Anyone considering actuarial science education and training is on track for a job that is in high demand. In 2006, actuaries held a total of 18,000 jobs across the United States and statistics suggest that employment of actuaries will increase by 23 percent between 2006 and 2016. While actuary job growth will continue in the insurance sector, it is expected that other sectors, such as health care and consulting will see marked growth.

As the field of actuary science grows, there will be a greater demand for actuary training. Programs, courses and seminars that deliver cutting edge content will have the upper hand when it comes to recruiting students. Professionals who want to identify the latest trends in actuarial science education and training should consider the following:

1. Professional organizations offer publications and events, which keep members current on the latest trends hitting the field.

2. Actuarial schools maintain frequently maintain up-to-date information about the study of actuary science on their websites.

3. The content of current actuarial courses may provide hints on the latest news and trends.

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Delve into professional literature to find current topics of actuarial science courses

Professional organizations frequently publish their own journals, with articles written by leading professionals within the respective field. In addition, these organizations offer training opportunities in the form of conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops.

I recommend: The International Actuarial Association offers members a journal, ASTIN Bulletin, which is published bi-annually. In addition, you'll find education guidelines, as well as, an education syllabus. The American Academy of Actuaries offers numerous publications including, "Actuarial Update" and "Inside the Academy."

Peruse course topics and other information provided by actuarial science training programs

There are numerous actuarial science programs across the country. A review of program websites provides information about course topics and other trends in education.

I recommend: Purdue University offers a program in actuarial science. A tour of their website reveals specific information about program requirements. You can also access the Purdue Actuarial Science Newsletter, Risky Business. The University of Texas also offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in actuarial science. Their website provides links to degree requirements and descriptions of actuarial classes.

Frequent blogs for the latest trends in actuarial science degrees

Blogs, written by actuary's and leaders in the actuarial field provide insight into the latest happenings in the field. Blogs by professors are especially pertinent when looking for current topics in actuarial education.

I recommend: Prof. Gorvett's Actuarial Blog is authored by Rick Gorvett, Director of the Actuarial Science Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His blog discusses various topics pertinent to students and practitioners of actuarial science. Since he's a professor, he's at the forefront of the latest trends in actuarial education. What's an Actuary, a blog written by Alberto Dominguez, maintains this blog on which he talks about his career thoughts and his observations as an actuary expert.

It's certainly wise to get actuarial science education and training. The insurance industry is booming and they need to hire people with an actuarial education.

If you like mathematics, probability and statistics, then you will probably enjoy actuarial science courses. Most businesses prefer to hire people that have a 4-year college degree. It doesn't matter whether you get this degree online or at a traditional college, but you should try to get it to increase your chances of being hired.

Actuarial science training will enable you to:

1. Get a secure position within an insurance firm. All insurance firms need people with actuarial science degrees to help them assess the probability of certain risks.

2. Transition careers. If you are currently working a different job, consider taking evening actuarial courses to help you change to a better career.

3. Advance your career and get a higher salary If you continue to take actuarial classes even after you've received your degree, you can be sure that you knowledge is current. Employers will be more likely to promote you or give you a raise.

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Attend a four-year college that gives actuarial science degrees

If possible, many people prefer to attend a traditional college to earn their degree. They feel that it is easier to learn when you can interact with other students. Fortunately, many colleges offer degrees in actuarial science, so it shouldn't be hard to find a school that you like.

I recommend: Actuary.com lists a number of schools that offer actuarial science degrees, sorted by location. Every year, U.S. News and World Reports takes a look at the nation's colleges and ranks them according to a variety of factors, such as cost, student satisfaction and competitiveness. They also list colleges that have programs in actuarial science. Click on a school to view a full profile.

Take online actuarial courses to earn your degree

Not everyone has the time or money to go to college full-time. Fortunately, you can receive actuarial science education and training online. This is convenient for most people because you don't have to attend classes at a set time.

I recommend: It's hard to find an online school that offers an undergraduate degree in actuary science. You may want to first get a degree in a field such as economics. Universities.com lists good online schools for this. Once you have the undergraduate degree, look for graduate programs. GradSchools.com lists online programs to earn advanced degrees in actuarial science.

Take actuarial courses to prepare for examination

If you want to be an actuary, you'll have to pass a certification test. You can easily study to pass this test at a seminar.

I recommend: Georgia State University offers a seminar to prepare for the actuarial exam. Illinois State University also offers a number of prep courses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you spend a lot of money on actuarial schools, make sure that this is the right career choice for you. Ask for an informational interview with a working actuary so that you can better understand the ins and outs of the job.

Actuarial science education and training is available at a number of colleges. To train for a career as an actuarial, you need to focus your studies on investments, insurance, higher level mathematics, finance and statistics, as well as actuarial courses. When you complete your actuarial science education and training you can expect to find a good job in the insurance industry, as a consultant or with the government.

In order to prepare for the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) professional qualifying examinations, you need to have at least a Bachelors Degree in Actuarial Science. Courses toward actuarial science degrees are seldom available as online actuarial courses; however, it is possible to enroll in other undergraduate classes in an online setting. If you do find online actuarial training, make sure the college where you are getting your degree accepts the classes.

As you seek actuarial science education and training, you should look for the following in the actuarial degree program:

1. The cost of the actuarial courses.

2. The value of scholarships, if any, that are available to you.

3. The school’s success rate for students passing SOA and CAS professional qualifying examinations.

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Find out more about actuarial education and where it can lead as a career

Begin this process as early as high school. There are classes you can take that can make your college requisite courses much easier. Take every math class you can, as well as business and accounting classes.

I recommend: There’s plenty of information about actuarial science education and training. For beginners seeking actuarial science training, job projections and pay expectations, a good place to start is the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Find out what courses you need to take in high school to get into actuarial schools by studying the information at BeAnActuary.

Find schools that offer undergraduate actuarial science courses and degrees

Some schools offer bachelor's degree programs in actuarial sciences, while other offer undergraduate courses as preparation for graduate school. Some undergraduate schools with full actuarial degree programs also offer training for the professional exams as part of the course of study.

I recommend: The Smeal College of Small Business at Pennsylvania State University lists the actuarial science education and training you would receive in its undergraduate actuarial science courses. You can also take actuarial classes towards a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa.

Enroll in graduate actuarial schools

Earn your master's degree in actuarial sciences. As you take your graduate actuarial classes, you prepare for the professional exams. Completing a master of science degree in actuarial science and passing the professional exams puts you in a good spot to earn a good salary as soon as you complete your degree.

I recommend: Take actuarial courses toward a master's in actuarial science from Boston University. Columbia University also offers a master's program.

Actuaries are employed in a variety of settings, such as insurance companies, retirement systems and investment companies. While each setting presents unique circumstances that require specific skill sets, most actuaries enter the profession with basic education and training. Eventually, the actuary specializes in a particular area through advanced training opportunities.

If you're looking for basic or advanced training opportunities, for yourself or your employees, consider the following key terms that pertain to actuarial science education and training.

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Society of Actuaries

The Society of Actuaries is an organization that consists of 20,000 professional actuaries, as well as members of the Canadian and American public. The organization focuses on enhancing education and research within the field of actuarial science.

I recommend: Visit the Society of Actuaries website for specific information about educational and training opportunities.

Actuarial science schools

Actuarial science schools are present throughout the entire United States, with a heavy concentration in the Midwestern United States. These schools offer a variety of programs, including degrees and classes designed to prepare prospective actuaries for the actuarial exam.

I recommend: For information about specific actuarial science schools visit Actuary.com.

Actuarial training program

An actuarial training program is similar to an apprenticeship. During the actuarial training program, students or interns receive hands on training, which may include interdepartmental rotations, use of actuarial libraries, online training opportunities, exam preparation and management training.

I recommend: New York Life offers specific details about their own actuarial training program.

Continuing education requirements

Continuing education requirements vary depending on when the actuary submitted the Statement of Actuarial Opinion. There are various opportunities for continuing education requirements. Classes fall into two categories: core and non-core classes. Topics of core classes include minimum funding standards, maximum deductible contributions, Title IV of ERISA and standards of performance for actuarial services. Topics of non-core classes include pension accounting, economics, computer programs and risk theory.

I recommend: For more information about continuing education opportunities visit International Foundation.

The Actuarial Foundation

The Actuarial Foundation looks for unique ways to use actuarial skills for the good of the public. The Foundation offers various educational opportunities, including a newsletter, consumer education, news articles and youth education.

I recommend: Visit The Actuarial Foundation website for specific information about these educational opportunities.

Actuarial examinations

A main component of actuarial training is the set of exams a prospective actuary must take prior to being granted status as an associate or fellow of the Society of Actuaries. The main actuarial examinations include Exam 1/P-Probability and 2/FM-Financial Mathematics.

I recommend: Visit Be an Actuary for more information about exams, including sample exams and the registration process.