The Risk Management Academy

It is often said thai risk management is a not a job that anyone ever seeks, but something people just sort of fall into. Ask most risk managers about their background and you are more apt to hear safety, finance, legal or insurance than you are to hear risk management.

But as Bob Dylan once

One leading college preparing the risk managers of tomorrow is St. John's University's School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science (SRM). Located in the Financial District of Manhattan, the school is one of world's premier risk management educators and most respected college programs.

In fact, students have been learning about the industry here for over a century, dating back to 1900 when the College of Insurance was formed by industry leaders. In 2001, the college merged with St. John's University, broadening its horizons and reach, and also moving to its current location.

That location, on Murray Street just blocks from the former site of the World Trade Center, plays a crucial role in allowing students to maintain close interaction with nearby lop insurance companies and brokers such as AIG, Chubb, Willis, Marsh and Aon. "That is what separates us from other schools," says Rebekah Hanousek-Monge, associate director of admissions at St. John's."We are here in the Financial District of New York City. There is no better place to be right now."

This means there are always career workshops taking place on and around campus where large corporations send recruiters to give information sessions and offer job opportunities. Additionally, students have access to high-positioned alumni and mentors throughout New York, as well as countless internships opportunities.

As for the curriculum, students are offered a variety of programs depending on the desired depth of study. Bachelor's degrees can be pursued in both "risk and insurance" and "actuarial science," and each are structured four-year programs featuring classes in basic principles, insurance, reinsurance, actuarial science, alternative risk transfer and more concentrated electives. The actuarial science program also prepares students for the actuarial professional exams.

Students can also pursue a master's degree in "management of risk." "It's unique in that with 30 credits, students can complete their entire course work in one year," says Hanousck-Monge. The master's program in management risk, in particular, is very specialized and is aimed for students who know the}' want to go into the field of risk management without studying for an M.B.A. St. John's does, however, ofler those pursuing their M.B.A. to do so with either a management of risk or insurance financial management concentration as well.

All of the degree programs offered are also fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. One of only 25% of business schools internationally to hold this prestigious accreditation, this further solidifies the School of Risk Management as a global leader in risk and insurance education.

"[We) empower students with those skills so that they're able to sell themselves to an employer," says William Renting, marketing, industry and alumni relations manager.

Another way SRM tries to empower its risk management students is to prioritize collaborative learning and working with groups-the same way most practicing risk managers work in their day jobs. "The School of Risk Management places emphasis on collaboration, team work and group elfort within the classroom setting," says Hanousek-Monge. "There is a lot of emphasis placed on the importance of working together as a team and doing team projects and group projects-something that makes us stand out."

The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Library is another unique part of SRM, which is a destination for researchers throughout the world for very rare information it holds. How rare? One of its most prized possessions is an insurance policy that once belonged to Marie Antoinette.