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.
Review the course planner to find out when each course is offered and plan out a prospective course sequence.
Fundamentals
This course is for students new to financial planning or seeking AFC certification. Check with your advisor before enrolling.
This course focuses on issues and concepts related to the overall financial planning process and establishing client-planner relationships. Students explore services provided to families, documentation required, and client and Certified Financial Planner™ licensee responsibilities. Students develop competencies for gathering client data, determining goals and expectations, and assessing the client's financial status by analyzing and evaluating data. Emerging issues and the role of ethics in financial planning are an integral part of the course.
Core Courses for the Financial Planning Graduate Certificate
Courses with an * are required to sit for the CFP® exam.
This course focuses on fundamentals of the estate planning process, including estate settlement, estate and gift taxes, property ownership and transfer, and powers of appointment. Students explore tools and techniques used in implementing an effective estate plan, ethical considerations in providing estate planning services, and new and emerging issues in the field. Students use case studies to gain experience in developing estate plans suitable for varied family forms.
This course is an in-depth study of risk management concepts, tools, and strategies for individuals and families. Students study life insurance, property and casualty insurance, liability insurance, accident insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, and government-subsidized programs. Students discuss current and emerging issues as well as ethical considerations in relation to risk management. Case studies provide experience in selecting insurance products suitable for individuals and families.
This course is an in-depth study of investment options for families and includes a look at common stocks, fixed income securities, convertible securities, and related choices. Students study the relationship between investment options and employee/employer benefit plan choices. Integral to the course is students examining current and emerging issues and ethics.
This course focuses on in-depth information of income tax practices and procedures including tax regulations, tax return preparation, the tax audit process, the appeals process, preparation for an administrative or judicial forum, and ethical considerations of taxation. Students learn new and emerging issues related to taxation. Family and individual case studies provide students with practice in applying and analyzing tax information and recommending appropriate tax strategies.
This course covers micro and macro considerations in retirement planning for individuals and families. Content includes a survey of various types of retirement plans, ethical considerations in providing retirement planning services, assessing and forecasting financial needs in retirement, integration of retirement plans with government benefits, and current research and theory in the field. Case studies provide students with experience in retirement planning needs analysis.
Capstone Course
This required course should be taken after all core courses have been completed.
All other courses in the program must be completed as a prerequisite for enrolling in this course. Integrating both theoretical and applied concepts into a comprehensive personal financial plan and several smaller case studies, students illustrate their understanding of ethical considerations, regulation and certification requirements, written communication skills, presentation of technical issues, and professional responsibility.
-
Cost per Credit Hour
2024-2025: $610
Learn more -
Average Time to Complete:
Master's degree: 22 months
Graduate certificates: 16 months - Master's Degree - Family Financial Planning: 30 Hours
- Graduate Certificate - Financial Planning: 18 Hours
- Graduate Certificate - Financial Counseling: 18 Hours
Master's Degree - Family Financial Planning
30 Hours
Graduate Certificate - Financial Planning
18 Hours
Graduate Certificate - Financial Counseling
18 Hours
