Insurance and Risk Management (BSBA)

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Insurance and Risk Management prepares students to identify, analyze, and manage risk in a wide variety of personal and professional contexts. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of topics such as personal and corporate risk management, insurance operations, property and liability insurance, life and health insurance, and commercial insurance solutions. This knowledge is vital for roles in large corporations, insurance companies, and risk management teams, as well as for small business owners, municipal leaders, and nonprofit directors. The curriculum emphasizes practical applications, industry insights, and professional growth, equipping students with the skills to excel in insurance operations, underwriting, claims, and risk analysis.

Please see the UNLV Lee Business School, Department of Finance web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.S.B.A. program in Insurance and Risk Management, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of key business principles, insurance operations, and risk management practices, including underwriting, claims, and product distribution.
2. Identify and analyze personal, corporate, and commercial risk exposures, and apply strategies to recommend appropriate insurance solutions.
3. Evaluate the ethical, legal, and regulatory dimensions of insurance decisions, ensuring compliance and fairness across diverse contexts.
4. Assess the impact of global issues, such as climate change and cyber threats, on insurance markets and risk management strategies.
5. Develop effective communication and teamwork skills to present insurance solutions, negotiate with stakeholders, and collaborate with industry professionals.
6. Utilize financial statements and data analytics to inform risk management, underwriting, and claims decisions.
7. Analyze the role of insurance in addressing public policy issues, including social insurance programs and regulatory frameworks.
8. Build skills for leadership roles and advanced certifications in the insurance and risk management industry.

Career Opportunities

The insurance and risk management career opportunities are at an all-time high due to several factors: the combination of industry growth, delayed professional and executive level retirements that are now compounding industry human capital shortages, and a strong sense of urgency among employers for increased diversity in the workplace to name a few.

Industry professional entry career paths are varied and mostly technical in nature. Those paths include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Underwriting
• Claims adjusting
• Actuary
• Risk management
• Premium Audit
• Insurance sales and consulting
• Safety engineering
• Surety bonds
• Account managers
• Marketing