Admissions

When reviewing your application, the following is taken into consideration:

  • your undergraduate grade point average, especially during the last 60 credits of study
  • whether your undergraduate institution is accredited
  • the extent to which our programs match your academic objectives
  • your potential for graduate study as reflected by your transcripts and letters of recommendation

In general, your undergraduate grade point average must be 3.0 ("B") or better, although in exceptional cases we may consider recommending probationary admission if your grade point average is at least 2.65, or if it is above 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework.

You do not need a specific type of undergraduate degree to be admitted into the program. Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. We anticipate that most applicants have taken classes in or possess a basic knowledge of macroeconomics, microeconomics, ethics and computer science applications. The program incorporates skills related to macroeconomics, microeconomics, finance, financial planning ethics, counseling and computer applications for financial data. Competencies related to these concepts are required to complete the program.

Once you have submitted the required application materials, the program will review your credentials and make an admission recommendation to the Graduate School, which checks the completeness of your application, reviews your unofficial transcripts, and verifies that you have or will soon have a valid degree from an accredited institution.

Application Process

  1. Begin an application for admission to the Kansas State University Graduate School. Please apply to: Personal Financial Planning.
  2. Submit the applicable domestic or international application fee.

    Note: This distance program does not qualify international students for study in the United States; international students must take the courses in their home country.

  3. In addition to the degree-granting institutions, unofficial transcripts from every college where credit was received must be uploaded. Upon admission, an official copy of each must also be sent directly to the Graduate School (submission instructions to be provided)

  4. Provide three letters of recommendation from current or former faculty, colleagues, or other professionals who are non-family members; your references will be contacted by CollegeNet via email as you complete the process. An accompanying letter may be uploaded by references while completing the recommendation form online
  5. Upload a brief resume and a goal statement detailing previous educational and professional experience, why you are interested in the program, and how the degree will help you achieve your career goals.

K-State does not require GRE scores for admission to the Personal Financial Planning program.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate program to avoid dismissal from the master's program. For additional information, please visit the K-State Graduate School website, or contact us at pfp@k-state.edu.

When all the materials are on file, the graduate committee will act on your request for admission to the program and will contact you about their decision. You may receive one of three decisions:

  1. full admission
  2. conditional admission subject to resolving deficiencies
  3. admission denied

Note: Applicants to the K-State Graduate School must have a bachelor's degree substantially the same as the ones granted by K-State. These degrees regularly contain a broad range of courses representing the basic academic disciplines. In addition, a major portion of the courses included should be graded by a multilevel system, usually A, B, C, D, F.

Rolling Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students can start at multiple times throughout the year: January, March, June, August, October. We strongly recommend that prospective students apply at least 4 weeks before the next class starts to allow time for processing paperwork.

Students must first apply and be accepted into the program prior to enrollment.