Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Risk Management and Insurance (BSBA)

About

Insurance is a global industry that employs more than 2.3 million people in the United States alone. Jobs are available in risk management and insurance (RMI). In recent years the number of graduates from the nation’s RMI programs met only 10-15 percent of the industry’s needs.

Appalachian State University’s Risk Management and Insurance (BSBA) degree prepares you for a variety of professions within the greater risk and insurance field, including: general management, underwriting, claims, agency sales and operations, brokerage, surplus lines, risk management and reinsurance specialties. With so many career paths, potential work environments include office, home and field.

Appalachian’s Brantley Risk and Insurance Center was ranked 5th in Risk Management Magazine’s 2015 list of “The 10 Largest Risk and Insurance Schools.” The Center is committed to developing the finest insurance talent and involves students with industry professionals by arranging guest speakers, shadow days and travel opportunities including the Independent Insurance Association of North Carolina (IIANC) Conference and the annual Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Conference. The center also holds an extensive career fair twice a year, allowing students unparalleled access to employers regarding internships and full-time career opportunities.

After Graduation

Employment: Employers include:

  • All Risks
  • Amerisure
  • AmWINS
  • Auto Owners Insurance
  • BB&T
  • Independent Insurance Agencies
  • Jackson Sumner & Associates
  • Key Risk
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Markel
  • National General
  • RPS
  • Selective Insurance
  • State Farm
  • Travelers
  • Willis Towers Watson

Career Exploration website

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Jamie Parson
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Jamie Parson

    Parson fosters access to careers in insurance for underrepresented students in the Walker College of Business through diversity and inclusion initiatives designed to give students the resources they need to be successful.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. David Marlett
    Faculty Profile: Dr. David Marlett

    Effective risk management and a healthy insurance market lead to a more resilient society, says the managing director of Appalachian's Brantley Risk and Insurance Center.

  • Alumna Profile: Shelby Weatherman ’18
    Alumna Profile: Shelby Weatherman ’18

    Now a risk analyst, Shelby Weatherman ’18 said she gained professional development, off-campus experiential learning and faculty/staff encouragement through the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Minors

A minor is not required. A popular double major, however, is Finance and Banking.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS) – An international professional collegiate insurance organization sponsored by Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. It promotes, encourages and sustains student interest in insurance, risk management and actuarial science as a profession and facilitates the interaction and cooperation with industry and professional organizations.

Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society – Membership in this group is the highest international recognition a student in business can receive in an undergraduate or master’s program at an AACSB accredited school.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.  

All business students fulfill an international requirement, and an increasing number choose to study abroad through a wide variety of exchange programs. The college maintains partnerships with universities across the globe and continues to expand groundbreaking opportunities in emerging markets.

For this major, there are two study abroad options under the same course number:

  • FIN 4800 – Students travel to Bermuda to meet with experts in the insurance profession, scientists studying climate change and the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
  • FIN 4800 – Students travel to London’s financial district, home to many of the world’s largest insurers and reinsurers.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for declaring a major within the Walker College of Business are detailed here.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

Points of pride include:

  • Global Center of Insurance Excellence Designation, May 2017
  • Top 10 RMI program in the U.S., as ranked by Business Insurance magazine
  • “Strong Performer” in A.M. Best magazine, February 2018
  • Inclusive Excellence and Women in Financial Services student recruitment and retention initiatives
  • AppRISE, a student research learning collaboration led by Professor Lori Medders
  • Study abroad opportunities in London and Bermuda
  • A majority of RMI majors completing an industry internship prior to graduation

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Account Manager

Agent/Broker

Claims Adjuster

Claims Examiners, Property and Casualty Insurance

Claims Representative

Field Liability Claims Supervisor

Financial Advisor

Financial Managers, Branch or Department

Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Insurance Agent

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Insurance Fraud Investigators Insurance Policy Processing Clerks

Insurance Underwriters

Lawyers

Life and Annuity Agent

Loss Control Consultants

Personal Financial Advisors

Real Estate Sales Agents

Risk Analyst

Risk Appraiser

Underwriter

View more career possibilities

Contacts

Walker College of Business

Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance

Dr. Chris McNeil
Department Chair
mcneilcr@appstate.edu
828-262-6243

Dr. David Marlett
Managing Director
Brantley Risk and Insurance Center
marlettdc@appstate.edu
828-262-2849

  • Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance

    The Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance develops leaders for business, government and education by offering a Bachelor of Science in business administration in two specializations: finance and banking, and risk management and insurance.

  • Walker College of Business

    Accredited and well ranked

    • Accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business – since 1976. It is among only one-third of U.S. business schools and 15% of business programs worldwide that hold this accreditation.
    • Consistently named one of “The Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Review.

    Global Emphasis

    • An international requirement of all business majors, which can include study abroad in traditional and emerging markets.
    • Opportunities to participate in a variety of short-term international programs in locations throughout the world, which are open to all business majors and designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge — including the Holland Fellows Program for Business Study in Asia, which provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for selected students to gain global business acumen through a semesterlong international sustainable business consulting project, alumni mentorship, career coaching and a uniquely curated business study abroad experience.
    • The annual Global Opportunities Conference, which highlights innovative and entrepreneurial ways of addressing global challenges.

    Highlighting Sustainability

    • Leaders in creating a world where environmental, societal and economic qualities exist in balance to meet the resource needs of today and of future generations.

    Outstanding Academics

    • Small classes and easy access to faculty, who are focused on teaching and learning and engaged in research.
    • An emphasis on practical experience and interaction with professionals through the Boyles Lecture Series, McLeod Entrepreneur Summit, Global Opportunities Conference, Business for Good conference and other annual events.
    • Accelerated Admission for select MBA programs

    Student Support Services

    • Student Support Services that include academic advising, scholarships, the Truist Student Leadership Center, which provides opportunities for business students to build job and life skills through professional and leadership development training, and the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, which aims to help students and recent alumni launch successful businesses and enhance Western North Carolina’s economy.

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback