Actuarial Science at UMass Amherst
Read below to learn more about suggested majors, exam support, career support, and what we wish we knew freshman/sophmore/junior year!
If you have any additional questions, feel free to email us at umass.gis@gmail.com
Majors
There is no mandatory major to be an actuary. The following list will explain some of the most common options.
Mathematics:
Computer Science/Informatics:
Finance:
Graduate Programs:
Actuarial Career Fair
Fall 2025 Actuarial Career Fair: October 6th
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Join us at the Actuarial Career Fair this fall to talk with company representatives from various fields. You will learn more about recruiting processes, meet active actuaries, connect with full-time employees, and get fun merchandise!
Join us for GIS meetings before the fair to get your resume, LinkedIn, & elevator pitch ready to put your best foot forward.
Bob and Lynne Pollack Actuarial Exam Fund
The math department will reimburse the full fee for any of the first three exams that are successfully passed. In addition, for students who fail the exam for the first time, the department will reimburse part of the cost of study materials.
You may get all of materials (receipt of exam registration, receipt of textbook, exam pass (or not pass) certificate, a thank you letter to Bob and Lynne Pollack) ready, then send them to the co-Director of the Actuarial Program, Kien Nguyen. Now we have changed the reimbursement method of Bob and Lynne Pollack Actuarial Exam Fund. We no longer mail a check to you, but directly provide a waiver of tuition as a financial aid.