UT Dallas Actuarial Program

Who is an actuary?

Actuaries are business professionals who balance the financial success of corporations with an acceptable level of risk by making educated predictions about future events. Actuaries work anywhere risk is present and corporations rely on their risk evaluation to frame their strategic management decisions. They are mostly employed by insurance companies and employee benefits departments of large corporations to design optimal insurance policies, and retirement and pension plans. A growing number of actuaries work in financial institutions, government agencies, universities, public health care departments and labor unions.

The job of an actuary is consistently rated as one of the best professions in America. US News and World Report, the Jobs Rated Almanac, CNN Money, and others all agree that only a few other occupations offer the combination of benefits that an actuarial career can offer. Any student possessing strong mathematical problem-solving skills and interest in a challenging and respected business career should consider the actuarial profession.

An individual becomes an actuary by passing a series of exams administered by either the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. While in college, most of our actuarial students take courses that cover the content of five Preliminary Exams, fulfill the validation by educational experience (VEE) requirements, and successfully pass 2-3 preliminary actuarial examinations.

Actuarial Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas has been recognized by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) as a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE), joining a group of 19 elite actuarial science programs in the U.S. with the society’s highest designation. The designation is earned by meeting rigorous requirements including the quality of degree program, curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate levels, appropriate integration with other areas of study, faculty composition, connections to industry, and research and professional involvement. UT Dallas is the first institution in Texas and the only one in the Southwest to earn the distinction.

The University of Texas at Dallas offers Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) programs in Actuarial Science. Acknowledging the absolute necessity of passing actuarial exams to enter the workforce in actuarial industry, both undergraduate and graduate programs have curricula specifically designed to prepare the students for these exams. Experienced actuaries, mathematicians, statisticians, and finance professionals at UT Dallas are ready to help the students achieve their educational and career goals.

Dallas is a major hub for insurance companies and actuarial consulting firms. UT Dallas’ location is a tremendous advantage for students. The UT Dallas Actuarial Program has enjoyed a strong professional support from Willis Towers Watson, Aon, Milliman, Liberty Mutual, Lewis & Ellis, Swiss Re, Optimum Re, Transamerica, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Torchmark/GlobeLife, Cigna, USAA, Kemper Insurance and they are proud employers of our actuarial graduates.

Recent Rankings

• College Choice ranks UT Dallas No. 9 in its 35 Best Actuarial Science Degrees.