Actuarial Science (B.S.A.S.)

Program Requirements:

Actuarial Science 4-Year Plan  

• A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all department courses taken for the major with at most one passing grade less than 1.50 in courses used to fulfill the major requirements
• Of the mathematics courses numbered below 26100, only MA 16500, MA 16600, and MA 17500 apply toward a mathematics major
• Statistics courses must be numbered 49000 or higher to count toward a mathematics major

General Education Requirements: Credits 33

• Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.

• Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

Supporting Courses:

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

• ENGL 23301 (or a college-approved equivalent: ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000).  This course is in addition to the General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent).
• COM 11400 (or the college-approved equivalent: HIST 12500).

Both courses require a grade of C- or better

• ENGL 23301 - Intermediate Expository Writing Cr. 3.
• COM 11400 - Fundamentals Of Speech Communication Cr. 3.

Language: Credits 6

Two courses at the first-year level in a single International Language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  

Note:  if you begin these courses at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you and your advisor are eligible to apply for special course credits after successful completion of the course into which you placed.  Non-native English speaking students and those with other language transfer credits should contact the College’s Student Success Center.

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses

Basic Mathematics Core: Credits 18

Must earn a grade of C- or higher in the following courses:

• MA 16500 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus I Cr. 4.
• MA 16600 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus II Cr. 4.
• MA 26100 - Multivariate Calculus Cr. 4.
• MA 35100 - Elementary Linear Algebra Cr. 3.
• MA 36300 - Differential Equations Cr. 3.

Actuarial Exams: Credits 18 + 6 recommended

Validation by Educational Experience (VEE): Credits 15

• A grade of B- or higher in the following STAT, ECON, and BUS courses is required to receive VEE credit from the Society of Actuaries. 
• NOTE:  A grade of C- or higher is required in these courses for graduation, but you will not receive VEE credit from the Society of Actuaries with less than a B- grade in each.

Additional Required Courses: Credits 6

Must earn a C- or higher in each course:

• CS 11400 - Introduction To Visual Programming Cr. 3.
• STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods Cr. 3.

Science Courses: Credits 7

Choose two science courses from the list below; one of the courses chosen must include a lab.  Check with the Department of Mathematical Sciences for updates to this list.

General Electives

• Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

Summer Internships

It is recommended that all students participate in a summer internship.  These are offered on a competitive basis and are not guaranteed.  Good internships tend to pay well and provide valuable experience that future employers look for in a good job candidate.  Completion of at least one actuarial exam is helpful in acquiring a summer internship.