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University-Earned Credit (UEC) FAQs

General Questions

What is the University-Earned Credit (UEC) program?

The UEC program allows very strong students to earn credit for certain SOA exams by attaining a required UEC score on certain courses at approved universities that have previously qualified as Centers of Actuarial Excellence (CAE). The courses and exams must meet standards established and monitored by the SOA.

The UEC program enables students who are enrolled in bachelor or graduate degree programs at approved CAE universities and participate in that university’s actuarial science program to earn credit for specific SOA exams after receiving required scores in courses that cover that exam’s syllabus.

The UEC program is thorough and intensive with oversight from the CAE Evaluation Committee and the UEC Oversight Committee.

CAE universities with CAE status for two (2) years, who meet all UEC requirements, may apply for UEC. Because there are two CAE award cycles per year, the following rules apply:

  • CAEs with approvals beginning January 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately preceding their 2-year approval date.
  • CAEs with approvals beginning July 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately following their 2-year approval date.

What are the benefits of the UEC program?

We are shifting more of our education and testing toward AQ and EQ skills and the UEC program will be requiring participating universities to do the same. University-level coursework is well-equipped to grow AQ and EQ skills with team projects, case studies, and data analyses.

The ability to adapt and learn during a period of ongoing, rapid change, as well as having the social and emotional skills needed to make good judgments, convincing arguments, and to understand the intricacies of communication is critical to the future success of actuaries. These skills, often referred to as an individual’s Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and Emotional Quotient or Emotional Intelligence (EQ) have been repeatedly identified by employers and our members as highly valuable skills essential for actuaries to lead in a world driven by data science and AI.

Which universities are eligible for UEC?

CAE universities with CAE status for two (2) years, who meet all evaluation requirements may apply for UEC. Because there are two CAE award cycles per year, the following rules apply:

  • CAEs with approvals beginning January 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately preceding their 2-year approval date.
  • CAEs with approvals beginning July 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately following their 2-year approval date.

The UEC program enables students who are enrolled in bachelor or graduate degree programs at approved CAE universities and participate in that university’s actuarial science program to earn credit for specific SOA exams after receiving required scores in courses that cover that exam’s syllabus.

How will the SOA guarantee UEC credit is the same as passing an SOA exam?

The UEC evaluation process is thorough and intensive with oversight from the CAE Evaluation Committee and the UEC Oversight Committee. We recognize the essential need to ensure quality and testing integrity throughout our examination and credentialing programs. We will apply the same rigorous standards to this process that we apply to all of our current examinations.

The UEC program is designed to maintain and at times raise the high standards for earning exam credit. Participating CAE universities may need to adjust their courses and exams to meet the new requirements established by the UEC program, in addition to continuing to meet all CAE criteria.

How can the SOA equate university courses to exams?

The UEC program will meet all the quality and rigor requirements that members expect of SOA exams. Additional quality checks and rigorous requirements are provided by:

  • An oversight committee of SOA members who have no conflicts of interest with the universities.
  • An External Examiner (EE) for each university who is an SOA member with no conflict of interest.
  • External scrutiny of the course content and exams to ensure that it covers the exam syllabus and at an appropriate level.
  • The mark required to earn exam credit meets or exceeds that of an exam-passing candidate and the mark is consistently applied across universities.

When did UEC go into effect?

UEC approved courses began at approved CAE universities in the 3rd quarter of 2022.

Why does this program apply to only CAE universities?

As the UEC program will demand a high academic standard, universities meeting the CAE program criteria provide the ideal foundation for success.

Each CAE university must meet eight specific criteria. These relate to offering an actuarial degree or concentration, strong curriculum coverage of SOA exams, a minimum graduate count, faculty composition that includes credentialed actuaries, a demonstration of high-quality graduates, appropriate integration with other areas of study including business and communication courses, connection to industry, and faculty actuarial research and professional involvement.

CAE universities provide an actuarial learning community with connections to industry, internship opportunities and job prospects, actuarial speakers on campus and actuarial club activities that offer leadership opportunities.

CAE universities include AQ/EQ skill building for their students through teamwork and project activities, as well as through courses in business and communication.

How is the SOA reviewing and evaluating the courses?

The UEC evaluation process is thorough and intensive with oversight from the CAE Evaluation Committee and the UEC Oversight Committee.

  • CAE must meet course coverage and administration requirements for a minimum of two exams for which UEC is available. [1]
  • CAE must have one full-time faculty member who is an SOA member actuary (ASA or FSA) who will serve as the CAE’s Accreditation Actuary. This faculty member will work closely with an External Examiner in reviewing coursework, syllabi, and exams. If there is no SOA member on the faculty, then a faculty member who is a credentialed actuary for CAE purposes may be approved to serve as the Accreditation Actuary.
  • UEC course(s) must have coverage of at least 85% of the related exam’s learning objectives with alternative material making up the difference.
  • 80% of the grading points for each UEC course must be based on proctored examinations.
  • The final exam for the UEC course must be cumulative (covering material from throughout the course) and be worth a minimum of 50% of the grading points for the course.
  • The distribution of grading points must be clearly stated in the course syllabus.
    • The final exam may NOT be dropped
    • If there is more than one midterm exam, lowest grade may be dropped as long as it’s explicitly stated in the syllabus and applied across all students
      • E.g. There are three midterms but only the best two midterms are included in the UEC grade
      • A missed exam that is part of the 80% proctored exam requirement cannot be excluded from the UEC score for that student only
      • Elements making up the remaining percentage of UEC mark (NOT proctored exams – e.g. homework, quizzes) may be dropped at the faculty’s discretion
    • No bonus or extra credit points may be added during midterm or final exam grading when calculating student scores for UEC.
      • Instructors may make additional assignments (such as quizzes and group projects) that count for the course grade but are not factored into the UEC mark.
  • The number of courses used to cover a given exam should be kept as low as possible and must not exceed the following:
    • FM – 1 course maximum
    • SRM – 3 courses maximum
    • FAM – 2 courses maximum
    • FAM-L – 1 course maximum
    • FAM-S – 1 course maximum
    • ALTAM only – 2 courses maximum
    • ASTAM only – 2 courses maximum
    • FAM-L & ALTAM sequence – 3 courses maximum
    • FAM-S & ASTAM sequence – 3 courses maximum
    • Refer to the UEC Program Requirement Guidelines for FAM-L & ALTAM and FAM-S & ASTAM sequence requirements.
  • If the same UEC course offers more than one section in a given term, all sections must follow UEC requirements and are subject to one of the following:
    • All sections must share common UEC-approved midterm and final exams that must be given on the same date and time for security reasons
    • or
    • Multiple sections that do not share common midterm or final exams will be evaluated separately for UEC.

In addition to the above course/exam requirements, CAEs applying for UEC must demonstrate that skills related to Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient (EQ) are appropriately incorporated and assessed across the program and that all degree-seeking students have access to those components. The UEC AQ/EQ assessment will require coverage demonstrated for all four learning objective areas noted in the AQ/EQ guidance and worksheet. Refer to the UEC Guidance on AQ and EQ Education and the AQ/EQ Worksheet for further information.

How is the SOA ensuring academic integrity?

The same rigorous standards we apply to all of our examinations will apply to the UEC program to ensure quality and testing integrity throughout all our examination and credentialing programs.

Testing guidelines must be followed when administering course exams to students in UEC courses. These guidelines will be similar to those the SOA has historically used for the administration of exams and highlight protocols such as spacing between students and use of additional proctors when student numbers are higher.

Why is the SOA not offering the UEC for Probability (P) Exam?

Probability courses are not typically under the control of the actuarial department at universities. In addition, Exam P serves as a screening device for both employers and candidates on future exam success.

Are there other programs like UEC?

Other actuarial organizations have been successfully running programs like this for decades.

[1] FAM exam counts as a complete exam, and FAM-L and FAM-S are each considered as one-half exam for UEC minimum exam requirements.

CAE Universities

Do we need to adjust our coursework to be eligible for UEC?

Yes, CAE universities may need to adjust their courses and exams to allow candidates to qualify for exam credit. As part of this program, the CAE must meet all requirements set by the CAE Evaluation Committee and UEC Oversight Committee.

What is the process for a CAE to apply for this UEC program?

Interested CAE universities may complete an application form and provide all necessary documents.

CAE universities will have time to evaluate the program to determine if they want to apply. The UEC program is optional. Non-participation does not impact current or future CAE designation.

What is the application time period?

A tentative timetable is provided here. Dates are subject to change. Subsequent review cycles will be held annually on a similar timetable.

2022

October 17

Application deadline (with all required documentation)

December 15

Universities notified regarding selection for a site visit

2023

January - April

Site visits held

 By June 30

UEC approval decisions communicated

September/October

Review and confirmation of exams for any approved courses beginning in the 3rd quarter of 2023

2024

Early 2024

Candidates receiving the required mark for UEC courses in 2023 may apply for exam credit if it is the final course needed for that credit.

Can all CAE universities apply?

CAE universities with CAE status for two (2) years, who meet all evaluation requirements may apply for UEC. Because there are two CAE award cycles per year, the following rules apply:

  • CAEs with approvals beginning January 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately preceding their 2-year approval date.
  • CAEs with approvals beginning July 1 may apply for UEC during the cycle immediately following their 2-year approval date.

Can UCAP universities apply?

Only CAE universities are eligible for the UEC program.

UCAP universities interested in the CAE designation can contact cae@soa.org. For more information visit the CAE: Centers of Actuarial Excellence page.

Is there a fee for CAE universities to apply for UEC?

There are no fees for a qualifying CAE to apply for the UEC program.

If a site visit is granted an administrative fee will apply at that time.

Candidates/Students

What is the UEC program?

The UEC program enables students who are degree-seeking students at approved CAE universities to earn credit for specific SOA exams after receiving a required score in approved course(s) that cover that exam’s syllabus.

How can I participate in the UEC program?

Eligible students enrolled in a UEC-approved course at a CAE who meet or exceed the UEC mark are automatically considered for UEC credit

A link to an online UEC Authorization Form will be distributed by the UEC course instructor to all students enrolled in the course. You must complete the form during the academic term for the course and provide a copy of the confirmation email you receive to the instructor prior to the date of the final exam. This step authorizes the instructor to notify the SOA should you be successful in meeting the UEC mark for the course.

Collection format (electronic or print) is at the discretion of the individual instructor.

I met the UEC mark. How do I apply for UEC?

Following the end of the academic term, eligible students who meet or exceed the required mark in a UEC approved course will receive an email from the SOA to confirm their UEC eligibility for that course. This email will contain the link to the Candidate Application for UEC Credit, which will allow the student to claim credit for an SOA exam. The application form may be filled out ONLY after the eligible student has confirmed UEC eligibility for all courses required for an exam.

Any questions about eligible UEC courses at your institution should be directed to your university’s actuarial program director.

If more than one university course is required for an exam, the student must:

  • meet or exceed the UEC mark in all courses within a two‐year period.
  • meet or exceed the UEC mark in all courses at the same CAE university.

The student must submit a Candidate Application for UEC Credit and pay the required fee within two years of the end of the term in which the last course required for that exam was completed.

I believe I am eligible for UEC credit, but I never received a confirmation email. What should I do?

Any UEC eligibility communication from the SOA will be sent to the primary email address on file under a student/candidate’s My SOA account. The student should first ensure that the email didn’t end up in their spam/junk folder.

The student should reach out to their course instructor to confirm that they have indeed qualified for UEC credit for the course in question and complete any missing steps if necessary (e.g., fill out UEC Authorization Form). The faculty member should then contact the SOA at UEC@soa.org to confirm the student’s eligibility for UEC credit. The SOA will then issue an email to confirm the student’s UEC eligibility for that course.

I have earned transition credit from LTAM or STAM (or already earned UEC credit for FAM-L or FAM-S) and need to make up the rest of FAM. What are my options?

There are two options to complete the other half of your FAM credit:

  • Earn UEC credit. The UEC-approved course must conclude before the cutoff date of July 31, 2024. This is the final term during which UEC credit can be earned for a FAM half exam only. The Candidate Application for UEC Credit deadline is two years from the date of the final exam of the last course taken. In the meantime, please retain your UEC Course Confirmation email from the SOA.
  • Pass the SOA exam. There will be two more administrations of FAM-L and FAM-S according to the dates in the table below. You may register on the Exam Registration page. 
    • Note: If your FAM-L or FAM-S UEC credit is not already on your transcript, our Customer Service department will email you to confirm whether you wish to proceed with your registration. Reply to say that you have earned UEC credit for one FAM half and wish to keep your registration for this exam to complete the other half.

FAM-L and FAM-S CBT Dates

FAM-L and FAM-S Paper/Pencil Dates

Registration Deadline

March 1-7, 2024

March 1, 2024

January 30, 2024

July 10-16, 2024

July 10, 2024

June 11, 2024

After the July 2024 sittings of FAM-L and FAM-S, there will no longer be the opportunity to take a half FAM exam.

If both halves of the FAM credit/exam are not earned by July 31, 2024, your only option will be to take the full FAM exam or earn full FAM UEC credit.

I have earned UEC credit for both FAM-L and FAM-S. What should I do?

If your university has UEC approval for the full FAM exam, an application should be submitted for full FAM. Please contact your university’s Accreditation Actuary for guidance on what exams are approved for UEC.

I have no transition credit, nor do I have UEC credit for either FAM-L or FAM-S. Does the above information affect me?

Candidates without FAM-L or FAM-S credit must either take the full FAM Exam or earn UEC credit for FAM, and the stated transition deadlines do not apply.

When applying for UEC credit, what are the fees for candidates?

Eligible students who meet or exceed the required mark in a UEC approved course(s) may apply for exam credit with the SOA. Students will pay the full exam fee (less any student discount) at the rate that is in effect at the time the UEC Candidate Application is submitted. Candidate applications for UEC credit must be submitted within two years of completing the final required courses.

I registered for an exam before I knew I had UEC credit. Can I get a refund?

The SOA exam registration fee for an eligible UEC exam may be refunded for a qualified UEC student under the following conditions:

  • The course is the last in its sequence (e.g., the third and final course in a three‐course sequence) and the student has already met the UEC mark in all other courses required to earn the credit.
  • The exam registration deadline falls within the academic term or grading period for the course.
  • The SOA exam takes place after the end of the academic term.
  • The student meets the UEC mark and is reported to the SOA as eligible for UEC.
  • All exam refund requests must be made in writing to UEC@soa.org with documentation that demonstrates the end date for the course.

Please see the UEC Program Candidate Information for further guidance

Can I earn UEC retroactively?

No. UEC credit is only awarded for specific coursework completed during the time your university has UEC approval for courses that align with specific SOA exams. Any work completed prior to the UEC approval for any given course will not be considered. Please contact your university’s actuarial department if you have questions on which courses are approved for UEC.

How will UEC benefit me when applying for a job or internship?

The program helps meet the needs of today’s candidates and employers while maintaining the highest standards to achieving the ASA and FSA designations.

UEC improves exam pathway efficiency for eligible candidates. Exam credit earned through UEC can be added to resumés when looking for internships or jobs.

Will the existing SOA exams continue to be offered?

SOA’s examination pathway remains a strong and principal means of attaining an SOA credential. We will continue to offer all the exams required for our pathway in all parts of the world where candidates are interested in pursuing the SOA’s credentials.

What if I don’t attend a CAE university with the UEC program?

All candidates, whether they attend a CAE university or not, have the ability to take the SOA exams.The SOA will continue to offer all the exams required for the ASA and FSA pathways in all parts of the world where candidates are interested in pursuing the SOA’s credentials.

Members

Will the existing SOA exams continue to be offered?

SOA’s examination pathway remains a strong and principal means of attaining an SOA credential. We will continue to offer all the exams required for our pathway in all parts of the world where candidates are interested in pursuing the SOA’s credentials.

How does the UEC program impact the value of my credential?

The value and relevance of our members’ and candidates’ education and career achievements are the core of the SOA’s mission and vision. We recognize the value our stakeholders hold in SOA’s credentials – that is and will always be the SOA’s main strategic focus and top of our minds.

The UEC program will meet all the quality checks and rigorous requirements that you expect of SOA exams. The SOA will ensure the mark required to earn the exam credit meets or exceeds that of an exam-passing candidate and that the mark is consistently applied across universities.

Why have you selected CAE universities for the UEC?

As the UEC program will demand a high academic standard, universities meeting the CAE program criteria provide the ideal foundation for success. Each CAE university must meet eight specific criteria. These relate to offering an actuarial degree or concentration, strong curriculum coverage of SOA exams, a minimum graduate count, faculty composition that includes credentialed actuaries, a demonstration of high-quality graduates, appropriate integration with other areas of study including business and communication courses, connection to industry, and faculty actuarial research and professional involvement.

CAE universities provide an actuarial learning community with connections to industry, internship opportunities and job prospects, actuarial speakers on campus and actuarial club activities that offer leadership opportunities. CAE universities include AQ/EQ skill building for their students through teamwork and project activities, as well as through courses in business and communication.