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Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations

Admissions Information

For current admissions information, please visit the Metropolitan College website.

The Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations at Boston University’s Metropolitan College provides students with a set of courses that cultivates their ability to “think like an actuary.” The approach helps develop actuarial problem-solving skills through exposure to actuarial-related topics, including interest theory and probability, that are crucial to the growing field of actuarial work.

Students completing the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations will be able to work with simple actuarial models in insurance companies, consulting firms, and related industries. In addition, they will be given sufficient background to be successful in passing Society of Actuaries (SoA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) actuarial exams P and FM. With passing these exams and the units they will receive for successfully passing Financial Mathematics (MET AT 521) and Economics and Management Decisions (MET AT 511), or an equivalent MET course approved by the advisor, students will be well-positioned to receive a “Pre-Actuarial Foundations” micro-credential from the SoA/CAS. Studies recently undertaken by the SoA indicate that this knowledge and these skills are in high demand within insurance and related fields.

This program requires an average of 8–12 months to complete. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer term.

Learning Outcomes

  • The ability to master the foundational mathematical elements of actuarial work, specifically probability theory and the time value of money.
  •  The ability to apply mathematical, accounting, and economic frameworks to model and evaluate real-world financial scenarios.
  • The ability to synthesize concepts from interest theory and probability to evaluate and solve fundamental actuarial and business problems.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the core topics required to pass the Society of Actuaries (SoA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams P and FM.
  • The ability to fulfill the academic requirements necessary to pursue the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credentials in economics and accounting and finance.

Certificate Requirements

A total of four courses (16 units) is required, as follows:

  • MET AD 632 Financial Concepts
  • MET AT 511 Economics and Management Decisions
  • MET AT 521 Financial Mathematics
  • MET AT 581 Probability for Actuaries

Related Bulletin Pages

Beyond the Bulletin