The Actuarial Science program at the Wisconsin School of Business is one of a select few programs in North America designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries. The Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science at the Wisconsin School of Business is a tailored program that strategically prepares students for their career as an actuary. The Capstone is not a degree program. It is a high-quality certificate program designed to quickly and effectively prepare students to successfully pass the professional credentialing exams required by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). A key strength of our Capstone program is its flexibility and relatively short time to completion. Students can choose either a full-time or part-time learning track. When taking classes full-time, students can expect to complete the program and have their certificate in 9 months. Students enrolled part-time must take a minimum of one class each semester and can take up to three years to complete the program with exceptions being made for special cases.
Students will receive a transcript from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will gain access to key resources offered to School of Business students. Students accepted into the Capstone Certificate program have a strong mathematics background and are interested in applying that strength to the actuarial science profession. Capstone students will take classes in Actuarial Mathematics, Predictive Modeling, Loss Models and have the option to take other classes with consent from faculty. To see a sample Plan of Study please see our Course Requirements tab at the top of the page.
Through connections with industry leaders, the Actuarial Science program offers opportunities for students to learn from actuaries and other professionals currently working in risk management and insurance. Learning opportunities include presentations by industry experts, networking events, and simulations. Graduates from UW-Madison’s Actuarial Science program are highly recruited by prospective employers. Students also have many resources to help connect them with these prospective employers and begin their career as an actuary.
The actuarial profession is consistently ranked in the top 5 of all professions and was recently ranked 1st by jobsrated.com. Even in our current economy, the demand for hiring actuaries is strong. Graduates of our program have the highest starting salary levels of any major in the Wisconsin School of Business. For information about the actuarial profession, see our What is an Actuary webpage.
If you have questions that are not answered by these sources, you can address them to Greg Wanner, Director of Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science.
Admissions
Applications are accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters. Admitted students will have the opportunity to take pre-requisite math courses in their semester before starting the program. All application materials must be received by the dates below.
For domestic students, all application materials should be received before June 1 for Fall admission and before November 1 for Spring*.
For international students, all application materials should be received before May 1 for Fall admission and before October 1 for Spring*.
* Please note - Special consideration will be given to all applicants whose materials are received before the priority deadline of April 15 for Fall admission and September 15 for Spring.
To apply to the Capstone Certificate Program in the Wisconsin School of Business you will need to submit the following information:
An online application, accessible from this link
- 3 Letters of Reference
- Transcripts from all universities attended
- A statement of purpose describing the applicants interest and goals in actuarial science and how a certificate in actuarial science will help him/her reach those goals
- A Resume or CV
- If applicable, TOEFL scores
Submit all information to:
Greg Wanner, Capstone Director
UW Madison School of Business
975 University Ave, Room 3259B
Madison, WI 53706
The Capstone Certificate program from the Wisconsin School of Business is a flexible, tailored program that allows students to quickly and strategically prepare themselves for an actuarial career. At completion of the program, Capstone students will not receive a degree, but they will receive an official certificate and transcripts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While on campus students can take full advantage of all School of Business student offerings, including access to the Business Career Center, invitations to events with potential employers, and more.
The biggest distinction between a Capstone Certificate and a Master's program is that Capstone students are post-baccalaureate Special (non-degree seeking) students. Capstone students have not been admitted to the Graduate School and their studies will not lead to a graduate degree. Therefore, students may not be simultaneously enrolled in both a graduate and a capstone program.
A good candidate for the Capstone program will have a high mathematical aptitude and a desire to use their mathematical skills in the risk management and insurance industry. All applicants will have completed an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than actuarial science. The program is designed to compliment a bachelor's degree. Ideal candidates are those who (a) have recently graduated with a mathematical degree and would like to specialize in actuarial science and (b) those who are interested in making a career change to the actuarial science profession. This two-semester program prepares students to launch their actuarial career.
While there are no scholarships specifically available to Capstone Certificate students, students will be eligible to apply for departmental scholarships.
A major financial consideration for many actuarial science students is the cost of registering for the professional credentialing exams required by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA). The Wisconsin School of Business Actuarial Science Club will reimburse students for the cost of exams they successfully pass while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate Program. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be members of the Actuarial Club and attend Club events. The required exams can cost up to $300 per exam. This reimbursement allows us to offset the costs for our students.
Yes, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required for admission to the Capstone program. A three-year or four-year bachelor's degree are both accepted for entry to the Capstone program.
Yes, if you are enrolled as a full-time student you are eligible to apply for a visa to study in the United States.
Tuition and fee information for the University of Wisconsin-Madison is available on the Registrar Website. Please note that tuition and fees for the Actuarial Science Capstone Certificate program are charged at the graduate level and that you must select "graduate" and not "Capstone Certificate" under the "Student Career" toggle.
Yes, domestic students are eligible for federal financial aid. Because the Capstone program is for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree, the federal financial aid program awards graduate level financial aid for the Capstone program. For more information on student financial aid please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at finaid@finaid.wisc.edu to discuss your situation and to obtain necessary forms.
No, the Capstone certificate is not a distance program, but our courses do incorporate technology enhanced learning to strengthen and enrich the on-campus classroom experience.
Mastery of and fluency in the English language are necessary for success in the Capstone program at the Wisconsin School of Business. Students from non-English-speaking countries must be able to communicate quickly and clearly in spoken and written English and be able to read it with ease.
All applicants whose first language is not English must submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score from a test administered within two years of the date of matriculation (more or less, September 1 of the academic year of entry). The Wisconsin School of Business will accept IELTS or Pearson Test of English as a substitute for TOEFL.
Individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in a country where the official language is English are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Individuals who will complete such a degree by June prior to matriculation are also exempt. Check the box requesting a waiver of the TOEFL requirement on the on-line application only if you meet one of these two conditions. A master's degree alone from an English-speaking institution does not qualify for a waiver of the TOEFL. Individuals from countries where English is spoken, though not the primary official language, or who attended a bachelor's program where some but not all courses are provided in English must submit a valid TOEFL score. Being a citizen or permanent resident of the United States does not automatically exempt an applicant from the TOEFL requirement.
It is advised that applicants taking the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) have a minimum total score of 106. For a competitive application, it is recommended that component scores be at least the following:
Reading: 26, Listening: 26, Speaking: 27, and Writing: 27.
The recommended minimum for a competitive application using the paper-based TOEFL (PBT) is a total score of 620.
For additional questions on the program please contact
Elizabeth Foste, Assistant Director of Actuarial Science, Risk Management and Insurance Programs.