KANSAS INSURANCE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Kansas Insurance Certificate
By Jennifer McDaniel
A new program aimed at not only giving college graduates a leg up on the competition, but producing qualified candidates poised for jobs in the insurance industry, is up and running on college campuses across Kansas.
Introduced this fall, the Kansas Insurance Certificate program gives students the opportunity to earn a certificate and experience in addition to their degree in a related field.
And while earning a certificate may sound daunting, the program is made even easier by offering the flexibility of taking classes online or in a traditional classroom setting. And because the program is supported by some of the biggest insurance companies in Kansas, students can also gain hands-on experience through internships.
Currently, the 12-credit-hour program is offered through the business schools at Washburn University, Fort Hays State University, the University of Kansas-Edwards Campus and at Johnson County Community College.
Students can earn a certificate simply by taking four classes, including an introductory course to insurance. Once that class is completed, students can choose from classes in life / health insurance, financial planning, property and casualty insurance or retirement and employment benefit planning.
Once two of those courses are completed, students enter the final phase of the program, which includes either an internship or taking an additional course.
The program was initiated by Kansas Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer after taking office in January 2015. Since that time, Selzer and his staff have been at work developing the program, which officials hope will stimulate interest and encourage young adults to consider a career in the insurance industry.
“ The developed initiative will provide the Kansas insurance industry with the possibility of a steady stream of collegeeducated employees,” Selzer said during an Oct. 5 press conference.
Although the program is in its first semester, it is already gaining momentum among students, said Cindy Hermes, director of public outreach for the Kansas Insurance Department.
“ We already have an estimated 80 students enrolled in classes that are eligible for the program,” Hermes said.“ Because this program is offered within the schools of business, these students are already taking the classes needed, so why not go ahead and get the certificate?” Hermes said the program was developed so students could take the required introductory class at their school and their other two required courses online.
“ We really worked hard so credits transferred seamlessly,” she said.“ And we really tried to make it as easy as possible to earn a certificate.”
By earning the certificate in addition to a bachelor’ s degree, graduates, she said, have a leg up on other candidates who haven’ t had the exposure to the insurance industry.
“ When they apply, it shows human resources that they already have knowledge about the insurance industry, and have an interest in the field,” Hermes said.“ It shows that they know the basic terminology and concepts, and it gives the student an advantage.”
As she travels the state, discussing the program with prospective students, Hermes said she’ s learned most students are unaware of the opportunities existing in the
| September- October 2016 | KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
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