The Society of Actuaries is the world’s largest professional organization for those who assess risk for insurance and related fields. The university has held the designation since 2009.

To be a Center of Actuarial Excellence, a degree program must meet certain criteria that include curriculum, faculty, graduate success, industry connections and professional involvement. A team from the Chicago-based organization that visited RMU last year to observe the program this year “was impressed with the high job placement and exam passing rates, as well as the  effective communications courses and local employer support.” said Jessica Morse, chair of the evaluation committee. “The CEC appreciates seeing the continued student support, strong industry connections, and rigorous courses at Robert Morris University.”

“This designation puts Robert Morris in a very prestigious group of elite actuarial programs.” said Chris Groendyke, the program’s director and a professor of actuarial science at RMU. “We’re especially pleased that the SOA recognized us as having high job placement and strong industry connections. We believe that this program fits very well with RMU’s professional focus and we’re extremely proud to have such outstanding students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners."

RMU was also approved to participate in the SOA’s University Earned Credit (UEC) program, starting in the Fall 2024 semester. This means that RMU’s students can earn credit for certain professional actuarial exams via RMU coursework.

Actuaries use their expertise in probability, statistics, and finance to manage risk in both corporate and insurance environments. Consistently ranked among the top professions, actuarial careers are praised for their high salaries, strong demand, and relatively low stress levels.

RMU’s actuarial science program stands out due to its faculty, who bring a blend of real-world and academic experience, and a curriculum that not only prepares students for licensing exams but also offers hands-on learning aligned with current industry trends. Groendyke, who has been with RMU since 2012, brings seven years of experience as a life insurance actuary and a Ph.D. to the program.