The actuarial profession is one of the most respected, well-compensated and rewarding fields today. It is consistently rated as one of the best jobs in America based on factors such as job environment, salary, employment outlook, stress level and growth opportunities. The Actuarial Science program at the University of Saint Joseph will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to meeting the demands of an actuarial career. You will be prepared to pass actuarial exams and stand out as a candidate for summer internships.
Actuaries are professionals trained in mathematics, statistics, economics and finance to solve problems involving long-term financial impacts on future events. Their skills are greatly valued by organizations that need to quantify financial risks. Actuaries are in high demand and are most commonly employed in the insurance, financial services and health care industries, as well as in government agencies.
The Actuarial Science program at USJ prepares students to enter the actuarial profession upon graduation. Our curriculum follows the educational recommendations of the two largest actuarial-related professional societies in the U.S.: the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuary Society (CAS). The mathematics curriculum will equip students with a strong foundation in the theory and applications of calculus, linear algebra, probability, statistics and theory of interest, as well as effective reasoning and problem-solving skills. Students will be prepared to pass the first two actuarial exams, Exam P (Probability) and Exam FM (Financial Mathematics), before graduation. In addition, elective courses are available to prepare students for SOA exams FAM (Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics) and ASTAM (Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics.) Required courses in economics, mathematical statistics, accounting and finance satisfy all three VEE credentials required for actuarial certification and provide necessary knowledge of the professional environment in which actuaries work. The skills you will gain in the Actuarial Science program will give you access to numerous opportunities for internships and full-time roles offered by the insurance and financial services companies in the Hartford region.
Program outcomes
The student will:
- Understand and apply the fundamental principles, concepts and techniques of major areas of mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, discrete mathematics, probability, statistics and financial mathematics.
- Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills: state problems carefully, articulate assumptions, be willing to try different approaches, devise and test conjectures, reason logically to conclusions and interpret results
- Read mathematical literature with understanding; interpret graphs and diagrams
- Communicate mathematical ideas with clarity and coherence through writing and speaking
- Demonstrate familiarity with applications of mathematics to problems in a variety of fields, including business, insurance, finance and risk management.
- Demonstrate proficiency in using computer technology as a tool for solving problems and as an aid to understanding mathematical ideas.
- Demonstrate success in learning mathematical concepts independently.
- Be prepared to take at least two, and as many as four actuarial exams before graduation.
- Gain practical experience in actuarial science through internships, independent projects or research.
