Commonwealth University launches risk management and insurance concentration and minor to prepare students for high-demand careers

Commonwealth University has launched new academic offerings in risk management and insurance (RMI) designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving insurance, financial services and corporate risk management industries.

The RMI concentration combines foundational finance principles with specialized coursework in risk assessment, insurance law and private insurance operations. Through an applied curriculum featuring course-embedded projects, industry-leading software, simulations and case studies, students develop the analytical and decision-making skills needed to help individuals, businesses and organizations identify, evaluate and manage risk.

“Our risk management and insurance program bridges academic rigor with real-world industry application,” said Dr. Chulhee Jun, Department of Accounting, Economics, Finance and Law. “By connecting students directly with immersive experiential opportunities – including national conferences, industry leaders and practical risk analytics – we empower them to step into high-demand risk, insurance, and financial advisory roles immediately upon graduation.”

Students in the concentration gain specialized knowledge in risk management, insurance and financial services while exploring a broad range of insurance products, including life, health, property, liability and commercial insurance. The curriculum also examines insurance law and regulatory environments, retirement and estate planning, and the ways organizations can mitigate financial and operational risks.

The program also incorporates emerging technologies and industry trends, including data analytics, predictive analytics, risk modeling and artificial intelligence.

In addition to the concentration, CU offers a risk management and insurance minor, designed to complement a student’s primary major. The minor is open to all students, including those pursuing business and non-business majors, and provides foundational knowledge, skills and competencies needed for success in the risk management and insurance industry.

Through several fundamental courses, students pursuing the minor develop an understanding of risk management and insurance while adding valuable knowledge to their primary field of study. The minor provides students from across the University with an opportunity to expand their career options and gain skills applicable to a wide range of industries.

“We’re excited to introduce a program that helps students prepare for an exciting career that provides protection for people and industries in their greatest time of need,” said Tom Mason, national claim director at CNA Insurance and a 1984 CU-Bloomsburg alumnus. “If you’re searching for a continually growing industry that makes a direct impact on people’s lives, that challenges you to grow and improve every day, this program is for you.”

The RMI concentration is designed to complement and strengthen a finance degree while providing students with opportunities to customize their education through minors and double majors in areas such as management, information technology and analytics, international business and marketing and professional sales.

The RMI minor also provides an opportunity for students in non-business disciplines to add a risk management and insurance perspective to their academic experience, potentially opening additional career pathways within their chosen fields.

Students can gain valuable professional experience through CU’s specialized centers and professional development opportunities, including the Giuffre Center for Supply Chain Management, the Benner-Hudock Center for Financial Analysis and the Professional Sales Center. Through the Zeigler Institute for Professional Development (ZIPD), students have opportunities to participate in executive panels, seminars and a business conference while developing professional skills and building connections with alumni and industry professionals.

“Risk management and insurance (RMI) is foundational to the stability and growth of the global economy,” said Mike Boguski, RMI advisory board member and 1985 CU-Bloomsburg alumnus. “The industry is experiencing a massive wave of retirements, presenting high-quality and dynamic career opportunities for our students. The launch of the RMI program is an exciting university initiative and will prepare our students with the skill sets to be successful in business and the insurance industry.”

Students completing the concentration will be prepared to explain the economic importance of risk management and insurance, understand insurance law and regulatory requirements, evaluate major insurance products and apply risk management principles to areas such as retirement and estate planning.

Students will also develop an understanding of current industry trends and career pathways, including the growing role of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence in the insurance industry.

The concentration and minor prepare students for career opportunities in insurance, corporate risk management, financial services and consulting, addressing workforce needs in Pennsylvania and beyond.

“Risk management and insurance professionals play an essential role in helping people, businesses and organizations navigate uncertainty,” Jun said. “Our goal is to provide students with the knowledge, experience and professional connections they need to make an immediate impact while building a foundation for long-term career growth and leadership.”

Visit commonwealthu.edu to learn more about the risk management and insurance offerings.