The University of Connecticut's actuarial program is a vibrant program with approximately 275 undergraduate, 40 master's students and 9 Ph.D. students majoring in Actuarial Science. It is one of the leading actuarial science programs in the country and the only one of its kind in New England. For Ph.D. students, UConn offers a unique blend of rigorous theoretical framework with practical grounding in problems of intense emerging interest in the marketplace. The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Research Center for Actuarial Science, a joint venture with Towers-Watson Worldwide, the consulting actuaries, provides a unique window into emerging problems in actuarial practice and the opportunity both for joint work with practitioners and for identifying pragmatically focused Ph.D. dissertation topics. The faculty also blends academic and practical industry experience.

While emphasizing research that will benefit practicing actuaries, the Ph.d. program is not intended to prepare students to become practicing actuaries. In fact, many employers of actuaries regard a Ph.D. as a disincentive to hire. Those intending a career in actuarial practice should pursue the M.S degree. The Ph.D. prepares for an academic career in research and teaching.