Central Washington University

What you'll study

The curriculum combines core business subjects with specialised insurance and risk-management coursework to give a practical grounding in the industry. Typical topics include:

• Principles of Insurance — insurance markets, functions of contracts, insurable interest and indemnity.
• Underwriting and Rate Making — risk selection, pricing fundamentals and exposure analysis.
• Claims Management — claims handling, investigation, reserving and dispute resolution.
• Risk Management — enterprise risk identification, loss control, transfer strategies and risk financing.
• Insurance Law and Regulation — legal foundations, regulatory environment, compliance and ethics in insurance.
• Life, Health and Group Benefits — basics of life and health products, employee benefits and underwriting considerations.
• Property & Casualty Coverages — commercial and personal lines, policy forms and endorsements.
• Business Foundations — accounting, finance, microeconomics, business statistics and management.
• Data Analytics for Insurance — introductory analytics, loss modeling and use of spreadsheets/industry software for decision support.
• Experiential Learning — internship/practicum placements with carriers, brokers or third‑party administrators and a senior capstone project that integrates technical and business skills.

The programme is structured to build from foundational business knowledge in the first years to specialised courses and applied projects in the final years. Electives and certificates allow students to focus on underwriting, claims, risk management or insurance operations.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to meet Central Washington University’s general undergraduate admission standards. Typical entry expectations include a completed secondary school qualification or equivalent with satisfactory performance in quantitative subjects. Recommended preparation includes high‑school mathematics (algebra, statistics or calculus), economics and business-related courses where available.

Details for different applicant groups:

• First‑year school leavers: a complete high‑school diploma with evidence of readiness for college‑level work; competitive applicants usually present stronger grades in math and business subjects.
• Transfer students: completed college coursework with a demonstrable GPA and, where applicable, an associate degree; relevant completed courses (accounting, statistics, economics) can be credited toward the major.
• Non‑traditional applicants: applicants with work experience in insurance or related industries may be considered; a résumé and references are typically helpful.

International applicants should meet CWU’s English language proficiency requirements and provide equivalent academic records. Specific prerequisite or course‑by‑course requirements are available from the university admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates enter technical, operational and client‑facing roles across the insurance sector and adjacent areas. Common job titles and pathways include:

• Insurance underwriter (personal, commercial or specialty lines)
• Claims adjuster, examiner or handler
• Insurance broker or account manager
• Risk analyst or risk manager in corporate settings
• Loss control specialist and safety consultant
• Compliance, policy administration and insurance operations roles
• Actuarial assistant or data analyst (with additional quantitative training)
• Opportunities to progress to supervisory and management roles, professional licensing (where required) and postgraduate study (MBA, risk management or law)

The programme’s practical emphasis, internships and employer links help graduates secure entry‑level positions with insurers, brokers, third‑party administrators, captive insurance units and risk management teams in other industries.

Why study at Central Washington University

Central Washington University offers a small‑class learning environment where students have regular access to faculty with industry experience and applied research interests. The programme emphasises experiential learning: curriculum-aligned internships, capstone projects and opportunities to work on real insurance business problems.

Located in Washington state, CWU provides proximity to regional insurance employers and professional networks in Seattle and the Puget Sound area while maintaining a campus community that supports close faculty mentoring. Career Services and business school partnerships help students secure practicum placements and prepare for professional licences and industry exams. Student organisations and clubs in finance, risk and insurance provide additional networking, leadership and professional development opportunities.