*Based on 2025–2026 Boston University tuition and fees. Merit scholarship may reduce cost.
Master Financial Risk and Actuarial Finance
The Master of Science in Actuarial Science concentration in Finance at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) provides a focused study of financial principles essential to actuarial practice. This concentration dives deep into advanced topics including financial derivatives, portfolio management, asset-liability management, and risk assessment in financial markets—equipping you with the expertise necessary for insurance and pension fund financial modeling.
Through a blend of theoretical coursework and practical case studies, BU MET’s Actuarial Science degree concentration in Finance will foster the skills to address complex financial challenges facing insurance companies, consulting firms, and other financial institutions. Emphasizing the intersection of actuarial science and finance, the curriculum prepares you to analyze investment strategies and manage financial risks with confidence and precision.
A master’s degree in Actuarial Science from Boston University prepares you for diverse actuarial roles across traditional and evolving sectors, building strong analytical skills in predictive risk analysis, mathematics, and statistics that are highly valued in insurance, financial services, government agencies, and consulting firms. Actuaries play key roles in health, life, property and casualty insurance, and pension consulting firms by quantifying risk and uncertainty critical to decision-making.
BU MET’s Actuarial Science faculty, composed of experienced academics and industry professionals, not only provide core knowledge but also cultivate the mindset needed to “think like an actuary.” Whether your career path leads to life insurance, pensions, enterprise risk management, or emerging actuarial fields, this master’s program provides a competitive advantage.
The curriculum aligns with examination requirements from the Society of Actuaries (SoA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), guiding students toward credentials essential to their careers. The SoA track focuses on areas like life and health insurance and pensions, while the CAS track prepares students for roles involving quantifiable risks such as automobile and homeowner’s insurance.
The MS in Actuarial Science, Finance concentration is also available on campus in Boston. Learn more.
Curriculum
A total of 34 units is required.
Students must complete the core curriculum and the Insurance concentration requirements.
Given the nature of the program, a solid foundation in calculus and multivariate calculus is recommended for applicants.
Core Courses
(Seven courses/26 units)
Plus, one course selected from the following:
And one course selected from the following:
Concentration Requirements
(Two courses/8 units)
In addition to the MS in Actuarial Science core courses (26 units), students pursuing a concentration in Finance must also choose two of the following concentration courses:
Directed Studies
Courses in directed studies are offered to students who plan to engage in specialized research topics under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Actuarial Internships
Internship courses are also offered to students who seek practical applications of actuarial principles in insurance companies, financial institutions, pension consulting firms, and other related fields. While these courses are not intended to create internship opportunities for students, students find value in the regular meetings of the courses in which they discuss the work they are doing outside of the classroom.
To take these internship courses, students should have successfully completed MET AT 521 and MET AT 531 (or the associated professional examination) and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. In addition, to enroll in these courses, international students must meet the rules of Boston University’s International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) regarding internships.
Learn about application requirements for BU MET graduate degree and certificate programs.
How You Benefit from a Boston University Education
A BU credential can help lay the foundation for career advancement and personal success.
Benefit from an average 24:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Work closely with SoA- and CAS-credentialed faculty—many of whom are currently actuaries in the industry—and gain practical skills solving real problems. A selection of programming and computer courses bring real-world examples into lectures, ensuring that you gain a deep knowledge of data tools and their application.
Focus on practical, hands-on lessons that you can apply on the job. The unique Capstone in Actuarial Science course immerses you in “real-world” challenges via the analysis of risk factors that are now relevant to actuarial work, including changes in mortality trends, new medical breakthroughs, and the impact of climate change.
Benefit from faculty members’ connections to the industry and successful, practicing alumni who work for organizations such as Willis Towers Watson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual, the Massachusetts Department of Insurance, and more.
Learn from the best—BU MET’s master’s degree program in Actuarial Science has been graduating successful actuarial students for over 25 years.
All graduate students are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the application process and nominated based on eligibility. Learn more.
Rankings & Accreditations
BU has Bronze Level recognition from the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) University Recognition Program.
Society of Actuaries’ “UCAP-AC” Designation
BU is the only university in New England that offers a Master of Science degree in Actuarial Science. Learn more.
Graduate with Finance Expertise for Actuaries
Students who complete the Actuarial Science master’s degree concentration in Finance will be able to demonstrate:
A deep understanding of mathematical finance methods and tools used by actuaries.
Detailed knowledge of the mathematics and modeling techniques that form the core of actuarial calculations. This knowledge includes topics in probability, statistics, life contingencies, loss models, credibility theory, investment theory, and financial mathematics.
An accurate and deep understanding of these core actuarial topics and the ability to creatively solve increasingly complex business problems.
Proficiency in distinguishing and describing a wide range of actuarial practice areas in-depth and knowledgeably, and the ability to articulate an understanding of the principles that govern the development of both standard insurance products and new developments risk management models.
Competency in the computer skills required to analyze data using leading-edge software tools of the trade in insurance, risk management, and related industries.
“Boston University’s Actuarial Science program has given me the opportunity to pursue my dream job… this program is structured for students to be able to work actuarial co-ops, internships, and even entry level roles while completing their degree; this is a significant competitive advantage for students seeking co-ops and internships, and I have taken full advantage of the opportunity.”
Michael Pace(MET ’23) Actuarial Assistant, John Hancock MS, Actuarial Science
Advance Your Career
Located in one of the nation’s top financial and insurance centers, Boston University is the only university in New England that offers an MS degree in Actuarial Science, providing an unmatched environment to learn and to find both internships and full-time employment. BU’s Actuarial Science program has the Society of Actuaries’ “UCAP-AC” designation and BU has Bronze Level recognition from the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) University Recognition Program for demonstrated commitment to preparing future property and casualty actuaries through its educational offerings. You can take courses to receive “Validation by Educational Experience (VEE)” credit from the SoA and CAS. By taking VEE courses, which also count toward the master’s in Actuarial Science degree, you have an advantage when seeking employment.
Graduates of the Actuarial Science master’s program are qualified for roles that involve quantifying risk, developing statistical models, analyzing insurance products, advising on pension plans, and supporting strategic business decisions related to risk management. Typical job titles might include actuary, actuarial analyst, risk analyst, data analyst (with an actuarial focus), insurance analyst, pension analyst, pricing analyst, financial analyst (specializing in risk and insurance), enterprise risk manager, catastrophe risk analyst, compliance analyst (insurance and finance), loss reserving analyst, product development analyst (insurance), healthcare actuary, and investment actuary, among others.
Recent graduates have found job opportunities and career paths at companies such as:
Towers Watson
Blue Cross Blue Shield
John Hancock
Liberty Mutual
Comcast
Citizens Bank
Deloitte Consulting
IBM
Massachusetts Department of Insurance
Take Advantage of Career Resources at BU MET
You will find the support you need in reaching your career goals through MET’s Career Development office, which offers a variety of job-hunting resources, including one-on-one career counseling by appointment for online students. You can also take advantage of tools and resources available online through BU’s Center for Career Development.
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