Program Description

Actuaries work with all kinds of organizations to analyze data, assess risk, and estimate the probability and likely cost of occurrences such as death, sickness, injury, disability or loss of property. The Master of Science in Actuarial Science degree program educates future leaders of the actuarial industry by training them in actuarial theory and methods across a wide spectrum of actuarial applications involving probabilistic and statistical models.

The program offers students a wide variety of specialized courses in actuarial science, probability and statistics, financial mathematics, decision theory, economics and other related fields. Taught by top-tier faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas, Actuarial Science graduates have the proficiencies they need to take the seven professional actuarial examinations administered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) and to serve as actuaries in fields such as accounting, finance, insurance, consulting, government and emerging markets. The University of Texas at Dallas is recognized as the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE), the highest level of SOA recognition for universities.

Benefits

The Actuarial Science master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of the field, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics who are widely cited experts in their respective fields.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the Actuarial Science master’s program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies, and competencies while preparing them to succeed in competitive, ever-changing industries.
• Facilities: A cluster of buildings and research labs on the northwest side of campus comprise the over 300,000-square-foot space where students can explore the sciences including the famous Natural Sciences and Research Lab – the “mermaid building” and the Sciences Building. Opened in 2020, the 186,000-square-foot Sciences Building is home to state-of-the-art labs for advanced research in mathematical, biological and physical sciences.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region—recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs”—UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Actuarial Science master’s program go on to pursue professional careers in many different organizations and industries:

• Insurance providers
• Accounting firms
• Financial institutions
• Consulting firms
• Governmental offices

The NSM Career Success Center is an important resource for students pursuing STEM and healthcare careers. Career professionals are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes and connecting with campus recruiters, among other services.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

The university application deadlines apply with the exception that, for the upcoming Fall term, all application materials must be received by December 15 for first-round consideration of scholarships and fellowships. See the Department of Mathematical Sciences graduate programs website for additional information. 

 Visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process.