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Actuarial Science (BS)

About

Actuaries manage risk, and the Actuarial Science (BS) degree at Appalachian State University is a great entry point to this profession that uses numbers to evaluate the likelihood of future events, designs creative ways to reduce risk, and decreases the impact if undesirable events do occur.

In this degree, you will build a firm foundation in basic mathematics, statistics, and economics and finance. Courses will prepare you for the first three actuarial exams, Exam P – Probability, Exam FM - Financial Mathematics, and Exam MLC – Models for Life Contingencies.

Unlike many other schools, Appalachian has an actuarial science major, not just a concentration. Appalachian’s program is the only major in the University of North Carolina system designed completely from the bottom up to prepare students to be actuaries.  It is housed in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

After Graduation

Employment: Actuarial Science majors find jobs in insurance companies all over the United States, including Lincoln Financial in Greensboro and Aon Hewitt in Charlotte.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Kevin Shirley
    Faculty Profile: Dr. Kevin Shirley

    Dr. Kevin Shirley brought his professional actuary experience as well as his academic and teaching background with him when he came to teach Appalachian students.

  • Student Profile: Catherine Lattimore
    Student Profile: Catherine Lattimore

    Lattimore says she likes the actuarial science degree because it combines her interests in math and business. She has become a student leader in the discipline’s club and fraternity, as well as a tutor for other students.

  • Student Profile: Malik Hargrave
    Student Profile: Malik Hargrave

    For Hargrave, the field of actuarial science was foreign but working with numbers was not. He’s learning skills in project management and problem solving, as well as economics, finance and mathematics.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Mathematics (BA)
  • Mathematics (BS) - Business
  • Mathematics (BS) - Computation
  • Mathematics (BS) - Life Sciences
  • Mathematics (BS) - General Mathematics
  • Mathematics (BS) - Physical Sciences
  • Mathematics (BS) - Statistics
  • Mathematics (BS) - Secondary Education

Minors

A minor is optional. Popular choices are:

  • Business
  • Statistics

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

  • Actuarial Science Club - a student-run organization dedicated to assisting individuals interested in a career in actuarial science.
  • Gamma Iota Sigma - a professional collegiate insurance organization sponsored by the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center in Appalachian’s Walker College of Business.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • The Actuarial Science major at Appalachian is listed by the Society of Actuaries as a University and College with Actuarial Programs (UCAP). Furthermore, its courses have been approved to count as Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) courses by the Society.  This helps students progress further in the Society’s actuarial credentialing process.
  • The program director, Dr. Kevin Shirley, is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries with seven years of industry experience.
  • The program has relationships with regional firms that come to campus to interview students for internships and jobs. These include Lincoln Financial in Greensboro and Aon Hewitt in Charlotte, among others.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Some of these jobs may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

  • Actuary
  • Bank Manager
  • Banking/Credit/Investment Manager
  • Budget Analyst
  • Compensation/Benefits Administrator
  • Cost Manager
  • Data Control Administrator
  • Economist
  • Estate Planner
  • Financial Analyst
  • Inventory Manager
  • Job Analyst
  • Logistics Manager
  • Management Analyst
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Mergers/Acquisitions Manager
  • Mutual Fund Manager
  • Mutual Fund Trader
  • Rate Analyst
  • Sales Analyst
  • Satellite Communications Specialist
  • Statistician

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Kevin Shirley
Program director
828-262-6975
shirleykl1@appstate.edu

  • Department of Mathematical Sciences

    The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in actuarial science and mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching, and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in Mathematics with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

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