PFP Certificate Courses

The personal financial planning graduate certificate program consists of six courses for a total of 18 semester credit hours.

Scheduled Start Dates

Courses are offered every 8 weeks in the fall and spring, and in the summer. We have rolling admissions, so students can start at multiple times throughout the year: August, October, January, March, and June. We strongly recommend that prospective students apply at least 4 weeks before the next class starts to allow time for processing paperwork.

Course Offerings:

Fall:

PFP 766 Insurance Planning for Families (1^st 8 weeks)
PFP 760 Retirement Planning for Families (2^nd 8 weeks)
PFP 836 Financial Planning Case Studies (1^st 8 weeks)
This course is taken last in the sequence

Spring:

PFP 762 Investing for the Family’s Future I (1^st 8 weeks)
PFP 764 Estate Planning for Families (2^nd 8 weeks)
PFP 836 Financial Planning Case Studies (1^st 8 weeks)

Summer:

PFP 772 Personal Income Taxation (8 weeks)

Students with no prior financial planning background are highly encouraged to take PFP 624 Fundamentals of Personal Financial Planning as a prerequisite.

For official course descriptions, go to the course catalog, enter"PFP" in the 'keyword' field, make sure the "Courses" box is checked, and click the "Search” button.

Program Requirements

PFP Personal Financial Planning Courses (18 credit hours)

PFP 766 Insurance Planning for Families
PFP 762 Investing for Family's Future
PFP 760 Retirement Planning for Families
PFP 722 Personal Income Taxation
PFP 764 Estate Planning for Families
PFP 836 Financial Planning Case Studies

Course Descriptions

Retirement Planning for Families, 3 credits (PFP 760)

Investing for Family’s Future, 3 credits (PFP 762)

Estate Planning for Families, 3 credits (PFP 764)

Insurance Planning for Families, 3 credits (PFP 766)

An in-depth study of risk management concepts, tools, and strategies for individuals and families, this course covers life insurance; property and casualty insurance; liability insurance; accident, disability, health, and long-term care insurance; and government-subsidized programs. Current and emerging issues, as well as ethical considerations, relative to risk management will be discussed. Case studies will provide experience in selecting insurance products suitable for individuals and families.

Personal Income Taxation, 3 credits (PFP 772)

This course provides 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. New and emerging issues related to taxation will be covered. Family/individual case studies provide practice in applying and analyzing tax information and recommending appropriate tax strategies.

Financial Planning Case Studies, 3 credits (PFP 836)

This course examines professional issues in financial planning, including ethical considerations, regulation and certification requirements, communication skills, and professional responsibility. Students are expected to utilize skills obtained in other courses and work experiences in the completion of personal finance case studies, the development of a targeted investment policy, and other related financial planning assignments.