Actuarial Science, B.S.

About the Degree

• A flexible program which prepares students for four exams of the Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society
• Experienced faculty with both academic and professional credentials
• An external professional advisory board of local actuaries
• Assistance finding internships and preparing for actuarial careers
• Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit for all three required courses
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Arcadia has a long history of programs in actuarial science: originally we offered a concentration in actuarial science as part of our mathematics major and since 2013 we have a major. Our program has many graduates in local and regional insurance companies, consulting firms, and government agencies. Our major is administered by Irina Pogrebivsky, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.  Other faculty include Dr. Edward Wolff, a statistician with many years of experience preparing students for actuarial careers, Dr. Weihong Ni, a PhD in Actuarial Science, Dr. Carlos Ortiz, whose publications include several in mathematics finance, Other faculty include Dr. Carlos Ortiz, whose publications include several in mathematical finance, and Professor Emeritus Dr. Louis Friedler, who is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries.

Actuaries are the highly paid business professionals who use probability and mathematical finance to quantitatively assess risk. To advance within the field of actuarial science, individuals must pass a series of exams administered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. These exams reflect the importance of both mathematics and business to this career; our major combines these two areas of actuarial science. Our major offers courses covering the material for the four of these exams.

• Exam P: Probability
• Exam FM: Financial Mathematics
• Exam STAM: Short Term Actuarial Mathematics
• Exam SRM: Statistics for Risk Modeling

Our major also offers Validation by Education Experience (VEE) actuarial credit in Mathematical Statistics, Finance, and Economics in cooperation with Arcadias School of Global Business. Details are available on the Departments Web page.

This program reflects the changes in the SOA curriculum effective July 2018.

One of the strengths of our program is the individual attention we give students. We work with students to prepare them for the exams, to assist in writing resumes and applying for positions, and to offer advice on interviewing.

Our Advisory Board includes:

Stuart Alden, FSA, Senior VP and Actuary, Aon Risk Solutions

Ralph Donato, Principal Consulting Actuary, Long Term Care Group

Andrew Martin, FSA, VP Product Management, Penn Mutual Insurance Co. 

We are pleased that the Actuaries Club of Philadelphia supports our program with financial help to partially reimburse student for the expense of taking actuarial exams.

1. Submit the application.  Common Application  OR Coalition for College Application
2. Transcripts. Official High School Transcripts (in English). Original or certified true copy of the secondary school record with a literal translation in English performed by a licensed translator and signed in ink. The academic report should include a list of subjects studied, a qualitative rating on a course-by-course basis and an overall rating. 
    
3. Test Scores. International students must submit either SAT/ACT or Proof of English language proficiency meeting the following requirements.

Enrollment Management reserves the right to request proof of English Language proficiency of any student applying to the University.

For F-1 High School Students in the U.S.:

• SAT/ACT scores are optional.

International students may also be required to submit, when applicable:

• Official Secondary school leaving certificate or diploma
• Official Comprehensive national examinations (such as GCE, SSSCE and CXC exams)