Before he arrived at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, Liam Clancy, class of 2025, knew he wanted to pursue a career in actuarial science.
“I was in a STEM program that was very heavily geared toward engineering,” Clancy says. “I didn’t want to go into engineering, but I still wanted to work with numbers and problem solving.
“During my process of applying to different colleges, my guidance counselor pushed me to explore what was out there for me. I was excited to learn that Temple, through the Fox School, offered a strong actuarial science program.”
Now, Clancy, in his senior year, knows he made the right decision.
Housed in the Department of Risk, Actuarial Science and Legal Studies, the Fox School’s Actuarial Science program prepares students for successful futures in the role of an actuary. Actuaries specialize in evaluating insurance and financial risks across many industries.
Tailored for students with strong foundational backgrounds in mathematics and statistics, the 124-credit curriculum centers around the concept that the analysis of numbers and modeling can be utilized in solving business problems. Graduates of the major usually enter the industries of consulting or insurance and can anticipate leaving Fox with a keen understanding of financial risk management, refined analytical and mathematical skills, and foundational preparation for required industry examinations.
“A pillar of our major experience is centered on student preparedness,” says Krupa Viswanathan, associate professor and academic director of the actuarial science program.
“When students enter our major, we are determined for them to leave prepared to enter a wide variety of critical industries that are on the frontlines of assisting people and businesses to ensure they are financially protected.”
A niche area of study at Fox, the actuarial science discipline showcases this heightened sense of preparedness in many forms. In addition to all actuarial science faculty holding industry credentials, the major recently achieved Gold Tier Recognition by the Casualty Actuarial Society and recognized as a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) by the Society of Actuaries.
Through this CAE certification, the program utilizes this accreditation to offer students courses in the society’s University-Earned Credit (UEC) program. The opportunity allows students to earn critical industry exam credit by completing courses with specific grade parameters.
“Being able to receive industry exam credits through the UEC program is an amazing opportunity to have,” Clancy says. “Through my classroom success in certain actuarial courses, I am entering my senior year with several industry exam accreditations already complete.
“It is a great feeling and makes me more confident as I prepare to enter the industry beyond graduation.”
(Photo courtesy of Ahmed Alghamdi)
Students within the actuarial science major are also encouraged to join the Fox Student Professional Organization Gamma Iota Sigma, an organization which aims to enhance the professional development, career opportunities and internal community among students who major in actuarial science.
Clancy can attest from a first-hand perspective to the benefits of being involved in the group.
“Joining Gamma Iota Sigma has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at Temple,” Clancy says. “The group has allowed me to increase my professional development, networking and to learn more about my potential career options in the actuarial field.”
For now, Clancy, who received a full-time offer of employment with MetLife in New York after graduation, is embracing a leadership position with his student organization.
“I am so honored to serve as the president of the SPO for my senior year,” Clancy says. “I know how much the organization can have an impact on helping students make connections, find resources and internships and overall reach success in the pursuit of their actuarial science degrees.
“I am looking forward to leading our organization for what we are planning to be a great academic year.”
As Clancy and his fellow actuarial science majors eye another year of success, both he and Viswanathan agree that the major is one that incoming students should seriously consider.
“We believe actuarial science will always remain to be a critical area of study – both now and as we look ahead toward the future,” Viswanathan says.
“In essence, we are teaching our students a way of predicting the future through problem-solving—which is a very neat concept.”