The WVU Actuarial Science Program in the department of mathematics has received the Advanced Curriculum Designation from the Society of Actuaries. WVU’s program is the only UCAP-AC level program in the state.
As a result of this new program recognition, WVU’s actuarial program will receive financial assistance from the SOA to host on-campus events, travel to conferences and to purchase study materials for actuarial exams.
Currently there are 88 universities worldwide operating at the UCAP-AC level as defined by the SOA, a global actuarial professional organization. In the business world, actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty.
To be recognized as a UCAP-AC program, a university’s actuarial program must maintain course coverage for at least four SOA preliminary exams (one exam must be the LTAM or STAM exam) and offer approved courses in all Validation by Educational Experience topic areas.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth rate for employment of actuaries from 2019 to 2029 is 18 percent, which is much higher than the average for all occupations.
Although a relatively new program, WVU Actuarial Science students have already had internships or moved on to full-time positions at a variety of companies such as Genworth Financial, Prudential Insurance, North Western Mutual, ACTEX, Willis Towers Watson, McKeogh Company, MassMutual, Luttner Financial Group, BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, Nationwide, Arch Mortgage Insurance, Securian Financial Group, Buck, Homesite Insurance, Western & Southern Financial Group and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance.
The SOA listing of Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs serves as a resource for students looking for a university/college actuarial program.
Advising WVU on future directions for the actuarial sciences program is a new Actuarial Science Advisory Board. All board members are from industry and are leaders in the field.
WVU has an active Actuarial Club for students. Members meet regularly to discuss actuarial career development and exams. Club events, open to all WVU students, include speakers from both academia and industry.
Read about actuarial students’ experiences and successes at WVU.
For more information, contact Fang Yang at fang.yang@mail.wvu.edu.