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
Close
Actuary, Life Pricing, Physicians Mutual Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska
Corporate actuary, Jackson National Insurance Company, Lansing, Michigan
Risk analyst, Transamerica, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Consulting actuary, R H Moysey, Plainfield, Illinois
Actuarial analyst, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, Iowa
Rate analyst, The IMT Group, West Des Moines, Iowa
Consulting actuary and Fellow in the Casualty Actuarial Society, Nationwide Insurance, Des Moines
Organizations
Business club
Math club
Kappa Mu Epsilon, mathematics honor organization
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
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:
Mark Mills, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics, interest areas include actuarial science education
Jessica Schuring, B.A., M.B.A, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Economics, interest areas include microeconomics, health economics, labor economics, environmental economics, development economics and economics of discrimination
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.
