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RMI Program
Insuring The Future
Health insurance covers more than four of every five Americans, and nearly two of every three people are insured with legal reserve life insurance companies. Life, health, property, and casualty insurance are part of life, and there are many opportunities for those who have the knowledge and experience the industry needs.

Courses in the Ball State insurance program are designed to give graduates necessary technical and managerial decision-making skills. Graduates of the insurance program are qualified for a number of positions in the insurance and financial services professions or for positions in other industries, especially in risk management departments. Career opportunities include but are not limited to underwriting, claims, agent or broker, and risk manager.

• Underwriters select and classify potential insureds. They make the decision to accept or reject a risk based on company guidelines and sound judgment. They may underwrite personal or business insurance or individual or group life and health insurance.
• Claims representatives or adjusters investigate, negotiate, and settle losses based on coverage provided by the insurance contract. Their goal is the fair and prompt settlement of losses.
  
• Agents or brokers are professional business people who assist customers in the purchase of personal and business insurance needed for protection against financial losses. They identify, evaluate, and select the most appropriate method for treating property, liability, and loss of income exposures for the client.
  
• Risk managers work within an organization managing exposures to loss. They make decisions regarding the appropriate combination of risk control and risk financing to offset the impact of risk.

Many additional opportunities are in reinsurance, loss control, computer systems, accounting, finance, marketing, and management within the industry.

Students of Ball State's insurance program complete courses in principles of insurance, life insurance, property insurance, liability, legal aspects of insurance, and other business topics. College of Business students complete courses from the Department of Mathematical Sciences to develop the analytical skills needed to compete in today's competitive business environment.

Student Opportunities
Students may opt to complete internships during their studies. An intern works part or full time in insurance, risk management, or financial services employment. Students can also receive credit for internships supervised by an insurance faculty member. The primary objective of the internship is for students to gain hands-on work experience, preparing them for positions of greater responsibility upon graduation.

The College of Business has many student groups for business majors of varied interests. In addition, the national collegiate professional fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma, is open to all students interested in pursuing careers in insurance, risk management, financial services, and actuarial science. Ball State's Phi Chapter has received several national awards. Members participate in a national conference, create a resume book for prospective employers, and attend local and regional dinners, conventions, and meetings with industry professionals.

Students in the Department of Finance have access to three modern computer laboratories with a variety of hardware and software packages.

Applicants to Ball State expecting to major in a business program should inquire into scholarships available. Numerous scholarships have been set aside for students majoring in College of Business programs.