B.S Actuarial Science
Course overview
The actuarial science major at High Point University was specifically designed in consultation with local actuaries to give students the best possible preparation for an actuarial career. Courses in finance, economics and statistics have been accepted by the Society of Actuaries as satisfying its VEE requirements in corporate finance, micro- and macroeconomics and applied statistics.
Courses leading to a B.S. in actuarial science prepare students for an exciting field. However, what exactly is actuarial science? Actuaries put a price tag on risk. They are the leading professionals in finding ways to manage risk and are experts in:
- Evaluating the likelihood of future events
- Designing creative ways to reduce the likelihood of undesirable events
- Reducing the impact of undesirable events
- Actuaries have higher-than-average starting salaries and an advanced degree is not essential.
- Numerous sources list an actuary as one of the best jobs in America for multiple categories such as work environment, employment outlook, job security, growth opportunity and salary.
- Problem solving, abstract thinking and quantitative reasoning are among the most sought after attributes of new hires – and these skills are sharpened through our focused mathematics curriculum.
- The actuarial profession is perfect for individuals who enjoy challenges and problem solving. Those who develop a track record of success will have many opportunities for growth and advancement.
- The need for actuaries is growing beyond the traditional industry to include financial services, marketing and sales among many more.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (66 credits)
ACC 2010. Financial Accounting (4)
ACC 2020. Managerial Accounting (4)
CSC 1610. Programming in R and Python (4) or CSC 1710.
Introduction to Computer Programming (4)
ECO 2030. Principles of Macroeconomics (4)
ECO 2050. Principles of Microeconomics (4)
FIN 3010. Financial Management (4)
MTH 1410. Calculus I (4)
MTH 1420. Calculus II (4)
MTH 2410. Calculus III (4)
MTH 2310. Linear Algebra (4)
MTH 3110. Financial Mathematics (4)
MTH 3150. Probability (4)
MTH 3160. Society of Actuaries Exam P Preparation (1) and
MTH 3120. Society of Actuaries Exam FM P reparation (1) or
BUA 2100. Excel Based Business Analysis (2)*
MTH 4410. Mathematical Models for Financial Economics (4)
STS 2910. Introduction to Statistical Analysis with SAS
Applications (4)
STS 3110. Intermediate Statistical Analysis with SAS
Applications (4) or STS 3210. Linear Statistical
Models (4)
STS 4210. Mathematical Statistics (4)
*BUA 1100 is a prerequisite for this course
Note: Actuarial Science majors who wish to graduate with departmental honors must (a) complete the courses required for the B.S. in Actuarial Science, (b) pass both actuarial exams administered by the Society of Actuaries, and (c) have a major GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of graduation.
The actuarial science program at High Point University prepares students for exciting and in-demand jobs in the workforce. In addition to traditional coursework, our program includes prep courses for actuarial exams. Outside the classroom, we host annual visits from local actuaries and enhance community within our majors with a student club focused on actuarial science.
This map illustrates how the courses are related to each other, and which courses are required for your later Actuarial Science courses.
Meet Melanie Fichialos
Major: Actuarial Science
Fichialos will be in the global automotive finance rotation program as a financial analyst for the tech company TE Connectivity.. Fichiolas’ first rotation is in financial planning and analysis (FP&A). She will also be leveraging her statistics background by working with data visualization tools to make data more telling.
Course Structure
This Academic Plan demonstrates how a student can complete the major in 4 years, including STS 3110, MTH 3160, and MTH3120.
Specific individual plans vary by student choices and options as developed with an advisor. If a student plans to take STS 3210, see additional notes below.
FRESHMAN
|
FALL
|
Credit Points
|
SPRING
|
Credit Points
|
|---|---|---|---|
SOPHOMORE
|
FALL
|
Credit Points
|
SPRING
|
Credit Points
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
JUNIOR
|
FALL
|
Credit Points
|
SPRING
|
Credit Points
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
SENIOR
|
FALL
|
Credit Points
|
SPRING
|
Credit Points
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
ECO - ECO 2050 Principles of MicroEconomics
|
|||
|
|
|
NOTES
- This plan of study should be used in conjunction with your Undergraduate Bulletin.
- Elective credits can be used to take courses of interest or complete a minor.
- For this major, course offerings are: MTH 3110 (odd, fall); MTH 3150 (even, fall); MTH 3160 (odd, spring); MTH 3120 (even, spring); BUA 2100 (spring); STS 2910 (fall); STS 3110 (spring); STS 3210 (odd, fall); STS 4120 (odd, spring)
- If the student takes MTH 3150 and MTH 2410 SOPH-Fall, then the student should take STS 4120 SOPH-Spring (if it is an odd year). Otherwise, the student should take STS 4120 JUNIOR-Spring. NOTE: Add a GE course if student cannot take STS 4120 SOPH-Spring and delete one GE from SENIOR-Fall.
- If the student plans to take STS 3210 instead of STS 3110, then: Add STS 3210 to either JUNIOR-Fall or SENIOR-Fall and Add a free elective to SENIOR-Spring so the student can have 128 total credits.
- If the student plans to take MTH 3160 and MTH 3120, then the student should take those SOPH-Spring and JUNIOR-Spring
- If the student plans to take BUA 2100, then the student needs to take BUA 1100 either SOPH-year (DL suggests SOPH-Spring) or JUNIOR-Fall
and take BUA 2100 JUNIOR-Spring. - If the student needs to take MTH 1400 in the fall semester of their Freshman year, the student should take MTH 1410 spring of their Freshman
year. MTH 1420 could be taken summer after Freshman year.
Course Outcomes
The goal of the program is to produce graduates who have passed the first two actuarial exams (probability and financial mathematics), completed the Society of Actuaries VEE requirements and have developed through their coursework the skills to succeed in the actuarial profession. Through classroom studies and internships, students are equipped with the skills necessary for the ever-changing global marketplace.
Upon completing the Actuarial Science program at High Point University, students will be able to:
- Creatively solve mathematical problems
- Learn and retain basic knowledge in statistics and probability
- Learn and retain basic knowledge in the core branches of mathematics
- Have a basic knowledge of macroeconomics and microeconomics principles
- Be knowledgeable of how corporations are financed
HPU actuarial science alumni have gone on to pursue graduate studies and professional opportunities at the following institutions:
- Bank of America
- BB&T
- California Institute of Technology
- Clemson University
- Cone Health
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Duquesne University
- Geico
- NASA
- Renfro Corporation
Career Opportunities
"HPU helped me build confidence in my professional abilities, which helped me succeed after I graduated."
Potential occupations include:
- Actuary
- Bank Examiner
- Economist
- Financial Analyst
- Statistician
Potential employers include:
- Rating Bureaus
- Financial institutions
- College and universities
- Private companies
- Most areas of business, government and non-governmental organizations
Explore other Programs
Get in Touch
mathdept@highpoint.edu
One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268
+1 1300 0909 123
