Program Overview

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Consumer and Family Financial Services Program

The Consumer and Family Financial Services program at Ohio State University is designed to prepare students for a career in helping individuals, businesses, and organizations make informed financial decisions. This program offers two specializations: the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) track and the consumer behavior track.

Program Overview

A bachelor's degree in Consumer and Family Financial Services prepares students to analyze complex financial concepts, data, and policies. The program focuses on developing analytical and people skills necessary to help clients or employers make better financial decisions.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must:

• Complete 15 semester hours at Ohio State
• Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Complete economics and statistics with a grade of C- or higher

Curriculum

The curriculum requires students to take coursework that focuses on consumer problems, decision-making processes, and interaction with the marketplace. Students can also broaden their understanding with course choices from the business college, communications, and economic departments. The program emphasizes understanding consumer behaviors, marketplace complexities, and resolution of consumer problems.

Specializations

The program offers two specializations:

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) track
• Consumer behavior track

Coursework

Required major courses include:

• Family financial management
• Accounting
• Communications
• Consumer science classes on consumer problems and perspective
• Consumer service and satisfaction
• The multicultural consumer
• Consumer decision making
• Professional development

Students can choose 30 credits from two groups:

• Group A: broadens a student's knowledge in the major, with courses such as:
  • Solutions to Consumer Problems
  • Quantitative Methods in Consumer Sciences
  • Family Financial Management Theory and Practice
  • Families in Business Family Tax Planning
  • Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
• Group B: builds knowledge in sales/retail management and human resources, with courses from business, communications, and economics

Study Abroad

The Global Option in Education and Human Ecology is available for students in good academic standing, allowing them to develop their ability to communicate with and work alongside individuals from other cultures through education abroad programs and globally themed coursework.

Internship

Students can choose to complete an internship for course credit in banks, financial planning firms, insurance companies, and sales/marketing positions.

Honors and Scholars

The College of Education and Human Ecology Honors Program offers students rigorous coursework and opportunities to work closely with faculty to design and complete a research project. Students in this program also have access to smaller classes, priority scheduling, and unique housing opportunities.

Student Organizations

The Student Financial Planning Association at Ohio State University is a professional development student organization that helps students enhance the skills necessary for a career as a financial planner. Scarlet and Gray Financial provides opportunities for students to become peer financial coaches through its Leadership Development Program.

Possible Careers

Graduates of the Consumer and Family Financial Services program are employed in a wide range of careers, including:

• Business and industry
• Financial establishments
• Nonprofit organizations
• State agencies
• Social service agencies
• Trade associations
• Public utilities
• State legislature

Positions in the area of consumer services include:

• Public relations representative
• Customer service representative
• Market research analyst
• Sales representative or manager
• Educational specialist
• Marketing specialist
• Legislative advocate

Family financial services graduates may find employment as:

• Financial planners or counselors
• Life insurance, credit, or benefits counselors
• Loan officers
• Financial analysts

Salary Estimates

Beginning salaries for graduates of the Consumer and Family Financial Services major range from $30,000 to $50,000, depending on candidates' skills, previous work experiences, and other factors determined by various employers.