University of Cincinnati

What you'll study

This degree blends foundational business courses with focused insurance and risk management study. In the first years you complete core business coursework such as micro- and macro-economics, financial accounting, managerial statistics, finance, and principles of management, alongside mathematical and communication skills required for professional practice.

• Core insurance modules — principles of risk management and insurance, property & casualty insurance, life & health insurance, commercial insurance, insurance law and regulation.
• Technical and analytical modules — underwriting, claims handling and adjudication, loss control and prevention, reinsurance fundamentals, and introduction to actuarial methods and insurance analytics.
• Business discipline modules — corporate finance, investments, business ethics, marketing and strategy, which provide context for insurance decision-making.
• Experiential learning — professional practice (co-op) placements or internships with insurance firms, brokerages, or corporate risk departments, and an applied capstone or practicum project working on a real-world client problem.
• Electives and special topics — enterprise risk management, cyber insurance, international insurance markets, and compliance and regulatory topics, allowing you to tailor the degree to specific interests.

Assessment typically includes exams, case studies, group projects, presentations and reports based on industry placements. Professional preparation such as industry certifications or support for actuarial exam study is often available through the college.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education with strong performance in mathematics and English. Typical preparation includes coursework in algebra, pre-calculus or calculus, and economics. Admissions consider overall academic record, rigor of secondary curriculum, and extracurricular evidence of interest in business or risk-related activities.

• Domestic applicants: qualifications equivalent to a high school diploma with competitive grades and appropriate mathematics background.
• International applicants: recognised secondary school qualification with English language proficiency; equivalent mathematics competence is required.
• Transfer applicants: credits from recognised post-secondary institutions may be considered; specific prerequisite courses may be required for direct entry into upper-level major courses.

Because the programme emphasises workplace experience, applicants who demonstrate interest through internships, relevant work experience or involvement in finance/risk clubs are viewed favourably. Check the university’s admissions pages for programme-specific guidance and any additional requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a broad range of roles across the insurance and risk sectors, both with carriers and in related financial services. Common entry and mid-level roles include:

• Underwriter — assessing and pricing insurance risk for personal, commercial and specialty lines.
• Claims adjuster or examiner — managing claims investigation and settlement processes.
• Insurance broker or producer — advising clients, placing coverage and managing client relationships.
• Risk analyst or risk manager — evaluating organisational exposures and designing mitigation strategies for corporations or public-sector bodies.
• Reinsurance analyst, loss control specialist and compliance roles — supporting technical, operational and regulatory functions.
• Actuarial analyst (with additional actuarial exam progress or postgraduate study) — working on pricing, reserving and risk modelling.

The programme’s emphasis on practical placements, industry relationships and career services supports progression into graduate training programmes, professional qualifications and senior roles in underwriting, risk consultancy and corporate risk management.

Why study at University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati’s business faculty offers strong connections to the insurance industry and a curriculum designed around experiential learning. Students benefit from cooperative education and internship networks that place them with regional and national insurers, brokerages and corporate risk teams, providing practical experience that complements classroom study.

• Industry engagement — established relationships with employers and alumni in the insurance and financial services sectors help with placements and recruitment.
• Professional preparation — support for industry credentials, exam preparation and career development is available through college services and student organisations.
• Applied learning culture — the university’s emphasis on co-op and practicum projects enables students to graduate with substantial workplace experience and a professional portfolio.

Overall, the programme is suited to students seeking a practical, career-focused education in insurance and risk, combining rigorous business fundamentals with specialised technical training and workplace experience.