B.S. in Actuarial Science
Actuarial science is the study of the financial implications of uncertain future events. Actuaries study how to quantify and manage risk primarily in the fields of life and health insurance, pensions, employee benefits, and investments. They also work as financial consultants and as government employees on Social Security and Medicare issues.
Actuaries must have excellent quantitative reasoning skills in addition to an understanding of modern business and finance. To become an actuary, a candidate must pass a series of exams in areas such as probability, financial mathematics, and actuarial modeling.
The actuarial science program at Valpo, administered by the mathematics and statistics department, provides a background in the areas of mathematics, finance, statistics, and economics. A bachelor of science from Valparaiso University and passing marks in the first several examinations of the Society of Actuaries are sufficient to enter the field.
Students interested in pursuing the actuarial science major should confer with the program director, Patrick Sullivan.
Foundations
Students in actuarial science at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the bachelor of science. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical thinking skills while introducing the student to global cultures and traditions.
CAS General-Education Requirements for the B.S. >>
A minimum of 61 credit hours approved by the program chair is required. Specific required courses are listed below. Students completing the actuarial science program may apply 20 credit hours in business administration courses toward the bachelor of science. Introductory courses fulfill the quantitative analysis general-education requirement and three of the six credits required for the social science general-education requirement.
Students who pursue both an actuarial science major and the business administration minor will be required to graduate with a total of 131 or 133 credit hours.
Please note that several of the advanced courses are offered only every other year, so planning ahead is crucial.
| Course | Title | Credits |
| Introductory Courses | 21-23 Credits | |
| ACC 205 | Financial Accounting | 3 Credits |
| BUS 115 | Business Applications for Decision-Making | 3 Credits |
| ECON 221 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 Credits |
| ECON 222 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 Credits |
| MATH 131 | Calculus I | 4 Credits |
| MATH 132 | Calculus II | 4 Credits |
| One course from the following two options: | ||
| MATH 260 | Linear Systems and Matrices | 1 Credit |
| MATH 264 | Linear Algebra | 3 Credits |
| Probability and Statistics | 24 Credits | |
| One course from the following three options: | ||
| BUS 205 | Business Statistics | 3 Credits |
| STAT 140 | General Statistics | 3 Credits |
| STAT 240 | Statistical Analysis | 3 Credits |
| One course from the following two options: | ||
| ECON 325 | Econometrics | 3 Credits |
| STAT 340 | Statistics for Decision-Making | 3 Credits |
| Each of the following: | ||
| STAT 299 | Statistics Colloquium I | 1 Credit |
| STAT 343 | Time Series Analysis | 3 Credits |
| STAT 344 | Stochastic Processes | 3 Credits |
| STAT 363 | Introduction to SAS | 3 Credits |
| STAT 399 | Statistics Colloquium II | 1 Credit |
| STAT 441 | Probability | 4 Credits |
| STAT 442 | Mathematical Statistics | 3 Credits |
| Finance and Modeling | 12 Credits | |
| FIN 304 | Financial Modeling | 3 Credits |
| FIN 410 | Theory of Corporate Finance | 3 Credits |
| FIN 420 | Investment Management | 3 Credits |
| ECON 338 | Economics of Financial Market | 3 Credits |
| Capstone Courses | 4 Credits | |
| ACRS 325 | Actuarial Modeling | 3 Credits |
| STAT 499 | Statistics Colloquium III | 1 Credit |
Career Paths
A degree in actuarial science and passing exams leads directly to actuarial positions. Valparaiso graduates have been hired into actuarial positions by: Milliman, Cincinnati Financial, The Hartford, Northwestern Mutual, Willis Towers Watson, BCU Financial, Price Water Cooper, Thrivent, and Segal Consulting. Graduates have also been hired into non-actuarial positions by: Epic Software, Davita Kidney Care, FIS Global, Panduit, GEICO, BrandSafway, and Primerica.
Actuarial Science Exam Award
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics established the Actuarial Science Exam Award to encourage professional preparation by providing partial or full reimbursement for exam fees for students successfully passing actuarial exams. The actual amount of reimbursement will depend on funds available. Preference will be given to students with financial need.
To apply for the award, the student should notify the Director of Actuarial Science, Patrick Sullivan, when they register for an exam. After passing an exam, the student should submit a copy of the certificate obtained together with proof of payment to the Director of Actuarial Science.
More information about taking and preparing for the actuarial exams can be found by clicking on the links below.