Develop the analytical skills and business acumen to excel in the dynamic field of risk management.

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BA

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B.A. in Actuarial Studies Overview

Learn to use the core principles of probability, statistics and financial mathematics to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty. As a student in UMass Lowell's Actuarial Studies program, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of assessing and managing financial problems, which you can apply to real-world problems in insurance, finance, government and other industries. 

  • Prepare for the actuarial preliminary exams.
  • Complete courses that satisfy the educational requirements of professional actuarial societies.
  • Gain access to resources to succeed, such as exam fee reimbursements and opportunities to connect with insurance companies.

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What Can You Do with an Actuarial Studies Major?

Actuaries are hired by a wide range of organizations, including insurance companies, consulting firms, financial institutions and government agencies. 

Person working on computer while looking at data charts.

Employment of actuaries is projected to grow 23% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations (BLS, Occupational Handbook).

With a Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Studies, you'll be prepared for such careers as:

  • Data analyst
  • Quantitative analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Research scientist
  • Software engineer

Courses You'll Take

As an Actuarial Studies major, you'll take courses that provide a solid mathematics foundation as well as training in business finance, risk, and management. Sample courses include calculus, micro- and macroeconomics, statistics and finance management. You will also blend math with liberal arts courses that provide the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills essential for success as an actuarial professional.

Check out the B.A. in Actuarial Studies degree pathway—a suggested four-year course schedule—for a possible path toward your Actuarial Studies degree.

  • A graduate from the Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Department will be expected to be able to:

    1. Develop critical thinking skills which can be applied to a range of disciplines
    2. Read, write, and speak about mathematics
    3. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team on math-related projects
    4. Solve mathematical problems using a variety of tools and strategies
    5. Understand and be able to construct logical arguments
    6. Learn new mathematics independently

Why Major in Actuarial Studies at UMass Lowell?

Two UMass Lowell math students write equations on a whiteboard

Prepare for Actuarial Exams

You will need to pass at least one actuarial exam to start the career. The course work will get you ready for the preliminary exams by providing background for the first exams and building foundations for further exams.

finance students at computer

Exam Fee Reimbursement

Students who pass the preliminary actuary exams will have their exam registration fees reimbursed.

Two Mathematics students working on a math problem on a whiteboard.

Internships

Connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world. Our students have completed internships at diverse companies, including: 

  • John Hancock Financial
  • Lincoln Laboratories
  • MITRE Corporation
  • NASA
Headshot of Linh-Nguyen, a math student at UMass Lowell

Bachelor's-to-Master's

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined bachelor's-to-master's program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

Meet Our Students

Honors math student Anthony Gaeta studying in the library
Anthony Gaeta '18
Mathematics & Economics

Anthony Gaeta says his six-month co-op at John Hancock Financial gave him real-world experience in his dream job as an actuary.

Honestly, if I could, I’d go back and shake myself and say, ‘Don’t sleep on UMass Lowell. Just accept!’ You get so much more for your dollar here.
Read More About Anthony Gaeta 
Nhuy Phan sits at the front of a classroom of students with a presentation screen behind her.
Nhuy Phan '24
Mathematics

For Nhuy Phan, an aspiring math teacher who emigrated from Vietnam, "mathematics is a universal language."

UTeach opened me up to all these scholarship opportunities.
Read More About Nhuy Phan 
Tanya Kieu holds cotton candy and popcorn below an arch of balloon flowers at UMass Lowell's SpringFest.
Tanya Kieu '24
Mathematics

Aspiring math teacher Tanya Kieu ’24 gained real-world teaching experience through the UTeach program.

It was really nice to interact with students in a classroom.
Read More About Tanya Kieu 
UMass Lowell student Ginika Okoli smiles while holding two candy bars.
Ginika Okoli '24
Mathematics

A data analytics summer internship at candy giant Mars Inc. gave Ginika Okoli a new perspective on her mathematics degree.

I did not expect myself to be where I am right now, but UMass Lowell has held my hand the whole way.
Read More About Ginika Okoli 
Plane and trucks on an airport runway.
Russell Todd ’81, ’83 ’81, ’83
Environmental Science, Mathematics

Curiosity led Russell Todd ’81, ’83 to a wide-ranging career that included nuclear subs, weather radar and disease outbreak modeling.

My UMass Lowell education prepared me superbly for my career.
Read More About Russell Todd ’81, ’83 

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