MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS) IN
Consumer Sciences, concentration in Family Financial Planning and Counseling
Online
Program Overview
An online master’s degree in Consumer Sciences can prepare you for a rewarding career as a financial counselor or advisor. Graduates holding this degree from The University of Alabama can assist families as they focus on consumer assets management, planning, investing and financial decision making.
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Program Format
Online -
Credit Hours
30 -
Tuition Per Hour
$440
Build a Career as a Financial Planner
In this specialization students will study economic and social influences on the family and learn how to help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. By taking two courses each semester, students may complete this MS degree in less than two years.
Those who complete the financial planning and counseling area of study from UA develop a more holistic approach to financial planning that focuses on the client’s financial and non-financial goals when creating a long-term financial plan.
By studying online through UA, you will become part of the Crimson Tide family as you learn from the same experienced professionals who teach on campus. Many of the professors who teach in this program have not only studied financial planning, but they have also worked in a financial role for major corporations. You will be able to learn from and network with some of the best minds in the industry.
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®.
CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board). These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. The University of Alabama does not certify individuals to use the CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by the CFP Board to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.
- Application DeadlineJuly 1 for fall admission; November 15 for spring admission; April 15 for summer admission
- RankingListed #1 in the South by the independent financial advisor's industry magazine, "Financial Planning"
- AccreditationBoard of Standards for Certified Financial Planners
Curriculum
Students must earn 30 hours of coursework including 24 hours in the area of family financial planning & counseling and 6 hours of electives. The following courses are available online as well as on the UA campus. Please note that courses are subject to change.
Required Courses (24 hours)
- CSM 500 Personal Insurance Planning and Management
- CSM 504 Personal Investment Planning and Management
- CSM 510 Personal Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
- CSM 520 Personal Estate Planning
- CSM 554 Personal Income Tax Management and Planning
- CSM 558 Using Spreadsheets in Financial Decision Making
- CSM 559 Counseling Skills
- CSM 560 Personal Financial Planning Case Study Capstone
Students must also conduct a culminating experience prior to graduation, often in the form of practicum, a portfolio or a capstone project.
Suggested Electives (select 6 hours)
- CSM 524 Addictions and Dysfunctions in Money Management
- CSM 530 Family and Consumer Law
- CSM 535 Psychology of Money
- CSM 537 Developing the Leader Within
- CSM 575 Entrepreneurship
- CSM 581 Practicum/Internship
Prerequisite undergraduate courses: Introduction to Personal Financial Planning (CSM 204), Introduction to Microeconomics (EC 110), and an introductory Statistics (ST 260 or BER 345). Must have earned a C or better.
Admission
This program requires formal admission and the following:
- One of the following:
- 3.0/4.0 GPA
- 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours
- an acceptable MAT, GMAT or GRE entrance examination score
- Minimum of two recommendation letters
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
When completing the online application:
- Select Consumer Sciences as the major
- Mark the track in Family Financial Planning and Counseling
- Indicate distance learning if you will be completing the program online
Upon admission, the student will be referred to an academic advisor in the Department of Consumer Sciences who will assist the student in designing a personalized academic plan.
You Can Do It
At The University of Alabama we want to help you tell a legendary story, and that begins with a premier education and strong support. You can succeed at earning your degree from wherever you are. Want to know more? Let our graduates tell you their UA Online stories.
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Contact Us
Program Information
Vanessa McGee
Admissions Counselor
(800) 467-0227
vanessam.bama@ua.edu
Admissions Information
UA Online
(800) 467-0227
online@ua.edu