Degree Programs in Risk Management
A degree in risk management prepares you for jobs in corporate mergers and acquisitions, loss control, brokerage, insurance or risk analysis. Explore the curricula for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in risk management.
What's Involved in a Risk Management Degree Program?
In a risk management program, you learn how to apply your analysis of risks and exposures to financial planning for companies or individuals. You also study insurance principles, because they play a critical role in risk management and loss control. Degree programs start at the bachelor's degree level and extend to doctoral degree programs.
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees |
| Online Availability | Online bachelor's and master's degree programs available |
| Common Undergraduate Courses | Operations management, health and life insurance, accounting, economics, statistics |
| Typical Master's-Level Courses | Investments, market theories, derivatives, corporate financial markets |
| Common Doctoral Courses | Financial theories, calculus, research methodology, economics |
| Median Salary (2018) | $127,990 (for all financial managers) |
| Job Outlook (2018-2028) | 16% growth (for all financial managers) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Are the Bachelor's Degree Requirements?
A bachelor's degree program in risk management and insurance is most often available through a business college in a university setting. As a student, you learn how to develop risk management and insurance solutions to minimize loss. You may complete this program online through a distance-learning program.
Curriculum
Core requirements cover general and advanced business topics. Your courses may discuss:
- Economics
- Accounting
- Business statistics
- Operations management
- Risk management and insurance principles
- Health and life insurance
- Corporate risk management
How Can I Earn My Master's Degree?
With a bachelor's degree in a related business or finance field, you should already have a solid understanding of accounting, statistics and economics. A master's degree program enhances your education and possibly career experience, if your school offers experiential options. Advanced topics include investment, market theories and risk research. Online programs are available and provide greater scheduling flexibility for working professionals.
Curriculum
The course structure is dependent on your chosen specialization. You may also be able to reduce the amount of in-class instruction by choosing a thesis option. Your coursework could address:
- Corporate financial markets
- Derivatives
- Investments
- Modeling risk management
What Is a Doctoral Degree Program Like?
If you are interested in researching risk management or teaching it at the university level, look into a Doctor of Philosophy program. In addition to in-class work, you're required to complete a dissertation that reflects your research in a specific area of risk management. These requirements must be completed on campus.
Curriculum
A doctoral degree program in risk management involves full-time study. For the first two years, your curriculum focuses on classroom instruction. You spend the last two years completing your dissertation. Your coursework depends on your focus, but topics may include:
- Graduate-level economics
- Advanced calculus
- Research methodology
- Financial theories