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

College Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs.  The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings.  Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program.  That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=5213&fos_credential=3

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 the major.
• Of the STAT courses numbered below 49000, only STAT 19000, 24200, 29000, and 39000 apply toward the major.
• New MA courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy major requirements.
• New STAT courses approved and added to the curriculum in future Catalogs may satisfy major requirements.
• Transfer students with 30+ credits are not required to take the Freshman Success seminar.
• A waiver of requirements for foreign language will be allowed for students pursuing a major within the Department of Mathematical Sciences and a second major outside the College of Science. This allowance applies to the major program offered through the math department. Check with advisor if questions.

General Education: Credits 30

Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better:

• Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)   
  • One course in A1. Written Communication Cr. 3. 
  • One course in A2. Speaking and Listening Cr. 3.
  • One course in A3. Quantitative Reasoning Cr. 3.
• Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)   
  • One course in B4. Scientific Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B5. Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B6. Humanistic Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B7. Artistic Ways or Knowing Cr. 3.
  • One course in B8. Interdisciplinary Ways of Knowing Cr. 3.
• Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
• At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness

Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes.  You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements .

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6

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

Student Success Seminar: Credit 1

• MA 10500 - Freshman Success Seminar Cr. 1.

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

The Exam course list includes two one-credit Optional but Recommended courses.  For details on the recommended courses, please see your advisor.

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:

• STAT 51100 - Statistical Methods Cr. 3.

• 
  Choose one of the following:

• CS 29200 - Intermediate Topics In Computer Science Cr. 2-3.  taken as: Python Program for Data Analytics or Python Program Data Analytics  Cr. 3.
• STAT 19000/29000/39000 taken as Data Mine with Python I-III, Cr. 3.
• STAT 24200 - Introduction To Data Science Cr. 3.
• STAT 49000 - Topics In Statistics For Undergraduates Cr. 1-5.  taken as:  Introduction to Statistical Computing with R  Cr. 3.  

Additional Recommended Course: Credits 3

Optional but Recommended.  For course details, please see your advisor.

• BUS 20101 - The Computer In Business Cr. 3.

Science Courses: Credits 7

Choose two science courses under the following subject codes.  One of the courses chosen must include a lab.

• ANTH 20001 - Bioanthropology Cr. 3.
• ASTR   (Astronomy)  
• BIOL    (Biology)
• CHM    (Chemistry)   Note: Credit given for CHM 11100 or CHM 11500 but not both
• GEOG  (Geography)
• EAPS   (Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)
• NUTR 30300 - Essentials Of Nutrition Cr. 3.
• PHYS  (Physics)

General Electives

• Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Total Credits: 120 minimum

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.

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. 

Additional Course Use:

Courses listed below may also be considered in meeting specific degree requirements.

COM 11400 required; HIST 12500 accepted
ENGL 23301 required; ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, WOST 23000 accepted