Risk Management
BComm Concentrations
Why Choose Risk Management?
All individuals and organizations face risk. From natural disasters and cyber-attacks to pollution incidents and supply chain disruptions, the ability to manage risk effectively is essential for long-term success.
The Risk Management concentration equips students with a strong foundation in how to identify, assess, and respond to risk to support strategic decision-making. Students will explore loss prevention strategies, tools for transferring risk (such as insurance and contracts), and financial risk management techniques including derivatives and catastrophe bonds.
Students benefit from close connections with faculty, alumni, and industry professionals, including opportunities for networking, mentorship, and co-operative work placements. The University of Calgary is proud to be the only Canadian university designated as a Global Centre of Insurance Excellence (GCIE) by the International Insurance Society.
Risk Management also offers the flexibility to combine your concentration with related fields such as finance, operations, or data analytics. Whether you're interested in corporate risk, insurance markets, or emerging challenges like cyber risk, this concentration supports diverse and in-demand career paths.
Students declaring a concentration must complete six required courses. Please consult the University of Calgary Calendar for full course descriptions and prerequisites.
Graduates with a Risk Management concentration work in roles that involve identifying potential risks, advising clients or organizations on how to reduce exposure, and developing strategies to mitigate financial loss.
Risk Analyst
- Analyze loss data and risk exposures
- Develop prevention strategies and monitor results
- Conduct research and support insurance applications
Broker
- Act as intermediary between clients and insurance markets
- Build customized risk transfer strategies
- Support both new and existing client portfolios
Underwriter
- Assess applications and measure risk exposure
- Determine appropriate premiums
- Maintain a profitable and balanced book of business
For more career profiles, visit the Insurance Institute of Canada Career Connections site.
- Risk Analyst / Risk Manager
- Insurance Broker
- Commercial Underwriter
- Actuarial Analyst
- Cyber Risk Consultant
- Claims Investigator
- Financial Risk Analyst
- Loss Adjuster
- Management Trainee
- Account Executive
- Consultant
- Global Centre of Insurance Excellence designation
- International study opportunities (e.g., Bermuda & London Group Study Program)
- Co-operative education and paid work placements
- Strong industry support and alumni network
- Small program size with close faculty interaction
Association for Risk Management and Insurance (ARMI)
ARMI connects students with alumni, faculty, and risk professionals through speaker events, an annual career fair, and job shadowing. Students can also take on leadership roles within the club.
Anne Kleffner
Professor, Chair – Insurance & Risk Management
(403)-220-8596