Mandatory courses
Universities offer mandatory courses as part of their accredited degree program to meet CIA syllabus requirements
Accredited universities
The role of accredited universities in the new qualification pathways
We believe university is the right place to teach and assess core Associate-level technical actuarial skills. This belief is why the CIA’s University Accreditation Program (UAP) was established 2012 and why we moved to recognition of an accredited degree in 2021.
The UAP is designed to enhance education and reduce duplication of effort for candidates. Accredited universities offer, as part of their degree programs, a set of mandatory courses that meet syllabus requirements established by the CIA. Universities use education best practices to deliver the fundamentals of actuarial science and students are tested through university exams. The CIA requires no minimum course grades because we trust accredited universities to ensure that students possess a strong technical foundation that we will verify through the CIA-administered ACIA modules and ACIA Capstone exam.
How the University Accreditation Program (UAP) works
University exams
Course exams establish that candidates have attained core technical knowledge to attain the accredited degree
ACIA modules and Capstone exam
The CIA-administered modules and exam verify that candidates have the requisite knowledge to become an ACIA
Accreditation reviews
Universities are monitored and reviewed annually, with comprehensive reviews conducted every three years
What has changed?
We’re moving away from individual exam credits under UAP to recognition of a degree from an accredited university. Degrees will be supplemented by the ACIA modules and ACIA Capstone exam.
Until 2023, the CIA will grant credits for some preliminary Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) exams toward ACIA or FCIA membership based on achieving a minimum grade established by the CIA.
Accredited universities
After an extensive assessment process, the following universities from across Canada have been accredited to take part in the CIA’s University Accreditation Program. Full details of each university’s actuarial science program are available below.
Want to become an accredited university?
Accredited universities and courses offered are rigorously and continuously evaluated by the CIA. If your institution is interested in pursuing CIA accreditation, check out the policy governing the program and contact us to learn more or apply.
The Accreditation Actuary’s role in governance
Each accredited university must appoint an Accreditation Actuary to be the point of contact with the CIA. They are responsible for maintaining good communications with the CIA, coordinating the terms of the accreditation agreement between the university and the CIA, and collaborating on curriculum development.
The Accreditation Actuary is a full-time faculty member employed by an accredited university who is a member of the CIA.
University mentorship program
The CIA has created a mentorship toolkit to help universities or actuarial student clubs implement mentorship programs at their institution. The goal is to empower new ACIAs and FCIAs to mentor actuarial students by sharing their experiences and knowledge.
