Actuarial Science

Central’s actuarial science major gives students a firm foundation of mathematics and business to prepare for a career as an actuary. Classes are typically small (25 students or less), so students can easily get personalized assistance. Program directors also provide support to students studying for introductory actuarial exams.

100%
of 2016 actuarial science majors accepted job offers before graduation.
  • Nearly all actuarial science majors pass at least one actuarial exam before graduating.
  • Central's program directors have taken and passed actuarial exams so they can better prepare students.

The Real World

 

Successful Careers

  • Jordan Waddell ’11, product analyst, Brokers International, Des Moines
  • Collin Tjepkes ’13, financial analyst, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines
  • Courtney Nelson ’16, pricing analyst, Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines
  • Jared Nepomuceno ’16, fixed indexed annuity modeler, Transamerica, Cedar Rapids
  • Matthew Schulte ’13, actuary, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Panora
  • Shivani Kharbanda ’13, economic and risk analyst, Vermeer Corp., Pella

Organizations

  • Business club
  • Math club
  • Kappa Mu Epsilon, mathematics honor organization
Central College student

Graduate Placement

  • While actuaries complete a bachelor's degree, most also take a series of rigorous exams early in their careers. Central faculty help prepare students to pass these exams, with a goal of passing at least one before graduation.

Internships

  • EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa
  • Transamerica, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
  • Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, Grinnell, Iowa
  • Bankers Trust, Des Moines, Iowa

Courses & Faculty

Actuarial science courses are spread evenly through four years at Central.  First-year students take the year-long Calculus I and II sequence, as well as the year-long Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics sequence.  These courses lead into more advanced mathematics and business courses in the following three years.

Students completing the major will fulfill two and a half of the industry’s three required Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements, with the opportunity to complete the other half of the third VEE requirement while still at Central.

Learn more about Actuarial Science in the course catalog.

Meet the faculty:

Graham Lemke, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Donald T. Butler Endowed Chair and Professor of Finance

Mark Mills, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics, interest areas include: actuarial science education

Sample Schedule

First Year
  • Principles of Microeconomics
  • Principles of Macroeconomics
  • Calculus I and II
  • Central core courses and electives
Sophomore Year
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Management Accounting
  • Principles of Management
  • Introduction to Computer Science
  • Applied Statistics
  • Multivariable Calculus
  • Linear Algebra
  • Central core courses and electives
Junior Year
(Junior or senior year)
  • Corporate Finance
  • Principles of Investment
  • Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Probability
  • Central core courses and electives
Senior Year
(Junior or senior year)
  • Corporate Finance
  • Principles of Investment
  • Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Probability
  • Central core courses and electives

The Central Difference

Preparing for Exams

Central's program directors have taken and passed actuarial exams so they can better prepare students. Actuarial science majors will be thoroughly prepared to pass at least one exam before graduation.

Career Opportunities

Central has close connections to local insurance companies. Representatives of Nationwide Insurance and Transamerica visit campus each year to interview actuarial science students.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad with Central College to enhance their development as global citizens. Academic opportunities and internship programs also are available in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York City. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.

Facilities

Actuarial science classes meet in the Vermeer Science Center and the Weller Center for Business and International Studies. The Vermeer Science Center was awarded a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) medal rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), making the science center the first LEED-rated building in the state.The Weller Center for Business and International Studies houses faculty offices and classrooms for the economics, accounting, business management and modern language departments. The building includes state-of-the-art technologies with a 24-hour computer lab on the main floor and eight high-tech classrooms, two of which contain student computers.

Learn More

Want to find out more about Actuarial Science at Central? Contact us to learn more about this major and our other strong academic programs. Visit campus to observe classes and experience The Central Difference firsthand.