Making the Most of Insurance Education and Training

Insurance education and training prepares students for roles in sales, training, underwriting and claims

Insurance education and training goes beyond preparing students for an entry-level position in the insurance industry to include continuing education and professional development programs that last the entire span of a career. These educational resources provide an opportunity for seasoned professionals to establish credibility through certification programs.

From start to finish, a wide range of resources are available for insurance professionals who want to sharpen business skills and stay abreast of new information. If you are trying to find a program that can help you achieve your professional goals, try making the most of insurance education and training programs with the following information:

1. Prepare for a career in the insurance industry by taking insurance classes that lead to a degree.

2. Continue professional development through insurance training programs offered by professional organizations.

3. Become an independent insurance agent after successfully completing courses in insurance.

 

Earn a degree through business insurance courses

Risk management and insurance programs at major universities prepare students for positions in underwriting, loss control, sales, claims and risk management within various aspects of the insurance industry that include life, health, property and casualty.
Try: Florida State University College of Business offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in Risk Management/Insurance. If you're looking for a fully-accredited online degree program, consider the school's master's program. The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Risk Management and Insurance. Prepare for a career as a financial manager in the insurance industry through this program that was ranked in the top ten by the US News and World Report.

Get professional certification through insurance industry education programs

Professional organizations offer insurance education and training to certify the knowledge and skill set of those working in the insurance industry. These programs enable insurance professionals to stay current on new developments in the field and also provide opportunities to further professional development.
Try: The CPCU Program offered by the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (AICPCU) certifies claim adjusters, agents, risk managers and others within the insurance industry as knowledgeable professionals in the field. Complete five foundation courses and three courses in a commercial or personal concentration to earn the professional designation in property-casualty insurance. The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society offers a Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD) as a lifelong learning program for recent graduates and insurance professionals. The program involves passing exams, teaching, serving, writing, research, attending meetings and workshops to earn 60 points every two years.

Take classes in insurance to become an independent insurance agent

In addition to preparing students for a career as an independent insurance agent, insurance education and training also offers assistance to those who educate. These programs cover a full range of educational materials from online classes to course materials as well as useful exam and certification tools.
Try: The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America Big "I" Virtual University is an educational resource for insurance agents that want to get insurance industry training online. Take free, international and national insurance training courses that lead to certification while you develop business and technical skills that enable you to work as an independent insurance agent. Develop the leadership and business skills necessary to function as a successful agent through the InVEST program. InVEST also offers handbooks and course materials to insurance trainers to help start a program at a high school or community college.

 

• Seek scholarship opportunities that help offset the costs of insurance industry education and training.

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