Harper College

OPTION 3: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE - INSURANCE

Program Overview

This 61 credit-hour degree program is designed to assist students who are either exploring an insurance career or are in the insurance field looking to expand their managerial and business skills. Students will gain knowledge and practical skills in property, liability, commercial and personal insurance as they earn industry certification.

This degree is shown in a standardized sequential semester option. However, it available as fast track modality, apprenticeships and online options as well. Please contact an advisor to get the most current scheduling. This degree plan is one of six options that students may pursue to earn the Business Management Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.

Program Requirements

FIRST SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ENG 101 3 AAS General Education

Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900

Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

INS 110 3 Program Requirement

Description: Defines the insurance mechanism, identifies common types of property-casualty insurance, and explains how insurance benefits society. Introduces the core functions of insurance organizations: marketing, underwriting and claims. Discusses insurance policy structure, basic type of policy provisions and a simple method for analyzing policies. Reviews career options in the insurance industry.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 111 1 or

Description: Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 154 3 Program Requirement

Description: Investigates positives and negatives of entrepreneurship and the process of concept to new venture. Analyzes typical venture errors and focuses on strategic management. Evaluates business ownership and franchising, pricing strategies, financing, location selection and human capital management. Discovers personal leadership traits. Assesses the personal entrepreneurial mindset.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 150 2 3 AAS General Education

Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

PSY 101 + 3 AAS General Education

Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development, daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

SECOND SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ACC 101 3 4 Program Requirement

Description: Presents accounting as an information system that produces summary financial statements primarily for users external to a business. Emphasizes the reporting of the effect of transactions and other economic events on the financial condition and operating results of a business. Topics include: basic accounting concepts, financial statements, accrual and cash basis, the accounting cycle, monetary assets, inventories, fixed assets, current and long-term liabilities, and owner’s equity. The course assumes a corporate form of organization. NOTE: High school algebra is recommended. IAI BUS 903

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

CIS 100 or

Description: Provides students with an introduction to computers in society and digital literacy. Includes computer hardware and operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, networking, Internet usage, communication and collaboration, computer safety and ethics. This course is not intended for computer information system majors.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

CIS 101 3 Program Requirement

Description: Provides students with an introduction to computer and information systems used in business environments. Includes computer hardware, operating systems, information systems, programming concepts, computer security and ethics, and trains students in the use of business software including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, database management software, networking and internet access methods. IAI BUS 902

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

Humanities4 3 AAS General Education
INS 120 3 Program Requirement

Description: Presents the basic principles of insurance, provides an introduction to insurance regulation, financial performance, marketing techniques, underwriting, claims, risk management, loss exposure and insurance policies. Satisfies the requirements for The Institutes AINS 21 examination within the Associate in General Insurance Path A Certification.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

PSY 245 3 Program Requirement

Description: Investigates organizational behavior. Explores theories, principles, applications and empirically derived findings of Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Emphasizes classic and contemporary leadership and motivation theories. Discusses structure and management practices; individual and work group behavior; employee culture and employer culture; and organizational conflict and resolution. Addresses international perspectives.

Prerequisite: PSY 101 or consent of instructor.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

THIRD SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ACC 102 or

Description: Presents accounting as a system of producing information for internal management use in a business. Emphasis is on the identification, accumulation and interpretation of information for planning, controlling and evaluating the performance of the separate components of a business. Topics include: theory and application of product costing, operational control, cost allocation, performance evaluation for manufacturing and service organizations, standard costing, job order and process costing, budgeting, JIT inventory control, decentralized operations, differential analysis, capital investment analysis and financial statement analysis. IAI BUS 904

Prerequisite: ACC 101 with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 165 + 3 Program Requirement

Description: Provides concepts, principles and practices of the international business environment. Includes the nature of international business; international organizations and monetary systems; comparative management techniques, and environmental business factors. Focuses on international organizational functioning to help the student gain a diversity of views.

Prerequisite: MGT 111 or MGT 154

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ECO 211 3 AAS General Education

Description: Covers economic problems faced by the individual and the firm. Examination of market structures, price and output determination. The microeconomic approach. IAI S3 902

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ENG 130 5 or

Description: Teaches formal and psychological aspects of business correspondence. Introduction to various kinds of business letters, memoranda and reports. Improvement of grammar, spelling and word usage.

Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of C or better, or other placement options. english-placement-grid.php

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

SPE 101 3 Program Requirement

Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

INS 220 3 Program Requirement

Description: Offers an understanding of property and liability loss exposures faced by most individuals and families, and analyzes the types of insurance coverage that can be used for treating those exposures such as personal liability, inland marine, auto, life, health, and government programs. Satisfies the requirements for The Institutes AINS 22 examination within the Associate in General Insurance Path A Certification.

Prerequisite: INS 120 or AINS 21 Certification.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 270 3 Program Requirement

Description: Presents the theory and major functions of management and describes the role of the manager. Major concepts in organization are developed along with an understanding of the decision-making process and consideration of the human factor in management.

Prerequisite: MGT 111 or MGT 154

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

FOURTH SEMESTER:

Number Course Title Credits Category
ACC 211 3 Program Requirement

Description: Presents the history of the source of law, civil and criminal wrongs, law of contracts, agency, employment, property, and related topics. Problems and case materials are used. (NOTE: Transfer students should check with the school they will be transferring to regarding the transferability of this course.)

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

ECO 212 3 Program Requirement

Description: Covers economic problems faced by our society. Examination of resource allocation, national income and economic development, from a macroeconomic approach. IAI S3 901

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

INS 240 3 Program Requirement

Description: Analyzes commercial coverage including property, business income, inland and ocean marine, crime, equipment breakdown, general liability, auto, workers compensation, and package policies. Satisfies the requirements for The Institutes AINS 23 examination within the Associate in General Insurance Path A Certification.

Prerequisite: INS 120 or AINS 21 Certification.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MGT 218 3 Program Requirement

Description: Introduces fundamental principles of finance and fiscal management. Students will review financial theories and examine cash-flow projections, asset valuation, capital expenditure and investment opportunities, financial planning, and decision-making processes, and the structure of business markets.

Prerequisite: ACC 101 and either MGT 111 or MGT 154.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

MKT 245 3 Program Requirement

Description: Focuses on marketing activities that will cover product planning, pricing strategies and promotional efforts including advertising, selling and sales promotions and distribution channel effectiveness.

Class Schedule:  Fall 2024 | Spring 2025

1 - MGT 111 is recommended.

2 - The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who utilize Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

3 - Students should strongly consider enrolling in ACC 102 as well.

4 - If MGT 165 (Global Business) is taken, then PHI 150 (Business Ethics) is recommended.

+ - This course meets the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement.

5 - If pursuing a fully online degree, choose ENG 130; otherwise choose SPE 101.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Communicate persuasively and concisely, (orally, in writing, and presentation), using the language of business.
  • Evaluate major business functions and related technologies domestically and globally.
  • Explain and use quantitative tools in accounting, finance and economics.
  • Demonstrate soft skills: emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and teamwork.
  • Practice social consciousness and responsibility.
  • Explore a business career direction.
  • Discuss the property liability and personal loss exposers faced by individuals, families and organizations and the insurance coverages used to treat those exposures.
  • Explain the concepts of risk management and insurance.
  • Describe insurances regulation.
  • Calculate the basic financial rations of a P&C insurance co.
  • Explain the various types of insurance distribution systems.
  • Describe key insurance functions (i.e. underwriting, claims, marketing).
Last Updated: 11/8/24