Program at a Glance
- On Campus
- Part-Time or Full-Time Study
- 16 Credits
- 8–12 Months to Completion
- 10 Core Faculty
- No GRE/GMAT
- Tuition & Fees—Part-Time Study*: $12,320
*Based on 2024–2025 Boston University tuition and fees.
Expand Your Foundation in Actuarial Science
Building upon concepts covered in the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations, the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science at Boston University’s Metropolitan College further cultivates your ability to “think like an actuary” by developing problem-solving skills through exposure to a wide range of actuarial-related topics, notably interest theory and probability.
By completing the Actuarial Science graduate certificate, you will be able to work with complex actuarial models in insurance companies, consulting firms, and related industries.
Preparation for Professional Examinations
BU MET’s Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science courses are designed to help you build an understanding of the subject matter while providing sufficient background to be successful in passing the following Society of Actuaries (SoA) exams: FAM, A-LTAM or A-STAM, and SRM. Passing these exams, and the units you will receive for successfully passing Mathematical Statistics (MET MA 582), will put you in a good position to receive an “Actuarial Science Foundations” micro-credential from the SoA. Students who follow the SoA exam track will typically work in fields such as life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, and pension plans, all of which use the probability of mortality.
Society of Actuaries’ “UCAP-AC” designation
BU is the only university in northern New England that offers a master’s degree in Actuarial Science
Learn More
What Is My Career Outlook as a Graduate of This Program?
30,000
Total number of US Jobs
4,241
Annual job openings
+2.9%
Annual job openings
23%
Projected ten-year growth in jobs
(faster than average)
$120K
Median annual salary
Common job titles include:
- Actuary
- Actuarial Associate
- Actuarial Student
- Actuarial Consultant
- Statistician
- Forecast Analyst
Employers seek expertise in:
- Financial mathematics
- R
- Excel
- Statistical analysis
- Statistical methods
- Statistical modeling
- Data science
- SAS
Why Study to be an Actuary at BU MET?
- Active Learning Environment: BU MET’s Actuarial Science graduate courses ensure that you gain practical skills solving real problems alongside actuaries who work in the industry. 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.
- Engaged Faculty: BU MET’s Actuarial Science graduate programs are taught by SoA- and CAS-credentialed faculty who bring unique expertise and practical insight into the classroom, using actual actuarial problems as examples to supplement course material.
- Extensive Network: Graduates of BU MET Actuarial Science programs benefit from faculty members’ connections to the industry and from a local pool of successful, practicing alumni who work for organizations such as Willis Towers Watson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual, and the Massachusetts Department of Insurance.
- Exam Preparation: Courses in the Actuarial Science graduate certificate program are geared to prepare students for success in passing the following SoA exams: FAM, A-LTAM or A-STAM, and SRM.
- Student Support: Enjoy an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring close interaction in the classroom with faculty mentors. The program’s faculty are readily available for advice and support.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, and many others.
- Flexible Schedule: Study at the pace that works for you. Complete the program in as little as one year or take one or two courses per semester and complete the certificate over several years—ideal for students who are working full time. Students may begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer semester.
- Track Record: Learn from the best. BU MET’s master’s degree program in Actuarial Science has been graduating successful actuarial students for over 25 years.
Master the Tools of the Actuarial Science Profession
Metropolitan College will help you acquire the skills you need to become a successful actuary in today’s competitive job market. With the MS in Actuarial Science and its concentrations in Finance and Insurance, along with the Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations and Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science, BU MET provides an excellent academic foundation and practical exposure to real-world business environments.
If you have an analytical mind and enjoy working with financial theory, a career as an actuary could be an excellent opportunity for you. Actuarial science uses a combination of statistics, mathematics, economics, finance, data science, and other fields to allow actuaries to make crucial policy decisions in an unpredictable business world. With this specialized knowledge comes enhanced compensation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for recent actuarial science graduates is higher than the average for other professions. And, the BLS predicts a 23 percent increase in opportunities through 2032.
With a faculty made up of academic actuaries, practicing actuaries, and actuaries who have extensive real-world experience, BU MET’s programs in Actuarial Science help you develop the skills you need to become a credentialed actuary. You will gain a solid academic foundation through specialized courses in actuarial science, data science, finance, and related fields. You will also benefit from being exposed to current business and economic practices while examining the fiscal and ethical dilemmas encountered in the process of business decision-making.
Located in one of the nation’s top financial and insurance centers, Boston University is the only university in New England that offers a master’s 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.
Graduate with Expertise in Complex Actuarial Models
Metropolitan College’s Actuarial Science graduate certificate will equip you with:
- An understanding of the mathematical basis for actuarial modeling in life, property, and casualty insurance.
- The ability to use the basics of actuarial practice in developing complex actuarial models for pricing, reserving, evaluating, and designing a variety of insurance and financial products.
- The expertise to pass advanced actuarial exams on Fundamentals of Actuarial Science, Long Term Actuarial Models, Short Term Actuarial Models, and Statistics for Risk Modeling.
- Obtain the background to achieve the VEE credential in mathematical statistics.
Certificate-to-Degree Pathway
BU MET graduate certificate programs can serve as building blocks to a master’s degree. The Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science and Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations share courses with the master’s in Actuarial Science program. Students currently enrolled in a graduate certificate who are interested in transitioning into a master’s degree should contact their academic advisor to declare their interest in this pathway. A new master’s degree application is not required. Connect with a graduate admissions advisor at adsadmissions@bu.edu to learn more about this option.
Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science Curriculum
Core Courses
(Four courses/16 credits)
MET AT 531 Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics
MET AT 743 Regression and Time Series
MET MA 582 Mathematical Statistics
Plus one of the following:
MET AT 771 Advanced Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
MET AT 781 Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics
Actuarial Science Faculty
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.How Much Does This Program Cost?
BU MET programs offer the flexibility of part-time study, either on campus or online. Tuition, fees, and total program cost are determined by enrollment status. Course enrollment in this certificate program is 1–2 courses (4–8 credits) in a semester, and tuition is charged the part-time per-credit rate.
Actuarial Science Graduate Certificate (On Campus)
| Enrollment Status | Part Time |
| Courses per Semester | 2 courses (8 credits) |
| Time to Degree | 2 semesters (8 months) |
| Tuition* | $550-$975 per credit** |
| Fees per Semester* | $60 |
| Total Degree Cost* | $12,320 |
*Based on 2024-2025 Boston University tuition & fee rates.
**Cost per credit is determined by course number (100–599 = $550/credit, 600–999 = $975/credit).
Questions? Please contact us to hear from an Admissions Advisor who can help you determine the best enrollment pathway. For information regarding financial aid, visit BU MET’s Financial Aid page.
Get Started
Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
What to Read Next: MET Actuarial Science Knowledge Center
News & Events
December 10th, 2024 at: 10:00am - 10:45am
The Inside Scoop: Graduate Admissions at BU MET (International Students)
December 11th, 2024 at: 1:00pm - 1:45pm
The Inside Scoop: BU MET Graduate Admissions for Domestic Students (US Citizens & Permanent US Residents)
December 18th, 2024 at: All Day
Financing your BU MET Graduate Education (for DOMESTIC students)