Wealth Management and Financial Planning

To join the Wealth Management & Financial Planning program you must log on to Handshake. Go to Name > My Profile. Scroll down to Skills. Type: Wealth Management & Financial Planning. Click Add.

Students are strongly encouraged to join the Wealth Management Group as this student organization is the best place to experience elements of the program and get information from peers.

A: Financial planning employers look for candidates with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, mathematics or law. Courses in investments, taxes, estate planning and risk management are also helpful. You will need the academic skills and interest to have some command of the material in each of the fields and courses mentioned. Financial planning is a people business. You must be comfortable communicating with people and not be someone who wants to sit behind a computer screen all day. The profession has a crying need for newly minted college graduates. In addition to being a good communicator, you must have excellent analytical skills. Although you are likely to be part of team you must be capable and happy to work independently. Much of the work is entrepreneurial and you should enjoy the challenge of building a client base and creating your own business.

A: The program is open to all students interested in wealth management. The training program will be rigorous so if at some point you choose a different path you will be well positioned to make a transition to another field.

Course Requirements

Option 1

• Finance 300, Introduction to Finance
• Finance 320, Investment Theory & Practice
• Finance 602, Wealth Management & Financial Planning
• Risk Management and Insurance 300, Risk Management
• Accounting and Info Systems 329, Taxation: for Business & Personal Planning
• Consumer Science 635, Estate Planning for Financial Planners

Option 2 (Alternate requirements for accounting intensive students)

• Finance 300, Introduction to Finance
• Finance 320, Investment Theory & Practice
• Finance 602, Wealth Management & Financial Planning
• Risk Management and Insurance 300, Risk Management
• Accounting and Info Systems 620, Fundamentals of Taxation
• Accounting and Info Systems 621, Corporate & Advanced Taxation

Program Specialization Recommended Courses

• Risk Management and Insurance 620, Employee Benefits Management
• Risk Management and Insurance 660, Risk Analytics and Behavioral Science

A: "More than half of all financial advisors work for finance and insurance companies, including securities and commodity brokers, banks, insurance carriers and financial investment firms. However, 4 out of 10 personal financial advisors are self-employed, operating small investment advisory firms, usually in urban areas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of financial analysts and personal financial advisors is expected to increase faster than the average (by 27% or more) for all occupations through 2014. This is a result of the increased investment by businesses and individuals, the rising number of self-directed retirement plans and the growing number of seniors. Personal financial advisors will benefit even more than financial analysts as baby boomers save for retirement and as a better-educated and wealthier population requires investment advice. In addition, people are living longer and must plan to finance more years of retirement."

Source: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financialcareers/06/financialplanningquiz.asp

A: Upon completion of the program you will be eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination, the most prestigious certification in the field. If you pass the exam, you will be a Certified Financial Planner after you meet work experience requirements.

A: Students can contact directly the director of the program, Prof. Mark Fedenia or their undergraduate advisor. For more information please look in the Advising tab