Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > BS in Consumer Sciences, concentration in Family Financial Planning and Counseling

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Environmental Sciences in
Consumer Sciences, concentration in Family Financial Planning and Counseling

Online

Program Overview

Learn to guide clients to reach their financial goals by earning your bachelor’s degree in HES, Consumer Sciences, concentration in Family and Financial Planning and Counseling. This program will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue your professional aspirations in financial planning and related careers.

Program Format
Online
Credit Hours
120
Tuition Per Hour
$385

Help Others Make Financial Decisions

Our program teaches sound personal finance principles to help your clients reduce their debt, build an emergency fund, develop a budget, make investments and many other important skills. By studying consumer sciences, you will develop a holistic approach to financial planning that focuses on improving individual and family quality of life through the effective use of resources and informed consumer behavior.

Students who successfully complete the concentration may sit for the CFP Certification Examination that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.

The degree fulfills the educational requirement to sit for the Accredited Financial Counselor® exam, which is offered through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®.

The Family Financial Planning and Counseling Concentration coursework fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the CFP® certification exam that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP (with flame logo) ®, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete initial and ongoing certification requirements. The University of Alabama does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and CFP (with flame logo) ® certification marks. Only the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., grants CFP certification to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board Registered Program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.

Recognized as a Leader in Online Education
Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round
AccreditationBoard of Standards for Certified Financial Planners
Are test scores required?ACT and SAT scores are not required through the Fall 2023 entry term

Curriculum

This 120 semester hour program includes General Education requirements, Major courses, Family Financial Planning & Counseling courses and electives. Please note that courses are subject to change.

Major Courses

CSM 201 Individual Family Resource Management
CSM 204 Introduction to Personal Financial Planning
CSM 303 Intro to Consumer Economics
CSM 381 Consumer Marketing Management or MKT 300 Marketing
CSM 401 Consumer Protection
CSM 425 Conflict Resolution
ST 260 Statistical Data Analysis or BER 345 Educational Statistics

View more information about this program through the University’s catalog.

Family Financial Planning and Counseling Courses

AC 210 Accounting
CSM 300 Time Value of Money
CSM 400 Personal Insurance Planning and Management
CSM 404 Personal Investment Planning and Management
CSM 410 Personal Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
CSM 420 Personal Estate Planning
CSM 435 Psychology of Money
CSM 454 Personal Income Tax Management and Planning
CSM 458 Using Spreadsheets for Financial Decision Making
CSM 459 Consumer Counseling Skills
CSM 460 Financial Planning Case Study Capstone

Admission

To apply for formal admission to any of the undergraduate degree programs offered through UA Online, you must complete an admissions application and submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended. Transfer students considering admission should review UA’s transfer information and policies.

Applicants must meet one of the following admission requirements:

If you have earned more than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet the transfer student admission requirement of a minimum 2.0 overall college GPA.
If you have earned less than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet both the 2.0 overall college GPA required for transfer students, as well as Admission Requirements for Freshmen Students. If high school graduation was more than four years ago, ACT/SAT scores are not required.