Undergraduate Program in Actuarial Science
College of Arts and Sciences
Website: https://www.math.fsu.edu/~paris/actmath.math
Coordinator: Steve Paris (Mathematics); Advisory Committee: Kercheval (Mathematics); Beaumont (Economics); Whalley
(Computer Science); Born (Risk Management/Insurance); Chicken, Huffer (Statistics); Christiansen (Finance)
This interdisciplinary degree provides broad instruction in the mathematical and statistical concepts underlying the operations of life, property, and casualty insurers; governmental regulatory agencies; pension and insurance consulting firms; and financial firms. Along with strong mathematical and computational skills and a solid grounding in each of the component disciplines, the program is designed to enhance leadership ability and communications skills. The program is also flexible enough to provide background for graduate or professional study in many areas beyond actuarial science, e.g., business, economics, finance, law, and statistics. The program is classified by the professional actuarial societies as advanced undergraduate and graduate education and research. All three of the actuarial professional societies' Validation by Educational Experience credit areas are approved; this provides FSU students an opportunity to directly advance their careers through their regular classes.
Students in the program are also assisted in moving forward professionally through seminars and tutorials in preparation for national actuarial examinations and by guest lecturers who are actuaries discussing the varied available employment.
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in actuarial science satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C–" or higher in COP 3014 or ISC 3313.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Actuarial Science
The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.
FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Actuarial Science. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/124/220.
Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.
Note: A "C" grade or better in all coursework is required for admission.
For curriculum information, please see the "Department of Mathematics" chapter in this General Bulletin and the departmental website at https://www.math.fsu.edu/.
FOR ALL MAJORS: Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.