Society of Actuaries requirements and LSU courses - Actuarial exam and VEE course guide

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by asba

Campus correspondence dated August 1, 2026 from Lawrence Smolinsky outlines how LSU coursework aligns with Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) requirements. It explains which CAS exams map to SOA exams, where Modern Actuarial Statistics I/II material is distributed across LSU courses, and what recent success factors influence hiring. The memo then lists specific LSU course preparation for Exams P, FM, SRM, FAM, ASTAM, ALTAM, and guidance on Predictive Analytics, followed by VEE options for Finance/Accounting, Mathematical Statistics, and Economics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Exams

Exam P and Exam FM

Exam SRM and matching details

Exams FAM, ASTAM, and ALTAM

Exam PA

Validation through Educational Experience (VEE)

Finance and Accounting

Mathematical Statistics

Economics

Campus Correspondence August 1, 2026 To: Students From: Lawrence Smolinsky Professor of Mathematics and Director of Actuarial Science Re: Society of Actuaries requirements and LSU courses. Introduction. The three largest professional organizations of actuaries in the USA are the Society of Actuaries (SOA with over 35,000 members), the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS with over 11,000 members), and the American Academy of Actuaries.1,2 The LSU program is modeled on the curriculum of the SOA, but the beginning requirements are common to both SOA and CAS. The first two CAS exams (1 and 2) allow for credit based on the first two SOA exams (P and FM) . The next two CAS exams Modern Actuarial Statistics I and II (MAS-I and MAS-II) do not match with single SOA exams or individual LSU courses. Rather the material for MAS-I and MAS-II are spread throughout MATH 4040, MATH 4041, MATH 4045, MATH 4056, MATH 4058, and EXST 4142. The CAS Exam 3F is largely covered in FIN 3826 and FIN 4850. In recent years, students who have passed three exams, fulfilled their VEE requirements, have a good gpa, and have had a summer internship have gotten good jobs. Note that a good gpa may be important to get in the door. Even if you would make an impressive candidate to the actuarial group of an organization, you may not advance past the company’s HRM without meeting HRM’sgpa requirement. Short summary of LSU preparation. Here is a guide to the available courses for exams and VEE requirements. Exams Exam P: LSU preparation is MATH 3355. Exam FM: LSU preparation is MATH 3050 (prior to January 2019, called MATH 4050) . Exam SRM: LSU preparation is in EXST 4142 and MATH 4056 (4 credit hours, approximately one of which covers time series) . Exams FAM, ASTAM, and ALTAM are covered in four courses offered over two years. For 1 The American Academy of Actuaries membership requires membership in one of the other professional societies first. The Academy sets standards of practice for the profession. 2 Membership estimates are drawn from the societies’ material as of 2026. 2 Society of Actuaries credentials, candidates need FAM and only one of ASTAM or ALTAM. Exam FAM: LSU preparation is MATH 4040 and MATH 4045. These are two fall semester courses offered in successive years. Exam ALTAM: LSU preparation is MATH 4045 and MATH 4046. The one-year sequence is offered every other year: 2022-2023, 2024-2025, 2026-2027, etc. Exam ASTAM: LSU preparation is MATH 4040 and MATH 4041. The one-year sequence is offered every other year: 2021-2022, 2023-2024, 2025-2026, etc. Exam PA: LSU does not presently offer exam preparation for the Predictive Analytics examination but does offer courses in data science. Validation through Educational Experience (VEE) Finance and Accounting: ACCT 2001 or ACCT 2002 (Honors) and FIN 3715 or FIN 3716. Mathematical Statistics: MATH 4056. Economics: ECON 2030 or both ofECON 2000 and ECON 2010 or both of ECON 2001 (Honors) and ECON 2011 (Honors) . Department of Mathematics • 225/2578-1665 • FAX 225/578-4276

FAQs

How does LSU preparation for CAS Exams 1 and 2 relate to SOA exams?

The first two CAS exams (1 and 2) allow credit based on the first two SOA exams (P and FM).

Which LSU courses cover the material for CAS Modern Actuarial Statistics I and II (MAS-I and MAS-II)?

MAS-I and MAS-II do not match single SOA exams or individual LSU courses; their material is spread across MATH 4040, MATH 4041, MATH 4045, MATH 4056, MATH 4058, and EXST 4142.

What LSU options satisfy the VEE requirements for Finance and Accounting, Mathematical Statistics, and Economics?

Finance and Accounting: ACCT 2001 or ACCT 2002 (Honors) and FIN 3715 or FIN 3716. Mathematical Statistics: MATH 4056. Economics: ECON 2030 or combinations of ECON 2000/2010 or ECON 2001/2011 (Honors).

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by asba