This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

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.

Learning goals

  • To support career advancement over time by giving students the academic foundation in finance and actuarial sciences needed for continued professional development

  • To help students develop the professional skills that will be needed by the businesses and organizations that hire graduates

  • To help students develop ethical awareness so that they are able to deal with an ethical dilemma in the workplace

Student learning 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.