Family Financial Planning
Certificate
Students in this specialization enhance personal financial knowledge, complete a master's degree and develop competencies that can lead to the Certified Financial Planner designation by the CFP International Board of Standards. The program focuses on the efforts of households to improve their economic well-being through effective use of resources, and on the economic and social systems that enhance or constrain these efforts. The degree prepares students for further graduate study or for work in human services, Cooperative Extension, the private sector or the public sector. This online financial planning curriculum lets you do course work when it's convenient for you.
The program was developed by Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA), a consortium of ten Midwestern universities, including the University of Nebraska. You can complete the program through any of the participating universities. When you select the University of Nebraska, you will take classes from the other participating universities: Iowa State, Kansas State, Montana State, North Dakota State, Oklahoma State University, and South Dakota State. Your credits from those institutions will be placed on your NU transcript.
Students in this program will:
- Apply a systems approach in working with individuals and families relative to financial management
- 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
Careers
Insurance
Real Estate
Investments
Retirement
Tax and Estate Planning
Application to this program
Course Registration
Your campus coordinator will send instructions and course registration materials for each course. You will register for the course and pay tuition and fees to your home institution.
Course Enrollment
There is only one enrollment process you need to complete through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, even though the course may be taught by another institution. All course-work completed will immediately be recorded on your UNL-transcript. During the 2019-20 academic year the cost of a three credit course is $1,740. You may enroll by completing a registration form that will be e-mailed to you 2-3 months before the semester/summer courses begin. A deadline for enrollment is established to allow sufficient time for IDEA Universities to share course enrollment information and communicate course information to you prior to the beginning of classes. Upon processing of your registration, you will receive a bill.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is $580.00 per credit hour for all distance education graduate students as of Fall 2019. Anticipate yearly increases in tuition.
Required materials:
1. Graduate Studies Application
2. Unofficial Transcripts
3. Resume
4. Statement of Professional Goals
In your Statement of Professional Goals, address the following:
-What personal and/or professional experiences have led you to want to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Family Financial Planning?
-What are your professional goals and how will this degree help you achieve those?
-This is an on-line program. Please describe your academic strengths and weaknesses related to successfully managing on-line coursework. If you do not have prior academic experience in on-line courses, please indicate so.
5. Three Letters of Reference
Ensure that at least one reference letter is academic (e.g., instructor, advisor) and any non-academic letters are professional (e.g., relevant employer)
Degree Requirements
Students may complete the certificate in one of two focus areas: Financial Planning or Financial Counseling.
Financial Planning:
- CYAF 821 Insurance Planning for Families
- CYAF 823 Estate Planning for Families
- CYAF 828 Retirement Planning, Employee Benefits and the Family
- CYAF 836 Financial Planning Case Studies
- CYAF 840 Personal Income Taxation
- CYAF 883 Investing for the Family's Future
Financial Counseling:
Required Courses (12 credit hours):
- CYAF 822 Financial Counseling
- CYAF 848A Financial Theory & Research
- CYAF 841 Housing/Real Estate
- CYAF 824 Fundamentals for FFP
Elective Courses (6 credit hours):
- Choose 6 credit hours of Family Financial Planning elective courses.
Students wishing to receive a certificate while pursuing their Master's Degree should speak with their advisor.