This two-for-one field of study prepares you for the CFP^® Certification Examination, then positions you for a master’s degree with a specialized focus. Your studies will emphasize the traditional areas of financial planning and then expand into specialized instruction.

This course of study is approved by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and satisfies the core educational requirement for the CFP^® Certification Examination.

For more information download our Graduate Program Policies and Procedures.

Why choose the College’s MS Program, Personal Financial Planning Major?

• All course content is based upon real-world scenarios
• A two-for-one approach to pursuing both a graduate degree and the CFP^® certification
• Maximize your critical thinking skills with research-based coursework
• Competitive pricing. You can earn a graduate degree for less than $15,000
• Receive transfer credit from the CFP Certification Professional Education Program
• Flexible curriculum that caters to your personal educational goals
• Study on your own time from anywhere in the world
• Learn from industry expert professors using text, video, and interactive forums
• An opportunity to obtain the MPAS^SM designation upon completion of the program
• Military Friendly

Required Courses:

• 1hrs | COM500 Communication & Research Techniques for Master’s Students
• 3hrs | PFP510 Financial Planning Process and Risk Management
• 3hrs | PFP511 Insurance
• 3hrs | PFP512 Investment Planning
• 3hrs | PFP513 Income Tax Planning
• 3hrs | PFP514 Retirement Planning
• 3hrs | PFP515 Estate Planning (Part I)
• 3hrs | PFP516 Estate Planning (Part II)
• 3hrs | PFP550 Portfolio Management for Personal Financial Planners
• 3hrs | PFP570 Pre-retirement Financial Planning Topics

(After completing PFP 510 – PFP516, you are eligible for CFPE506, and can then sit for the CFP^® Certification Examination.) *Requirements may vary based on transfer credits.

If you currently hold the CFP^® certification or one of the College’s graduate-level professional designations such as the AWMA^® or CRPC^®, you could be eligible for up to 15 hours of transfer credit. Contact us for complete details.

Custom Track Options of Study:

Once you have completed the core required classes the Master of Science Degree Program in Personal Financial Planning provides you with the ability to choose a focus that works with your own personal interests and needs.

Track A (36 Credit Hours)

• 3hrs | PFP560 Tax Planning for the Highly Compensated
• 5hrs | Capstone Course: PFP650 Personal Financial Planning: Integrated Case Study

Track B (36 Credit Hours)

• Choice of 1 Elective Course - (total of 3 hours)
• 5hrs | Thesis: PFP651 Financial Research Thesis

Track C (43 Credit Hours)

• Choice of 5 Elective Courses - (total of 15 hours)

Elective Choices:

• 3hrs | ACC510 Financial Statement Analysis
• 3hrs | ETH550 Business Ethics
• 3hrs | ECO510 Money & Banking
• 3hrs | ECO550 Managerial Economics
• 3hrs | ECO551 Global Economics
• 3hrs | PFP532 Financial Planning for Domestic Partners | ADPA^®
• 3hrs | PFP552 Alternative Investments
• 3hrs | PFP554 Behavioral Finance & the Psychology of Money
• 3hrs | PFP558 Wealth Management Strategies | AWMA^®
• 3hrs | PFP560 Tax Planning for the Highly Compensated
• 3hrs | PFP574 401(k) and Other Salary Deferral Topics
• 3hrs | PFP576 Retirement Planning Strategies | CRPC^®
• 3hrs | PFP578 Retirement Plan Studies | CRPS^®
• 3hrs | PFP580 Issues & Cases in Estate Planning
• 3hrs | PFP581 Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits
• 3hrs | PFP590 Women & Financial Planning
• 3hrs | FIN511 Global Finance
• 3hrs | FIN520 Quantitative Analysis
• 3hrs | FIN521 Economics & Derivatives
• 3hrs | FIN522 Equity & Debt Investments
• 3hrs | FIN552 Corporate Finance
• 3hrs | FIN560 Public Finance

Program Delivery and Structure

The Master of Science program is delivered via a state-of-the-art asynchronous learning platform. This means that you can pursue your degree from anywhere in the world and study when it’s convenient for you. Your studies will revolve around real-world scenarios and cases with a focus on research and critical thinking skills.

This interactive demo covers the features of our exclusive online learning platform.

Classes are held five times per year with sessions beginning every January, March, May, August, and October. Each course is eight weeks with a two-week break between classes.

Pricing

Application Fee	$80
1 Credit Hour Course	$380
3 Credit Hour Courses	$1140
5 Credit Hour Course	$1900

Student Loans are available

The curriculum is based on a client-centered, problem-solving method using case studies to give you a hands-on approach to the material. The College's highly qualified faculty is available via telephone or e-mail to support you in your studies.