The American Institute for CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters) is an organization dedicated to providing consistent, quality insurance education in every aspect of the field, including risk management, reinsurance, loss adjustment, personal and commercial liability, claims, and so on.
The Institute maintains its own campus in suburban Philadelphia, along with its own publications department, its own series of exams, providing an entire course of study for anyone wishing to commit his or herself to the field.
The CPCU designation, the highest achievement offered by the Institute, is regarded highly in the field. To gain this designation, candidates must pass a rigorous nine courses, along with experience and related studies requirements. The program is changing in the fall of 2002 to be an eight-part program, however.
The Insurance Institute of America, a related body, offers other designations in the field, including ARM (Associate in Risk Management), ARe (Associate in Reinsurance), and AIC (Associate in Claims).