Community College Degree in InsuranceBack To Education HomeOver the course of the past several years, FAIA has pursued the introduction of degreed insurance programs into the community college system throughout Florida. A curriculum has been developed that includes insurance industry designation-based courses. With the agreement of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), this program will function as an extension of the highly successful InVEST program, which introduces insurance careers at the high school level. For the 2008 legislative session, FAIA has introduced language into the insurance continuing education statute that will provide automatic a Customer Service Representative (440) license upon completion of a degree in a community college that includes a minimum of nine college credits of insurance education. No additional testing would be required. That bill is currently being considered in both the Florida House and the Senate. Currently, four community colleges located throughout the state are interested in offering the program and at least one college may already offer a program that will qualify students for licensure when the enabling legislation passes. One college anticipates offering a program at the bachelor degree level. FAIA will assist in the promotion of programs as they begin, and help to identify and recruit experienced faculty. The degree program is a part of FAIA's efforts in workforce development. As a part of that effort, the association will assist in placing successful graduates into insurance careers, ideally with agencies seeking educated and well qualified applicants. For addition information on this effort, please contact Steve Hirst by email (shirst@faia.com) or telephone (850-893-4155, ext. 338). |
