M.S. in Actuarial Science Program at Temple University
Program Overview
At Temple University, you earn a master's degree while preparing for the actuarial profession. The M.S. degree is specifically tailored to your background and topics covered by the examinations of the professional actuarial societies. In addition, courses in our curriculum are approved by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) as satisfying their Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements for Corporate Finance, Economics, and Applied Statistical Methods.
Curriculum:
Students in the M.S. Actuarial Science program need to take ten courses (30 credits) in order to graduate.
Basic courses:
- Theory of Interest (AS 5101)
- Actuarial Modeling I (AS 5102)
- Actuarial Modeling II (AS 5103)
- Actuarial Modeling III (AS 5104)
- Actuarial Economics (AS 5105)
- Actuarial Corporate Finance (AS 5106)
- Advanced Theory of Interest (AS 5107)
- Life/Health Insurance and Employee Benefit (RMI 5101)
- Property and Liability Insurance (RMI 5104)
- Regression Time Series, and Forecasting (STAT 8109)
All students need to fill in the Curriculum Checklist and get it signed by the academic advisor when requesting for graduation.
Course Waiver:
Students able to demonstrate proficiency in one or more of the basic courses--either by previous study or by the passage of professional actuarial examinations--may substitute relevant electives for these courses. However, students need to fulfill 30 credits before graduation. Please fill in the Course Waiver Request Form and send it to the academic advisor.
Transfer Credits:
Furthermore, for those who previously taken graduate level course, up to two previously taken graduate level courses with a grade of "B" or above may be transferred for credit toward the basic course requirements. No course credit is given for the results of professional actuarial examinations.
GPA Requirements:
It is expected that students will complete their graduate study at Temple with distinction. To remain in good standing, a student may not receive more than two grades below "B-" or more than one grade of "F". A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in order to graduate.
Sigma Chapter of Gamma Iota Sigma:
Gamma Iota Sigma’s (GIS) goals are to enhance professional development by building a sense of community among majors, and to improve career opportunities through increasing knowledge of risk management, insurance, and actuarial science. GIS provides its members with professional development and preparation for high quality employment opportunities. Benefits after joining GIS include:
- scholarships
- reimbursement for professional exam registration fees if you passed the exam
- interview workshops and videotaped mock interviews
- professional quality resumes and a resume book
- distinguished guest speaker series
- other events, including field trips, an annual awards for excellence luncheon, student awards dinner
- and a career library which contains current information on insurance companies, brokerages and other firms
1. Joining GIS
Only GIS members can enjoy the benefits mentioned above, including reimbursement of professional exam registration fee if you passed the exam, including your resume in the resume book and attending the job fairs hosted by the RIHM department. Please come to the GIS office (601C Alter Hall) and ask how to join GIS.
2. Attending GIS Meetings
All M.S. students in Actuarial Science are required to attend the GIS meetings, which is usually scheduled on every Wednesday 12pm-1pm. It is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet each time and indicate your class. For example, for M.S. students starting in the Fall 2010, your class is M.S. in Act Sci Fall 2010. We will seriously consider your attendance at the GIS meetings for recommendations to potential employers.
3. Exam Fee Reimbursement Policy:
For Exams P/1, FM/2, MLC, 3L, MFE/3F, C/4, the Actuarial Science Program will reimburse the exam registration fee to every Actuarial Science major that passes the exam prior to graduation if either of the following conditions are met:
(i) During the semester that the exam is passed, the student must be a dues-paying member of GIS and the student cannot miss more than two weekly (Wednesday) GIS meetings.
(ii) If the above guideline is not met or if the student passes the exam during the summer break or winter break, the student must fulfill the two GIS requirements during the semester immediately following the exam passing date for exam fee reimbursement.
The exam fee reimbursement will be awarded at the end of the semester in which the two conditions are met.
To request reimbursement, students must fill out the Exam Fee Reimbursement Request Form, attach a copy of your exam grade slip and give copies to Ms. Mittie Davis and Professor Krupa Viswanathan.
Internships and CPT:
For international students, internships usually are accomplished by applying Curriculum Practical Training (CPT). Students need to contact Temple University International Student and Scholar Service (ISSS) for the procedure to apply for CPT immediately after securing an internship. What you need to do:
- provide the academic advisor with an official offer letter of internships
- register for an independent study course (usually RMI 5182) for CPT application;
- fill in the forms required by ISSS and submit to the academic advisor for signature;
- complete the attached Sample Supporting Letter for CPT and send it to the academic advisor via email. The advisor will review the supporting letter and sign it.