Core courses build literacy in fundamental concepts such as personal income taxation, estate planning, retirement planning, and financial counseling. Elective courses provide students the opportunity to specialize in their areas of interest. This program satisfies the educational requirements necessary for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® Certification Examination and the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)® certification.
Why study Family Financial Planning through IDEA?
Beyond traditional financial planning courses, our online curriculum prepares you for your career with real-world, hands-on learning opportunities such as a practicum and creative projects in the master’s degree program. Students also learn invaluable research methods and how to conduct original research, which broadens their skill set and value to future employers.
Courses are rich in content and skill development to prepare you to better assist families with financial management while allowing you to focus on your personal career trajectory and future specialization in the field.
Delivered by some of the leading instructors and researchers in financial planning, the programs prepare you for future professional scenarios such as:
- Supporting military service members, veterans, and their families
- Individual practice development and management
- Real estate and housing planning
- Financial counseling
- Financial decisions related to divorce
- Financial planning for the later years of life
- Financial theory and research related to family dynamics and decision-making
Furthermore, IDEA’s master’s degree and graduate certificate programs in family financial planning satisfy the educational requirements necessary for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP)® Certification Examination and the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC)® certification.
Program Formats for Family Financial Planning
Catering to the unique needs of students, IDEA offers a master’s degree and two graduate certificate programs in financial planning. This allows students the flexibility to select the program format that best fits their academic and professional goals.
There is no GRE requirement for application to this program.
Degree and certificate titles vary by university. Consult with your selected home university for the title as it will appear on the diploma or certificate. This degree program does not lead to licensure.
| Hours | CFP | AFC | |
| Master's Degree | 30 | X | X |
| Financial Planning Certificate | 18 | X | |
| Financial Counseling Certificate | 18 | X |
Master's Degree
The online master of science degree is a 30-credit-hour curriculum and consists of 18 credits of core courses (that's six three-credit courses) that build literacy in fundamental concepts such as personal income taxation, estate planning, retirement planning, and financial counseling.
Students in the online family financial planning master’s degree will also complete 12 credits of elective coursework that allows them to specialize in their areas of interest. This includes coursework in real estate, professional practices, military personal finance, and communication in financial planning. Students work with their academic advisor to develop the appropriate course selection and sequence.
The master’s degree curriculum culminates in a capstone course in financial planning, which challenges students to apply theory in a comprehensive personal financial plan to illustrate their mastery of course concepts.
Financial Planning Graduate Certificate
The 18-credit online financial planning graduate certificate is ideal for students who are not interested in pursuing a master’s degree but are seeking graduate-level coursework to meet the educational requirements to sit for the CFP ® exam. Courses include retirement planning, insurance planning, and investing for the future. The financial planning certificate also includes a final capstone course for an immersive academic experience that connects the classroom to the career.
Financial Counseling Graduate Certificate
The online financial counseling graduate certificate also consists of 18 credit hours of coursework. It provides the required coursework needed to sit for the AFC ® exam that is offered through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). The financial counseling certificate covers in-demand topics such as financial theory, real estate planning, estate planning, and income taxation.
Outcomes in Family Financial Planning
The need for personal and family financial planning is greater than ever. U.S. News & World Report states that this is expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade, with a projected growth rate of 7 percent through 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A master’s degree or graduate certificate in family financial planning from IDEA prepares you to enter this growing industry and provide comprehensive financial assistance to families in areas such as:
- Estate and retirement planning
- Investment advising
- Insurance and risk management
- Basic cash flow and debt management
- Employee benefits and pension departments
- Tax planning
U.S. News & World Report ranks family financial planning as the sixth-best business job, with a median salary of $94,170. Financial planners have also consistently reported an increase in average annual gross earnings after receiving their CFP® certification.
Graduates of IDEA’s online family financial planning master’s degree have gone on to work in prominent roles such as:
- Wealth Strategist
- Private Wealth Analyst
- Retirement Plan Administrator
- Mortgage Loan Officer
- Manager of Financial Analysis and Planning
- Director of Family Wealth
- Financial Coach/Analyst
- Finance or Product Manager
- Director of Finance
- Chief Financial Officer
