Program Details
Financial Technology with concentration in Actuarial Science, Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
The Bachelor of Science in Financial Technology offers concentrations in actuarial science and financial engineering. The program provides quantitatively oriented students the opportunity to apply mathematical, statistical and programming tools to the financial, risk management and actuarial disciplines. Designed to meet the growing need for quantitative modeling and analysis in finance, risk management and actuarial science, the program is technical and interdisciplinary in nature. The curriculum emphasizes courses in finance, statistics and mathematics with supporting courses in related areas. The actuarial science concentration provides excellent preparation for the basic professional examinations and continued study in actuarial science. Students who complete this concentration also may find employment in areas such as quantitative applications in corporate and public financial policy, actuarial modeling and forecasting, reserves computation and rate making, and computer and information systems in the financial services and risk management industries.
Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following. Students will be able to identify and use relevant data to calculate appropriate quantitative measures that help in making informed actuarial calculations. Students will be able to describe and expound on competing propositions in a structured, organized and deliberate manner with comparisons, anecdotal evidence and descriptive analysis. Students will be able to express the analytic, quantitative and ethical dimensions of a business problem and proposed solutions in a clear, well-organized manner that is free of bias or distortions.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This degree provides students with the expertise to assume a central role in organizations who deal with risk, such as insurance companies, consulting firms, healthcare organizations, banks and more. Actuarial science is an applied science based on concepts and observations distilled from the experience of actuaries and from other sciences, including mathematics, statistics, economics and finance. |
Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students in the actuarial science concentration must attain a minimum grade of C in MATH 200, MATH 307, STAT 309, STAT 310, FIRE 319. A student receiving a grade below C may repeat the course one time to raise the grade to the required level. In addition, a minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained. Students who fall below a GPA of 2.5 will be placed on program probation and will be given one semester to return to the minimum GPA of 2.5. Students who do not return to the required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 after two semesters will be dismissed from the financial technology major. Students who do not satisfactorily attain the minimum grade of C in one course after two attempts will be dismissed from the financial technology major. In concert with the academic adviser of the department, an appeal may be submitted to the chair of the department. A student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to graduate from the program. At least 30 hours of the required business courses for the Bachelor of Science must be taken at VCU. Students admitted into this program must place into MATH 200 to continue in the program. No more than three credits in physical education courses may be applied to the degree. Many courses are offered irregularly; please work with an adviser for optimal course sequencing. Credit for SPCH 121 or SPCH 321 will substitute for BUSN 225, and no more than three credits of these courses may be applied toward a business degree. Students who earned a minimum grade of B in either ECON 203 or ECON 205 at VCU may substitute that credit for ECON 210. The pass/fail grading policy may not be used for many course requirements. Students should check with their academic adviser before taking the pass/fail grading option. The School of Business has special academic policies, including policies on transfer credits, that apply to all undergraduate degrees. The pass/fail grading policy may not be used for courses that can satisfy major degree requirements. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's lower-level business courses with grades of B or better. Student must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to declare their business major. Missing lower-level courses must be taken before beginning the advanced business courses.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | The student organization, Actuarial Science Club, promotes and provides fellowship among students and faculty interested in actuarial science and introduces to the resources needed to identify career opportunities and obtain internships and full-time positions. Actuarial foundational exam courses are available to students who earned a minimum of C in calculus. These courses prepare students for the Society of Actuaries certification exams. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Graduates are well positioned for careers in insurance, health care, consulting firms, and investment banks. Graduates also work in firms who need to analyze their economic consequences of their retained risks, such as Tesla, Uber, etc. The average starting salary for actuarial scientist (overall industry) is $84,000. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgewater College | Business Administration Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Finance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Marketing (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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11-3031.00 | Financial Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment. | Management Occupations |
11-3031.03 | Investment Fund Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors. | Management Occupations |
11-3031.01 | Treasurers and Controllers | Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
