Insurance

PROGAM OVERVIEW
The concentration in insurance prepares students to enter careers in the insurance industry or risk management. Students completing the concentration in insurance should be prepared to enter positions in underwriting, claims, marketing and risk management. Study of insurance also helps students interested in careers in other insurance company functions such as human resources, management, investments, actuarial science and accounting. Students enrolled in the insurance concentration benefit greatly from Des Moines’ position as a leading insurance center in the nation through access to internships, scholarships, and the Kelley Insurance Center.

DEGREE OPTIONS
Concentration in insurance offered by the College of Business and Public Administration

FACULTY
There are two faculty members in this program. Robert Cooper, PhD, is the EMC distinguished professor of insurance. Prior to coming to Drake, Professor Cooper was Dean at the American College where he was responsible for the CLU and ChFC professional designation programs. He has also published widely in academic and professional journals in the field. Terri Vaughan, PhD, is the Robb B. Kelley distinguished professor of insurance and risk management. Professor Vaughan served 10 years as Iowa’s Insurance Commissioner and is known for her work in solvency and regulation issues. She is co-author of a leading insurance textbook.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION
There are no prerequisite high school courses or requirements needed for enrollment in the insurance program, but students should have a well-rounded academic high school curriculum.

SAMPLE COURSES
There are three courses required: INS 51 – Personal Risk Management, INS 141 – Business Risk Management, and INS 161 – Insurance Company Operations.

INTERNSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Numerous internships are available to students enrolled in the insurance concentration. Des Moines is one of the largest insurance centers in the country, with 60 companies headquartered here. As a result, a wide variety of internships and other special opportunities are available to students both in Iowa and throughout the nation. In addition, the Kelley Insurance Center at Drake helps facilitate contacts for students.

CAREER OPTIONS
Students in the insurance program may enter a variety of insurance fields, including underwriter, claims adjuster, insurance agent or broker and risk manager. One of the virtues of this career path is the opportunity to move among these areas as one's career progresses.

NOTED ALUMNI

Douglas Reichardt, BN'78, chairman and CEO, Holmes Murphy & Associates, West Des Moines, IA