Academic Programs

The insurance and risk management major and minor at the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner III Center for Insurance and Risk Management prepares students to thrive in professional positions in the risk management industry by equipping them with the tools to identify, analyze and manage risks inherent in today’s interconnected business world. This includes the economics of risk transfer and insurance markets, the role of reinsurers and captive insurance companies, the legal and regulatory environment that governs risk transfer in the United States and in the world, as well the strategic and operational management of insurance and other financial institutions.

As an approved Collegiate Studies Program for CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) School for the CPCU professional designation conferred by the American Institute for Chartered Property & Casually Underwriters, Lindner students can add value to their resumes and get a jump start on their insurance and risk management careers by earning two course exam waivers toward the prestigious CPCU insurance professional designation.

The Institute's Collegiate Studies for CPCU program provides qualifying Lindner students an opportunity to waive up to two courses in the eight-part CPCU program. Additionally, students who earn two CPCU course waivers and complete Ethics and the CPCU Code of Professional Conduct course will also earn the Institute's Collegiate Studies for CPCU Certificate.

Lindner students who take the IRM 4120: Commercial Property and Liability Insurance and Risk Management and IRM 3090: Introduction to Personal Insurance and Risk Management classes, and receive a final grade of B or better will automatically have the CPCU 551: Assessing Property Risk Management and Insurance and CPCU Understanding Personal Insurance and Finance course exams waived.

Benefits to our students

  • Students will gain valuable technical insurance and risk management knowledge that will help jump-start their insurance careers
  • Students will be able to build their resumes and set themselves apart from other job applicants
  • Shows a commitment to the insurance industry and to prospective employers

Why Insurance and Risk Management?

The insurance industry employs many people in a variety of functional jobs, including those in accounting, finance, information systems, advertising, sales and sales management, and operations. Risk management is conducted by specially trained professionals who identify and strategically manage the risks inherent in doing business in a variety of different industries (e.g., financial services, health care, entertainment, manufacturing, construction, etc).

The insurance industry and the risk management profession help people and businesses flourish by managing the risks that stifle business and personal growth.

The insurance industry and risk management profession in Ohio and across the nation has many job openings and a significant need to hire talented people to become the next generation of leaders in many of the country’s top-rated companies.

Globally recognized excellence in insurance education

In fall 2023, the center was named a Global Center of Insurance Excellence (GCIE) by the International Insurance SocietyThis certification is awarded to universities and colleges with outstanding risk management and insurance programs.

GCIE

The purpose of this designation is to continue to inspire academic institutions to advance insurance knowledge and research, intellectual capital development, and build connections between the insurance industry and top-tier academic programs and faculty. The center joins an exclusive membership of nearly 1,000 academic institutions around the globe.

“It makes us very proud to be awarded the GCIE designation and we will continue our strong commitment to IRM education and research,” said Annette Hofmann, PhD, the center's academic director and the Virgil M. Schwarm Associate Professor of Finance and Investments. “We were able to receive a GCIE designation thanks to not only the continued support of our donors, advisory board and local insurance industry, but also our great students and UC administration.”