and Investments – reserving, financial reporting for insurers and investment management basics.
• Data Analytics for Insurance – use of data, predictive analytics and emerging technologies in underwriting and pricing.
• Capstone/Internship – practical placement or project with an insurer, broker or risk management department to apply classroom learning to real-world problems.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent college preparatory credential. Typical entrants will have completed a programme with sound achievement in mathematics and English; previous study in economics, business or statistics is desirable but not required.

Successful candidates normally present a competitive academic record, and the department considers prospective students’ overall preparation and motivation for a business degree. Transfer applicants will be assessed on college coursework completed. International applicants must meet the university’s English language and credential evaluation requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles across the insurance and risk management sectors. Common entry-level and career destinations include:

• Insurance agent or broker – sales, client advisory and policy placement.
• Underwriter – risk assessment and policy terms for personal and commercial lines.
• Claims adjuster or examiner – investigating and settling claims.
• Risk analyst or risk manager – corporate risk identification, mitigation and insurance purchasing.
• Commercial lines account manager – servicing business insurance accounts and client relationships.
• Reinsurance analyst, loss control specialist or compliance officer – specialist roles within carriers or brokerages.
• Career paths into regulatory agencies, insurance consultancy, or graduate study (including actuarial or advanced analytics pathways) for students seeking technical or leadership roles.

Why study at University of Central Arkansas

The programme is delivered within a business-focused environment that emphasises practical skills and employer engagement. Students benefit from faculty with industry experience, internship opportunities with regional and national insurers, and partnerships that facilitate workplace placements and networking.

Small-class teaching and applied projects help students build technical competence in underwriting, claims handling and risk financing as well as communication and commercial awareness. The university’s career services and business-focused student organisations offer additional support for professional development and industry certification preparation.