Personal Financial Planning Programs
The Personal Financial Planning Program is designed to prepare students for careers in personal financial planning by combining rigorous academic training with the development of practical, real-world skills.
The program offers two academic pathways—the Undergraduate Personal Financial Planning Certificate program and Master of Financial and Tax Planning—both of which are registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) and fulfill the education requirements necessary to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
In addition to academic coursework, the program provides a range of industry-oriented training opportunities through collaboration with the Center for the Study of Personal Financial Planning, as well as connections with financial planning firms and the broader professional community.
Associate Professor
Finance Department
Director
Personal Financial Planning Programs
Fowler College of Business
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-8221, USA
Phone: 619-594-2082
Email: [email protected]
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program
To obtain CFP® certification, candidates must meet the CFP Board’s “Four E’s”: Education, Examination, Experience, and Ethics. Specifically, candidates must complete a CFP Board–approved education program before becoming eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
The Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program is a CFP Board–registered program that fulfills this education requirement.
Any undergraduate student who has completed the required coursework is eligible to apply.
Prerequisites (15 units)
- FIN 240: Legal Environment of Business (Units: 3)
- ACCTG 201: Financial Accounting Fundamentals (Units: 3)
- ECON 101: Principles of Economics (Units: 3)
- ECON 102: Principles of Economics (Units: 3)
- STAT 119: Elementary Statistics for Business (Units: 3)
OR - ECON 201: Statistical Methods (Units: 3)
But not both
Required Courses (24 units)
In order to qualify for this certificate, a "C" (2.0) average in the upper division certificate courses is required.
- FIN 327: Investments (Units: 3)
- FIN 421: Portfolio Management and Security Analysis (Units: 3)
OR - FIN 427: Derivatives and Financial Risk Management (Units: 3)
But not both - FIN 522: Individual Insurance Management (Units: 3)
- FIN 585: Estate Planning Issues and Practice (Units: 3)
- FIN 589: Personal Financial Planning (Units: 3)
- FIN 590: Personal Financial Planning Practicum (Units: 3)
- ACCTG 503: Federal Taxation of Individuals (Units: 3)
- BA 323: Fundamentals of Finance (Units: 3)
After completing all required coursework and receiving final grades, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Check Program Requirements
If you finish all required courses for the Personal Financial Planning Certificate Program, you can apply for the certificate. Please check the requirements first.
Step 2: Create CFP Account
Create a CFP account and get your CFP Board ID.
Step 3: Submit Application
Fill out the application form.
Step 4: Approval and Certification
After approval, you will receive a hard copy of the certificate and SDSU will update your verification information with the CFP Board. Then you can start to register to take the CFP exam.
There is no formal application process. You only apply after completing all required coursework.
If you are interested in the certificate program, please complete the Intent Form to receive relevant information and updates.
Master of Science in Financial and Tax Planning
The MS in Financial and Tax Planning is a CFP Board–registered program that fulfills the education requirement for CFP® certification while providing students with a master’s degree.
You can find more information about the program here.
Professional Development Opportunities
The program provides a range of industry-oriented training opportunities through connections with financial planning firms and the broader professional community, such as workshops and software training programs.
Open position will be posted soon
