phd personal financial planning

Personal Financial Planning Doctorate

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Develop the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to achieve success as a university faculty, director of research or practitioner of financial planning.

The personal financial planning doctorate is the first in the nation to be conducted largely online and is one of only three doctoral programs to be registered with the CFP® Board. It is designed for professionals, like you, who already have busy careers and substantial roots where they live.

March 5 Personal Financial Planning Doctorate Webinar Personal financial planning doctorate webinar with Morgan Graham at 7 p.m. (CST) on March 5, 2024.

*This estimate includes online tuition and College of Health and Human Sciences fees and is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and your academic progress.  See more  about tuition and financial aid.

New Tuition and Fees Structure for 2021-22 Academic Year To better assist students with understanding the cost of attendance, K-State has simplified the tuition and fees structure for students enrolled in online programs.

Hybrid Format

The personal financial planning doctorate is a hybrid program in which you will take online courses during the fall and spring semesters and participate in intensive 10-day summer experiences. During three consecutive summer residency sessions on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas, you will build connections with faculty, peers and the university.

For the final summer session, you will travel abroad with your classmates to see up-close how global markets work and how they affect financial planning in the United States and worldwide.

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Admission Requirements

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Additional Requirements

• An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. In some cases, a 2.75 will be permissible if the last 60 hours of study were at least a 3.0.
• GRE/GMAT scores from within the last five years

Program-Specific Application Deadline

• Summer semester (begins in late May): Dec. 1

Additional Documentation View detailed information about the documentation required to complete your application.

The personal financial planning doctorate will prepare you for a career as a:

• finanical planning professional
• researcher in financial planning
• college or university faculty

If you have not taken a graduate-level statistics course in the recent past, you may be required to take STAT 703 or another introductory research and statistics course prior to your first session on campus.

A maximum of 30 credit hours may be transferred into the doctoral program. If you are interested in teaching in an AASCB-accredited business program, we recommend taking 15 or more credits in finance.

Research Courses (minimum 46 credit hours) Grades of B or better are required for PFP 805, 806, 888, 889, 890 and 906.

• STAT 705 - Regression and Analysis of Variance (3 credits)
• PFP 805 - Statistical Software Application in PFP (3 credits)*
• PFP 806 - Statistical Methods in PFP I (3 credits)*
• PFP 808 - Research Application in Personal Financial Planning (3 credits; must repeat for 6 credits) *
• PFP 888 - Research Methods in Personal Financial Planning I (3 credits) *
• PFP 889 - Theories and Models in PFP (3 credits)*
• PFP 890 - Research Methods in Personal Financial Planning II (3 credits) *
• PFP 906 - Statistical Methods in PFP II (3 credits)*
• PFP 990 - Dissertation Proposal Seminar (1 credit)*
• PFP 999 - Dissertation Research (18 credits)

Professional Courses (minimum 14 credit hours)

• PFP 825 - Survey of PFP Research and Theory (3 credits)*
• PFP 894 - Professional Issues in PFP (1 credit; must repeat for 3 credits)*
• PFP 900 - Research Seminar (1 credit; must repeat for 2 credits)*
• PFP 956 - Clinical Research and Applications in Financial Counseling and Planning (3 credits)*
• PFP 979 - Global Issues in PFP (3 credits)*

Supporting (Core Content) Courses (minimum 18 credit hours) A maximum of 18 transfer hours may be applied for supporting (core content) courses.

• PFP 760 - Retirement Planning for Families (3 credits)
• PFP 762 - Investing for the Family’s Future I (3 credits)
• PFP 764 - Estate Planning for Families (3 credits)
• PFP 766 - Insurance Planning for Families (3 credits)
• PFP 772 - Personal Income Taxation (3 credits)
• PFP 836 - Financial Planning Case Studies (3 credits)

Electives (minimum 12 credit hours) A maximum of 12 transfer hours may be applied for elective courses.

• PFP 768 - Introduction to Financial Therapy (3 credits)
• PFP 769 - Money and Relationships (3 credits)
• PFP 770 - Applied Behavioral Finance (3 credits)
• PFP 771 - Financial Therapy Theory and Research (3 credits)
• PFP 835 - Professional Practices Management in Personal Financial Planning (3 credits)
• PFP 860 - Advanced Retirement Planning Issues (3 credits)
• PFP 864 - Advanced Estate Planning Issues (3 credits)
• PFP 909 - Financial Ethics and Mediation (3 credits)
• Other elective as agreed upon by the committee

*Indicates courses must be taken at K-State unless prior approval is received from committee.

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Is it worthwhile to get a financial planning phd.

November 17, 2016 07:39 am 17 Comments CATEGORY: Personal/Career Development

Executive Summary

With over 75,000 CFP certificants, having an advanced designation is not the differentiator it once was in the marketplace. Instead, the successful growth of CFP certification, along with rising consumer awareness of the CFP marks, is turning the CFP into a minimum standard to be recognized as a professional, and those who really want to differentiate must pursue even most "post-CFP" certification instead.

In this week’s #OfficeHours with @MichaelKitces, my Tuesday 1PM EST broadcast via Periscope, we explore whether getting a PhD in personal financial planning is a good way to differentiate as an advanced practitioner... or rather, why a financial planning PhD is probably a bad idea for even sophisticated financial advisors.

Because the reality is that a financial planning PhD is really  not  just the ultimate advanced designation in financial planning. It's really a research  degree, with content that teaches students how to actually  do  real research, applying proper research methods and conducting the appropriate statistical analyses. A financial planning PhD doesn't actually teach much at all about how to  do  financial planning; in fact, most of the PhD programs will expect candidates to have already learned that before applying (and/or may have to take "pre-doctoral" courses just to get the requisite education first).

Instead, the real purpose of getting a PhD in financial planning is to teach  financial planning (at a higher education institution), or to do real research in financial planning. The good news is that there are a growing number of opportunities in both - in fact, the whole purpose of the origin $2,000,000 seed grant that the CFP Board made to Texas Tech's personal financial planning PhD program in 2000 was specifically to help create financial planning PhDs who could go create and teach in other financial planning PhD programs (which is exactly what happened). And there is certainly no shortage of applied financial planning research opportunities.

But the bottom line is simply to recognize that practitioners who want "advanced" financial planning designations should seek out post-CFP designation programs, or perhaps a Master's in Financial Planning . But a PhD is not just a more advanced designation; it's really a teaching and research degree, and is best suited for those who really  want  to teach and do research, either in lieu of becoming a financial planning practitioner, or perhaps as a second career for those practitioners who are ready for a fresh new challenge!

Author: Michael Kitces

Michael Kitces is Head of Planning Strategy at Buckingham Strategic Wealth , which provides an evidence-based approach to private wealth management for near- and current retirees, and Buckingham Strategic Partners , a turnkey wealth management services provider supporting thousands of independent financial advisors through the scaling phase of growth.

In addition, he is a co-founder of the XY Planning Network , AdvicePay , fpPathfinder , and New Planner Recruiting , the former Practitioner Editor of the Journal of Financial Planning, the host of the Financial Advisor Success podcast, and the publisher of the popular financial planning industry blog Nerd’s Eye View through his website Kitces.com , dedicated to advancing knowledge in financial planning. In 2010, Michael was recognized with one of the FPA’s “Heart of Financial Planning” awards for his dedication and work in advancing the profession.

Read all of Michael’s articles here .

(Michael’s Note: The video below was recorded using Periscope, and announced via Twitter. If you want to participate in the next #OfficeHours live, please download the Periscope app on your mobile device , and f oll ow @MichaelKitces on Twitter , so you get the announcement when the broadcast is starting, at/around 1PM EST every Tuesday! You can also submit your question in advance through our Contact page !)

#OfficeHours with @MichaelKitces Video Transcript

Welcome, everyone! Welcome to Office Hours with Michael Kitces!

I want to talk today about advanced financial planning education.

For most of the history of financial planning, educational programs associated with advanced designations like the CFP certification or the ChFC marks  were the highest level of advanced education available. Unlike some fields that offer graduate level advanced education, though, most of these programs were typically taught as adult education certificate programs.

These adult education programs were created to teach the core knowledge (and maybe in the case of CFP marks, to specifically prepare you for the test), but not necessarily to develop 'advanced' practitioners. Most financial planning designation programs are functionally the equivalent of about a half a dozen undergraduate level courses at the most.

In the past 15 years, though,  we've seen the rise of actual college degrees in financial planning . Much of that growth was spawned by a visionary grant from the CFP Board to Texas Tech – which seeded $2 million in 2000 to the personal financial planning PhD program at Texas Tech University, and started the growth of higher education programs for financial planning.

The goal of the grant was to create PhD graduates from Texas Tech, who in turn could go out and create other PhD programs, since most higher education institutions require a professor having a PhD in order to teach in a PhD program.

Financial Planning PhD Programs [Time - 1:38]

Now, 15 years later, the education landscape looks very different. We've reached the point where there are as many degree based undergraduate and graduate programs in financial planning as there are adult education certificate programs!

We've also seen the rise of about a half a dozen Ph.D. programs. These include, the original Texas Tech personal financial planning PhD program itself, as well as PhD programs at the  University of Georgia ,  Kansas State University , and the University of Missouri  – each of which have had some faculty who received their doctorates from Texas Tech. More recently launched programs include Louisiana State University  and the new Ph.D. program at the American College of Financial Services taught by Dr. Wade Pfau , who many of you know from the world of retirement research.

With the growth of all these advanced programs in financial planning, I'm actually hearing more and more practitioners asking the question: is worthwhile to get a Ph.D. in financial planning?

So that's the question I want to tackle today. What's the relevance of a PhD in financial planning for a financial planning practitioner?

What Is A Financial Planning PhD, Really? [Time - 2:37]

To answer the question, first I think it's really crucial to recognize what a PhD actually is. A PhD is a professional research degree. It is not an advanced financial planning designation for practitioners.

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You'll see this distinction if you actually look at the curriculum of a PhD program. You may see some credit hour requirements for mastering the core financial planning body of knowledge, but many programs actually characterize these as pre-doctoral foundational classes – stuff they would've expected you to get in a Master's degree, but if you haven't, then you can do that first.

Within the PhD program itself, you'll often find courses that are heavily research oriented. You'll find courses on research methods, quantitative models, possibly even econometrics – all built around how you actually do research in financial planning.

A PhD program will culminate in a doctoral dissertation where you're going to do a very in-depth research study into something related to financial planning. Some programs will let you do a dissertation composed of three slightly smaller original research studies that you can later submit for journal publication (a "three papers" dissertation, rather than one mega study).

But I can't emphasize enough that the focus of financial planning PhD content is not advanced financial planning like a Master's degree might be. It's about actually doing research in financial planning!

Using A PhD in Financial Planning To Become A Professor [Time - 4:03]

Given these dynamics, what do you do with the financial planning PhD?

As the funding from the original CFP board grant indicates, one of the primary opportunities for getting a Ph.D. in financial planning is to teach personal financial planning, particularly in a higher education institution. And I think it's worth noting this is a really exciting time for the growth of financial planning as an educational discipline, as we grow the number of degree-based programs.

My gut is that in the coming decade we may actually see a shift where the requirements for financial planning education move up and require more college course work in financial planning. We already require a general bachelor's degree to get your CFP marks , but perhaps will require more actual content in financial planning. After all, when you compare financial planning to other more established professions - such as law, accounting, medicine - they all require graduate degrees to really master the content, and then you learn to be a practitioner as you get your experience and actually attain your license!

As financial planning grows and expands its body of knowledge, we may soon get there as well with an important caveat: If we actually require everybody who's getting CFP marks to get college education in financial planning, there are not enough professors to teach them all! Particularly not if we require coursework at the graduate level, which will require more PhDs to build more programs and continue to grow the field.

So for those of you who are practitioners and think a second career as a financial planning educator might be appealing, a PhD can be a very good path for you.

Doing Original Research With A Personal Financial Planning PhD [Time - 5:36]

The second alternative for what to do with a financial planning PhD is to actually do research .

To be honest, I think research in financial planning is woefully inadequate right now. There's so much we advise on that relies on rules of thumb instead of real, validated research. I think we're especially weak about this when it comes to the science of actually delivering financial planning.

You can even see it in our labels. It's common to call the technical stuff the "science" of financial planning, while the delivery is the "art" of financial planning (or the "soft side" of financial planning).

However, there's actually a hard science to the soft side of financial planning as well! If you look at fields like medicine and psychology, there is extensive research in the soft skills that relate to connecting with patients and giving people advice that helps change their behavior. When we look at financial planning, we don't even teach behavior change in most financial planning programs! It's certainly not a material part of the core curriculum.

Imagine all the research that can be done on the softer side of financial planning – not to mention all the stuff on the hard research side as well, such as retirement research, research on how to positively impact spending and saving behaviors, research on how to improve the psychology of insurance so people who actually need coverage would buy it, and research on how our financial literacy grows, develops, and changes over time.

For instance, there's fascinating research out there already on how our financial literacy tends to decline with age, though our confidence in financial literacy does not . We continue to be confident, even though we actually know less. That has all sorts of implications around how we might engage as planners, but you need research to validate and support it. As a financial planning PhD, if you want to go down that road, you can contribute to that research!

If there's one thing you take away from this, it is to recognize that a personal financial planning PhD is not an advanced financial planning practitioner designation – it's a research degree (or at least it's a teaching and research degree). It's something that you get if you want to be a professor that teaches financial planning, or if you want to be affiliated with a university that does financial planning research, or maybe you want to do your own independent financial planning research. It's not meant for simply being an advanced practitioner, and that's an important distinction.

In fact, realistically, if you don't like doing mathematical analyses, building models, working with giant spreadsheets, and learning how to use real number crunching software – recognize that you're probably not going to be very happy in the program. Good PhD programs are generally very quantitatively oriented. So at a minimum, be certain that you go into it with your eyes wide open about what it really entails because the cost is not trivial. A lot of PhD programs will cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

If you just want your CFP education as Eddie just noted [from Periscope], you can get a CFP designation and maybe pursue a Master's degree – most of which are structured as advanced practitioner degrees. But, a PhD is really something different. If your passion is teaching and research, go get a PhD If you're a practitioner that's maybe thinking about a second career and interested in conducting research, you may want to consider a PhD as a second career path. But, if you simply want to get a more advanced knowledge and education as a financial planning practitioner, look to graduate degrees and advanced designations – not a PhD!

So I hope that helps a little as some food for thought. This is Office Hours with Michael Kitces 1:00 p.m. East Coast time every Tuesday. Thanks for hanging out with us and have a great day everyone!

So what do you think? Do you have any interest in getting a Ph.D. in financial planning? Do you think we will continue to see research more heavily influence our industry? Are Master's degrees or advanced designations better options for most practitioners?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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2024 Best Online PhD in Financial Planning [Doctorate Guide]

If you’re interested in pursuing research or advancement in the field of finance, then earning a PhD in Financial Planning may be a strategic step in your professional goals.

A PhD is a research-heavy program, and you will likely have the opportunity to study theoretical knowledge and research methods in specific fields, such as consumer economics or risk management.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Earning this degree could help you grow your qualifications for several rewarding and lucrative career paths, depending on your desired area of focus.

Universities Offering Online Doctorate in Financial Planning Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Capella University

Capella University’s Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management includes eleven core courses, five electives, and three virtual residencies. The program also requires the completion of a comprehensive exam and a dissertation to graduate. Throughout the dissertation process, students are paired with an academic mentor to help keep them on track.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Franklin University

Franklin University offers a Doctor of Business Administration that can be completed 100% online. Students typically spend 2 years completing coursework and 1 year working on the dissertation. The program is designed to allow students to complete their studies around their own schedule. The curriculum is highly customizable through a wide range of elective options.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Hampton University

Hampton University offers a hybrid online PhD in Business Administration designed to meet the needs of busy professionals. Online courses are 8 weeks long. Students are required to come to campus for two 4 week summer residencies and to defend their dissertations. Potential courses in the curriculum include Organizational Behavior, Advanced Computer Applications, and Managerial Economics.

Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University offers a Doctor of Business Administration. The curriculum is designed to offer networking opportunities and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Classes meet on campus one Friday and one Saturday each month, but the option to stream the class live online is available.

Jacksonville University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Kansas State University

Kansas State University offers a Doctorate in Personal Financial Planning that is intended for working professionals. This hybrid program consists of online courses during the fall and spring semesters, supplemented by intensives on campus that are 10 days long during the summer. The program also requires a travel abroad experience to learn about global markets.

Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Liberty University

Liberty University’s Doctor of Business Administration requires the completion of 60 credit hours and takes an average of 3 years to complete. Courses are offered 100% online and are 8 weeks long. The program’s instructors have real-world business experience. Potential courses in the curriculum include Investments and Derivatives, Mergers and Acquisition, and Business Valuation.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

National University

National University offers a PhD in Business Management with a specialization in Financial Management. The program’s fully online format is designed to allow students to complete their studies in their own time. New students can start every Monday. Potential courses include Business Leadership and Strategy, Business Financial Systems, and Statistics I and II.

National University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Pace University

Pace University offers a hybrid program for a Doctor of Professional Studies in Finance. Students can typically complete it in 3 to 5 years without interrupting their current careers. Most coursework is completed with a cohort. Graduates typically pursue academic careers or senior management positions.

Pace University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a PhD in Personal Financial Planning that can be earned on campus or online. The curriculum is designed to develop practical skills in both research and teaching. Graduates often pursue tenure-track faculty positions at other universities or non-academic careers in business.

Texas Tech University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Touro University Worldwide

Touro University Worldwide offers a Doctor of Business Administration. Courses are 8 weeks long and 100% online. The program requires the completion of a research-based doctoral project on a topic such as finance, accounting, or technology. There are six start dates every year, and prospective students can apply without GRE scores at any time.

Touro University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Trident University International

Trident University International offers a PhD in Business Administration that can be completed 100% online. The program has no in-person requirements, and the course load and completion time may be adjusted to suit personal schedules. Faculty members are assigned to provide individualized support on the program’s required research project.

Trident University International is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands offers an online PhD in Business with a content specialty area in Finance. Potential courses include Corporate Finance: Fiscal Management in a Global Climate, Managerial Ethics and Social Responsibility, and Strategic Marketing: Research and Practice.

The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Walden University

Walden University offers a PhD in Management with a specialization in 21st Century Finance. The curriculum covers how to conduct original research, make strategic business decisions, and apply financial theory to real-world situations. In addition to coursework, the completion of a dissertation and attendance at four residencies are required.

Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online PhD in Financial Planning Programs

PhD programs in financial planning are typically designed to prepare graduates to become members of university faculty or pursue research positions.

As such, this degree program contains a large amount of research coursework, like advanced research methods, theories and models in personal finance, and more.

You can also study:

• Statistical methods in financial planning
• Global issues in financial planning
• Clinical research and applications
• Financial planning theory

A large portion of a doctorate in financial planning program can also be devoted to financial decision-making, including risk management, retirement planning, and investments. You may also encounter coursework that focuses on best practices during economic decline, including preventative techniques.

You can explore how to analyze and evaluate financial public policy and even how to recommend courses of action for individuals based on policy. Since research is a core component of this degree, some of your courses will include the study of data analysis and interpretation techniques, regression analysis, and econometrics.

Most curriculums include leadership and ethics coursework as well. Dissertation preparation can also include coursework on writing academic and research papers as well as the skills required to publish in scholarly journals. This PhD seeks to prepare students to become faculty members and teachers at research-based universities, but it can also help prepare professionals for senior or leadership roles in the finance industry.

Financial Planning Careers & Salaries

Earning a doctorate in financial planning online may open up several career opportunities. Typically, graduates of this PhD program move into postsecondary teaching or research positions. PhDs are a common requirement for careers in research and academia.

Some graduates choose to become a professor of finance, economics, or financial planning at a university, where they can also conduct research and publish in scholarly journals. Others choose to conduct research for large financial advising corporations, as these institutions sometimes have in-house research and training departments.

Potential roles for advanced professionals in the field include principal investment strategist, financial planning scientist, and economist.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , here are the median annual salaries of positions related to the advanced study of financial planning.

Salaries can vary depending on your level of experience and education as well as the institution you’re working for. In addition to academic careers, graduates can also choose to pursue consumer-facing roles. These types of roles can include personal financial advisor and financial manager.

Financial planning professionals may advise individuals on risk assessment, investment strategies, estate planning, economic decline mitigation, family wealth, and more. Others choose to become involved in risk management for corporations or even focus on stocks and bonds.

Financial Planning PhD Curriculum & Courses

While courses in financial planning doctorate programs can vary, here are some common subjects you may come across in a financial planning PhD program:

• Research Methods in Financial Planning, Housing, and Consumer Economics : This course emphasizes research design, with a focus on common issues in data analysis and measurement.
• Theory of Households, Consumer Economics, and Financial Behavior : This course overviews contemporary theories of household and consumer decision-making, including theories of saving and consumption and economic analysis.
• Research Development : This course focuses on the development of a dissertation proposal and the necessary research skills required to do so, such as viable question identification and structuring empirical research papers.
• Advanced Wealth Management : This course focuses on family wealth management and covers areas such as investment risk and return, securities markets, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and more.
• Statistical Software Application in FP : This course overviews current statistical software in financial planning, along with its application in practical and research capacities.
• Consumer Policy Analysis : This course analyzes the rationales and outcomes of financial policies that impact consumer well-being, housing, financial services, and other markets.
• Statistical Methods in Financial Planning : This course focuses on the use of statistical methods and application in financial planning research.
• Money and Relationships : This course explores the connection between couple and family relationships and money, with a focus on factors that impact money perceptions and management.
• Advanced Estate Planning : This course explores advanced methods of family estate planning, including multi-generational techniques, property transfer, and trust income taxes.
• Fundamentals of Risk Management: This course focuses on the fundamentals of risk management, specifically the use of insurance in risk financing.

A PhD program will often require more research-focused core courses.

How to Choose an Online Doctoral Program in Financial Planning

When choosing between online doctoral programs in financial planning, there are several considerations to keep in mind. These include:

• Accreditation . Accreditation offers quality assurance that a school meets certain professional standards. You can also look one step deeper and find finance programs that are affiliated with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) board.
• Curriculum . Many PhD candidates have the opportunity to shape their curriculum to a degree. So, it’s strategic to look for programs with coursework that reflects your desired area of expertise, such as econometrics, regression analysis, research theory, and more.
• Instructors . You will work more closely with your PhD professors than any other instructors, especially in a research capacity. So, it is beneficial to see if a program’s instructors have top-tier research and experience credentials.
• Technologies for online learning . It’s strategic to confirm that whether an online program utilizes technologies and platforms that make it convenient to attend class virtually.
• Access to resources . You might consider whether a program can offer access to resources like scholarly journals or personalized library assistance.
• Job placement . You can inquire about schools’ placement programs for graduates, and you can also speak with alumni regarding their career process after graduation.

Keeping these considerations in mind when choosing a program may help you find the program that best supports your future career.

Admissions Requirements

While admissions requirements for doctorate in finance programs can differ depending on your school, some common ones include:

• Official transcripts and master’s degree
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• Interview with faculty (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation

A growing number of schools no longer require the submission of GMAT or GRE scores for graduate admissions, but some still do. Also, some programs require professional experience. It’s beneficial to verify the specific admissions requirements of prospective schools before applying.

Accreditation

Determining whether your potential university is accredited is an essential step to take before applying. In essence, regional accreditation is a form of quality assurance that assures your university meets professional education standards.

Completing your PhD at an accredited school is often a requirement by different employers and certification boards. Plus, some forms of financial aid are only available at accredited schools. Only select organizations can provide regional accreditation.

You can view a list of credible organizations and verify a school’s accreditation status at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation ’s website.

Financial Planning Licensure and Certifications

Earning a professional certification alongside your degree could be a strategic way to showcase your expertise to employers or clients and enhance your career opportunities.

A few certification options include:

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) : This certification verifies your expertise in assessing financial portfolios and making personalized recommendations.
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) : This certification is similar to the CFP, but it allows specialization in niche areas, such as estate planning.
• Financial Risk Manager (FRM) : This certification verifies expertise and experience in risk management, and it is available from the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP).

Some doctoral programs are designed to help you meet certain certification requirements.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Many students pursue financial assistance to complete an online PhD in Finance. There are many types of aid available to qualifying students, including federal aid, state aid, grants, scholarships, and more.

Scholarships and grants can be based on a variety of factors, such as location, need, and area of study. They can also be offered by a variety of sources, such as schools, professional organizations, and public institutions. If you do need the assistance of loans, student loans from the federal and state governments often come with lower interest rates.

To apply for federal aid and determine your eligibility, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) .

What Is a Financial Planning PhD Degree?

A PhD in Financial Planning degree is designed to prepare graduates for top-level careers as professors, academic researchers, chief financial officers, and even economists.

In this degree program, you can study advanced research methods—such as statistical methods and data analytics—in preparation for academic research. You can also study core topics like financial planning, economic theory, risk management, econometrics, and investment techniques.

Many graduates of this type of PhD program become faculty members at universities or even researchers for private financial firms.

What Do You Learn in an Online PhD in Financial Management?

Students in a PhD in Financial Planning degree program are immersed in all types of advanced financial planning topics. PhD programs will also heavily focus on research methods. Coursework in research may include research methodology, data analysis and interpretation, financial planning models, and statistical methods.

Other courses will cover fundamentals in risk management, financial policy analysis, regression analysis, estate planning, research development, and consumer economics. Students may even take courses on software used in financial planning as well as leadership and ethics courses.

What Can You Do with a PhD in Financial Planning?

A PhD in Financial Planning can help qualify graduates to become researchers or members of university faculty. Many graduates go on to become professors in finance or financial planning, where they may also conduct original research and publish research papers.

Others become economists, principal investment strategists, or financial planning scientists for private corporations. Graduates may also find careers as financial managers, analysts, or advisors for public or private companies. Those with extensive experience may go on to become chief financial officers.

Can I Get a PhD in Financial Planning Online?

Many accredited schools offer PhD in Financial Planning programs online. These schools typically offer virtual learning options, where you can attend virtual classes and submit coursework remotely.

Before choosing a school, it’s helpful to verify whether you’ll need to attend in-person at any time. Some programs are listed as “hybrid,” meaning some classwork is in person. Most PhD programs do require in-person attendance for dissertation proposals and defense. There may also be some in-person requirements for seminar courses.

What Jobs Can I Get with a PhD in Financial Planning Degree?

Professionals with a PhD in Financial Planning may pursue a variety of career opportunities post-graduation.

Many graduates choose to enter the world of academia. They might become faculty members or professors at colleges or universities, where they can teach finance or a related subject. They may also pursue research positions at postsecondary institutions or private companies.

Financial planning professionals who use their studies to advance in the field may work as financial managers, economists, or even chief financial officers, depending on their qualifications and experience.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Personal Financial Planning Online?

Generally, a PhD can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to complete with full-time enrollment. This timeline can depend on the number of credit hours required and how long it takes to complete your dissertation.

If no dissertation is required, a doctoral program can often be completed in 3 years with full-time study. Of course, if you are enrolled part-time at any time, this may extend your time to completion. You can talk to a university about their specific program timelines to learn more.

Is a PhD in Financial Planning Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Financial Planning is worth it for many students. Earning this terminal degree can help you stand out to potential employers as well as qualify for positions in research and academia.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of financial managers is forecast to grow 17% over the next ten years, which is considered much faster than the average. Similarly, 12% job growth is projected for postsecondary teachers over the same period.

Getting Your PhD in Financial Planning Online

You might consider earning a PhD in Financial Planning if you want to grow your professional qualifications or pursue original research in the financial planning field.

A PhD can also help you qualify for faculty positions at universities or research positions at postsecondary schools or private companies. Some graduates go on to publish research findings in scholarly journals while they maintain more client-facing roles, such as that of a financial manager or advisor.

You could start exploring accredited colleges and universities today to see which online PhD programs in financial planning best match your interests and goals.

The Ph.D. degree in Personal Financial Planning is designed to provide talented and ambitious students with knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to achieve success as college and university faculty, practitioners of financial planning, and productive citizens of the State of Kansas and the United States. A dedicated commitment to enhancing students’ personal development will prepare students to excel academically and professionally, leading ultimately to more rewarding and creative lives. 

If students have not taken a graduate level statistics course in the recent past they may be required to take STAT 703 or another introductory research and statistics course prior to their first session on campus.

Degree Requirements (90 credit hours)

Research courses (minimum 45 credit hours).

Grades of B or better are required for FSHS 806, 906, 888, 890, 907.

• FSHS 806 - Statistical Methods in Family Studies and Human Services I Credits: 3
• FSHS 888 - Research Methods in FSHS I Credits: 3
• FSHS 890 - Application of Research and Statistics in Family Science Credits: 3
• FSHS 906 - Statistical Methods in Family Studies and Human Services II Credits: 3
• FSHS 907 - Advanced Family Research Methods Credits: 3
• FSHS 990 - Dissertation Proposal Seminar Credits: 1
• FSHS 999 - PhD Research in Family Studies and Human Services Credits: 1-18
• PFP 808 - Research Application in Personal Financial Planning Credits: 1-8

Must take 8 credit hours during program.

• STAT 705 - Regression and Analysis of Variance Credits: 3

Professional Courses (minimum 15 credit hours)

• FSHS 825 - Family Resource Management Credits: 3
• FSHS 894 - Readings in Family Studies and Human Services Credits: 1-18

Must take 1 credit hour 3 times.

• PFP 909 - Topics in Personal Financial Planning Credits: 0-3
• PFP 956 - Clinical Research and Applications in Financial Counseling and Planning Credits: 3
• FSHS 979 - Advanced Professional Issues in Family Science Credits: 3

Supporting Courses (minimum 18 credit hours)

• PFP 760 - Retirement Planning for Families Credits: 3
• PFP 762 - Investing for the Family’s Future I Credits: 3
• PFP 764 - Estate Planning for Families Credits: 3
• PFP 766 - Insurance Planning for Families Credits: 3
• PFP 772 - Personal Income Taxation Credits: 3
• PFP 836 - Financial Planning Case Studies Credits: 3

Elective Courses: (minimum 12 credit hours)

• PFP 768 - Introduction to Financial Therapy Credits: 3
• PFP 769 - Money and Relationships Credits: 3
• PFP 770 - Applied Behavioral Finance Credits: 3
• PFP 771 - Financial Therapy Theory & Research Credits: 1-3

Financial Planning Graduate Programs in America

1-24 of 24 results

Bentley University McCallum Graduate School of Business

Waltham, MA •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4.71 out of 5   21 reviews

Master's Student: I have had a fantastic experience at Bentley. The hybrid and fully online courses make it possible for me to have a full time job, take care of my young family, and complete my degrees in a reasonable amount of time. The professors are incredibly knowledgable in their fields and bring so much real world experience to the table. I've learned so much about leadership in my MBA courses that I've actively used in my job. ... Read 21 reviews

Blue checkmark.

Graduate School ,

WALTHAM, MA ,

21 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have had a fantastic experience at Bentley. The hybrid and fully online courses make it possible for me to have a full time job, take care of my young family, and complete my degrees in a... .

Read 21 reviews.

Kansas State University College of Business Administration

Manhattan, KS •

Kansas State University •

• • Rating 1 out of 5   1 review

Kansas State University ,

MANHATTAN, KS ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 1 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

University of San Francisco School of Management

San Francisco, CA •

University of San Francisco •

University of San Francisco ,

SAN FRANCISCO, CA ,

Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration

Lubbock, TX •

Texas Tech University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The masters program is layed out so when you graduate you are ready for the cpa exam and to work in accounting. ... Read 2 reviews

Texas Tech University ,

LUBBOCK, TX ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The masters program is layed out so when you graduate you are ready for the cpa exam and to work in accounting. .

Read 2 reviews.

Driehaus College of Business

Chicago, IL •

DePaul University •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Current Master's student: My experience so far has been outstanding, I have had the opportunity to met people from different backgrounds, the program has a "hands-on" experience which makes it sometimes a bit difficult because you need to step out of your comfort zone. Overall, I'm pleased for the education I'm receiving so far ... Read 3 reviews

DePaul University ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says My experience so far has been outstanding, I have had the opportunity to met people from different backgrounds, the program has a "hands-on" experience which makes it sometimes a bit difficult... .

Read 3 reviews.

Haub School of Business

Philadelphia, PA •

Saint Joseph's University •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: The Food Marketing MBA is both challenging and informative. Students come from all walks of life and experiences. This enhances the academics because we are getting different points of view and able to learn not only from our professors but colleagues as well. ... Read 5 reviews

Saint Joseph's University ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The Food Marketing MBA is both challenging and informative. Students come from all walks of life and experiences. This enhances the academics because we are getting different points of view and able... .

Read 5 reviews.

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Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Bozeman, MT •

Montana State University •

Montana State University ,

BOZEMAN, MT ,

Cleary University

Howell, MI •

• • Rating 4.71 out of 5   7 reviews

Master's Student: I will start courses in the fall. I'm a single father with four children. Two of my four children are autistic. Just want my family to cultivate on all levels. ... Read 7 reviews

HOWELL, MI ,

7 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I will start courses in the fall. I'm a single father with four children. Two of my four children are autistic. Just want my family to cultivate on all levels. .

Read 7 reviews.

California Lutheran University School of Management

Thousand Oaks, CA •

California Lutheran University •

Master's Student: I loved the sense of community and support provided by the school. It was easy to get a hold of professors and navigate through the curriculum. Also, the program is challenging and combines education with real life experiences. ... Read 2 reviews

California Lutheran University ,

THOUSAND OAKS, CA ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says I loved the sense of community and support provided by the school. It was easy to get a hold of professors and navigate through the curriculum. Also, the program is challenging and combines education... .

School of Business - Molloy University

Rockville Centre, NY •

Molloy University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Current Master's student: Everyone is friendly and willing to help. Overall good experience so far. Looking forward to the next 2 years. ... Read 1 review

Molloy University ,

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says Everyone is friendly and willing to help. Overall good experience so far. Looking forward to the next 2 years. .

J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Atlanta, GA •

Georgia State University •

• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   6 reviews

Master's Student: I am a student at Robinson college of business at Georgia State University. The courses are excellent and provide you with a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge. Most of the professors at RCB are good, and they use multiple ways to evaluate students. ... Read 6 reviews

Georgia State University ,

ATLANTA, GA ,

6 Niche users give it an average review of 3.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a student at Robinson college of business at Georgia State University. The courses are excellent and provide you with a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge. Most of the professors at RCB... .

Read 6 reviews.

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, PA •

• • Rating 4.25 out of 5   4 reviews

Current Doctoral student: I am currently enrolled in the OTD program at Elizabethtown College. I am looking forward to obtaining this degree so I can become a college professor. I am currently working full time as an Occupational Therapist is a hospital. Elizabethtown is a great school and I am excited to be back (online). My Bachelor's and Master's degree prepared me for my wonderful career as an OT. I am continuing my education after healthcare's trying last few years of working with COVID positive patients to teach our future therapists how wonderful this field is and how much we are needed ... Read 4 reviews

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says I am currently enrolled in the OTD program at Elizabethtown College. I am looking forward to obtaining this degree so I can become a college professor. I am currently working full time as an... .

Read 4 reviews.

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Niagara University College of Business Administration

Niagara University, NY •

Niagara University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Master's Student: The College of Business at Niagara University offers a wide range of courses for their students. Most of these courses are taught by professors that have done very well in a field related to the course, which allows them to bring in real life experience to the classroom. ... Read 1 review

Niagara University ,

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The College of Business at Niagara University offers a wide range of courses for their students. Most of these courses are taught by professors that have done very well in a field related to the... .

School of Business Administration - Widener University

Chester, PA •

Widener University •

Current Master's student: I am enrolled in the online MSW program, about 3/4 completed. I have loved the program this far! The ease of the online platform and flexibility of the asynchronous classes, it is a great option for working students. The course work is rigorous, but the staff are great about making themselves available for help whenever you need it. ... Read 7 reviews

Widener University ,

CHESTER, PA ,

Featured Review: Current Master's student says I am enrolled in the online MSW program, about 3/4 completed. I have loved the program this far! The ease of the online platform and flexibility of the asynchronous classes, it is a great option for... .

Penn State World Campus

University Park, PA •

• • Rating 4.6 out of 5   100 reviews

Other: Penn State World Campus offers me the flexibility I need to be in school while working full-time and raising two children. I love the flexibility I have to work on school when I can. My instructors work hard to motivate students and are very encouraging. Overall, my experience with online learning at Penn State has gone very well. I was nervous to return to school. After all, it has been ten years since I have been in school. Penn State has a very extensive online orientation and even offers a Smart Track to Success course. I have enrolled in the Smart Track to Success course to help me stay on track and earn additional scholarships. I have a GPA of 3.67 because Penn State has been such a wonderful program and offers me the flexibility needed to do school work outside of my work hours. I am very confident I will achieve my goals with Penn State World Campus! ... Read 100 reviews

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA ,

100 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Penn State World Campus offers me the flexibility I need to be in school while working full-time and raising two children. I love the flexibility I have to work on school when I can. My instructors... .

Read 100 reviews.

Division of Business - Elms College

Chicopee, MA •

Elms College •

Elms College ,

CHICOPEE, MA ,

Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global

Marion, IN •

• • Rating 4.78 out of 5   41 reviews

Doctoral Student: The Organizational Leadership program has been an awarding program; it has provided me with the leadership tools that have helped me become more aware of my leadership strengths and weaknesses. The program presents different views on leadership, organizations, followership, relationships, etc., and worldviews. The course work will require one to put forth great effort and effective time management to achieve the leadership skills desired and meet the academic requirements. There has not been a worse part of the program. Sometimes, it has been challenging; however, the knowledge gained has been worth the challenge. ... Read 41 reviews

MARION, IN ,

41 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The Organizational Leadership program has been an awarding program; it has provided me with the leadership tools that have helped me become more aware of my leadership strengths and weaknesses. The... .

Read 41 reviews.

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA •

• • Rating 4.62 out of 5   165 reviews

Master's Student: I was just recently accepted into the Master of Arts in Law program, and my concentration is International Business Transactions. I am a non-traditional student and I plan to combine my degree with my real estate license and develop resort/hotel properties in Latin America. ... Read 165 reviews

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA ,

165 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I was just recently accepted into the Master of Arts in Law program, and my concentration is International Business Transactions. I am a non-traditional student and I plan to combine my degree with... .

Read 165 reviews.

Golden Gate University Graduate Programs

Golden Gate University •

Golden Gate University ,

Spears School of Business

Stillwater, OK •

Oklahoma State University •

Oklahoma State University ,

STILLWATER, OK ,

Penn State Great Valley

Malvern, PA •

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Master's Student: All of the classes and professors have been incredibly helpful and valuable toward achieving my goals in the program. ... Read 9 reviews

MALVERN, PA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says All of the classes and professors have been incredibly helpful and valuable toward achieving my goals in the program. .

Read 9 reviews.

Baker College

Owosso, MI •

• • Rating 4.36 out of 5   14 reviews

Other: My academic experience was fairly awesome. I had fun learning, then I began to struggle in my classes. ... Read 14 reviews

OWOSSO, MI ,

14 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Other says My academic experience was fairly awesome. I had fun learning, then I began to struggle in my classes. .

Read 14 reviews.

College of Professional Studies - Marywood University

Scranton, PA •

Marywood University •

Marywood University ,

SCRANTON, PA ,

American College

King Of Prussia, PA •

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA ,

Showing results 1 through 24 of 24

University of Missouri

College of agriculture, food and natural resources, division of applied social sciences.

One of six divisions in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), the Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) at the University of Missouri is a community of faculty, students and professionals who are passionate about agriculture, food, finance, hospitality and rural communities. We are committed to educating, empowering and engaging the people who lead and work in these areas. If you are looking for a program where you will grow as a leader in industry, government, education or local communities, join us. Together, we can cultivate a thriving future for Missouri and the nation.

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DEGREES AND PROGRAMS

Undergraduate studies.

With a bachelor’s degree from our division, you will be prepared to contribute to the global food and agriculture system and address significant challenges in agriculture, agricultural policy and economics, agribusiness and education.

B.S. in Agribusiness Management B.S. in Agricultural Education B.S. in Hospitality Management B.S. in Personal Financial Planning

Graduate Studies

Recognized for our innovative approach to graduate training, you will have the opportunity of working with leading scholars engaged in a diverse range of challenging research projects.

M.S. & Ph.D. in Agricultural & Applied Economics Ph.D. in Agricultural Education M.S. in Ag Leadership, Communication & Education M.S. & Ph.D. in Food & Hospitality Systems M.S. in Personal Financial Planning

Minors and Certificates

With one of our minors or certificates, you can explore additional interests while you add to your resume.

Agribusiness Management Agricultural Education Agricultural Leadership CFP® Certification Personal Financial Planning (undergraduate) Personal Financial Planning (online graduate certificate) Science and Agricultural Communications

undergraduates in the Division of Applied Social Sciences

of students complete an internship

division-related student clubs and orgs

Our research strengths include: agricultural and environmental policy, community food systems, teaching and learning and cooperative management and governance. We have several centers and institutes that focus on research and outreach such as: the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership (GICL), the Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security and the McQuinn Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Division of Applied Social Sciences News & Accolades

RaFF projects a dip in farm income for springtime

Another decline in net farm income is projected for the Show-Me State, according to the Spring 2024 Missouri Farm Income Outlook released by the University of Missouri’s Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF). The report offers a state-level glimpse at projected farm financial indicators, including farm receipts, production expenses and other components that affect net…

Featured News

Division of Applied Social Sciences 316 Mumford Hall Columbia, MO 65211 Phone:  573-882-7740 Email:   [email protected]

UGA Financial Planning

Financial planning is one of the fastest growing professions with a high demand for professionals coming out of accredited programs. UGA offers a top-ranked program with a variety of degrees to fit any busy professional or student's schedule and budget. All our programs are CFP® Board registered and meet the CFP® exam education requirement. Your financial planner career starts here.

Financial planning means job security

Financial Planning majors have a variety of career opportunities. Our students go to work for large brokerage firms, small boutique Registered Investment Advisor firms, government agencies, and non-profits, to name a few. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , financial planners earn a median salary of $87,850 per year with a bachelor's degree. The financial planning profession has a "much faster than average" growth compared to the national average, and it's forecasted that there will be 40,000 additional jobs added to the existing 263,000 in the next ten years. About 19,200 openings for personal financial advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade

"Best School for Financial Planning" by Investopedia

Expert Faculty

Prolific authors and nationally recognized faculty

High Earning Major

One of UGA's Top Undergraduate Earning Majors

Class Options

Classes offered at UGA and online

40% of our students are female compared to less than 20% in the profession

Degree Options

Multiple degree options related to financial planning are available and designed to best fit your needs

What makes UGA Financial Planning unique?

Two words: experiential learning . This gets you hands-on experience beyond the classroom through internships, service-learning, research, and travel study. This gives you the edge over competitors when you apply for a job or pursue graduate school. Below are experiential learning opportunities you'll get with UGA Financial Planning.

The ASPIRE Clinic

You'll get real world experience at the ASPIRE Clinic as a client-facing financial counselor. The Clinic has reached more than 1,500 individuals, couples, and families since 2011 through one-on-one services, and many others through its group workshops on topics like well-being and financial literacy.

UGA Money Dawgs

You will have the option to help lead the UGA Money Dawgs summer academy open to kids ages 11-14 where kids can come and learn about money, personal financial decision making, and investing. Students have fun learning while also discovering great financial planning careers.

UGA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

You can join VITA every spring to help others with their taxes. As a student you'll get valuable tax experience as you come face-to-face with clients and solve their tax situations. VITA has had over 600 student volunteers help over 7,000 households with their finances for over a decade.

Our student club opens doors

The Student Financial Planning Association joins students who share an interest in financial planning. As an SFPA member you'll gain valuable leadership experience and knowledge by networking with industry professionals and attending national conferences.

Meet some of your teachers

Meet a few faculty below or view all faculty to get a taste of what your classes will be like.

Lance Palmer

Seeing students emerge as professionals--watching them merge technical and soft skills when working with clients at tax time--is something that I look forward to each year.

Mary Carlson

Students learn valuable information about their personal finances and then they are able to apply that knowledge to help others.

John Grable

Our students are of the highest caliber, which makes every day in class a fun and engaging experience.

What are our 2019 grads up to?

See where they came from, why they chose Financial Planning, how they feel about the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), and of course what they're up to now in the real world.

"I chose Financial Planning because I have always had a passion for numbers and people."

"In a mid-college crisis, I stumbled upon the Financial Planning program, knowing next to nothing about financial planning."

"My professors have inspired me to pursue great things in life, and I find myself leaning on them for inspiration."

Choose the program that fits you best

Undergraduate.

The undergraduate program provides you with skills to enter the marketplace as a financial planner or financial counselor. You'll also have the opportunity to complete internships and experiential learning.

Double Dawgs

Double Dawgs gets you started on your master's level work while fulfilling requirements for your bachelor's degree. Students enrolled in the double dawgs program complete both degrees in five years.

Online Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Behavioral Planning and Financial Therapy is a specialized set of courses that can be taken to complete the stand-alone academic certificate or applied to a graduate degree program at UGA.

On-Campus Master's

In the master's program, you'll complete a capstone course, internship, or research project to prepare you for your professional career in financial planning.

Online Master's

The online master's degree offers ultimate flexibility in both location and time. This degree can be completed while working full-time.

Master's Thesis

In the master's thesis program, you will learn about financial planning at an advanced level while completing a research project and writing a thesis.

A Ph.D. gives you the highest level of research-based academic preparation. In our program you will have the opportunity to research and participate in experiential learning with world class faculty.

Have questions? Contact us.

Picking a school and a program is a big step and we want you to be fully informed. Enter your email and ask any questions you have. We'll reply within one business day.

Financial Planning student Victoria Santini was awarded a $3,500 scholarship through the CFP Board. Twenty scholarships totaling $22,958 were awarded to Financial Planning students in 2017-18.

Financial Planning student Kimberly Watkins teaching at UGA Money Dawgs. She was one of the 15 students university-wide chosen to be a member of the 2017-18 Future Faculty Fellows Program.

Financial Planning students helping Georgians in Virtual VITA. In this program, students at UGA collaborate with clients around Georgia to file taxes.

We host a career fair every spring for students to explore internship and employment opportunities from around the state.

Every spring we host our annual Financial Planning Banquet where students, alumni, faculty, employers and supporters of UGA Financial Planning network and celebrate successes.

Financial Planning student Jessica Parks received a scholarship from the Office of Sustainability to participate in the Housing and Household Economics program at UGA Costa Rica.

Still here?

Sit back and enjoy our video..

Ready for the next step?

Mission and vision.

Our mission is to transform students into effective practitioners and scholars who foster inclusivity in behavioral financial planning and counseling by providing experiential learning opportunities in a collaborative and diverse environment from nationally recognized faculty.

Our vision is to be the leading program in transformational behavioral financial planning scholarship and development of highly sought-out, effective practitioners and researchers in a diverse world.

Department of Personal Financial Planning

Interested in business & have a heart for people.

Have a head for business and a heart for people? Personal financial planning can set you on the path to an exciting career helping people meet their financial goals. As a student, you will tackle both quantitative courses in retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning, insurance planning, and estate planning, as well as courses focused on learning how to understand and help people. These courses include family relationships and financial counseling. A combined emphasis on understanding financial products and how they work, as well as the role of family in financial decisions, helps you build a solid foundation that prepares you to thrive in this in-demand profession.

Choosing Personal Financial Planning

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Personal financial planning

Get started with MU

• How to apply
• Tuition and fees

Master of science

You know that personal financial planning plays a fundamental role in the well-being of individuals and families everywhere. Yet, it is increasingly difficult for everyday people to navigate our complex economy. You want to help. With a master of science degree in personal financial planning from the University of Missouri, you can go beyond ordinary financial expertise. 

Mizzou’s 100% online master of science program in personal financial planning provides a rare opportunity to prepare for the rigorous CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ examination with an accredited university on a flexible schedule that works for you. As a CFP® professional, you will have the gold standard designation for expertise in helping individuals and families chart their financial future.

Mizzou’s program was designed for ambitious financial professionals like you. It allows you to pursue a master’s and the valuable CFP® certification, while continuing to work full time. Students take courses with industry-leading researchers and professionals. You’ll join a network of like-minded professionals and scholars whose interests and goals align with your own while developing the skills you need to help individuals plan for everything from their first home purchase to retirement and beyond. A final advanced project will offer hands-on experience with a case study, independent or literature review. 

Upon successful completion of your course work, you will not only have a master of science from a nationally recognized program, but you will also be able to sit for the CFP® examination. You can take your exam with confidence, aware that your hard-earned certification and university credentials will be a testament to your skill as an advisor. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Mizzou master's-degree holder, you’ll offer people the relief of knowing they have outstanding expertise on their side, regardless of what the future holds. You can also start in a graduate certificate program.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Quick facts

Official name, program type, academic home, delivery mode, accreditation, credit hours, estimated cost.

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid .

Career prospects

Students in this program gain skills that prepare them to meet the increasing demand for CFP® professionals. Job titles for degree holders include: 

• Financial analyst
• Personal financial advisor
• Loan officer
• Social and community service manager

Program structure

Delivery is 100% online. Courses are semester-based. Students taking two classes per semester for three semesters a year can finish in two years.

Course work includes

• Employee benefits
• Estate planning
• Investment planning
• Risk management
• Tax planning 
• Financial planning case study
• Advanced risk management
• Household financial decision making
• Leadership theory and application
• Financial planning advanced projects 

Calendar system

Typical program length, typical course load.

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission , one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Faculty spotlight

Dr. Yao’s research interests focus on individual and family financial decision-making and well-being. Specific topics include retirement, saving and investment behavior and motives, risk tolerance, debt management, and consumption patterns. She received the best paper award from the CFP®  Board, AARP, American Council on Consumer Interests, and American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Dr. Yao serves as an associate editor, an editorial board member and as a reviewer for a number of academic journals and conferences.

Dr. Ivey has more than 20 years of experience in college teaching at the University of Missouri, Spalding University and Oklahoma State University. She has taught courses in insurance, investments, taxes, personal finance, management and leadership while also providing academic and career advising to students. Her professional background includes experience in banking, insurance and employee benefit management.

Dr. Rabbani teaches the personal financial planning curriculum in employee benefits and retirement planning, as well as risk management and insurance. His research is focused primarily on financial risk tolerance, financial knowledge and financial wellness. He is the lead investigator on the Investment Risk Tolerance Assessment program and a partner administrator of the 2020 Study on Collegiate Financial Wellness (SCFW).

Tobias M. Mendelson teaches retirement planning, estate planning, income tax planning, multi-jurisdictional tax and tax research. Mendelson was previously a clinical assistant professor of accounting and business law, teaching and developing curricula for tax and business law courses. He began his academic career in 2011 as a part-time assistant professor while working as a senior advanced markets director for MetLife’s Premier Client Group and Mass Mutual. He also worked in the same capacity at New York Life and Canada Life Assurance Company. As an advanced markets attorney, he was a subject matter expert on taxation, estate and gift tax planning, charitable gift planning, retirement (qualified and non-qualified) planning and more. He has been a member of the Florida Bar for nearly 40 years and is an active member of the American Bar Association serving as an exam reviewer and judge for the Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy and Negotiation competitions.

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School of Financial Planning

• Human Sciences

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Earn one of the nation's best Personal Financial Planning degrees. The New York Times says Texas Tech University has "arguably the best undergraduate financial planning program in the country." Personal financial planning firms look to Texas Tech University for new talent.

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Core Values

The Core Values of The School of Financial Planning are:

• Relationships

Experiential Learning Opportunities

• Charles Schwab Foundation Financial Planning Clinic
• Center for Financial Responsibility
• Knowledge Empowering You (KEY) Outreach Program
• Red to Black Program
• Fall Career Day
• Opportunity Days

Personal Financial Planning Programs

B.s. personal financial planning, online b.s. applied personal finance, undergraduate minors.

On-Campus or Online

M.S. Personal Financial Planning

Online m.s. personal financial planning, ph.d. personal financial planning, graduate certificate in charitable planning, graduate certificate in financial health & wellness, contact ttu.

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