Academics

Risk Management and Insurance Minor

Risk Management and Insurance Minor

Actuarial Science Department Website

When identifying, measuring, and managing risk means the difference between success and failure.

Success may be a comfortable retirement, escaping hardship caused by a flood, or a business avoiding financial ruin due to an environmental disaster. Individuals and businesses decide which risks to retain and which to transfer. Risk is commonly transferred to others using insurance. Students learn the fundamentals of personal financial risk, methods to limit operational risk, and how to structure insurance solutions in preparation for decision-making roles in the insurance industry and any organization that purchases insurance. Graduates may take CPCU exams and positions involving employee benefits, financial advising, and enterprise risk management.

You'll learn the cornerstones of risk management at one of only 33 universities in the world to be recognized as a Global Center of Insurance Excellence by the International Insurance Society. Drake also has a unique partnership with the Global Insurance Accelerator, where students work alongside company founders to build Insurtech companies impacting the future of insurance. Internships are abundant as 75 insurers call Des Moines their home office!

MINOR OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The minor requires only 12 hours of coursework for students already pursuing a major in the Zimpleman College of Business and 21 hours of coursework for students outside of the Zimpleman College of Business.

Courses include foundational business courses along with personal and business risk management, insurance company operations, and a capstone course that brings it all together.

For a comprehensive list of courses for the Risk Management and Insurance Minor offered by the Zimpleman College of Business, visit this page.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Gamma Iota Sigma is the premier professional risk management and insurance fraternity. The Drake chapter is regularly recognized as one of the few ‘Superior’ chapters in the nation. The Kelley Center for Insurance Innovation provides connections to employers and industry professionals through the Drake Insurance Innovation Lab, the Disruption Days case competition, and the Global Insurance Symposium.

FIND OUT MORE

We love talking about the great things happening at Drake, but nothing beats a visit to campus. Let us know you're coming, and we'll arrange for you to meet professors, sit in on a class, or just hang out with current students.

Contact:

Doug Bujakowski, Ph.D., ASA Sammons Professor and Chair of Actuarial Science and Risk Management

Actuarial Science Department Website

[back]