MS in Actuarial Science
Actuaries are highly educated business executives who specialize in the evaluation of insurance and financial risks. They hold positions of responsibility with insurance companies, consulting firms, investment banks, self-insurers, government regulators, and government insurance programs. Because of their valuable talents and expertise, actuaries are generally well compensated, and often rise to the highest levels of management.
Temple University offers one of the most distinguished Actuarial Science programs in North America. Located in the Department of Risk, Insurance, and Healthcare Management, the Actuarial Science program gives students the opportunity to develop a strong background in mathematics and statistics while being exposed to a wide range of business disciplines.
Program Description
At Temple University, you earn a master's degree while preparing for the actuarial profession. The ten-course (30-credit) MS degree is specifically tailored to your background and topics covered by the examinations of the professional actuarial societies. In addition, courses in our curriculum are approved by the Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society as satisfying their Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements for Corporate Finance, Economics and Applied Statistics.
Curriculum
Graduate students in Actuarial Science take the following nine basic courses:
- The Theory of Interest (Act. Sci. 5101)
- Actuarial Modeling I (Act. Sci. 5102)
- Actuarial Modeling II (Act. Sci. 5103)
- Actuarial Modeling III (Act. Sci. 5104)
- Actuarial Economics (Act. Sci. 5182)
- Financial Analysis and Strategy (Fin. 5001)
- Derivatives (Fin. 5108)
- Probability Models (Math. 471)
- Regression, Time Series (Stat. 8109)
The remaining course requirement must be satisfied with an elective from the Risk Management and Insurance program.
Students able to demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the basic (i.e., non-elective) courses--either by previous study or by the passage of professional actuarial examinations--may substitute relevant electives for these courses. Furthermore, up to two previously taken graduate level courses with a grade of "B" or above may be transferred for credit toward either the basic or elective course requirements. No course credit is given for the results of professional actuarial examinations.
It is expected that students will complete their graduate study at Temple with distinction. To remain in good standing, a student may not receive more than two grades below "B-" or more than one grade of "F".
Program Opportunities
The Philadelphia and New York metropolitan areas form a major center for insurance, reinsurance, and related consulting activities in the United States. At Temple University, with its main campus close to center city Philadelphia, you will be well-positioned to take full advantage of the professional opportunities of the region.
The Actuarial Science program maintains a close, ongoing, and dynamic relationship with the actuarial and insurance communities. As a Temple graduate student, you will:
- have access to professional actuarial seminars taught by Temple faculty,
- meet professional actuaries who regularly visit campus,
- receive timely information on internships and full-time employment, and
- have the opportunity to be featured in the department's resume book.
In addition to its influence at the regional level, the Actuarial Science program enjoys a strong reputation both nationally and internationally. Past and present students have come from the United States, Taiwan, the People's Republic of China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, India, the Ivory Coast, France, Brazil, Jamaica, and the Ukraine. Temple's program is thus helping to prepare the next generation of actuaries not only in the United States, but in many other countries, especially those of the Pacific Rim.
Total credits for MS in Actuarial Science is 30 advanced.
Advisor
Dr. Michael R. Powers
Tel: (215) 204-7293
E-mail: powersmr@temple.edu