Explore Our Most Popular Courses
CPCU 500: Becoming a Leader in Risk Management and Insurance
Skills You'll Gain:
- Identify and analyze costly risks
- Prepare for hazards
- Uncover operational risks
- Optimize risk for strategic advantage
Average Time to Complete: 6-8 Weeks
AINS 101: Increasing Your Insurance IQ
Skills You'll Gain:
- Quickly increase your insurance IQ
- Master insurance basics
- Understand how underwriting works
- Know how to handle claims
Average Time to Complete: 6-9 Hours
ARM 400: Risk in an Evolving World
Skills You'll Gain:
- Understand the major concepts in risk management
- Know how risk management works in a rapidly evolving landscape
- Learn how to solve complex risk management problems
Average Time to Complete: 6-8 Weeks
AIDA 181: Big Data Analytics for Risk and Insurance
Skills You'll Gain:
- Understand predictive modeling
- Use smart products technology
- Implement a data analytics strategy
Average Time to Complete: 6-8 Weeks
AU 60: Evaluating Commercial Underwriting Risks
Skills You'll Gain:
- Evaluate an application using data and financial statements
- Determine an appropriate premium
- Monitor underwriting decisions
- Effective communication and collaboration
Average Time to Complete: 6-8 Weeks
Insurance Essentials
Skills You'll Gain:
- Learn key insurance and risk management terms and definitions
- Understand the different types of insurance
- Explore how insurance effects and benefits society and economy
Average Time to Complete: 3-4 Hours

Get Your Employer On Board
Get your boss on board with your skill-building plans! Here's our top tips to get support and reimbursement.
- Show the numbers: Include details on the course cost and the length. You can find these on our Designation or Online Course pages.
- Prove the ROI: Explain how the course will impact your company’s bottom line. Will you problem solve better and decrease call times? Will you impress customers and get more sales?
- Outline a schedule: Tell them when and how often you’ll need to study. If it will impact your work time, propose a plan that shows it won’t affect your output.
- Connect to company values: Tie your goals to your organization's mission. For example, if innovation is a company value, explain how the course will enhance your creative thinking.
“The Institutes courses provided me with a better understanding of the insurance world as a whole and have helped prepare me for my future as an insurance professional.”

Meg Griffith CPCU, AU-M Client Outcome Specialist
77% of students say their designation helped them achieve their career goals
66% of students say their designation helped their overall job opportunities
84% of students say their designation helped them add value to their current role
Have Questions? We've Got Answers.
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What is a designation?
We offer a range of designations, from foundational knowledge to role specific. Designations are online and/or textbook-based self-study programs made up of multiple courses and include required exams. They typically take several months to a year to earn, and you’ll gain a diploma and professional credentials once all requirements are met.
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What's the difference between an online course and a sample course?
Online courses are short courses designed to provide knowledge on emerging trends, insurance fundamentals, and more in just a few hours. They use interactive features, knowledge checks, and videos to help you easily retain knowledge.
Sample courses are free samples of our most popular courses and typically take 30 to 60 minutes. They give you an idea of the structure and content of a designation before you purchase it.
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How do I take my exam?
Complete your exam virtually, any time during an open testing window. You will have 65 minutes to complete 50 questions. Our course materials include a simulated exam to help you prepare.
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How long do online courses and designations take?
Completion times vary for specific online courses and designations; however, most online courses take a few hours and most designations take several months to complete.