Membership & Education

A Career as an Actuary

Canadian Universities Offering Actuarial Studies

Calgary

The University of Calgary offers a minor, major, and honours degree program in actuarial science. The required courses cover most of the material for the associateship examinations of the Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society. A co-operative education degree program in actuarial science is also available, allowing students to supplement their classroom experience with 16 to 20 months of work terms in the actuarial industry. Students can combine an actuarial program with a second degree program in commerce, economics, or statistics. Instruction in commerce is provided by the Faculty of Management, which also houses Canada’s first English university-level specialization and chair in insurance and risk management. Courses offered by the Insurance and Risk Management Faculty cover many of the senior associateship and fellowship examination topics.

Dr. R.S. Ambagaspitiya, Dr. David P.M. Scollnik, Dr. Alex Badescu, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Tel: (403) 220-5202
Fax: (403) 282-5150
Website: http://www.math.ucalgary.ca/undergrad

Concordia

The online Undergraduate Calendar of Concordia University gives a full description of our actuarial programs (see http://registrar.concordia.ca/calendar/31/31.200.html). Here is an executive summary.

The Specialization program in Actuarial Mathematics is comprised of 20 required courses (60 credits) and 10 elective courses (30 credits). The required courses cover all of the preparatory material for Exams P, FM, MLC, and C of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), as well as our SOA-approved courses for the VEE in Applied Statistics. The preparatory courses to Exam MFE and our SOA-approved courses for the VEE in Economics and in Corporate Finance are usually taken by actuarial students as part of their 10 elective courses. This is a limited-entry program with a maximum of 50 students selected among the more than 200 applications that we receive every year. Our minimum application grade point average (GPA) is 3.3 on 4.3 and then a minimum GPA of 2.0 on 4.3 is required to remain in good standing in the program.

The Honours program requires exactly the same course content as the Specialization, but in addition the student needs to complete a six-credit Honours actuarial research project, under the supervision of an actuarial researcher. A higher minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.3 is required to remain in good standing in this program, which is designed for students who intend to continue their training in graduate school.

The Specialization program in Actuarial Mathematics/Finance is offered jointly with our John Molson School of Business (JMSB). It requires exactly the same actuarial courses as the Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics, plus the equivalent of a Minor in Finance, taken at the JMSB. These include all the preparatory courses for Exam MFE and our SOA-approved courses for the VEE in Economics and in Corporate Finance. As a result, all 90 credits are required and there are no electives. We admit, at most, 15 students a year in this program, usually our top applicants (minimum application GPA of 3.7 on 4.3), who sit in the same actuarial courses as the other 50 students. Specialization students form a class of, at most, 65 students in total.

Finally, some distinctive characteristics of the actuarial program at Concordia are:
• It is the only such program in English in the province of Québec;
• It was the first program in the province, and one of only a few in the country, to offer cooperative education;
• It is now a well-established program (more than 30 years old) and of a significant size, with over 200 undergraduate students; and
• It was one of the first programs to invest significantly in extending its commitment to graduate actuarial education, with master’s and PhD offerings. We have trained several actuarial PhDs that are now teaching in actuarial programs in Canada and the U.S., as well as in Australia, China, Mexico, and several countries in Europe.

Dr. Jose Garrido, Director, Actuarial Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Concordia University

Tel: (514) 848-3250
Fax: (514) 848-2831
Website: http://www.mathstat.concordia.ca/

Laval

The École d’actuariat of the Université Laval offers actuarial programs at the undergraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral levels. These cover the various areas of expertise required to practise the profession and include paid, for-credit co-op opportunities. In addition, these programs offer students excellent preparation for most of the professional exams. The École d’actuariat qualifies for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ University Accreditation Program, and is recognized as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries. The École d’actuariat’s graduates can be found the world over, contributing to the school’s stellar international reputation.

Isabelle Larouche, director of undergraduate programs, actuarial science.
Hélène Cossette, director of doctoral and post-doctoral programs, actuarial science

Tel: 418-656-2131
Fax: 418-656-3128
Emaill:
isabelle.larouche@act.ulaval.ca
helene.cossette@act.ulaval.ca
Website: http://www.act.ulaval.ca

Manitoba

The Actuarial Mathematics program at the University of Manitoba is one of the oldest in North America, having offered actuarial courses since 1912. Over 700 graduates have become Associates or Fellows of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society. Currently, three undergraduate programs leading to BComm (Hons.) or BSc (Hons.), and one master’s program (MSc in Management), are offered and administrated under the Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research. The Warren Centre has been recognized as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the SOA since 2009. It was ranked as the best actuarial program in Canada in the 2010 Knight Schools survey, and was accredited by the CIA under its University Accreditation Program in 2011.

Dr. Jeffrey Pai, Director, Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research

Tel: (204) 474-7426
Fax: (204) 474-7545
Website: http://www.umanitoba.ca/management

Montréal

L’orientation actuariat du programme de BSc spécialisé en mathématiques vise à donner une formation générale en mathématiques à l’étudiant et à le préparer aux examens de la Society of Actuaries et de la Casualty Actuarial Society. Des cours en démographie, sciences économiques, administration, droit des assurances et informatique compléteront sa formation. Une version de type coopératif avec quatre stages en milieu de travail est offerte.

Sabin Lessard, Directeur, Département de mathématiques et de statistique

Tél: (514) 343-6710
Téléc: (514) 343-5700

Queen's

Students in any of the honours bachelor of science programs in mathematics and statistics may take courses within these programs, which will prepare them for most of the materials in the exams of the Society of Actuaries up to and including course 150. Some of these courses are specifically designed for actuarial studies, although there is no separate actuarial studies program.

Dr. Malcolm Griffin, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Tel: (613) 545-2438 or 545-2390
Fax: (613) 545-2964

Regina

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is the largest department in the faculty of science at the University of Regina, and offers degrees in mathematics and statistics both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department has offered a program in actuarial science since September 2000. Interested students begin this program in their first year (see program details following). There are also courses offered online. The department strives to make it possible for students to transfer in or out of the actuarial science program in the first or second year. Successful students graduate with a bachelor of science degree in actuarial science. The actuarial science program provides a strong statistical and mathematical background in preparation for (most of) the required associateship courses of the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. The program allows for optional courses from other related disciplines, such as, administration, economics, computer science, mathematics and statistics.

Dr. Douglas Farenick, Professor & Head
Department Mathematics and Statistics
University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2

Tel: (306) 585-4148
Fax: (306) 585-4020
Website: http://www.math.uregina.ca/

Simon Fraser University

The Statistics and Actuarial Science Department at Simon Fraser University offers major and honours degrees in actuarial science. These programs include actuarial, mathematics, statistics, business and economics courses and prepare students to attempt the first four courses of the Society of Actuaries and part of the fifth and sixth courses. There is also a certificate program in actuarial mathematics that is designed to assist graduates from non-actuarial fields.

Dr. Gary Parker, Actuarial Program Coordinator

Tel: (604) 291-4818
Fax: (604) 291-4368
e-mail: gparker@stat.sfu.ca
Website: www.stat.sfu.ca

Toronto

Students who enrol in the four-year Specialist Program in Actuarial Science are prepared to write Exam P (CAS Exam 1). By the end of their second year, students will have taken courses to earn credit for Exam FM (CAS Exam 2). At the end of their fourth year, students will have taken courses to earn credit for Exams MLC (CAS Exam 3L), MFE (CAS Exam 3F), and C (CAS Exam 4). In addition, there are courses in the program related to material in some specialty fellowship exams.

Mr. Samuel Broverman

Tel: (416) 978-4453
Fax: (416) 978-5133
e-mail: sam@utstat.toronto.edu
Website: http://www.utstat.toronto.edu

UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal)

Le département de mathématiques offre un programme de baccalauréat en actuariat d’une durée de trois ans. Le programme traite les différents aspects de l’actuariat : l'assurance vie et non-vie, l’assurance collective, les régimes de retraite, la finance et investissements. De nombreux stages sont offerts aux étudiants tout au long du baccalauréat.

Le département offre également un programme de maîtrise en mathématiques actuarielles et financières qui permet à l'étudiant d’approfondir davantage leur connaissance et leur compréhension de l’assurance, la finance, la modélisation et la gestion quantitative des risques. Des sujets comme les catastrophes naturelles, les changements climatiques, les fonds distincts, le vieillissement de la population sont traités.

L’UQAM fait partie du programme d'agrément universitaire de l'ICA en plus d'être reconnue comme un Centre Actuariel d’Excellence par la Society of Actuaries.

M. Frédéric Michaud, D.Sc., AICA, CFA
Directeur du programme de premier cycle en actuariat

Tél: (514) 987-3000, poste 2867
Téléc: (514) 987-8935
Courriel: michaud.frederic@uqam.ca
Site Web :
http://www.math.uqam.ca/actuariat/; http://www.math.uqam.ca/actuariat/maitrise.php/

Waterloo

The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Waterloo is home to one of the largest and most highly renowned actuarial science groups in North America. The program for the bachelor of mathematics with honours in actuarial science covers a wide range of courses, including full coverage of the material of the SOA/CAS courses 1-4, partial coverage of SOA courses 5, 6 and 8 and of CAS course 5. Many students graduate with four SOA passes, some with more. With eight actuaries on the faculty the range of courses offered is broad and extends beyond the SOA and CAS syllabi.

Candidates wishing to major in actuarial science should apply to the honours mathematics program in their first year. In second year students are invited to declare their major.

Many students combine Actuarial Science in a double honours program with Statistics. Minors in Computer Science are also common.

The University also offers MMath and PhD programs in actuarial science.

Dr. Mary Hardy, Undergraduate Advisor

Tel: (519) 888-4492
Fax: (519) 746-1875
Website: http://www.stats.uwaterloo.ca

Western Ontario

Western Ontario offers courses in actuarial sciences, statistics, mathematics and economics that cover the first four exams of the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society, as well as some topics on later exams. We also offer an industry internship program and an exchange program with City University, London, UK. Degrees offered are as follows: Honours BSc. in Actuarial Science (AS) along with AS programs combined with mathematics, statistics, computer science and economics. MSc in statistics with emphasis in AS.

Mr. Steve Kopp, FCIA, FSA

Tel: (519) 661-2111, ext. 86288
Fax: (519) 661-3813
E-mail: kopp@stats.uwo.ca
Website: http://www.stats.uwo.ca

York

Actuarial studies at York University are conducted in the framework of the Mathematics for Commerce Program at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Three distinct routes to obtaining a Bachelor diploma currently exist with the Specialized Honours Degree being most comprehensive and preparing the students to write the P and FM exams at the end of their second year, the MLC and MFE exams at the end of their third year and the C exam at the end of their fourth (final) year. All the VEE requirements are also taught with the corresponding courses been approved by the SOA.

Dr. Edward Furman

Tel: (416) 736-5250 Ext 33768
Fax: (416) 736-5757
Email:actuary@mathstat.yorku.ca
Website: http://actsci.math.yorku.ca