B.S. Actuarial Science Degree Requirements – 2026-27

1. Writing and Speaking (GWS) – Complete 3 credits in each category with grades of C or better (9 credits)

   1. Composition – ENGL 15 (3), ENGL 30 (3), ESL 15 (3), ENGL 137H (3), or CAS 137H (3)

   2. Effective Writing – ENGL 202D (3)

   3. Three Additional Credits of GWS (3)

2. Quantification (GQ) – Complete the following two categories with grades of C or better

   1. Calculus – MATH 140 (4)

   2. Statistics – SCM 200 (4) or STAT 200 (4)

3. Integrative Studies – Complete 6 credits with an Inter-Domain attribute

   1. Courses with a course number suffix (attribute) of "N" satisfy this requirement.

4. Natural Sciences (GN) – Complete 6 GN credits with at least 3 credits that are not Inter-Domain (N).

   1. Complete 3 credits of GN that is not Inter-Domain (N)

   2. Complete 3 GN credits (3)

5. Arts (GA) – Complete 3 GA credits that are not Inter-Domain (N)

6. Humanities (GH) – Complete 3 GH credits that are not Inter-Domain (N)

7. Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS) - Complete the following (3 credits)

   1. ECON 102 – Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy (3)

8. Health and Wellness (GHW) - Complete 3 GHW credits that are not Inter-Domain

9. General Education – Exploration

   1. Complete 3 credits from GN, GA, GH, GS, Inter-Domain (N), or World Language (15th credit or higher)

   2. Complete 3 credits from GN, GA, GH, GS, or Inter-Domain (N)

Additional University Requirements

• First-Year Seminar: Complete a first-year seminar course (1-3 credits) if required by the Penn State campus a student was admitted to.

• United States Cultures (US): This requirement may be completed by designated courses that also complete other degree or General Education requirements.

• International Cultures (IL): This requirement may be completed by designated courses that also complete other degree or General Education requirements.

1. World Language – Demonstrate proficiency at the 12th credit level or higher (4-3 credits)

2. ECON 104 – Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)

3. Foundation Business Courses – Complete the following at Penn State with grades of C or better (13 credits)

   1. ACCTG 211 – Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making (4) [Prerequisite: MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination] or

      1. ACCTG 201 – Financial Accounting (3) [Prerequisite: MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination] and ACCTG 202 - Managerial Accounting (3) [Prerequisite: ACCTG 201]

   2. MGMT 301 – Basic Management Concepts (3) [Prerequisite: (ENGL/ESL 15 or ENGL 30 or ENGL/CAS 137H) and (ECON 102 or 104) and MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination]

   3. MKTG 301 – Principles of Marketing (3) [Prerequisite: (ENGL/ESL 15 or ENGL 30 or ENGL/CAS 137H) and (ECON 102 or 104) and MATH 21 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination]

   4. FIN 301 – Corporation Finance (3) [Prerequisite: (ENGL/ESL 15 or ENGL 30 or ENGL/CAS 137H), ACCTG 211 (or ACCTG 201 & ACCTG 202), (ECON 102 or 104), and (SCM 200 or STAT 200)]

4. Core Business Courses - Complete the following prescribed courses (12 credits)

   1. MIS 250 – Introduction to Problem Solving with Spreadsheet Analysis and Information Systems Management (3)

   2. BA 342 – Socially Responsible, Sustainable and Ethical Business Practice (3) [Prerequisite: MGMT 301/301W; Concurrent: FIN 301, MKTG 301, SCM 301]

   3. BLAW 341 – Business Law I: Introduction to Contracts, Liability Issues, and Intellectual Property (3) [Prerequisite: MGMT 301/301W; Concurrent: FIN 301, MKTG 301, SCM 301]

   4. BA 411 – Analyzing Business and Industry (3) [Prerequisites: ACCTG 211 or (ACCTG 201 & ACCTG 202), FIN 301, MGMT 301, MKTG 301, SCM 301]

Complete the following prescribed courses (27 credits). A grade of C or better is required in all courses.

• MATH 141 – Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4) [Prerequisite: MATH 140]

• MATH 231 – Calculus of Several Variables (2) [Prerequisite: MATH 141]

• STAT (MATH) 414 – Introduction to Probability Theory (3) [Prerequisite: MATH 230 or Concurrent: MATH 232 or (MATH 231 and RM 214)]

• STAT (MATH) 415 – Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (3) [Prerequisite: STAT (MATH) 414]

• RM 320W – Risk Management and Insurance (3) [Prerequisite: FIN 301, MATH 140, (SCM 200 or STAT 200)] [fall only third year]

• RM 410 – Financial Mathematics for Actuaries (3) [Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 141] [fall and spring]

• RM 411 – Long Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals (3) [Prerequisite: C or better in RM 410 and STAT/MATH 414] [fall only]

• RM 421 – Short Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals (3) [Prerequisite: C or better in RM 410 and STAT (MATH) 415] [spring only]

• RM 430 – Life and Health Insurance (3) [Prerequisite: RM 320W] [fall only fourth year]

Select based on the following (6 credits). A grade of C or better is required in all courses.

• Complete one course from the following (3 credits):

  • RM 412 – Long Term Actuarial Mathematics - Advanced Topics (4) [Prerequisite: C or better in RM 411] [Spring only]

  • RM 497 – Advanced Topics in Actuarial Mathematics (4) [Prerequisite: C or better in RM 411] [Spring only]

  • RM 422 – Short Term Actuarial Mathematics - Advanced Topics (3) [Prerequisite: C or better in RM 421] [Fall only]

• Complete one course from the following (3 credits):

  • STAT 380 – Data Science Through Statistical Reasoning and Computation (3) [Prerequisite: STAT 200 and STAT 184]

  • STAT 462 – Applied Regression Analysis (3) [Prerequisite: STAT 200 or STAT 240 or STAT 250 or STAT 401]

  • STAT 483 – Statistical Programming in SAS (3) [Prerequisite: Three credits in Statistics]

Complete 8 credits

• First-Year Seminar (1 credit)

• RM 214 - Applications of Probability Theory to Actuarial Science (1.5 credits) [Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 141; Co-requisite STAT (MATH) 414; Concurrent MATH 230 or MATH 231] [Fall and Spring]

• Additional Credits (5.5 credits)