University of Iowa

What you'll study

The programme blends a foundation in business administration with in‑depth study of insurance principles and risk management techniques. You will complete core business courses in accounting, finance, management, marketing and business law alongside specialised Risk Management & Insurance modules. Typical topics include:

• Principles of Risk Management and Insurance — overview of risk concepts, insurance mechanisms, and policy structures.
• Property and Liability Insurance — coverages, commercial lines and analysis of exposure for businesses.
• Life and Health Insurance — individual and group products, underwriting issues and regulatory context.
• Risk Financing and Reinsurance — retention, transfer strategies, reinsurance markets and treaty structures.
• Claims and Loss Adjustment — claims handling processes, reserving and dispute resolution.
• Insurance Law and Regulation — contract interpretation, state regulation and compliance considerations.
• Data Analytics for Insurance — statistics, predictive modelling and actuarial fundamentals tailored to insurance applications.
• Capstone or Practicum — applied project or internship with an insurer, broker or corporate risk department.

Electives and interdisciplinary options allow you to supplement technical insurance knowledge with study in areas such as enterprise risk management, actuarial science, information systems, or sustainable risk practices. Practical learning opportunities, including internships and industry projects, form a central part of the curriculum.

Entry requirements

Admission is to the University of Iowa and the relevant business programme. Applicants should hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent with a strong academic record. Schools typically expect preparation in mathematics and evidence of analytical ability. Admissions will consider the overall transcript, personal statement and any required supporting documents.

Standard requirements for international applicants apply, including proof of English language proficiency where relevant. Some students enter the Risk Management & Insurance major directly; others transfer into the major after completing core business foundation courses. Prior coursework in algebra, statistics or introductory economics is recommended to succeed in early business and insurance classes.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of roles across the insurance industry, financial services and corporate risk functions. Common entry and career paths include:

• Underwriting and portfolio management at property & casualty or life & health insurers
• Claims adjusting and claims management
• Insurance brokerage and risk consulting
• Corporate risk management and enterprise risk roles within non‑insurance firms
• Reinsurance and treaty support roles
• Compliance, regulatory affairs and risk analytics positions
• Support roles for actuarial teams, including data analytics and predictive modelling

Graduates may also pursue professional credentials (such as industry‑recognised insurance designations) or postgraduate study in business, actuarial science or law to expand career options.

Why study at University of Iowa

The University of Iowa’s business school environment provides a combination of academic rigour and industry engagement. Students benefit from faculty with practical and research experience in risk and insurance, established employer relationships that support internships and recruitment, and student organisations that connect learners with practitioners. The programme emphasises experiential learning, preparing students to enter a competitive employment market with applied skills in underwriting, claims, risk finance and analytics. Career services, alumni networks and industry partnerships help graduates transition into roles across insurers, brokers, corporate risk teams and regulatory bodies.