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Program availability is dependent on course schedule. Ask an admissions counselor for details.
Advance your professional career in financial planning with our Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning.
Enhance Your Financial Planning Expertise in as Little as 20 Weeks
The Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning consists of four courses, each lasting five weeks. It offers students an in-depth knowledge of financial markets and investment management and helps students develop greater skills in financial planning. It may be useful for students considering a career as a financial advisor. Personal financial advisors provide advice on investments, insurance, mortgages, college savings, estate planning, taxes and retirement to help individuals manage their finances.
The curriculum for this certificate offers an opportunity to develop students’ analytical approaches and critical thinking abilities through hands-on coursework led by faculty with real-world experience.
The 12 credit hours earned in this program are transferable to the Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program.
Financial Planning is a Growing Profession
Employment of personal financial advisors is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.1 The primary driver of employment growth will be the aging population. As large numbers of baby boomers approach retirement, more are likely to seek planning advice from personal financial advisors. Also, longer lifespans will lead to longer retirement periods, further increasing demand for financial planning services.
In addition, the replacement of traditional pension plans with individual retirement accounts is expected to continue. Many people used to receive defined pension payments in retirement, but most companies no longer offer these plans. Therefore, individuals must save and invest for their own retirement, increasing the demand for personal financial advisors. 1
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Personal Financial Advisors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm (visited November 05, 2017). National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning Prerequisites
While an Undergraduate degree is required, students earning a bachelor’s degree in fields other than business will be considered. Prospective applicants should demonstrate prior academic knowledge or professional experience for the certificate they apply for.
Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning
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MSF 500W This course explores the features and functions of the key financial markets along with the institutions that serve the markets. Specifically, this overview compares and contrasts the equities, debt, money and mutual fund markets. It analyzes the individual markets, as well as the interaction among them. The course also focuses on the Federal Reserve System: its integration with the investment market industry and how it affects economic conditions. |
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MSF 510W This course provides in-depth analysis of the securities industry. It will describe and compare the different types and features of advanced securities such as mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and derivatives. The course introduces a securities market model describing the various participants such as banks, brokers, insurance companies and investment advisors. Within this model, business and system requirements for investment management and trading, custody and securities processing and securities accounting are described in detail. |
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MSF 580W This course identifies and evaluates business and personal risk using insurance as a risk management tool. Students will study introductory and advanced topics in risk management as well as life, health, property and liability insurance with their related legal and compliance issues. |
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MSF 505W This course deals with managing business funds and planning their use to accomplish organizational objectives. The primary objective of this course is to introduce the fundamental skills required to manage the financial aspects of a business as well as create and maintain organizational value. The main topics include: time value of money; financial statement analysis; valuation concepts; Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC); capital budgeting techniques; uncertainty and trade-off between risk and return; and the Security Market Line (SML). A basic working knowledge of a financial calculator and/or Microsoft Excel is necessary to successfully complete the course. |
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MSF 540W International Finance will introduce students to global financial markets and operations of multinational firms. Topics to be discussed will include foreign exchange markets, international financial markets, international banking, international trade tariff and quotas, Euromarkets and investment decisions in the global marketplace. |
More About the Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning
- The credits earned in this finance certificate program are transferable to the Master of Science in Finance program if a student elects to continue his or her education after completion of a certificate.
- While an undergraduate degree is required, students earning a bachelor's degree in fields other than business will be considered.
- Prospective applicants should demonstrate prior academic knowledge or professional experience for the certificate they apply for.
Tuition and Fees - Online Graduate Certificates
| Student Group | Cost Per Course* | Total Program |
|---|---|---|
| General Public | $2,115 | $8,460 |
| Partners1 and Immediate Family Members2 | $1,710 | $6,840 |
| Military Servicemembers3 and Dependents2, Full-time DoD and Coast Guard Civilian Employees4 and Immediate Family Members2 | $1,524 | $6,096 |
| Veterans5 and Dependents2 | $1,710 | $6,840 |
| First Responders6 and Immediate Family Members2 | $1,524 | $6,096 |
| Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Graduate Application once per program, non-refundable |
$50** |
| e-Resources Fee | $85 per course*** |
| Transcript Fee | $8 per official transcript |
| Petition to Graduate Fee once per program, non-refundable |
$95 |
| Commencement Fee once per program, non-refundable |
$100 |
| Course Re-enrollment Fee | Standard tuition rates apply |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) Fee California students only |
$2.50 per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of institutional charges |
*All prices are subject to change. Please refer to the Academic Catalog for the most up to date pricing.
** Application fee waived for the following groups (including their immediate family members/dependents2): partners1, military servicemembers3, DOD & USCG employees4, veterans5, first responders6.
*** e-Resources fee waived for the following groups (including their immediate family members/dependents2): military servicemembers3, DOD & USCG employees4
1 Employees, immediate family members of employees, and in some cases, members of organizations that have engaged in a formal educational partnership agreement with Cambridge College.
2 Dependents and immediate family members are defined as the spouse and children.
3 A member of the United States Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force) that is currently serving on active duty, Guard, or Reserve status. Members of the Guard and Reserves must be drilling members or on active duty. Servicemembers that are in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) are not considered as currently serving for purposes of the military benefit but may qualify for the veteran benefit.
4 General schedule employees of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Coast Guard.
5 Prior servicemember of the United States Armed Forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force) separated under other than dishonorable conditions. Servicemembers that are in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) may qualify for the veteran benefit.
6 All first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, and emergency management.
Withdrawal and Refund Policy
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for withdrawal and refund policy information.