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Business Administration
Personal Financial Planning Degree
Become a financial leader with our CFP® Board Registered program.
Offered As:
Major
Credits Required:
120
Format
In-Person
What better place to earn a degree in financial planning than at a university that invests in your success. Kutztown University is the only state school in eastern Pennsylvania to offer a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) Board Registered program.
Our personal finance degree not only prepares you for the CFP® exam but allows you to work with real CFP® professionals on campus. Because of our strong career preparation, KU graduates have found full-time roles with places like Vanguard, Bank of America and ADP.
Why Choose KU for a degree in financial planning
Our financial planning degree is the first step to becoming a certified financial planner. Why? Because you will need to meet certain education requirements before taking the CFP® exam. And our degree meets those requirements.
Along with a guaranteed CFP® certification, there are many other reasons why business students choose KU:
- Tuition is affordable
- Financial aid is available
- Career success is high
- Student support is strong
- Location is close to home & work
Get one-on-one support and guidance from your professors.
Financial Planning Degree Highlights
Here at Kutztown University, our financial planning courses prepare you to work in a public, corporate, government or personal finance agency.
Your classes will teach you the advising, problem-solving and analytical thinking skills that all CFP® professionals need.
Program Highlights:
- Fulfill requirements to take Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) exam
- Work with an advisory board of CFP® professionals
- Learn how to create financial and personal goals
- Understand retirement and estate planning
- Understand economic history and how different markets work
- Become fluent in income tax evaluation and insurance planning
- Join prestigious Applied Investment Management (AIM) finance group
- Meet like-minded students in the Financial Planning Club
Student Learning Outcomes
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Business Administration, Personal Financial Planning (BSBA)
- Demonstrate Understanding: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the content found within the Financial Planning curriculum and effectively apply and integrate this information in the foundation of a financial plan.
- Communicate: Effectively communicate the financial plan, both orally and in writing, including information based on research, peer, colleague or simulated client interaction and/or results emanating from synthesis of material.
- Collect: Collect all necessary and relevant qualitative and quantitative information required to develop a financial plan.
- Analyze and Evaluate: Analyze personal financial situations, evaluating clients' objectives, needs, and values to develop an appropriate strategy within the financial plan.
- Logic and Reasoning: Demonstrate logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to a specific problem.
- Evaluate: Evaluate the impact of economic, political, and regulatory issues with regard to the financial plan.
- Apply: Apply the CFP Board Financial Planning Practice Standards to the financial planning process.
- Analyze and Recommend: Analyze a client's risk propensity, attitudes, capacity, knowledge, and needs.
Kutztown prepared me both professionally and personally. I was one of the first students in the AIM program, which is the Applied Investment Management Group for business students at KU, and even though I'm not a prolific speaker, I learned how to present recommendations on where to invest $100,000 of university endowment to the trustees.
Manny Henson ’06, Founder & President, Gamma Wealth ManagementPersonal Financing Planning FAQ
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What is personal financial planning?
Personal financial planning is the process of helping individuals and small business owners assess their financial needs. Strategies include budgeting, investing and projecting into the future to achieve your client’s financial goals.
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What personal financial planning courses can I take at KU?
You can take a wide variety of financial courses, including Financial Accounting, Financial Management, Business Strategy and Policy as well as Principles of Marketing.
See the full course list here: Personal Financial Planning Checksheet
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What is the best degree to become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)?
To become a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), you need a bachelor’s degree in a finance-related field through a CFP® Board Registered program.
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What can I do with a degree in financial planning?
The best part about pursuing a personal finance degree is that you have career options. Here are potential roles and national salaries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022).
- Certified Financial Advisor: $95,390
- Risk Specialist: $116,140
- Credit Analyst: $92,180
- Tax Preparer: $55,840
- Financial and Investment Analyst: $108,790
- Accountant: $78,000
- Real Estate Broker: $52,030
- Actuary: $113,990
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Is an internship required for a degree in financial planning?
No, an internship is not required for personal financial planning majors at Kutztown. Although, students are recommended to complete one before graduation.