<p>Ok so I want to become an actuary, but my school doesn't offer actuarial science, so I know that you can become one with an applied mathematics degree, but I do not know which concentration/emphasis I would do to become an actuary? would it be an economics emphasis??? again I would like to become an actuary. Any help is appreciated thanks!</p>
<p>Is there a fixed list of options from which to choose?</p>
<p>Take this with a grain of salt, since I am not an an actuary, and I don’t play one on TV. My impression is that actuaries do lots of mathematical modeling, statistics, and to some extent economics. If there are modeling or probability/statistics emphases, those might be most appropriate. Otherwise, economics is a good choice. Just make sure you study the right subjects to pass actuarial exams, which I hear are important in that profession.</p>
<p>[What</a> To Study | Be an Actuary](<a href=“Study Methods and Suggestions for taking multiple choice exams – Be An Actuary”>Study Methods and Suggestions for taking multiple choice exams – Be An Actuary) has some general information.</p>
<p><a href=“https://store.soa.org/Home/VEESchoolSearch/VEECourseListing/tabid/324/Default.aspx?sc=574&sd=University%20of%20Southern%20California&VEE=displayonly[/url]”>https://store.soa.org/Home/VEESchoolSearch/VEECourseListing/tabid/324/Default.aspx?sc=574&sd=University%20of%20Southern%20California&VEE=displayonly</a> or <a href=“https://store.soa.org/Home/VEESchoolSearch/VEECourseListing/tabid/324/Default.aspx?sc=4108&sd=University%20of%20South%20Carolina&VEE=displayonly[/url]”>https://store.soa.org/Home/VEESchoolSearch/VEECourseListing/tabid/324/Default.aspx?sc=4108&sd=University%20of%20South%20Carolina&VEE=displayonly</a> has a list of courses fulfilling the VEE requirements (applied statistical methods, economics, and corporate finance) at USC.</p>
<p>When a school does not have a specific major or concentration-option, it is best to look at the requirements at other schools who have that concentration-option and try to mimic that.</p>
<p>Here is a couple…</p>
<p>University of Iowa - B.S. Actuarial Science
[B.S</a>. in Actuarial Science | Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.stat.uiowa.edu/undergraduate-programs/bs-actuarial-science]B.S”>Center of Actuarial Excellence | Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science - The University of Iowa)</p>
<p>Michigan State University - B.S. Actuarial Science
[MSU</a> RO:Academic Programs: Actuarial Science](<a href=“http://www.reg.msu.edu/academicprograms/ProgramDetail.asp?Program=7105]MSU”>http://www.reg.msu.edu/academicprograms/ProgramDetail.asp?Program=7105)</p>
<p>Notice in the Michigan State example, there are two courses called Actuarial Models I & Actuarial Models II. More than likely, these are the types of specialized courses that schools without a concentration-option in Actuarial Science may not offer.</p>
<p>BUT…</p>
<p>If you look at the the course descriptions for Actuarial Models I/II, there is a common mathematical term used…Stochastic Processes. Now Stochastic Processes is a common course offered in most Math/Stats departments, so I would add that course to your program so AT LEAST you have that foundation. You may not have the direct application to actuary science or insurance in the course but at least you can get the basic concept of Stochastic Processes. </p>
<p>That is the type of thing one needs to do when trying to “create” a specialty that their school doesn’t have.</p>
<p>I would advise against getting an Actuarial Science degree in your case. Get a math degree with a concentration on statistics and pass a few exams while you’re in college.</p>
<p>I like being an actuary, but there are other great careers out there, too. Getting an AS degree limits you to actuarial work; getting a statistics or math degree while passing exams will leave you with more options on graduation.</p>
<p>I’m not sure you really need a special program. D’s good friend at small LAC is studying to be actuary. She is a math major and there is no specialized area at this school, just some individual courses. Yet she had an internship with insurance company after sophomore year in this area and has already taken at least one of tests that qualify you and is in line for another insurance company internship for next summer. Looks like you have more options than just schools with actual programs.</p>