student working on a group project
2020 Graduate Outcomes
  • 44.4% average salary increase
  • 0.7 years average time to pay back investment
What does it cost?

Tuition per credit hour

Georgia Residents: $499
Non-Ga. residents: $1,308

Tuition is subject to change.

How long will it take?
  • Full-time format: 3 semesters (16 months)
  • Part-time format: 5-6 semesters (21-24 months)

A dual degree in Quantitative Risk Analysis & Management or Analytics requires just one additional semester. Learn about our dual degree options.

Where can I take classes?
Atlanta Campus, Buckhead Center (200 Tower Place), Online

The program can be completed in-person as well as online. Use the comparison chart to determine which format is right for you.

Note: While the Master of Actuarial Science program can be completed online, courses for the dual degree must be taken in person.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

The Robinson College of Business reviews applications by admissions rounds. The online application and all additional required materials must be submitted by the deadline to be considered for that round. Each admissions round has a decision release date. Find out when a decision is expected to be released for your program.

Students can begin coursework in the fall, spring, or summer.

VIEW APPLICATION DEADLINES

Actuarial Science, Master of

Attend virtual office hours with one of our recruiters to get your questions answered.

Complete the program either online or in person.

Our STEM-designated curriculum covers advanced topics including InsurTech, actuarial analytics, and machine learning. Students complete real-world, hands-on “sprint” projects, and emerge prepared to take the actuarial exams administered by the Society of Actuaries. The program covers coding and statistical methods as well as key actuarial topics. Students can complete the degree in person (in Atlanta) or fully online, and can study full-time or part-time after work. The program is geared toward students with quantitative backgrounds, both with and without prior actuarial training.

#2 in North America for Research Productivity
Among North American business schools, Robinson’s Department of Risk Management & Insurance ranks #2 for research productivity in actuarial science (University of Nebraska – Lincoln). U.S. News & World Report ranks the department fourth in the nation.

Program Comparison: In-person Vs. Online

In-Person Online Certificate
Modality
Modality 70%+ in-person 100% online Online or hybrid
Required credit hours
Required credit hours 30 30 12
Format
Format Full- or part-time Part-time Part-time
Target Audience
Target audience Full-time students with or without actuarial experience. Working professionals with strong quantitative skills looking to transition into the actuarial field. No actuarial background required. Working professionals with strong quantitative skills looking to transition into the actuarial field. No actuarial background required.
Cost per credit hour
Cost per credit hour Georgia residents: $499
Non-Georgia residents: $1,308
Georgia residents: $499
Non-Georgia residents: $1,308
Georgia residents: $499
Non-Georgia residents: $1,308
Start Date
Start Date Fall or spring Fall, spring, or summer Fall, spring, or summer
Duration
Duration 3 semesters (16 months) 5-6 semesters (21-24 months) 2-3 semesters (8-12 months)
Course Load
Course Load 3-4 courses per semester 1-3 courses per semester 1-3 courses per semester
Class Times
Class Times Varies A combination of asynchronous and evening synchronous courses (7:15-9:45 p.m. EST). A combination of asynchronous and evening synchronous courses (7:15-9:45 p.m. EST).
Signature Features
Signature Features
  • Complete experiential projects
  • Work on immersive assignments with partner companies
  • Open to international students seeking a U.S. STEM degree
  • Learn key tools, methods, and ideas to transition into the actuarial field
  • Explore the structure of the industry and technology’s impact on the field
  • Open to students with strong quantitative skills but no actuarial knowledge
  • Learn key tools, methods, and ideas to transition into the actuarial field
  • Explore the structure of the industry and technology’s impact on the field
  • Open to students with strong quantitative skills but no actuarial knowledge

Program Highlights

Two Dual Degree Options Available

Master of Actuarial Science and M.S. in Quantitative Risk Analysis and Management
This program serves the growing need for graduates who 1) have solid quantitative skills in both actuarial risk modeling and financial risk modeling, and 2) understand business contexts and possess the necessary communication skills for solving complex risk issues.

Master of Actuarial Science and M.S. in Data Science and Analytics
This program allows students to differentiate themselves from the competition by anticipating the rapidly emerging needs to fuse data science with actuarial science.

2020 Graduate Outcomes

  • 44.4% average salary increase
  • 0.7 years average time to pay back investment

We are the ONLY Center for Actuarial Excellence in the Southeast.

The department is designated as a Global Center for Insurance Excellence by the International Insurance Society.

Robinson’s Master of Actuarial Science is accredited as a University Risk Program by the Professional Risk Managers’ International Association.

Program Details

Application Requirements

Learn more about the application process and what you will need to apply.

Note: Please visit the “Curriculum” tab for information on the program pre-requisites.

The Master of Actuarial Science program comprises 30 credit hours.

Foundation Requirements

These courses are in addition to the 30 hours required for the MAS degree or in addition to the 48 hours required for the dual degree programs. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student’s transcripts.

Mathematics: Students must have completed three semesters of advanced calculus. (Online courses such as Coursera are acceptable.) Students who enter the program without sufficient background in probability and/or financial mathematics should take AS 8140 and/or AS 8230 among their actuarial electives.

Statistics: Students have completed two semesters of undergraduate mathematical statistics.

Note: If you are interested in the in-person version of this program, please apply for fall or spring. If you are interested in the online version of this program, please apply for fall, spring or summer.

Sample Curriculum (In-person)

Fall 1
MSA 8010 - Data Programming for Analytics
AS 8340 - Life Contingencies
AS 8350 - Insurance Mathematics or RMI 8070 - Insurance Institution and Operations
ECON 8740 - Applied Statistics and Econometrics
Elective (See elective suggestions below.)

Spring 1
AS 8350 - Insurance Mathematics or RMI 8070 - Insurance Institution and Operations
AS 8360 - Insurance Ratemaking
RMI 8300 - Predictive Risk Modeling
Elective (See elective suggestions below.)
Elective (See elective suggestions below.)

Fall 2
Elective (See elective suggestions below.)

Elective Suggestions
RMI 8070 - Insurance Institutions and Operations (If AS 8350 is taken)
RMI 8370 - Financial Risk Management
RMI 8400 - InsurTech
RMI 8450 - Machine Learning in Actuarial Science
AS 8140 - Probability
AS 8230 - Financial Mathematics
AS 8350 - Insurance Mathematics (If RMI 8070 is taken)
AS 8370 - Health Insurance and Risk Management
AS 8430 - Loss Distribution and Credibility Theory
AS 8510 - Mathematical Finance for Actuaries
QRAM 8600 - Theory of Risk Sharing
QRAM 8610 - Financial Engineering

Dual Degrees

Dual degrees require just one additional semester. View the dual degree curriculum requirements.

Note: While the Master of Actuarial Science program can be completed online, courses for the dual degree must be taken in person.


Sample Curriculum (Online)

Fall 1
AS 8140 - Probability
ECON 8740 - Applied Statistics and Econometrics

Spring 1
AS 8230 - Financial Mathematics
RMI 8400 - InsurTech

Summer 1
RMI 8300 - Predictive Risk Modeling
MSA 8010 - Data Programming for Analytics

Fall 2
AS 8340 - Life Contingencies
AS 8360 - Insurance Ratemaking

Spring 2
AS 8350 - Insurance Mathematics
AS 8510 - Mathematical Finance for Actuaries

View the catalog for details and course descriptions.

Tuition per credit hour

Georgia Residents: $499
Non-Ga. residents: $1,308

Tuition is subject to change.

Financial Aid

Contact Graduate Student Financial Services
We are here to help you understand the cost of your program, the payment schedule and financing opportunities.
[email protected]
404-413-7086

Scholarships

Robinson Scholarships

Robinson offers several scholarships through the Office of the Dean as well as the individual academic departments.

Learn More and Apply

Search Georgia State’s Database

Georgia State offers a robust searchable database containing scholarships offered through the university as well as external websites.

Search the Database

Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate research assistantships are available to offset program costs.

Learn More and Apply

Loans

You will be paired with a Graduate Student Experience professional who stays on top of the extracurricular programming that will enhance your academic journey and propel your career. Activities include boot camps on topics that are relevant to your field, professional workshops, networking events, recruiting fairs, and meet-and-greets intended to create camaraderie with your peers.

View a Sample Extracurricular Schedule

Learn More about the Graduate Student Experience Team

Note: Some Graduate Student Experience activities can only be provided to in-person students.

The mission of the Master of Actuarial Science program is to educate students in the theory and practice of actuarial science through a specialized program of study. The program is designed to teach students both the core actuarial theory and the latest developments in actuarial practice.

Careers

Program graduates work for a variety of well-respected companies including Beecher Carlson, Deloitte, FHLBank Atlanta, Goldman Sachs, The Hartford, IFG Companies, Lincoln Financial Group, Munich Re, Samsung, Truist, and Willis Towers Watson.

Our 2020 graduates reported a 44.4% average salary increase, enabling them to pay back their investment in graduate school within 0.7 years.

VIEW SAMPLE JOB TITLES

actuarial analyst

chief actuary

chief risk officer

consultant

data scientist

financial and investment analyst

portfolio manager

quantitative analyst

risk manager

Meet Your Faculty

Samson Fung

Assistant Professor

Stefanos Orfanos

Interim Program Director, Master of Actuarial Science; Clinical Assistant Professor; Fellow, Society of Actuaries

Liang Peng

Professor; Fellow, Institute of Mathematical Statistics; Fellow, American Statistical Association

Steven Shore

R. Means Davis Professor of Risk Management and Insurance; Executive Director, S.S. Huebner Foundation for Insurance Education

Ajay Subramanian

Bruce A. Palmer Professor

Read Our Stories

15M Gift to The Starr Foundation$15 Million Gift from The Starr Foundation Will Transform Risk Education at Georgia State University
The gift from The Starr Foundation to Georgia State University will dramatically expand and enhance its risk education programs and elevate the highly regarded program’s stature worldwide.read more ❯
a Robinson student on his laptop in a common areaGeorgia State University’s Robinson College of Business Eliminates GMAT/GRE Requirement
The ultimate measure of student success is post-graduate career outcomes. Salaries have risen every academic year for graduates of Robinson master’s and MBA programs and are up 10.6 percent over the time encompassing the period since Robinson started waiving and then eliminating, GMAT/GRE test scores. read more ❯
Master of Actuarial Science (MAS) degree onlineGeorgia State to Offer Online Master of Actuarial Science Program in Fall 2021
Starting fall 2021, the Department of Risk Management & Insurance (RMI) at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business will offer its highly regarded Master of Actuarial Science (MAS) degree online, allowing working professionals from any location to study at the school ranked first in North America for actuarial science research.read more ❯

Contacts

Attend virtual office hours with one of our recruiters to get your questions answered.

Stefanos Orfanos, interim program director
[email protected]
404-413-7485

35 Broad St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303