<p>I've noticed a lot of colleges don't offer a degree in "Actuarial Science" per se. Does anyone know the career path for an Actuary? Can you go to, say a LAC, major in math and go from there, or must you enroll in a degree program specific to actuarial science? Also is this a four or five year program and does anyone know of any college offering a BA/MA combined program in this field? Lastly, any recommended schools in the NY/NJ/New England area? DD may have an interest. Thanks All</p>
<p>Here's a link with all of the information you need:
<a href="http://www.beanactuary.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.beanactuary.com/</a></p>
<p>It is not necessary to get a degree in actuarial science. Many students major in math, economics, general business, accounting. I know UConn has a good program. The Society of Actuaries website may list others.</p>
<p>Many students will pass the first few exams while in college and then enter an actuarial student program with an insurance company or consulting firm. They would then self-study for the remaining exams while they work for an employer (if part of a student program, they would get study time as long as they are successful). The first few exams test their knowledge of calculus, interest theory, statistics, economics, and the like. After the first few, the student specializes in their area of interest (casualty, life insurance, pension, investments). Good luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>Here's a link with colleges offering actuarial programs:</p>
<p>The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) has a great math department and an approved minor (by the Society of Actuaries) in Actuarial Science: <a href="http://www.tcnj.edu/%7Emathstat/programs/ActuarialStudies.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.tcnj.edu/%7Emathstat/programs/ActuarialStudies.htm</a></p>
<p>Does anyone know the career path for an Actuary? </p>
<p>Actuary are needed by insurance companies and actuary firms. For example, in health insurance actuary estimate claims. Actuary have a path to sales, underwriting, IT, and finance.</p>
<p>Can you go to, say a LAC, major in math and go from there, or must you enroll in a degree program specific to actuarial science? </p>
<p>Yes, a major in math from a LAC can lead to an entry level job. Once employed, there are still exams that need to be taken and passed.</p>
<p>Also is this a four or five year program and does anyone know of any college offering a BA/MA combined program in this field? </p>
<p>Four yrs for BA/BS. Another one year for MA/MS. </p>
<p>Lastly, any recommended schools in the NY/NJ/New England area?</p>
<p>SUNY at Stony Brook</p>
<p>Professor Tucker is an excellent teacher.</p>
<p>Most employers will want you to complete a couple of exams while in college and it could take several years to compete the exams once you are out of school. A masters degree is not necessary. I was hired as an actuarial student, yet had been a math education major in college. Most of the students who worked for me over the years had not majored in actuarial science. It would be very difficult to pass all of the exams while in college (I am sure there are students who have), but a lot of learning is on-the-job and certain designations (such as Enrolled Actuary) do have a work experience requirement. It would be quite helpful to have a general business background and an understanding of accounting. I spent quite a bit of time explaining actuarial calculations to accountants and it would have been a great help if I understood accounting better. The career has evolved a lot in the past ten years and actuaries spend less time doing number crunching and more time finding creative solutions to business problems.</p>