The insurance industry is on the verge of a major workforce shift, with half of all professionals nationwide projected to retire within the next 10-15 years.To meet the industry need, the Lee Business School has launched a new degree program: the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in insurance and risk management.

Students who enroll in the inaugural cohort — thanks to a generous donation from the Nevada Surplus Lines Foundation — will be eligible for up to $20,000 in scholarships to cover the tuition and fees for their final two years of study in the major from fall 2025 to spring 2027.

The program is already accepting applicants for its fall launch.

The First Program of Its Kind in Nevada

The BSBA in insurance and risk management degree program is the first of its kind in Nevada, with only a few similar programs offered in the whole of the western United States. Courses will cover technical skills necessary for the field, including underwriting, claims management, risk mitigation, and high-level commercial insurance operations. 

Housed under the Department of Finance, the faculty teaching the new program’s curriculum will help students build the analytical skills needed to assess risk, determine insurance needs, and deliver strategic recommendations to protect assets and minimize losses. 

Students will also develop strong communication skills for clear writing and negotiating.

“In this world, negotiation happens and needs to happen, so being able to have deep interpersonal skills and the ability to talk to others in a way that you can persuade is very, very important,” explains John Starkey, associate director of the Kerestesi Center for Insurance and Risk Management.

By blending analytical expertise with clear, persuasive communication, students will graduate from the program positioned for success in high-demand roles such as risk analyst, consultant, broker, or claims adjuster. Graduates will enter the workforce career-ready, with strong job placement rates and potential starting salaries between $80,000 and $100,000.

The Las Vegas Advantage

The program is supported by the Kerestesi Center for Insurance and Risk Management, which opened in 2023 through a $5 million gift from the Nevada Surplus Lines Foundation. The center connects students to exciting resources — both in Las Vegas and across the country.

The resources students can look forward to include:

• Scholarships up to $20,000
• Nationwide internship opportunities
• Potential mentorship connections with industry leaders such as Cragin & Pike, Markel, and Philadelphia Insurance
• Experiential learning opportunities, such as attendance at the Wholesale, Specialty, & Surplus Lines Insurance Symposium, and a chance to compete in the Kerestesi $10,000 Insurance Challenge
• Professional development opportunities and job placement support

“Our vision is to have the best insurance and risk management program in the West. The industry needs it, and we think it's a great opportunity,” says Chris Utterback, inaugural director and affiliate professor in the Kerestesi Center. “There are almost 3 million insurance jobs and about 40% of those positions are professional level. Our economy has to be insured.”

A Future National Leader in Insurance and Risk Management

The Kerestesi Center is expanding its academic programs and research initiatives and launching an industry publication, all aimed at establishing itself as a nationally recognized leader in insurance and risk management on the West Coast.

“If you're committing to us [for your degree], we're committing to you, and we are committing to you in a major way,” says Starkey. “We have a ton of resources because the industry needs talented and well-trained people soon."