Family and Consumer Sciences Education
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is currently accepting applications for admissions to the program for the Spring 2007 semester. This program is a collaborative, multi-institution effort with coursework delivered via the Internet/World Wide Web. Faculty from seven land-grant universities, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, Oklahoma State University, South Dakota State University, and University of Nebraska, share knowledge and expertise in youth development. All institutions are members of the Great Plains-Interactive Distance Education Alliance and have a history of success in distance education. Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
Upon successful completion of the Family Financial Planning program the student will be able to:
- Apply a systems approach in working with individuals and families relative to financial planning.
- Integrate financial planning content areas (housing & real estate, insurance, investments, personal income taxation, retirement, and estate planning) into the development of financial plans and targeted financial planning recommendations that meet specific individual and family need sets.
- Effectively apply verbal, written, and graphic communication and presentation skills to client presentations.
- Synthesize and integrate complex and conflicting information sources into cohesive, defendable recommendations for clients.
Most courses use Internet classrooms. Some have supplemental materials on video or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. You will interact with the professor and other students through e-mail, phone conferencing, and the Internet classroom.
You will need a PC or Macintosh computer with:
- CD-ROM Drive
- Sufficient processor speed
- Available hard disk space
- Internet Access
- A browser equivalent to Netscape/Explorer 4.0 or newer
The 42 credit master's degree program in Financial Planning
consists of twelve 3-credit courses taken in any order with the Financial Planning
Case Study course designed as a capstone to the program. The remaining six credits
are supervised experiences or projects in family financial planning. Each course
is offered at least once per year and the practicum every semester.
The 18 credit graduate certificate program in Financial Planning is designed for students who want graduate coursework that meets the educational requirement to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination but who do not need a master's degree. This program consists of six 3-credit online courses, each course is offered at least once per year:
- Fundamentals of Family Financial Planning
- Insurance Planning for Families
- Investing for the Family's Future
- Personal Income Taxation
- Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits and the Family
- Estate Planning for Families
Application Requirements & Process
Applications are considered on a continuing basis. It takes a minimum of one month (sometimes significantly longer) for your admissions to be processed. Apply in ample time whether you plan to begin your program in August, January, or May.
To apply you must send several items to (1) the Office of Graduate Studies, and three (3) additional items to (2) the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences.
1. Go to the University of Nebraska Graduate Studies web page and complete the on-line application http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/prospective/apply.shtm. Select Prospective Students, then select How to Apply, scroll down the page and select Proceed to the Online Graduate Application. Complete this application and submit via the web as insturcted. There is a $45 fee to apply.
2. After applying on-line and submitting the $45 fee, send two (2) official transcripts from any and all college or university degrees you have previously obtained to:
The Office of Graduate Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619
3. International students whose primary language is not English must take the TOEFL Exam and submit the score to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Remember: You must send these three items to the Office of Graduate Studies: Application, $45 fee, transcripts, and TOEFL, if required.
Additional items listed below should be sent to:
Graduate Support Services
Department of Family & Consumer Sciences
135 Mabel Lee Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68588-0236
1. A statement of intent including: (1) your prior work related experience, and (2) your future goals related to the program you are applying to, and (3) why this degree may help you.
2. A brief resume or curriculum vitae.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
Remember: You must send these three (3) items to the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences: Letter of Intent, Resume, Letters of Recommendation.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not require the GRE for admission into the M.S. in Family Financial Planning program.
As a student enrolled in a UNL - GPIDEA course, you may be eligible for financial assistance. The links below will provide you with specific information regarding tuition issues and financial aid opportunities.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
Graduate Fellowship Opportunities
Loans and Need-Based Application Process - have to been in a program
The GPIDEA Program Coordinator will send instructions and course registration materials for each course. Students enroll for all courses through their home institution. This means students will have only one enrollment process to complete and one check to write. All coursework completed will immediately be recorded on your University of Nebraska transcript. Financial aid may also be easeir to secure.
As stated above, students admitted to the program at the University of Nebraska enroll at UNL for all courses, whether they are taught at UNL or at a participating university. All courses have a common price of $395 per credit hour ($1185 per 3-hour course). There is no in-state or out-of-state tuition. This price will cover all course costs except textbook or course packet purchases.
Courses are taught online using a course management system accessed through your web browser. Some courses have supplemental materials on videos or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. Interaction between students and faculty is via e-mail, phone conferencing, and the Internet classroom.
Textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course and are the responsibility of the students.
Credit for previous graduate work will depend on the Graduate School requirements at your home university. UNL allows nine (9) hours to be transferred in upon the recommendation of your major professor. The courses must have been taken for graduate credit at an accredited university to be considered. Students will need to discuss this possibility with their advisor to determine if any courses can be substituted for required courses, or used as electives in their graduate program.
