What is Actuarial science?
Actuarial Science is a discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk and uncertainty. Professionals in this field are known as actuaries or risk managers.
What are common undergraduate majors?
Students usually major or double-major in Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, or Statistical Science.
Do I need a degree in Actuarial science?
No. To be considered an actuary, the Society of Actuaries, the professional organization, requires taking and passing five exams.
What classes should I take?
The Math Department at Duke has course recommendations for this career path. Courses can also be selected from other departments at Duke, including Statistics, Computer Sciences and Economics. Duke students may also take Actuarial Sciences courses at UNC-Chapel Hill through our interinstitutional partnership.
How do I prepare for the actuarial science exams?
The Duke University Libraries has purchased recommended texts that you can use to study. Students can prepare for the exam by taking courses
The Society of Actuaries provides exam info pages. Exam P–Probability has the most current syllabus for this exam as well as lists of recommended resources and links to practice exams.
Books recommended for Exam P: Probability
Mathematical Statistics with Applications, 7th edition by 
Probability and Statistical Inference, 10th edition by 
Probability and Statistics with Applications, 2nd edition by The Society of Actuaries provides exam info pages. Exam FM-Financial Mathematics has the most current syllabus for this exam as well as lists of recommended resources and links to practice exams.
Books recommended for Exam FM: Financial Mathematics
Mathematics of Investment and Credit, 7th edition by Interest theory : financial mathematics and deterministic valuation, 2nd edition by The Society of Actuaries provides exam info pages. Exam IFM–Investment and Financial Markets has the most current syllabus for this exam as well as lists of recommended resources and links to practice exams. The IFM Exam will be offered for the last time in November 2022.
Books recommended for Exam IFM: Investment and Financial Markets
