Certificate in Personal Financial Planning - Curriculum
Curriculum
Core Courses for Certificate in Personal Financial Planning (18 Credits)
BE 367: Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance
This course will serve as introduction to the foundations and basic principles of financial planning. The topics covered in this class will include client behavior, investment management, debt management, risk management and insurance, basic income tax planning, cash flow planning, and the concept of time value of money to name a few. Students in this class will learn how individuals and families can develop a financial plan to achieve both their short-term and long-term goals. 3 credits
BE 368: Investments and Capital Accumulation
This course will focus on both the theoretical and practical concepts and strategies used by financial planners to build investment portfolios that are appropriate for individuals and families based on their goals, time horizon, and level of risk tolerance. Students in this class will learn how to invest for the preservation of capital, the production of income, and the growth in value by using technology and research techniques to study the importance of asset diversification, asset allocation, and asset location. 3 credits
BE 369: Retirement Planning
This course will focus on the importance of retirement planning from the perspectives of individuals and families in the accumulation, preservation, and distribution stages. Students will learn about how much money an individual or family will need to retire, how social security benefits work, and what the differences between an IRA and a 401k are to name a few. Students will also learn about the intricacies of other types of retirement plans and how tax planning plays an integral role in planning for retirement in an effective and efficient manner. 3 credits
BE 370: Trusts, Gifts, and Estates
This course will focus on the movement of money during life and after death. Students in this course will cover topics such as the principles of trusts, gifting strategies and techniques, wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, planning for generation-skipping transfers, probate avoidance, and the responsibilities of executors, administrators, and trustees to name a few. Students will also learn about transfer tax planning and how to maximize wealth to be passed on to future generations. 3 credits
BE 361: Federal Income Taxation for Individuals
In this course, we study the theory and procedures of the Federal Income Tax System. Emphasis is placed on individual taxation using a forms-based approach. 3 credits
BE 396: Financial Planning Capstone
This course will be the culminating course in the Bachelor of Science in Finance, Personal Financial Planning Track program. Students will work through various mini-cases that focus on topics covered in previous financial planning courses in preparation for completing a comprehensive financial plan for a potential client. Students are expected to utilize knowledge and skills obtained in the other pre-requisite personal financial planning courses. Topics such as cash flow, income tax, insurance, investment, and estate planning, as well as quantitative skills and techniques, will be discussed throughout the course to ensure a comprehensive approach is taken in the financial plan development process.