Program Overview
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Financial Planning is designed for individuals aspiring to careers as financial planners, investment advisors, or money managers, as well as those interested in specialized areas like estate planning, insurance, taxes, or real estate. Offered online or hybrid, our comprehensive graduate program delves into financial planning principles, income tax planning, risk management, estate planning, investments, employee benefits, retirement planning, and the psychology of money.
Established in 1980, GGU’s program is the oldest accredited Master of Science in Financial Planning degree in the country. For more than 40 years, we’ve been preparing professionals, both new to the field and experienced, to expertly navigate both the technical complexities and the human-centered emotional aspects of financial decision-making. Our curriculum exceeds CFP standards by emphasizing the interconnectedness of financial planning topics and the unique needs of each client, ensuring graduates possess the knowledge to apply concepts across diverse situations and understand how various financial areas are interdependent.
Degree Outcomes
Graduates of the Master’s in Financial Planning degree program will possess:
- The skills and knowledge of financial planning that are represented in the full range of topics covered by the CFP examination.
- Interpersonal skills necessary to maintain successful client relationships and to work effectively with colleagues, individually or in teams.
- The quantitative, analytical, and technical skills needed to address complex financial situations.
- The ability to apply their knowledge to real-world problems in financial planning.
- Knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in which financial planning occurs and familiarity with relevant licensing, reporting, and compliance requirements.
- The ability to recognize the ethical dilemmas that may arise in financial planning practice and familiarity with appropriate responses to those dilemmas, as reflected in the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign institution (outside the United States), and provide official transcripts.
- Master’s degree holders only need to submit transcripts from previous graduate programs. However, applicants are encouraged to submit all transcripts to maximize transfer credit.
- All applicants will need to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and a resume.
- For applicants with a GPA under 3.0, the Statement of Purpose should address the circumstances that led to the applicant’s academic performance, what has changed, and why they think they’ll be more successful now.
- Applicants whose native language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency Admission Requirements.
Proficiency Requirements
- Math Proficiency: Intermediate Algebra (Math 20); See Graduate Mathematics Proficiency Requirement for more information.
- Writing Proficiency: Students are expected to possess proficiency in writing to ensure they can be successful in their course of study. Students may meet this requirement by satisfying one of the screening criteria listed under Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement.
Curriculum
Core Courses – 21 units
- FP 220: Introduction to Personal Financial Planning – 3 units
- FP 221: Personal Investment Management – 3 units
- FP 222: Retirement and Employee Benefits Planning – 3 units
- FP 223: Risk Management and Insurance Planning – 3 units
- FP 225: Personal Income Tax Planning – 3 units
- FP 226: Personal Estate Planning – 3 units
- And one of the following:
- FP 230: Personal Financial Planning Cases – 3 units
- FP 450: Personal Financial Planning Practicum – 3 units
Electives – 9 units
- Take three 300- or 400-level graduate courses with FI or FP prefixes.
- Students who satisfy their electives by taking FP 447, FP 440, and FP 449, will also satisfy the course requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Financial Life Planning.
Graduate Tuition
The tuition for most graduate degree programs at Golden Gate University is $1,090 per unit, covering the cost of high-quality, career-focused education led by experienced faculty. This investment supports essential resources, including personalized academic advising, state-of-the-art technology, and student services designed to help adult learners succeed.
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Degree Highlights
- Online or Hybrid Courses
- 30 Credits
- No GRE/GMAT Required
- Taught by Industry Leaders
- Financial Life Planning Concentration
- Graduate in as Few as 12 Months*
*Estimated completion time for full-time students.
